There can only be 1: Our 2011-12 NBA Preview
A summer-long lockout nearly killed a highly anticipated season; Key word almost. The NBA is back and not a moment too soon. Our experts make their picks. It’s a colorful stocking stuffer before you get your real present: NBA hoops.
SCOTT JACOBS
We’ve got our crystal balls out and ready to go. Who’s gonna win each division, who’s bound for a Spring parade, and who’s coming home with the individual awards? Our staff weighs in on how they see the shortened 66 game schedule shaping up.
Everyone’s gunning for the Heat, but it’s the Mavericks who won are defending champs. Will Miami take home that elusive ring, or will another team deter them in a true put up or shut up season. Here are our predictions, unfiltered, and unforgiving. Take them or leave ‘em, and let us know what you think below.
Photo: Getty
Graphics: Scott Jacobs
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This league is a joke. Not only are the players underdeveloped but you’ve got the league blocking trades. Chris Paul or no Chris Paul, the Lakers are going to sell out, David Stern is happy. Chris Paul leaves New Orleans, tickets plummet. David Stern is not happy. He’s all about money, thus the lockout. When will the fans learn?
Crazy as it is, the Hornets are undefeated at the moment, and the trade may have helped them. Given the Nuggets success without Melo, maybe the Magic wouldn’t be that bad off dealing him away. Team cohesion is what ultimately wins — even the superstar laden Heat needed time to gel before they started winning — and one bad apple can spoil it for the whole bunch. A bunch of guys who want to be there, can trump a pocket of misfits. I agree the lockout didn’t seem to accomplish much, but so far the NBA has been pretty entertaining to open the season.