This season I predicted the records a little differently. I still used the same process of taking production from the previous 2 seasons and adjusting for things like age and circumstance. The difference is I gave myself more latitude to change records that just looked wrong. I did this because things can change during the season. Last year two trades, one silly the other sensible, changed the balance of power in the West. So while the Cavs may not be as strong as the Pistons and Celtics right … [Read more...] about NBA Preview 2008-09: Projected Records

The Western Conference powers have been gradually shifting.  The old powers seem to be fading but still dangerous and the new power brokers that emerged in the 2007-08 playoffs look pretty significant too.  I happen to agree with the opinion put out by David Stern and others that the West has regressed a bit against the East.  No longer are the best teams clearly in the West.  In fact, the tough teams are getting more evenly distributed as the Detroit/Boston duo is as tough as any two teams out … [Read more...] about NBA Preview 2008-09: Western Conference

This felt like one of the quicker off seasons we've had and now all of sudden a new NBA season is upon us.  What has changed in these four months since the Celtics beat the Lakers?  Not too much really.  There haven't been too many changes in roster, Elton Brand being the notable exception.  The real change is in time.  How have four months changed the teams?  Are the Celtics too old to be prohibitive favorites?  Are the Pistons crumbling?  Is LeBron at his peak?  Really, the East boils down to … [Read more...] about NBA Preview 2008-09: Eastern Conference