NBA 2012-13 Season Predictions

Here are my predictions for the Eastern and Western Conferences for the 2012-13 season.  I’ve also put the wins and losses I expect them to end the regular season with.  Accounting for injuries that have already occurred (i.e. Derrick Rose, Ricky Rubio, etc.) but not allowing for injuries that may occur throughout the season.  Have a look at let us know what you think!

EAST	WEST
1- Miami Heat Wins: 65-70 / Losses: 12-17	1- Oklahoma City Thunder Wins: 65-70 / Losses: 12-17
2- Boston Celtics Wins: 60-65 / Losses: 17-22	2- Los Angeles Lakers Wins: 60-65 / Losses: 17-22
3- Philadelphia 76ers Wins: 60-65 / Losses: 17-22	3- San Antonio Spurs Wins: 60-65 / Losses: 17-22
4- Indiana Pacers Wins: 55-60 / Losses: 22-27	4- Los Angeles Clippers Wins: 55-60 / Losses: 22-27
5- Brooklyn Nets Wins: 50-55 / Losses: 27-32	5- Memphis Grizzlies Wins: 55-60 / Losses: 22-27
6- New York Knicks Wins: 50-55 / Losses: 27-32	6- Denver Nuggets Wins: 50-55 / Losses: 27-32
7- Chicago Bulls Wins: 45-50 / Losses: 32-37	7- Minnesota Timberwolves Wins: 45-50 / Losses: 32-37
8- Atlanta Hawks Wins: 40-45 / Losses: 37-42	8- Golden State Warriors Wins: 45-50 / Losses: 32-37
9- Milwaukee Bucks Wins: 40-45 / Losses: 37-42	9- Utah Jazz Wins: 40-45 / Losses: 37-42
10- Washington Wizards Wins: 40-45 / Losses: 37-42	10- Dallas Mavericks Wins: 40-45 / Losses: 37-42
11- Cleveland Cavaliers Wins: 30-35 / Losses: 47-52	11- New Orleans Hornets Wins: 40-45 / Losses: 37-42
12- Detroit Pistons Wins: 30-35 / Losses: 47-52	12- Phoenix Suns Wins: 30-35 / Losses: 47-52
13- Toronto Raptors Wins: 25-30 / Losses: 52-57	13- Portland Trailblazers Wins: 30-35 / Losses: 47-52
14- Orlando Magic Wins: 25-30 / Losses: 52-57	14- Houston Rockets Wins: 30-35 / Losses: 47-52
15- Charlotte Bobcats Wins: 15-20 / Losses: 62-67	15- Sacramento Kings Wins: 25-30 / Losses: 52-57

Today in NBA History – Aug 30

1953 – Robert Parish is born in Louisiana.  Parish is a Hall of Famer who played 1,611 games in the NBA over 21 seasons.  Parish has played in more games than any other player in the NBA and ABA combined, with the 2^nd ranked player being Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on 1,560 games.  Parish is a 4x NBA Champion (1981, 1984, 1986, 1997), a 9x NBA All-Star and was also inducted into the NBA’s 50^th Anniversary All-Time Team.

1997 – The first WNBA Finals are held in Houston in a single game series – the following season the WNBA changed to a best of 3 series.  The Houston Comets defeated the New York Liberty 65-51 on their way to becoming the first WNBA Champions.  Cynthia Cooper, who was the regular season MVP, won the Finals MVP after scoring 25 points.

Today in NBA History – Aug 29

1974 – Moses Malone, 19 years old, signs with the American Basketball Association (ABA) Utah Stars.  This deal  – a seven-year contract worth up to $3 million – made Malone the highest paid teenager in sports history at the time.  Moses Malone was the second player in the history of the NBA and ABA to play professional basketball out of high school.

1980 – David West is born in New Jersey.  West currently plays for the Indiana Pacers, previously playing for the New Orleans Hornets (2003-2011).  West was an NBA All-Star in 2008 and 2009).  In his 9 years in the league, West is averaging 16 points and 7.2 rebounds per game.

Today in NBA History – Aug 26

2004 – Stephon Marbury scores 31 points in a game against Spain at the Athens Olympics.  At the time, Marbury’s 31 points was a Team USA Olympic-record, this was passed by Carmelo Anthony’s 37 points against Nigeria in 2012 at the London Olympics.

Today in NBA History – Aug 25

1965 – Bill Russell signs a contract to make him the NBA’s highest paid player at the time.  His $100,001 contract made him exactly $1 more than Wilt Chamberlain, Russell’s archrival.

1970 – Robert Horry is born in Maryland.  Horry is one of the most known clutch plays in the history of the NBA.  Big Shot Rob is a 7× NBA Champion (1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2007).

Today in NBA History – Aug 24

1965 – Reggie Miller is born in California.  Reggie Miller was the long time leader for the most three pointers made in NBA history with 2,560 makes until Ray Allen passed him recently.  Miller is known for his amazing offensive skill sets and his rivalry with Spike Lee, a New York Knicks super fan.  Miller was a 5x NBA All-Star and played 18 seasons in the NBA – all with the Indiana Pacers – and retired averaging 18.2 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists per game.

1979 – Michael Redd is born in Ohio.  Redd was a member of the 2008 United States Men’s basketball team that won a Gold Medal in Beijing.  Redd played his first 11 seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks and played last season with the Phoenix Suns.  Currently he is an unrestricted free agent and has a career average of 19 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists.

2008 – The USA Men’s basketball team, A.K.A. The Redeem Team, beat Spain 118-107 in the Gold Medal Game at the Beijing Olympics.

Today in NBA History – Aug 23

1978 – Current Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant is born in Philadelphia.  Kobe has played all 16 years Lakers and is a 5x NBA champion (2000-2002, 2009, 2010) as well as a 2x NBA Finals MVP (2009, 2010).  Kobe was the MVP of the league in 2008, has appeared in 14 NBA All-Star Games (winning the All-Star MVP in 2002, 2007, 2009 and 2011) as well as being on 14 All-NBA Teams.

Today in NBA History – Aug 21

1936 – Wilt Chamberlain is born in Philadelphia.  Wilt was also known as Wilt the Stilt and the Big Dipper throughout his career.  Chamberlain is most known for being the only player in NBA history to score triple digits in a single game – a perfectly rounded 100 game.  A member of the Hall of Fame, the Big Dipper ranks 1^st all time in total rebounds (23,924), rebounds per game (22.9) and minutes per game (45.8).  Wilt the Stilt finished his 13 year career as the 4^th leading all time scorer (31,419 points), 2^nd highest all time in average points per game (30.1) and 3^rd all time in field goals made (12,681).  One of the greatest players of all time, Chamberlain averaged 50.4 points and 25.6 rebounds in the 1961-62 NBA season, something unheard of ever since.

1969 – The Oakland Oaks of the American Basketball Association (ABA) move to Washington and are renamed to the Washington Capitals.

Brooklyn Nets – 2013 Preview

Brooklyn Nets. Last Season: 22-44, did not make playoffs

Starting 5: Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, Gerald Wallace, Kris Humphries, Brook Lopez

Bench: Brooks provides depth as a backup guard both offensively and defensively.  Evans will provide quality production behind Humphries and Lopez on defense, but there’s not much scoring threat beyond the starting five.

Expected Wins:  42-45 wins

Expected Losses: 37-40 losses

Offseason moves:

Players Kept – G/F MarShon Brooks, F Kris Humphries, C Brook Lopez, F Gerald Wallace, G Deron Williams

Free Agents – G Sundiata Gaines, F Damion James, G Armon Johnson, F/C Shelden Williams

Players Added – F Ilkan Karaman (draft), F Tornike Shengelia (draft), G Tyshawn Taylor (draft), G Keith Bogans (FA), G/F Jerry Stackhouse (FA), F Mirza Teletovic (FA), G C.J. Watson (FA), F Reggie Evans (trade), G Joe Johnson (trade)

Players Lost – G/F Gerald Green (FA), G Jordan Farmar (trade), F Anthony Morrow (trade), G Johan Petro (trade), F DeShawn Stevenson (trade), F Jordan Williams (trade)

Boston Celtics – 2013 Preview

Last Season: 39-27, lost Conference Finals to Miami

Starting 5: Rajon Rondo, Courtney Lee, Paul Pierce, Brandon Bass, Kevin Garnett

Bench: Deep in frontcourt and backcourt.  Bradley will be able to fill in minutes as PG when healthy as well as possibly starting at SG.  Terry in a sixth man roll again.  Green getting minutes at SF and PF spots.  Fab Melo and Jared Sullinger will get solid minutes also.

Expected Wins:  50-55 wins

Expected Losses: 27-32 losses

Offseason moves:

Players Kept – F Brandon Bass, G Avery Bradley, G Keyon Dooling, F/C Kevin Garnett, F Jeff Green, F Paul Pierce, G Rajon Rondo

Free Agents – G/F Marquis Daniels, G/F Mickael Pietrus

Players Added – F Kris Joseph (draft), C Fab Melo (draft), F Jared Sullinger (draft), C Jason Collins (FA), G Jason Terry (FA), F/C Chris Wilcox (FA), G Courtney Lee (trade)

Players Lost – G Ray Allen (FA), C Ryan Hollins (FA), C Greg Stiemsma (FA), C Jermaine O’Neal (FA), F/C JaJuan Johnson (trade), G E’Twaun Moore (trade), G/F Sasha Pavlovic (trade), F/C Sean Williams (trade)