The NBA season came to a halt this past weekend as some of the league’s silkiest shooters and dirtiest dunkers came together for the annual NBA All-Star Weekend. The Toronto Raptors rookie Terrence Ross contorted his body to throw down some ferocious slams while Kyrie Irving of the Cleveland Cavaliers put on a clinic, knocking down seven straight three-pointers, enroute to the three-point contest championship. With such thrilling performances, The News-Letter thought it would be keen to highlight some surprises and offer some predictions at the halfway mark of the season.
1. The Los Angeles Lakers: Kobe Bryant's Lakers came into the season with a star studded lineup that included the recent additions of Steve Nash and Dwight Howard. However, the talent laden team has struggled up to this point in the season. A coaching change along with a barrage of injuries has certainly stunted the teams' growth. However, the Lakers entered the break winners of six of their last ten games, and a meager three and a half games out of a playoff spot.
My prediction: Assuming the Lakers can stay healthy for the remainder of the season, veterans Bryant, Nash, and Pau Gasol turn the team into contenders come playoff time. Although, squads with proven team chemistry like the San Antonio Spurs will send the Lakers home early.
2. Tony Parker: The San Antonio Spurs point guard is quietly having one of the better seasons in the league. The leading scorer on the top team in the NBA, has averaged an outrageous 26 points, 9.2 assists and 3.8 rebounds in his last 10 games. Can his spirited play carry the aging Spurs to another NBA championship?
My prediction: The younger Oklahoma City Thunder surpasses the San Antonio Spurs and heads to another NBA Finals for a rematch with the Miami Heat.
3. LeBron James: Nearly everyone knew coming into the season James would be dominant. Yet I do not believe anyone expected such amazing unselfishness and efficiency. Through Feb. 8 to Feb. 14 James averaged 32.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists and an even two steals per game. In seven straight games the Heat star scored above 30 points, solidifying himself as the best player in the league. Last week he set an NBA record by becoming the first person to score at least 30 points and shoot 60 percent in six straight games. The following night he dipped just below the precedent, shooting a remarkable 58 percent from the field while pouring in 39 points in a 10 point win over the Thunder. While James’ image will forever be tainted from the infamous “The Decision” showing, it is clear James is focused solely on continuing the Miami Heats' winning ways.
My prediction: The Heat head to another NBA Finals after narrowly beating the feisty Indiana Pacers in a tough fought seven-game series. James uses his previous experience to garner another championship ring and MVP trophy against the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Thunder find themselves one more year away from hoisting the trophy.
4. Rookies: While Oklahoma City has all the pieces needed, several teams will start looking ahead to one of the weakest draft classes in history. This year’s rookies include names such as Bradley Beal, Anthony Davis and Damian Lillard. Teams will look to the likes of Cody Zeller of Indiana and Kansas’s Ben McLemore early in the draft to provide a needed boost.
My prediction: With the Nerlens Noel knee injury, Ben McLemore will go first overall considering the recent failure of big men in the draft. Watch for UNLV’s Anthony Bennett as a potential top-five pick. Having seen the freshman phenomenon play live, I believe Bennett could immediately contribute with his versatile skillset.
5. Charlotte Bobcats: Do not get me wrong, the Bobcats are dismal. But Michael Jordan’s 12-40 cellar dwellers have nearly doubled their win total from last season. Second year guard Kemba Walker leads the talented rookies Jeffery Taylor and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. If the team can draft wisely and add another young star, the Bobcats may be on the path to reverse their losing ways. Take the Oklahoma City Thunder for example — several strong drafts starting with Kevin Durant negated the franchise’s last place finishes.
My prediction: The Bobcats finish the season without the lowest winning percentage in the league. A top-three pick through the lottery gives the team an immediate star and turns around the teams' subpar performances.
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