Circle of NBA Friends

Making it quick because there is only one hour away from the first NBA game's tip-off.  Here are my 2009-10 NBA projections for both regular season and playoffs.

2009-10 NBA Projected Standings

Eastern Conference
1. Orlando Magic (63-68 wins)
2. Boston Celtics (57-62 wins)
3. Cleveland Cavaliers (50-55 wins)
4. Toronto Raptors (45-50 wins)
5. Washington Wizards (44-49 wins)
6. Atlanta Hawks (43-48 wins)
7. Miami Heat (42-47 wins)
8. Detroit Pistons (40-45 wins)
9. Chicago Bulls (39-44 wins)
10. Indiana Pacers (36-41 wins)
11. New Jersey Nets (30-35 wins)
12. Philadelphia 76ers (28-33 wins)
13. New York Knicks (25-30 wins)
14. Milwaukee Bucks (15-20 wins)
15. Charlotte Bobcats (less than 15 wins!  )

Western Conference
1. Los Angeles Lakers (65+ wins)
2. San Antonio Spurs (56-61 wins)
3. Denver Nuggets (54-59 wins)
4. Dallas Mavericks (51-56 wins)
5. New Orleans Hornets (48-53 wins)
6. Utah Jazz (44-49 wins)
7. Portland Trail Blazers (42-47 wins)
8. Phoenix Suns (40-45 wins)
9. Oklahoma City Thunder (39-44 wins)
10. Golden State Warriors (35-40 wins)
11. Los Angeles Clippers (33-38 wins)
12. Houston Rockets (26-31 wins)
13. Memphis Grizzlies (22-27 wins)
14. Sacramento Kings (19-24 wins)
15. Minnesota Timberwolves (17-22 wins)

My Award Picks
Co-MVPs: Kobe Bryant (Lakers) and Dwight Howard (Magic)
Rookie of the Year: Blake Griffin (Clippers)
Defensive Player of the Year: Dwight Howard for his 2nd straight year!
Coach of the Year: Stan Van Gundy (Magic)
Executive of the Year: Otis Smith (Magic)
Most Improved Player of the Year: Andrew Bynum (Lakers)
Sixth Man of the Year: Manu Ginobili (Spurs)

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Playoff Predictions

Eastern Conference
First Round
(1) Magic over (8) Pistons, 4-1
(2) Celtics over (7) Heat, 4-2
(3) Cavaliers over (6) Hawks, 4-3
(4) Raptors over (5) Wizards, 4-3

Semifinals
(1) Magic over (4) Raptors, 4-2
(2) Celtics over (3) Cavaliers, 4-3

East Finals
(1) Magic over (2) Celtics, 4-2

Western Conference
First Round
(1) Lakers over (8) Suns, 4-0
(2) Spurs over (7) Blazers, 4-1
(3) Nuggets over (6) Jazz, 4-2
(4) Mavericks over (5) Hornets, 4-3

Semifinals
(1) Lakers over (4) Mavericks, 4-2
(2) Spurs over (3) Nuggets, 4-3

West Finals
(1) Lakers over (2) Spurs, 4-3

NBA Finals
(W1) Lakers over (E1) Magic, 4-2
MVP: Kobe Bryant