My NBA season picks; who you got?

With the NBA season just under way, I'm going to let you in on my picks for this season. I'd also like to hear yours.

Playoff teams
Eastern Conference
1. Cleveland Cavaliers - Will again have the best record in the league, but will it translate to playoffs?
2. Boston Celtics - Getting Garnett Back huge, addition of 'Sheed and Marquis Daniels big, but are they too old?
3. Atlanta Hawks - One of the teams few people seem to be talking about. Team takes a big step this year.
4. Orlando Magic - The team people are talking too much about. I see the loss of Turkoglu as a lot bigger factor than most are saying.
5. Chicago Bulls - Derrick Rose has brought grit to this team; there's talent and Rose's level of intensity is contagious to his teammates.
6. Philadelphia 76ers - Was very good last season, but does Brand's return cause another chemistry issue?
7. Washington Wizards - Plenty of talent, tough (or immature) attitude; Agent Zero's status the key as always.
8. Detroit Pistons - Lots of talent, but awkward grouping of it.

Western Conference
1. Los Angeles Lakers - Only chance defending champs have issues is if Ron Artest is subtraction by addition.
2. Denver Nuggets - As talented as almost anyone, but will they finally get the maturity needed to get to the Finals?
3. San Antonio Spurs - Addition of Richard Jefferson and Antonio McDyess should pay off in depth, therefore, health.
4. Portland Trail Blazers - Much of the hype around this team is legit, but some of the lofty expectations are premature.
5. Phoenix Suns - Back to run and gun means more wins, but still doesn't fix defensive inefficiencies.
6. Dallas Mavericks - Addition of Shawn Marion a nice move, but it is it the WEST.
7. Utah Jazz - Have, in my opinion, one of the best coaches ever, just not enough talent to knock off the elite teams consistently.
8. New Orleans Hornets - Hornets had their one big year; they have pieces, but in the West you can't afford to slip backward.

Playoffs
Eastern Conference
First Round
1. Cleveland vs. 8. Detroit - Cavs continue to won Pistons, 4-0
4. Orlando vs. 5. Chicago - Magic too physical, but Bulls challenge like they did to Boston last year, 4-2
2. Boston vs. 7. Washington - Agent Zero has magic for one game, but that's it, Boston 4-1
3. Atlanta vs. 6. Philadelphia - Hawks make statement, win in 5 games
Conference Semifinals
1. Cleveland vs. 4. Orlando - Shaq does enough to neutralize Dwight Howard, Cavs eke by 4-3
2. Boston vs. 3. Atlanta - Celtics have just enough to get by talented, youthful Hawks, 4-3
Conference Finals
1. Cleveland vs. 2. Boston - Cavs revert to bad habit (relying too much on LeBron) and C's take advantage, win in 7
Boston Celtics

Western Conference
First Round
1. Los Angeles Lakers vs. 8. New Orleans - Lakers too talented, 4-1
4. Portland vs. 5. Phoenix - Suns have too much experience, 4-3
2. Denver vs. 7. Utah - Nuggets survive themselves, win 4-2
3. San Antonio vs. 6. Dallas - Defense biggest factor in this one, as always, Spurs 4-2
Conference Semifinals
1. Los Angeles Lakers vs. 5. Phoenix - Lakers' only flaw is taking games off, win in 6
2. Denver vs. 3. San Antonio - Nuggets implode from within, Spurs 4-1
Conference Finals
1. Los Angeles Lakers vs. 3. San Antonio - Lakers' depth too much, win in 7
Los Angeles Lakers

NBA Finals
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics - Celtics back healthy, too tough - mentally and physically - knock off Lakers in 6

Awards
MVP: LeBron James
Defensive Player of the Year: Dwight Howard
Rookie of the Year: Sacramento's Tyreke Evans
Sixth Man of the Year: Lamar Odom
Most Improved Player: Cleveland's Jamario Moon
Comeback Player of the Year: Washington's Gilbert Arenas

What do you think? Who you got?

Comments

[Clutch performers]

K-mart is an idotic player...the nuggets arent a nuber 2 seed...JR smith plays moronically as well..Lakers are head and shoulders the best NBA team

[Rick]

Cavs take it this season!

[Dave Wetzel]

Rick, the Cavs will need better coaching this year to take it. I know that sounds ironic considering Mike Brown was coach of the year last year, but they don't seem to realize that putting LeBron at the top of the key to attack allows the defense to sit and wait on him. Not to mention it makes guys like Mo Williams and Delante West merely jump shooters, which they can be but are capable of more. Rick, my home state is Ohio, I'd love to see the Cavs win it. For a time I thought they would last year, but the excuse of LeBron not having help is getting real old. It's the offense they run - if you wanna call it just that. How about running the King off some screens so he can attack the defense while it's moving?

[Clutch performers]

mike brown is a very dumb coach

[Rick]

I don't think Mike Brown is dumb. One doesn't make it to the NBA being dumb. Maybe his game plan or offensive schemes appear to be dumb but let's not attack the man.

[i Know what to do]

mike brown needs to trade lebron....seriously...memphis needs scorers