Season Awards Predictions

[Real Deal]

You know what to do. Who do you think will win these, not who you believe should.

 

Copy/paste what's in the code box below, and post your predictions to the right of each bold tag.

 

[b]Most Valuable Player:[/b] 
[b]Defensive Player of the Year:[/b] 
[b]Rookie of the Year:[/b] 
[b]Coach of the Year:[/b] 
[b]Most Improved Player of the Year:[/b] 
[b]Sixth Man of the Year:[/b] 

[b]All-NBA First Team[/b]
C - 
F - 
F - 
G - 
G - 

[b]All-NBA Second Team[/b]
C - 
F - 
F - 
G - 
G - 

[b]All-NBA Third Team[/b]
C - 
F - 
F - 
G - 
G - 

[b]All-Defensive First Team[/b]
C - 
F - 
F - 
G - 
G - 

[b]All-Defensive Second Team[/b]
C - 
F - 
F - 
G - 
G - 

[b]Eastern Conference Finals (team vs. team)[/b]


[b]Western Conference Finals (team vs. team)[/b]


[b]NBA Finals (team vs. team)[/b]


[b]2012 NBA Champions[/b]

[Newman]

Most Valuable Player: LeBron James

Defensive Player of the Year: Tyson Chandler

Rookie of the Year: Kyrie Irving

Coach of the Year: Gregg Popovich

Most Improved Player of the Year: Jeremy Lin

Sixth Man of the Year: James Harden

 

All-NBA First Team

C - Dwight Howard

F - Kevin Durant

F - LeBron James

G - Kobe Bryant

G - Chris Paul

 

All-NBA Second Team

C - Andrew Bynum

F - Kevin Love

F - Carmelo Anthony

G - Dwyane Wade

G - Tony Parker

 

All-NBA Third Team

C - Al Jefferson

F - LaMarcus Aldridge

F - Josh Smith

G - Rajon Rondo

G - Russell Westbrook

 

All-Defensive First Team

C - Tyson Chandler

F - Serge Ibaka

F - LeBron James

G - Tony Allen

G - Chris Paul

 

All-Defensive Second Team

C - Dwight Howard

F - Kevin Garnett

F - Andre Iguodala

G - Iman Shumpert

G - Rajon Rondo

 

Eastern Conference Finals (team vs. team)

Bulls vs Heat

 

Western Conference Finals (team vs. team)

Thunder v Spurs

 

NBA Finals (team vs. team)

Heat v Spurs

 

2012 NBA Champions

Heat

Edited April 25, 2012 by Newman

[Real Deal]

Most Valuable Player: LeBron James

Defensive Player of the Year: Tyson Chandler

Rookie of the Year: Kyrie Irving (landslide)

Coach of the Year: Gregg Popovich (landslide)

Most Improved Player of the Year: Nikola Pekovic

Sixth Man of the Year: James Harden

 

All-NBA First Team

C - Dwight Howard

F - LeBron James

F - Kevin Durant

G - Kobe Bryant

G - Tony Parker

 

All-NBA Second Team

C - Andrew Bynum

F - Kevin Love

F - Blake Griffin

G - Dwyane Wade

G - Chris Paul

 

All-NBA Third Team

C - Kevin Garnett

F - Dirk Nowitzki (undeserving)

F - Carmelo Anthony

G - Russell Westbrook

G - Rajon Rondo

 

All-Defensive First Team

C - Tyson Chandler

F - Serge Ibaka

F - LeBron James

G - Tony Allen

G - Rajon Rondo

 

All-Defensive Second Team

C - Dwight Howard

F - Luol Deng

F - Andre Iguodala

G - Thabo Sefolosha

G - Avery Bradley

 

Eastern Conference Finals (team vs. team)

Miami Heat vs. Chicago Bulls

 

Western Conference Finals (team vs. team)

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. San Antonio Spurs

 

NBA Finals (team vs. team)

Miami Heat vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

 

2012 NBA Champions

Oklahoma City Thunder

[Warren2ThaG]

Most Valuable Player: Durant

Defensive Player of the Year: Chandler

Rookie of the Year: Irving

Coach of the Year: Vogel

Most Improved Player of the Year: Pekovic

Sixth Man of the Year: Harden

 

All-NBA First Team

C - Dwight

F - LeBron

F - Durant

G - Kobe

G - Paul

 

All-NBA Second Team

C - Bynum

F - Love

F - Carmelo

G - Wade

G - Parker

 

All-NBA Third Team

C - M.Gasol

F - P.Gasol

F - Josh Smith

G - Rose

G - Westbrook

 

All-Defensive First Team

C - Chandler

F - Ibaka

F - Deng

G - Jrue

G - Rondo

 

All-Defensive Second Team

C - Dwight

F - Faried

F - Shumpert

G - Wade

G - Teague

 

Eastern Conference Finals (team vs. team) Bulls / Heat

 

 

Western Conference Finals (team vs. team) Lakers / Thunder

 

 

NBA Finals (team vs. team) Lakers / Bulls

 

 

2012 NBA Champions Bulls

[Flash]

Most Valuable Player: LeBron James

Defensive Player of the Year: Tyson Chandler

Rookie of the Year: Kyrie Irving

Coach of the Year: Greg Popovic

Most Improved Player of the Year: Paul George

Sixth Man of the Year: James Harden

 

All-NBA First Team

C - Dwight Howard

F - Kevin Durant

F - LeBron James

G - Kobe Bryant

G - Chris Paul

 

All-NBA Second Team

C - Andrew Bynum

F - Kevin Love

F - Carmelo Anthony

G - Dwyane Wade

G - Tony Parker

 

All-NBA Third Team

C - Al Jefferson

F - Blake Griffin

F - Josh Smith

G - Russell Westbrook

G - Rajon Rondo

 

All-Defensive First Team

C - Tyson Chandler

F - Serge Ibaka

F - LeBron James

G - Tony Allen

G - Chris Paul

 

All-Defensive Second Team

C - Dwight Howard

F - Kevin Garnett

F - Andre Iguodala

G - Iman Shumpert

G - Rajon Rondo

 

Eastern Conference Finals (team vs. team) If NY is 8th, Miami vs. NYK, If not, Miami vs. Boston

Western Conference Finals (team vs. team)Lakers vs. Spurs

 

NBA Finals (team vs. team) Heat vs. Spurs

 

2012 NBA Champions Miami Heat

Edited April 26, 2012 by Real Deal

[The Regime]

Most Valuable Player: Kevin Durant

Defensive Player of the Year: Tyson Chandler

Rookie of the Year: Kyrie Irving

Coach of the Year: Frank Vogel

Most Improved Player of the Year: Nikola Pekovic

Sixth Man of the Year: James Harden

 

All-NBA First Team

C - Dwight Howard

F - Lebron James

F - Kevin Durant

G - Kobe Bryant

G - Tony Parker

 

All-NBA Second Team

C - Andrew Bynum

F - Kevin Love

F - Carmelo Anthony

G - Dwayne Wade

G - Russell Westbrook

 

All-NBA Third Team

C - Tyson Chandler

F - Blake Griffin

F - Josh Smith

G - Derrick Rose

G - Rajon Rondo

 

All-Defensive First Team

C - Tyson Chandler

F - Serge Ibaka

F - Luol Deng

G - Iman Shumpert

G - Rajon Rondo

 

All-Defensive Second Team

C - Dwight Howard

F - Kevin Garnett

F - Andre Iguodala

G - Tony Allen

G - Chris Paul

 

Eastern Conference Finals (team vs. team) Chicago Bulls vs. Miami Heat (Bulls win in 7)

 

 

Western Conference Finals (team vs. team) Los Angeles Lakers vs. OKC Thunder (Lakers win in 7)

 

 

NBA Finals (team vs. team) Los Angeles Lakers vs. Chicago Bulls (Lakers win in 7)

 

 

2012 NBA Champions Los Angeles Lakers

[Cleveland's Finest]

Most Valuable Player: Tony Parker

Defensive Player of the Year: Tyson Chandler

Rookie of the Year: Kyrie Irving

Coach of the Year: Gregg Popovich

Most Improved Player of the Year: Jeff Teague

Sixth Man of the Year: James Harden

 

All-NBA First Team

C - Andrew Byum

F - LeBron James

F - Kevin Durant

G - Kobe Bryant

G - Tony Parker

 

All-NBA Second Team

C - Tyson Chandler

F - Kevin Garnett

F - Kevin Love

G - Dwayne Wade

G - Chris Paul

 

All-NBA Third Team

C - Dwight Howard

F - Tim Duncan

F - Paul Geroge

G - James Harden

G - Rajon Rondo

 

All-Defensive First Team

C - Tyson Chandler

F - LeBron James

F - Luol Deng

G - Andre Iguoudala

G - Tony Allen

 

All-Defensive Second Team

C - Anderson Varejao

F - Kenyon Martin

F - Paul George

G - Avery Bradley

G - Rajon Rondo

 

Eastern Conference Finals (team vs. team) Celtics over Heat in 6

 

Western Conference Finals (team vs. team) Spurs over Thunder in 6

 

NBA Finals (team vs. team) Spurs over Celtics in 7

 

2012 NBA Champions

Spurs

Edited April 25, 2012 by Cleveland's Finest

[htownborn]

Most Valuable Player: LeBron James

Defensive Player of the Year: Serge Ibaka (for me but I can understand why some would say Chandler)

Rookie of the Year: Kyrie Irving

Coach of the Year: Doc Rivers (It may go to Pop but the Celtics started off shaky but ended strong)

Most Improved Player of the Year: Nikola Pekovic

Sixth Man of the Year: James Harden

 

All-NBA First Team

C - Dwight Howard

F - Kevin Durant

F - LeBron James

G - Kobe Bryant

G - Chris Paul

 

All-NBA Second Team

C - Andrew Bynum

F - Kevin Love

F - Carmelo Anthony

G - Dwyane Wade

G - Tony Parker

 

All-NBA Third Team

C - Marc Gasol

F - Blake Griffin

F - Luol Deng

G - Russell Westbrook

G - Rajon Rondo

 

All-Defensive First Team

C - Tyson Chandler

F - Serge Ibaka

F - LeBron James

G - Tony Allen

G - Chris Paul

 

All-Defensive Second Team

C - Dwight Howard

F - Josh Smith

F - Andre Iguodala

G - Iman Shumpert

G - Mike Conley

 

Eastern Conference Finals (team vs.team)(Bulls vs. Heat) Heat in 7

 

 

Western Conference Finals (team vs.team) (Spurs vs.Thunder) Spurs in 7

 

 

NBA Finals (team vs.team)(Spurs vs. Heat) Heat in 6 (If it goes to 7 I think it may be San Antonio)

 

 

2012 NBA Champions Heat

Edited April 26, 2012 by htownborn

[ChosenOne]

Most Valuable Player: Tony Parker

Defensive Player of the Year: Serge Iblocka

Rookie of the Year: Kyrie Irving

Coach of the Year: Gregg Popovich

Most Improved Player of the Year: Kris Humphries

Sixth Man of the Year: James Harden

 

All-NBA First Team

C - Dwight Howard

F - Lebron James

F - Kevin Durant

G - Kobe Bryant

G - Tony Parker

 

All-NBA Second Team

C - Andrew Bynum

F - Kevin Love

F - Carmelo Anthony

G - Dwayne Wade

G - Russell Westbrook

 

All-NBA Third Team

C - Tyson Chandler

F - Blake Griffin

F - Josh Smith

G - Derrick Rose

G - Rajon Rondo

 

All-Defensive First Team

C - Tyson Chandler

F - Serge Ibaka

F - Luol Deng

G - Iman Shumpert

G - Rajon Rondo

 

All-Defensive Second Team

C - Dwight Howard

F - Kevin Garnett

F - Andre Iguodala

G - Tony Allen

G - Chris Paul

 

Eastern Conference Finals (team vs. team) Chicago Bulls vs. Miami Heat (Bulls win in 7)

 

 

Western Conference Finals (team vs. team) San Antonio Spurs vs. OKC Thunder (Spurs win in 7)

 

 

NBA Finals (team vs. team) San Antonio Spurs vs. Chicago Bulls (Lakers win in 7)

 

 

2012 NBA Champions Chicago Bulls

[NomarFachix]

Most Valuable Player: LeBron James

Defensive Player of the Year: Tyson Chandler

Rookie of the Year: Kyrie Irving

Coach of the Year: Tom Thibodeau

Most Improved Player of the Year: Danny Green

Sixth Man of the Year: James Harden

[Real Deal]

[color="#000000"]b[/color]]Most Valuable Player:[/[color="#000000"]b[/color]][color="#000000"] LeBron James
[/color][[color="#000000"]b[/color]]Defensive Player[color="#000000"] of the [/color]Year:[/[color="#000000"]b[/color]][color="#000000"] Tyson Chandler
[/color][[color="#000000"]b[/color]]Rookie[color="#000000"] of the [/color]Year:[/[color="#000000"]b[/color]][color="#000000"] Kyrie Irving
[/color][[color="#000000"]b[/color]]Coach[color="#000000"] of the [/color]Year:[/[color="#000000"]b[/color]][color="#000000"] Greg Popovic
[/color][[color="#000000"]b[/color]]Most Improved Player[color="#000000"] of the [/color]Year:[/[color="#000000"]b[/color]][color="#000000"] Paul George
[/color][[color="#000000"]b[/color]]Sixth Man[color="#000000"] of the [/color]Year:[/[color="#000000"]b[/color]][color="#000000"] James Harden

Dude...I just took your post (above) and wrapped it in CODE tags, so you can actually see what you're posting and why it's messing up.

 

You have had many other posts this way as well, one I edited in Gameday a couple of nights ago.

 

What are you posting from? If it's your phone, what's the particular app?

[Flash]

Dude...I just took your post (above) and wrapped it in CODE tags, so you can actually see what you're posting and why it's messing up.

 

You have had many other posts this way as well, one I edited in Gameday a couple of nights ago.

 

What are you posting from? If it's your phone, what's the particular app?

 

Chrome

[DunkinDerozan]

Most Valuable Player: Lebron

Defensive Player of the Year: Ibaka

Rookie of the Year: Irving

Coach of the Year: Tom Thibodeau (bulls)

Most Improved Player of the Year: Ilyasova

Sixth Man of the Year: Harden

 

All-NBA First Team

C - Bynum

F - Durant

F - Lebron

G - Kobe

G - Rose

 

All-NBA Second Team

C - Howard

F - Love

F - Anthony

G - Westbrook

G - Paul

 

All-NBA Third Team

C - Cousins

F - Aldridge

F - Griffin

G - Parker

G - D. Williams

 

All-Defensive First Team

C - Howard

F - Ibaka

F - J. Smith

G - Wade

G - Rondo

 

All-Defensive Second Team

C - Chandler

F - James

F - Iguadala

G - Paul

G - Shumpert

 

Eastern Conference Finals (team vs. team)

Boston vs. Miami

 

Western Conference Finals (team vs. team)

San Antonio vs. Oklahoma City

 

NBA Finals (team vs. team)

Boston vs. Oklahoma City

 

2012 NBA Champions

OKC

[Sħãlïq™]

Most Valuable Player: C. Paul

Defensive Player of the Year: Ibaka

Rookie of the Year: Irving

Coach of the Year: Tom Thibodeau (Bulls)

Most Improved Player of the Year: Ibaka

Sixth Man of the Year: Harden

 

All-NBA First Team

C - Bynum

F - Durant

F - Lebron

G - Kobe

G - Rose

 

All-NBA Second Team

C - Howard

F - Griffin

F - Anthony

G - Westbrook

G - Paul

 

All-NBA Third Team

C - Cousins

F - Aldridge

F - Love

G - Parker

G - D. Williams

 

All-Defensive First Team

C - Howard

F - Ibaka

F - J. Smith

G - Wade

G - Paul

 

All-Defensive Second Team

C - Jordan

F - James

F - T. Allen

G - Rondo

G - Shumpert

 

Eastern Conference Finals (team vs. team)

Chicago vs. Miami

 

Western Conference Finals (team vs. team)

LA Clippers vs. Oklahoma City

 

NBA Finals (team vs. team)

Chicago vs. Oklahoma City

 

2012 NBA Champions:

Oklahoma City THUNDER

[MJ23]

Most Valuable Player: Kevin Durant

Defensive Player of the Year: Serge Ibaka - the Shotblocka

Rookie of the Year: Kyrie Irving

Coach of the Year: Gregg Popovic ( just because the won't let Thibs to become the first who won it back-to-back - something he deserves)

Most Improved Player of the Year: Ersan Ilyasova

Sixth Man of the Year: James Harden

 

All-NBA First Team

C - Dwight Howard

F - Kevin Love

F - Kevin Durant

G - Kobe Bryant

G - Tony Parker

 

All-NBA Second Team

C - Joakim Noah

F - Carmelo Anthony

F - LeBron James

G - Dwayne Wade

G - Russell Westbrook

 

All-NBA Third Team

C - Andrew Bynum

F - Blake Griffin

F - Luol Deng

G - Rajon Rondo

G - Chris Paul

 

All-Defensive First Team

C - Tyson Chandler

F - Serge Ibaka

F - Kenneth Faried

G - Tony Allen

G - Rajon Rondo

 

All-Defensive Second Team

C - Dwight Howard

F - Kevin Garnett

F - Lebron James

G - Iman Shumpert

G - Chris Paul

 

Eastern Conference Finals (team vs. team) - CHICAGO BULLS vs.INDIANA PACERS

 

 

Western Conference Finals (team vs. team) - SAN ANTONIO SPURS vs. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER

 

 

NBA Finals (team vs. team) - CHICAGO vs. OKLAHOMA CITY

 

 

2012 NBA Champions - CHICAGO BULLS

[Finch23]

I'm really curious to find out how people think the Lakers and OKC are going to end up playing eachother in the WCF. If both teams win in the first round they will play eachother in the semis....

 

My answers will come when I get home

[Flash]

 

All-NBA First Team

C - Dwight Howard

F - Kevin Love

F - Kevin Durant

G - Kobe Bryant

G - Tony Parker

 

 

No LeBron on the first team?

Edited April 26, 2012 by Flash

[Lkr]

Most Valuable Player: LeBron James

Defensive Player of the Year: Serge Ibaka

Rookie of the Year: Kyrie Irving

Coach of the Year: Gregg Poppovich

Most Improved Player of the Year: Pekovic

Sixth Man of the Year: James Harden

 

All-NBA First Team

C - Andrew Bynum

F - LeBron James

F - Kevin Durant

G - Kobe Bryant

G - Tony Parker

 

All-NBA Second Team

C - Dwight Howard

F - Kevin Love

F - Melo

G - Rondo

G - Wade

 

All-NBA Third Team

C - Marc Gasol

F - Pau Gasol

F - Al Jefferson

G - Derrick Rose

G - CP3

 

All-Defensive First Team

C - Dwight Howard

F - Serge Ibaka

F - LeBron

G - Tony Allen

G - Rondo

 

All-Defensive Second Team

C - Tyson Chandler

F - KG

F - Iguadala

G - Kobe

G - Wade

 

Eastern Conference Finals (team vs. team)

Heat vs Bulls

 

Western Conference Finals (team vs. team)

Spurs vs Thunder

 

NBA Finals (team vs. team)

Heat vs Spurs

 

2012 NBA Champions

Spurs

[Blazed49]

No LeBron on the first team?

I was thinkin the same exact thing. Especially to be replaced by love.

[JYD]

Most Valuable Player:

LeBron James

 

Defensive Player of the Year:

Tyson Chandler

 

Rookie of the Year:

Kyrie Irving

 

Coach of the Year:

Tom Thibadeau

 

Most Improved Player of the Year:

Ryan Anderson

 

Sixth Man of the Year:

James Harden

 

All-NBA First Team

C - Dwight Howard

F - LeBron James

F - Kevin Durant

G - Kobe Bryant

G - Tony Parker

 

All-NBA Second Team

C - Andrew Bynum

F - Kevin Love

F - Carmelo Anthony

G - Russell Westbrook

G - Dwayne Wade

 

All-NBA Third Team

C - Tyson Chandler

F - Tim Duncan

F - Blake Griffin

G - Derrick Rose

G - Chris Paul

 

All-Defensive First Team

C - Tyson Chandler

F - Serge Ibaka

F - Andre Igoudala

G - Iman Shumpert

G - Rajon Rondo

 

All-Defensive Second Team

C - Dwight Howard

F - LeBron James

F - Loul Deng

G - Tony Allen

G - Chris Paul

 

Eastern Conference Finals (team vs. team)

Chicago Bulls vs. Miami Heat. MIAMI IN 6.

 

Western Conference Finals (team vs. team)

OKC Thunder vs. San Antonio Spurs. OKC in 7.

 

NBA Finals (team vs. team)

Miami Heat vs. OKC Thunder. Miami in 6

.

2012 NBA Champions

MIAMI HEAT. [[uNFORTUNATELY]]

[fish7718]

Most Valuable Player: Kevin Durant

Defensive Player of the Year: Tyson Chandler

Rookie of the Year: Kyrie Irving

Coach of the Year: Paul Silas Frank Vogel

Most Improved Player of the Year: Jeremy Lin

Sixth Man of the Year: James Harden

 

All-NBA First Team

C - Dwight Howard

F - LeBron James

F - Kevin Durant

G - Kobe Bryant

G - Dwyane Wade

 

All-NBA Second Team

C - Andrew Bynum

F - Kevin Love

F - Carmelo Anthony

G - Russell Westbrook

G - Derrick Rose

 

All-NBA Third Team

C - Tyson Chandler

F - LaMarcus Aldridge

F - Dirk Nowitzki

G - Chris Paul

G - Tony Parker

 

All-Defensive First Team

C - Tyson Chandler

F - Serge Ibaka

F - Loul Deng

G - Tony Allen

G - Dwyane Wade

 

All-Defensive Second Team

C - Dwight Howard

F - Kevin Garnett

F - Andre Iguodala

G - Kobe Bryant

G - Rajon Rondo

 

Eastern Conference Finals (team vs. team) If NY is 8th, Miami vs. NYK, If not, Miami vs. Boston

 

 

Western Conference Finals (team vs. team) Grizzlies V Thunder

 

 

NBA Finals (team vs. team) Grizzles V Heat

 

 

2012 NBA Champions Miami Heat

Edited April 26, 2012 by fish7718

[MJ23]

No LeBron on the first team?

 

I didn't know that I need to give explanation for my picks.

Edited April 27, 2012 by MJ23

[Flash]

I didn't know that I need to give explanation for my picks.

 

You don't, its your opinion but I'm just wondering why you would leave a guy who's putting up one of the best/most efficient seasons since Jordan in 89 off the All NBA First team?

[Oliver P]

Most Valuable Player: Kevin Durant

Defensive Player of the Year: Tyson Chandler

Rookie of the Year: Kyrie Irving

Coach of the Year: Gregg Popovich

Most Improved Player of the Year: Jeremy Lin

Sixth Man of the Year: James Harden

 

All-NBA First Team

C - Dwight Howard

F - Kevin Durant

F - LeBron James

G - Kobe Bryant

G - Chris Paul

 

All-NBA Second Team

C - Andrew Bynum

F - Blake Griffin

F - Carmelo Anthony

G - Tony Parker

G - Rajon Rondo

 

All-NBA Third Team

C - Tyson Chandler

F - Kevin Love

F - Dirk Nowitzki

G - Dwayne Wade

G - Derrick Rose

 

KD, LeBron AND Paul (which is unfairly forgotten when talking about the MVP) are the top 3 players for MVP this year, Kobe's shown that he's still clearly the best SG in the league and there is no center that can even be compared to Dwight right now. I do not think a case can be made for any other players against those five ones for All NBA First Team.

 

Bynum has showed that he is now clearly the second best C in the league and Chandler's impact on the Knicks D has been absolutely unbelievable this year. He's changed the defensive mentallity all by himself and yes I agree that he should be the DPOY.

 

A case could be made for Love in the 2nd Team but the fact is that team results are very important as well which is why I eventually put Griffin over him. As for Melo he's been very criticized this year but since the arrival of Woodson he's showed that he was a fantastic player, a true leader and it's thanks to him that we will be in the playoffs this year. I am glad that, contrary to many people (too many) I never doubted him. As for Dirk many people might be surprised by this choice but he's gotten back to a great level lately and it is just totally impossible for me not to mention him here. A case could be made for Pau but, even if he got back to a better level lately, he's just not the Pau Gasol we saw two years ago any more.

 

Parker and Rondo have been fantastic this year, they've played the best bball of their career and no case can be made for any other G against them for the 2nd Team IMO. Especially cause Rose and Wade spent too much time on the injured list this year. But they still have to be on the Third Team. Rose is the reigning MVP and it's impossible not to have him among those Teams, even with all the injury problems he had this year.

 

 

All-Defensive First Team

C - Tyson Chandler

F - Serge Ibaka

F - Luol Deng

G - Iman Shumpert

G - Rajon Rondo

 

All-Defensive Second Team

C - Dwight Howard

F - Kevin Garnett

F - Andre Iguodala

G - Tony Allen

G - Chris Paul

 

Eastern Conference Finals (team vs. team) Chicago Bulls vs Miami Heat

 

 

Western Conference Finals (team vs. team) Memphis Grizzlies vs Dallas Mavericks

 

 

NBA Finals (team vs. team) Miami Heat vs Dallas Mavericks

 

 

2012 NBA Champions Dallas Mavericks

 

 

Here's the explaination for my choices and my overall views for this year's playoffs :

 

 

EASTERN CONFERENCE :

 

 

At the beginning of the season two teams were the clear favorites to make the ECF for me*: the Chicago Bulls and the Miami Heat. And to be honest I still expect those two teams to make the ECF despite the fact that Rose is now injured. Although other teams have a chance to make the ECF. Let's take a closer look at this :

 

 

The Heat are clearly a favorite to win it all this year. There is no doubt that they are good enough to win. But contrary to many people I don't consider them as the VERY favorites to win. I actually never have. I remember not so long ago, when James and Bosh arrived in Miami, that many (too many people) were 100% sure that not only the Heat would easily win rings (their only question was how many rings in a row can this team win..) but that they would beat the Bulls records for sure. Even Jeff Van Gundy said it.. And at the time I don't know how many times I tried to explain to these people that it's not because the Heat are the most talented team that they would win for sure, that anything can happen in sports and that, as ironic as it might seem, teams of stars usually do not work. It's been almost two years since and not only the Heat were far from being the Bulls records but they haven't won a ring so far and they actually didn't even end one of their two first season as the best team in the league or even in the East for that matter. So I hope that those people have learned their lesson by now.

 

Anyhow the Heat are nonetheless a top team in the league. And it certainly would not be surprising to see them win it all this year. But I personally still have my doubts about this team. As a matter of fact we saw last year what were the obvious flaws of that team and the fact is that they still have the same flaws this year, in fact they were already at their best last year and didn't improve since. Once again how many times have we seen them lose games in the clutch*? Their main problem is that they have no clear hierarchy. They have two leaders. Which is very confusing, you need a clear hierarchy in order to win a ring, you need one true leader to carry you in the money time. So the fact that they have two is actually a problem.. Problem that could actually be easily solved IMO if James accepted once and for all to give the leadership of the team to Wade. Cause we can say it for sure now*: LeBron might be the most talented player in the world right now, but he is just not clutch and cold blooded enough to be a true leader. We saw that again many times this year. For me he rather is second option material.

 

Another problem that the Heat have is that Bosh never succeeded in playing the role he was supposed to play : take care of the dirty work. Not only that but he spends way too much time in the perimeter for an inside player, especially that the Heat are already loaded with wing players and certainly do not need their inside players to play on the wings as well.. And Bosh has no post moves. The Heat have no true post players. And Bosh, Wade and James are too similar to be a real efficient big three. So they might be the most talented team in the league but I definitely still have my doubts about them.

 

 

Contrary to the Heat the Bulls definitely improved this year. They depended too much on Rose last year. They just couldn't win without him. But this year they can. And they have. Which is bad news for Rose in a sense, as he has now no chance to be MVP, but great news for the team as they are now a real team who have a true chance to win a ring. And even if most people weren't convinced by the signing of Hamilton, he actually brought them a lot of things, even if he spends too much time on the injured list. Last year their main weak point was the SG position but now with Hamilton, Korver and Brewer the least we can say is that this position is full. The Bulls are a much better team than last year, no doubt about that.

 

But, as we all know, they are now without Rose. Rose has had a lot of injury problems this year , there were a lot of questions considering his health and it's not that surprising to eventually see him out for the playoffs. And if the Bulls showed that they can win without their leader this year, the playoffs are an entirely different season and it's just totally impossible to win in the playoffs without your leader. So the Bulls just have now zero chance to achieve anything this year IMO. If Rose was healthy and played at his best level during this playoffs, the Bulls would have been my favorite to win the Eastern Conference this year. But now that he's out I doubt that anyone in this conference can stop the Heat. It is still possible to see the Bulls in the ECF this year though.

 

 

Most people thought the Celtics were done this year. But they've shown that they're still here. After a slow start the C's got back to their best and it ain't gonna be easy to beat them in the playoffs this year again. Although, even if I admit that it's possible to see them in the ECF, or even Finals for that matter, I personally don't see them passing the second round. Because even if they got back to a very good level KG, PP and Ray just aren't as young as they used to be.. And the three of them are injury prone. And because of their age KG just can't dominate defensively as he used to be, Pierce can't carry the team on his shoulders the way he used to be.. Rondo is now clearly the best player of the team. But can he be a true leader ? He's still very young, he still has a lot to prove. And let's not forget that he's been injury prone this year too.. So to be honest I think that the Celtics should quite easily beat the Hawks in the first round but after that it will all depend on what Rondo can achieve as a leader and on the team's health. If the C's stay healthy and Rondo definitely asserts himself as the leader then the Celtics will be a major threat and they could eventually make the ECF, or even the Finals as they played quite well against Miami this year. But if not I don't think they'll beat the Bulls in the second round. Even without Rose.

 

 

The Knicks were just horrible at the beginning of the season. A major disappointment considering how talented they were. The Linsanity got us back on track for a while but when Carmelo came back from injury it was obvious that we had now to make a choice between Melo and D'Antoni. And fortunately for us Mike made the right choice himself. I kept saying it all year long*: it was now clear that D'Antoni was not the right coach for us. Personally I think that all the hate D'Antoni received as a Knicks was uncalled for, which is why I always stood up for him, despite the fact that I really dislike his style (I've always been first of all a fan of huge D, 90's Knicks forever). Besides it was totally unfair to judge him during his first two years as a Knick as we were a starless team at the time. But after that we got Stat, Melo, Chandler.. But we didn't play at the level we were supposed to play. The fact is that D'Antoni has had his chance. But he failed. And he just had to go. He was clearly not the right coach for us.

 

At the time D'Antoni resigned the hate that most people had for Melo was.. just unbelievable. And disgusting. I personally always stood up for Melo. And I knew that, with a more suited coach, Melo would show us how terrific a player he was. I was 100% against the trading of Melo. And the fact is that I was right. I was more than happy for Jeremy Lin during the Linsanity but I just couldn't believe how overrated he got at that time.. The fact that some people actually thought that he should have become our leader instead of Melo was incredible to me. Lin showed that he was a talented player but it's important not to forget that he had those stats thanks to D'Antoni's system. Which is the perfect system for Lin who's a Nash like PG. But the fact remains that despite the huge stats and the wins we got at that time, Lin is basically a rookie and he still has a LOT of things to learn. It was obvious that the Linsanity wouldn't last and that Lin couldn't have led us anywhere in the playoffs. One day maybe Lin will be a top PG in this league but right now he's just a very talented young PG who still has a lot of things to prove.

 

Anyway it was then clear that D'Antoni and Melo were totally incompatible. One of them had to go. As a matter of fact D'Antoni is all about full court offense and quick shots while Melo, like all true superstars and leaders for that matter, is all about half court offense and isos. If D'Antoni stayed we would have only relied on Lin, so basically a rookie. We could have become a top NBA team but, like the Suns, with no defense and half court offense I doubt that we would have ever had a chance to achieve anything. While with Melo and a more defense minded coach we can definitely have a chance to win a ring in the next couple of year. Personally I always thought we had to keep Melo and fire D'Antoni and we can see now for sure that it was the good solution indeed. Besides with Lin injury I have no doubt that we wouldn't even have made the playoffs this year... But now with Melo and a better coach it seems that we have a bright future indeed. I don't think Woodson is the real answer though, cause even if we got by far better with him, he's too much about isos (isos are essential to win in the NBA but it's important not to use too much at the same time cause it will kill chemistry otherwise) and if we have the opportunity to sign Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy or Sloan for example there is no doubt we will have to take it.

 

Anyway everyone who doubted Melo is now proven wrong, just like everyone who thought that Denver won the Melo trade is proven wrong as well (Denver has a nice team but they have no leader and once again you just can't win without a leader in the NBA, and real leaders are certainly not that easy to find..). We have now a very nice team overall, and we definitely can frighten the Heat (despite the fact that they easily won game 1). But I don't think we will pass the first round this year, we had too many trouble this year and we need more time. But I definitely think that we can win two games against the Heat.

 

 

As for the four other Eastern teams they have in my opinion 0 chance to win a ring this year. The Sixers have a wonderful chemistry but they have no real leader, the Hawks won't win anything with Johnson as their leader, the Magic surprisingly won their first game against Indiana, surprisingly not only because they don't have Dwight but mainly because they've seemed like a total mess lately but I don't see them going to the second round nonetheless and wouldn't be schocked if the Pacers won the four next games in a row, and finally the Pacers could win a couple of games against Miami or New York (but rather Miami) in the second round, but I would be very surprised to see them in the ECF.

 

 

WESTERN CONFERENCE :

 

 

In the West it's for me very hard to come with two main favorites for the WCF. Many teams can make the WCF. Let's take a closer look at them :

 

 

The Spurs have been fantastic this year. Their staff have once again made a great job and found young blood to improve the team. Their roster is very impressive, and the addition of Boris Diaw was an amazing move, he's absolutely perfect for this team. Not to mention the return of Jackson.. Honestly if Duncan was still at his prime, I think that a case could be made for this team as the best Spurs team ever*! But... Duncan is not at his prime any more... It is not surprising that the Spurs staff found some great players to improve their team, they've done that for quite some time now. But the fact remains that the big three is getting old year after year... And if the Spurs are still good enough to be among the top teams in the regular season, the fact is that, once again, you need a leader to carry you on your shoulders during the playoffs. And, even if Duncan seemed to be a little better this year, the fact is that Tim just cannot be that leader any more. Ginobili never was and is not leader material, he's too crazy (you can't get him under control) to be a true leader. He can get you back in the game but also easily can get you out of it because of his crazyness. Besides he is, like Duncan now, injury prone. So the only player who can be the Spurs leader now is their best player : Tony Parker.

 

Tony has had a fantastic season, certailny his best season so far, but we still have to ask ourselves this question : can he be the Spurs leader*? Being the best player of your team and being a true leader and two entirely different things... And it's in the playoffs that you see who the true leaders are. I personally said it many times, I don't believe that Parker can be a true leader. I don't believe in him. Sure I know that he was Finals MVP in 2007, but being Finals MVP and being a true leader are two different things. For example if you think that Maxwell was the Celtics leader in 1981 you're just kidding yourself. Duncan was still the clear leader of the team that year, there is no doubt about it. So we're gonna see this year if Parker can be a true leader. That's the Spurs' only chance to win a ring might I add. And, again, I don't believe in him, that's why I don't think the Spurs will win this year. Even if I admit that it is possible.. I don't think the Spurs will be eliminated in the first round like last year though, but I see them losing in the second round, WCF at best. We'll see.

 

 

The Thunder have been fantastic all year long and they are now a true contender. No doubt about that. And the addition of Fisher was great as he brings them something they didn't have : experience. But I'm still not sure about this team either. First of all they lack of scoring inside. In the NBA history only two team have won a ring with so little scoring inside : the 75 Warriors and the 90's Bulls. Besides I am not sure that Westbrook is the second option that Durant needs. He's had a great season but once again the playoffs are totally different.. It might be not enough. And finally there is Durant himself. Fantastic player, no doubt about that. But young, very, very young.. And still a lot of things to prove. He's not at his best yet (which is scary in a way). So yes the Thunder could win it all this year, but I personally still have my doubts about this team.

 

 

The Lakers had a tough beginning of the season. Which is why Kobe played that great this year in a way, he didn't have to play like that those last seasons, he could rely more on his teammates. This year the team was not as great and Kobe had to bring his A game again. And he did. But the team is not as impressive as it was two years ago. They eventually got better by the end of the season though. Bynum has had his best season ever, and Gasol is back to a great level. But the rest of the team is quite weak. Besides it's great for them that they eventually found a decent PG in Sessions but still it would have been better if they didn't have to let Fisher go. Fisher is not any more starting PG material, that is true, but he's clutch and is a leader and there is no doubt IMO that they will miss him in the playoffs. Well if the big three keep playing at a great level in the playoffs they definitely have a chance to win, no one can deny that, but I personally don't think they will beat either the Thunder or Mavs in the second round.

 

 

With the addition of Paul the Clippers got to the next level. Paul showed once again this year why he is clearly the best PG in the league. The Clippers are now legit. But can they win it all ? Might be hard the first year... Especially that Billups is out. Many people doubted that Billups was the answer as the starting SG but he showed them otherwise. Not only did Paul and Billups played PERFECTLY together but Billups asserted himself as a true leader once again. And every time Del Negro experimented Paul, Billups, Mo at the same time on the court it was a success as well. When Billups got injured the team wasn't as great, and it was no surprise at all... They got back to a better level recentely, and the addition of Young was quite interesting, but I still don't think they're as good as they were with Billups. With Billups I think that they would have had a better chance to make the Finals. Besides they're now playing Memphis in the first round, they don't have HCA, and it's gonna be very hard for the Clippers to beat that team.

 

The Grizzlies have had a tough season. Lot of injuries. But now they're back to their best. And they have a true chance to do something. The main change this year is the change of leader. Because of Zach's injury Rudy Gay has been the leader of the team for most of the year. And Randolph was now a sixth man. I am personally not sure about this. Rudy has done quite a good job as the leader this year but Zach might want to be the leader again in the playoffs. It might be a problem for them. What if Zach starts playing like he did last year ? When he was unstoppable in the playoffs ? Could Gay accept to become a second option ? On paper this team is certainly the most complete team in the league. But this leader thing might be a problem for them. We'll see if they can handle that. But if they can it wouldn't be surprising to see them in the Finals. After all they are the most complete team in the league.

 

 

Most NBA fans now do not believe in Dallas. But I do. The Mavs have had a lot of troubles this year. Dirk was not himself for a couple of months, there were some major changes.. But the fact is that Dirk eventually got back to his best, and the new players seem more and more comfortable in the team. Besides the only important departure was in fact Chandler. Barea and Stevenson were important for that team in the Finals, don't get me wrong, but they were not essential at the same time. Dirk, Kidd and Terry were the three best players of the team and.. they're still there. Sure no one can have the same impact on the defense as Chandle had. But Mahinmi and Haywood can get the job done at C. Mahinmi clearly improved this year and he clearly had his best years so far. Also Delonte West is a much better player than Barea was, just like Carter is clearly better than Stojakovic.. The loss of Chandler is important but overall the Mavs are more talented this year. So they can win this year again, I'm convinced of it. But they've had so many ups and downs this year that it wouldn't be surprising to see them out in the first round at the same time... In my opinion either the Mavs will lose in the first round, either we'll see them in the Finals. That's what I think of them. We'll see.

 

Also I would like to add that there are several similarities between the Mavs and the 95 Rockets, who won despite the fact that no one believed in them after a disappointing season :

 

- both teams had just won a ring the year before

- both teams had/have trouble during the regular season

- both teams had major roster changes

- both teams had lost a valuable inside player (Chandler for the Mavs ; Thorpe for the Rockets)

- no one believed/believes that they could/can repeat (except Chris Webber for the 95 Rockets and.. me for the 2012 Mavs)

- both teams were more talented overall than the year before but were also not as well balanced

 

We will see if the Mavs will repeat like the Rockets did in 95. Never underestimate the heart of a champion.

 

 

As for the Jazz and Nuggets I think that they are the only teams in the West that don't even have a slight chance to win a ring. The Nuggets are like the Sixers of the West, great chemistry but no leader... While the Jazz are slowly getting back to the top but they're still a little young and unexperienced to expect achieve anything this year.

 

 

 

Anyway the least we can say is that the playoffs are very open this year. No one is a clear favorite (at least for me) but many teams have a chance to win it all this year. I think that the last time I saw so many teams who had a chance to win was when Jordan retired for the first time... Honestly OKC, Miami, SAS, Mavs, Lakers, Clippers, Grizzlies, Boston, or even the Knicks (I don't think we'll pass the first round but we never know, after all we got one of the deepest teams, if not THE deepest, in the league), they all have a chance to win it all. It's just too bad that Rose got injured in the first game... But those playoffs are gonna be great nonetheless, I feel it.

[ballorama]

Great post bro. Loved your points bout the Grizzlies.. as for the Mavs haha, I've been trying to draw comparisons with them to the 95' rockets all season.. but we'll see. TO be honest, i was really surprised after their game one performance, played pretty well despite losing on a lucky bounce.