The Wildcard’s NBA Preview – Part One: Eastern Conference
Atlantic Division
Image: USA Today Sports Images
Boston Celtics
Last Season: 41-40
Key Player: Oh man, are there any left? Rajon Rondo will lead this band of misfits, reluctantly, until he’s gifted a free pass outta town.
What To Watch For: Boston fans getting fed up with this unaccustomed level of mediocrity. They’ve had too much to cheer for recently, what with the Red Sox, the Bruins & the Patriots.
Key Question: How long until Rondo gets traded?
2013 Prediction: 34-48
Brooklyn Nets
Last Season: 49-33
Key Player: Deron Williams. If he can do what Tony Parker does for the Spurs, then we’ve got a very good team here.
What To Watch For: Jason Kidd has quite the job to do, merging a team of aging stars into a cohesive unit, all around the ground/air threat of D-Will/Brook Lopez. It can be done, but keep in mind Kidd has never coached before.
Key Question: Don’t the Nets remind you of a team managed by a kid on a playstation? Rebrand the franchise with help from Jay-Z, then sign a bunch of fan favourite players from other teams. Next step is to pad every possible stat line, and rage-quit when you start losing to Toronto.
2013 Prediction: 51-31
New York Knicks
Last Season: 54-28
Key Player: Melo. Mr Anthony has now assumed the role once held by Patrick Ewing. He is the face of the Knicks. (Aside from Spike Lee, that is).
What To Watch For: Make sure you watch OUT for Metta World Peace. But with him, and Andrea Bargnani, plus JR Smith re-signed, the 2013/14 Knicks may well be even better than their last season predecessors.
Key Question: What do you do with Amar’e Stoudemire? Trade him? Bench him? Force him to play a more limited role? Or just ensure he ‘picks up an injury’? This is New York after all. The Legitimate Businessman’s Association will pick up the contract.
2013 Prediction: 55-27
Philadelphia 76ers
Last Season: 34-48
Key Player: Jrue Holliday – no, wait… they traded him. Uh, Nerlens Noel? Except he’s injured, and they aren’t gonna let him play.
What To Watch For: This is a tank team out in full force. Unless you’re a diehard fan and stuck with them, or some kind of basketball masochist, you don’t wanna watch the 76ers.
Key Question: A few different teams are tanking for this reason, but Philly look to be doing it best. Is this were Andrew Wiggins ends up?
2013 Prediction: 13-69
Toronto Raptors
Last Season: 34-48
Key Player: Rudy Gay. He’s one of those guys who really divides the critics, but he’s the best Toronto have. And that’s not that bad a deal.
What To Watch For: Rookie big fella Jonas Valančiūnas (from Lithuania, you won’t be shocked to know). His game should be easier to handle than his name. He was MVP of the NBA Summer League, averaging 18 pts and 10 reb (56% shooting).
Key Question: Does anyone actually enjoy playing in Toronto? Do you realise how bad the tax situation is for Raptors players? Plus maple syrup… urghh.
2013 Prediction: 36-46
Central Division
Derrick Rose - Image: Shane Bevel/Getty Images
Chicago Bulls
Last Season: 45-37
Key Player: Derrick Rose. After missing so much time with that injury, you can’t put too much pressure on him, but at this best, he is the x-factor that turns this Bulls side from a playoff candidate to a title candidate.
What To Watch For: Tom Thibodeau is among the very best coaches in the NBA, case and point: what he did last year shuffling his lineup without his star player. If Rose struggles or is injured again, Thib’s delicate balancing act will be needed once more.
Key Question: Can D-Rose get back to MVP form? Can he even stay fit? A lot depends on him.
2013 Prediction: 49-33
Cleveland Cavaliers
Last Season: 24-58
Key Player: Kyrie Irving. Another step up like last year and he’s threatening that clichéd ‘elite’ status.
What To Watch For: Exciting young players all over the place. Anthony Bennett, Dion Waiters, Tyler Zeller. Even Aussie Matt Dellavedova might make this roster. All guys with a point to make, wanting to break through at this level.
Key Question: Will Andrew Bynum ever be a dominant NBA centre again? The risk is low for the Cavs, they’ve got get-out-of-jail clauses all over his contract. And Cleveland fans are used to disappointment.
2013 Prediction: 42-40
Detroit Pistons
Last Season: 29-53
Key Player: Josh Smith. The former Hawk is now the sparkplug for the Pistons. Along with Brandon Jennings and first round pick Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Smith is evidence of how well this team has recruited this offseason.
What To Watch For: Hopefully a strong cast of playmakers will help negate some of the bad shot selection of Josh Smith. Because his passing game is superb.
Key Question: How have I not mentioned Andre Drummond or Greg Monroe yet? This team is awesome, man.
2013 Prediction: 47-35
Indiana Pacers
Last Season: 49-32
Key Player: Paul George. He’s got a lot to live up to after his playoff run last season.
What To Watch For: Roy Hibbert’s defensive player of the year campaign. Big call? Just like his little buddy Paul George, the path is clear for Hibbert to make that step up this season.
Key Question: They took them to game 7 last season, can the Pacers knock off the Miami Heat this time? (Eh, probably not)
2013 Prediction: 51-31
Milwaukee Bucks
Last Season: 38-44
Key Player: OJ Mayo had a good year at the Mavs under Rick Carlisle. He has the chance to lead this team now, and to take the next step forward on his own.
What To Watch For: Remember Gary Neal? Went on a crazy heat check run for San Antonio in the playoffs last year? Well, he plays for the Bucks now, who with guys like Neal, Mayo, Carlos Delfino and Caron Butler, should have a pretty solid perimeter game.
Key Question: Can they sneak back into the playoffs in a division lacking in mid-range depth? After Miami, Brooklyn, New York, Chicago and Indiana, it’s all up for grabs.
2013 Prediction: 41-41
Southeast Division
Image: Total Pro Sports
Atlanta Hawks
Last Season: 44-38
Key Player: Al Horford. Genuinely one of the most underrated players in the NBA.
What To Watch For: They’re just a fun team to watch. Not too many wins coming their way, but guys like Paul Milsap can mix it up.
Key Question: How does this team move on from the Josh Smith era? He’s a big loss, and they haven’t replaced him. Rebuilding time.
2013 Prediction: 36-46
Charlotte Bobcats
Last Season: 21-61
Key Player: Al Jefferson. He’s taken the money to play for a rubbish team, so clearly his motivation to win isn’t so high. But he’ll have plenty of opportunities to rebound and layup.
What To Watch For: Don’t hold your breath on the MJ comeback rumours. But to be honest that’s about all there is to watch for here. Kemba Walker has some high potential, I guess.
Key Question: Can we just start calling them the Charlotte Hornets now?
2013 Prediction: 30-52
Miami Heat
Last Season: 66-16
Key Player: LeBron James, obviously. Best player in the world and all that jazz.
What To Watch For: See above.
Key Question: Who can stop these guys from going back-to-back-to-back?
2013 Prediction: 64-18
Orlando Magic
Last Season: 20-62
Key Player: Victor Oladipo. There’s not an excess of talent on the Magic – aside from Dwight there never has been – but this rookie of the year candidate is one who could turn heads.
What To Watch For: No reason, really.
Key Question: What will it take to get out of this DH12 shaped shadow? A winning season? Or just another all-star to get bothered about? Hola, Oladipo. Welcome to Orlando. Not to put unnecessary pressure on you, but…
2013 Prediction: 23-59
Washington Wizards
Last Season: 29-53
Key Player: John Wall. Such an ordinarily plain name. Such an extraordinarily good talent.
What To Watch For: They finished really strong last season, largely thanks to that same John Wall. If they’ve turned a corner, then they could trip some teams up. If it was just garbage time flat-tracking, then not so much.
Key Question: Surely having a top 6 pick in each of the last 3 drafts means they have a decent team by now?
2013 Prediction: 43-39