Get Your Nostradamus On, People!
A few of you have already started making them, but in the spirit of the day (that would be the first day of the season, for those of you just emerging from your cave dwellings), why not a few more predictions? We've covered the Western Conference, we've covered the Lakers. But that doesn't mean there isn't more to discuss. You've got your MVP, scoring title winner, defensive player of the year, sixth man award, and all the other randomness that makes the NBA fun. So click below the jump for my take, and feel free to continue posting yours (and pointing out why I'm likely to look like an idiot in June. Please try to keep your answers to that question basketball related).
—BK
NBA Champion: Dallas Mavericks
Man alive, did they get close last season. Only Dwyane Wade's somewhat supernatural ability to, among other things, get to the free throw line and a few oddish whistles kept them from winning, simultaneously giving Miami a reason to party and robbing from the rest of us the opportunity to watch David Stern try to smile while giving Mark Cuban the Larry O'Brien. Well Commish, D-Wade bought you a year, but you won't deprive us this season. Footnote: Dirk will get squeezed in the MVP voting but will snag a Finals MVP. Nice consolation.
Scoring Champ: Adonal Foyle
Sure, he only averaged 4.5 ppg last season, but word out of Warriors camp is that A.F. has been perfecting a dizzying array of low post moves, enough to become the scoring force everyone envisioned when he came out of Colga-- OK, just kidding. Your actual winner? LeBron James. Even if Kobe is forced to score at last year's somewhat obscene clip, it'll likely take a few games for him to reach maximum output. That'll be enough to keep him right around 30, and this year, LeBron will fill 'er up around 33 a night. Having guys like Larry Hughes around, along with a Donyell Marshall/Damon Jones combo that cannot possibly be worse than they were last year will help open the floor for LBJ, and he'll win whatever it is scoring champs get. A plaque? A medal? Free lattes at Starbucks? Runner-up? Keep an eye out for Gilbert Arenas, who is looking for a way to show he's elite as elite can be.
MVP: James
With a scoring title under his belt, if the Cavs can win another four or five games over the 50 they notched last year, they'll have a killer shot at a two seed, which will be plenty to fill the "must be on a good team" requirement MVP voters (including myself, in fairness) find really important. And by the end of the season, I don't think it'll be hard to argue that he's the most important member of a contending team. That covers the whole "V" part of the MVP deal. Plus, tons of people are picking him as their preseason winner, and you know how media types like to be right (just a reminder, I don't get a vote). As for 24, I think he'll actually be given more love this season than last, due to a kinder, more sharing disposition. But he'll be dragged down by the performance of his team yet again.
Sixth Man Award: Andres Nocioni
And I say this not because he's on my fantasy team, though if naming him my preseason winner provides enough good mojo to help win me a few hundred bucks, so be it. Plus, I'm a big fan of the dude. The only thing that could be a problem? He might actually start over Luol Deng. Is there a fifth man award?
Most Improved Player: Shaun Livingston
I'll be honest. This award confuses the hell out of me. Basically, I've never quite gotten a handle on how this thing is given out. You kind of have to be a little bit sucky, or have some other sort of flaw that people don't like about your game, I think. On the other hand, you can't just show up out of nowhere and play well. It's a delicate balance of solid play mixed with previously disappointing results that I've never understood. But why should that stop me? I considered Luke Walton, and I think he's got a big shot at it this year if the preseason was any indication. Love that sweet little turnaround jumper he's sporting these days. As for Livingston, his big flaw is an inability to play four games in a row without throwing his back out, which is actually one thing Livingston and I have in common. Except he's 21 and a professional hoopster. But if this is the year he stays on the court, it'll be impossible for him not to have a serious statistical leap, and he'll have so many passes that make the highlight reels that exposure won't be an issue. Plus, the Clips are the new black.
Rookie of the Year: Brandon Roy
I thought after SPL play it would be Randy Foye (and since he's on my fantasy team and owes me fifty bucks for not leading Villanova to an NCAA title last year, I figured he would work hard to come through). But Foye hasn't had a ton of preseason minutes. Brandon Roy, on the other hand, has played about a million minutes a night, and doesn't exactly have a fleet of top notch players in front of him. Foye has Mike James, who will get plenty of PT. One of the easiest ways to win ROY is to get more minutes than everyone else. No better place than to do that than Portland.
Most Valuable Team for Media Purposes: New York Knicks
You just watch. Whenever guys are struggling to find something to write about, they'll turn to the Knicks. James Dolan has Isaiah's head in the guillotine, they have a backcourt in Marbury and Francis that will undoubtedly set a record for most time spent dribbling by a pair of guards (man alive, do those boys looooooove to dribble!), a monumentally expensive pair of centers in Eddy Curry and Jerome James who have a nasty tendency to totally ignore rebounding, and a defense that disappears faster than "The Adventures of Pluto Nash" did from theaters. It'll be like watching an 82-game car wreck. And with their payroll, we're talking really expensive cars. Maybachs, maybe?
Least Valuable Player: Jerome James
It's hard to win any award two years in a row, but I think J.J.'s got the stuff to make it happen. The utter lack of drive and intestinal fortitude that would allow him to contribute even slightly to the Knicks drive to the 11th or 12th spot in the Eastern Conference. Considering his abysmal stats last year combined with a tendency to show up to practice drunk, it'll be hard for him to be less valuable this season. What will he have to do? Drive a car through the front door of Knicks HQ? Snort coke off Dolan's ass? Rip off his tearaway pants entering a game to reveal he's wearing nothing underneath? Can't wait to find out. Well, not about the last part, but you get the point.
Most Likely to Get Fired, Letting Everyone Know He Had a Job: Mike Woodson, Hawks
Even people in Atlanta don't know this guy's name. If you asked a hundred random people who coaches the Hawks, I can't imagine more than two would know the answer (as opposed to P.J., who would be around 25, I'd say). If you asked a hundred hoops writers, probably 50 would reply, "That dude with the beard."
Lakers Blog Host of the Year: BK
I'll let you guys in on a secret. AK's been struggling with a wrist injury that could impede his ability to type come midseason. More importantly, I think he's pretty much used up all of his good jokes.
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Vic just picked the "Twilight Zone" as the greatest show ever?
Finaly he makes some sense..
Wes
Posted by: wesjoenixon | October 31, 2006 at 04:00 PM
In honor of the horrors this night is bound to inspire around the country, lets bring the Kamenetzky brothers a bit of horror of our own....
Haaaaaa..
I ask this: who do we like better, AK or BK?
Mauhahhahahha...
BK has adressed more of my posts than AK...
Hmmmm...
Wes
Posted by: wesjoenixon | October 31, 2006 at 04:05 PM
I vote for BK.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | October 31, 2006 at 04:11 PM
NBA Champion - Dallas Mavericks
Last year was questionable. I agree with you on this one. Dallas is too deep.
Scoring Champ - Kobe
Kobe will rise to another level this year and he will have more monster 60+ games.
MVP - Lebron James
This is because Kobe gets hated on. We all know who the real MVP is.
Sixth Man - Amare Stoudamire
This is if Phoenix really is going to keep him on the bench. I doubt it.
Most Improved Player - Amare Stoudamire
I mean, if you can't move your feet and then the next year you can, that deserves to be the greatest improvement. But I do hope that its Odom stepping it up to another level.
Rookie of the Year - Jordan Farmar
Okay.. this is me hoping.
Most Improved Team - New York Knicks
I know the whole world loves to hate on the Knicks... but I see them really improving a lot this year. This is not because of Isaiah being a good coach -- rather that the players must be sick and tired of all teh bashing. They will definitely improve this year... I mean they have to.. they can't do worse.. can they?
I had Lakers at 58 wins.. but after all of these early injuries.. I gotta put them at 52. Go Lakers!!!!
Posted by: David Whang | October 31, 2006 at 04:22 PM
repost +...
my predictions for the year...
Western Conference final standings
1. Dallas
2. San Antonio
3. Phoenix
4. Utah
5. Houston
6. Lakers
7. Clippers
8. New Orleans/Oklahoma
9. Denver
10. Golden State
11. Sacremento
12. Minnesota
13. Memphis
14. Seattle
15. Portland
Eastern Conference final Standings
1. Cleveland
2. Chicago
3. Miami
4. Boston
5. Detroit
6. Orlando
7. New Jersey
8. Milwalkee
9. Indiana
10. Washington
11. New York
12. Charlotte
13. Toronto
14. Atlanta
15. Philidelphia
WCF
San Antonio vs Dallas
ECF
Detroit vs Chicago
Finals
San Antonio vs Detroit
Champion
San Antonio
MVP - Lebron
Scoring Champ - Gilbert
Sixth Man - Flip Murray...(I really have no idea, I can hope that my utility player on my fantasy team becomes the sixth man right...)
MIP - Kwame Brown - when he gets 15 and ten on a consistent basis how can the media not pick him after ragging on him nonstop for years.
ROY - Roy
And you have to go with BK as blog host of the year for this post alone...
ZZ
Posted by: Zach Z. | October 31, 2006 at 04:26 PM
NBA champion: San Antonio Spurs... Isn't it an odd year? That means the Spurs win. Every odd year is the Spurs year, unfortunately. Ho hum.
Most Valuable Player: Dirk Nowitski ... All ya'll picking LeBron are expecting him to remain healthy when he played two rounds of NBA playoff basketball, then USA summer ball, THEN shot all those dang 'LeBrons' commericials. Which may I add, have gone down in quality and humor.
Most Improved: Kwame Brown... Okay, this is the only homer call on my picks. The dude is sooooo ready to get this. The script is already written: Green teenager wasted as No. 1 pick revives career in LA. Just remember, Kwame: Catch then slam.
Rookie of the Year: Rudy Gay... I see McGrady being very, very happy with Gay. get it! "happy"..."gay" ...man, that was so lame.
Scoring champ: Allen Iverson... what else is there do in Philly?
Most valuable Blog Poster: I've been M.I.A. for a minute so I don't really know the new folks who joined in the summer. But I'll go out on a limb and say whoever goes by the most creative "Kobe, 24, Mamba" handle. There's only so much you can do with those random names, so if you work it out...you got my vote.
Posted by: CBuck | October 31, 2006 at 04:27 PM
Nostradamus says that Garnett will play for the Lakers! I'm sure it's there in his writing somewhere!
Posted by: LakerAl | October 31, 2006 at 04:28 PM
Hey, what if we like BK & AK equally and we don't want to pick? What if we like TJ Simers?..........Not!
My vote....... Kamenetzky Bros "Inc."
Posted by: Laker Larry | October 31, 2006 at 04:29 PM
Nostradamus says that Garnett will play for the Lakers! I'm sure it's there in his writing somewhere!
Posted by: LakerAl | October 31, 2006 at 04:29 PM
It wouldn't be a blog entry without my take... Okay, it would still be an entry, just not a very entertaining one. HI-YOOOOOOO!!!
Anyhoo...
NBA CHAMP: I already picked the Suns once and most of y'all didn't seem to appreciate it or agree. But if you feel compelled to be unhappy by my reasons a second time, hit the link.
http://lakersblog.latimes.com/lakersblog/2006/10/ah_the_team_tha.html#more
SCORING TITLE: Carmelo Anthony. From the moment last year's All-Star break ended, Melo's been on a scoring tear that continued this summer with Team USA. I also think Melo matured a lot over his third season and seems to be on a mission to remove the "a" from the "1a" status he carries in the trio with LeBron and Wade. That being said, his fellow 2003 class members and Kobe could easily prove me wrong. It's just a feeling I have.
MVP: I can tell you this much. It WON'T be Steve Nash. I'd give Mark Madsen better odds of winning than Nash pulling down three straight trophies. That's just too nutty. Instead, I'm picturing a 4-man race between Kobe, LeBron and Wade and Dirk. If Kobe continues to involve his teammates (AND they hold up their end of the bargain by helping put up at least a 6th place finish), I actually think he's gonna take the hardware. He'd be the best player in the league leading his team "the right way." But if either factor doesn't happen, I'm thinking LeBron will edge out Wade and Dirk. And then I'm thinking the blog's readership will simultaneously dry heave. haha
Sixth Man: Shaun Livingston. He's a tremendously fun player to watch on a team that people will be watching very closely. Assuming his health holds up, I think that combo will equal money in the bank for the skinny dimes-man.
Most Improved: Darko Milicic. He reportedly looked fantastic in the games this summer and he's playing for a big contract. Plus, the Magic need to decide one whether they shell out those big bucks, so they're gonna give him his opportunities. And I watched him play at Staples after he went to the Magic. He looked pretty good. And from talking with him before the game, I sensed a rather sizable chip on his shoulder.
ROY: Brandon Roy. He was ready for the dance when he arrived and he's on a team that a) desperately needs his skills and b) desperately needs for him to succeed so they can win back the five fans still remaining in Portland. Plus, Zach Randolph and Darius Miles are guaranteed to miss at least 50 games each due to injuries/suspension, so who else is gonna shoot the rock?
Defensive Player of the Year: Ben Wallace. He's gonna play out of his skull in an effort to prove Detroit made a huge mistake not ridiculously overpaying him and that their collapse was indeed the fault of Flip Saunders getting away from the defense that was "his team's" calling card.
LVP - I voted for the Kandi Man last year.
http://lakersblog.latimes.com/lakersblog/2006/04/lvp.html#more
Unless he eventually gets waived by the Celtics, I see no reason he can't begin a dynasty of sorts.
Coach of the Year: You mean it hasn't already been awarded to Don Nelson?
Most Valuable Blogger: Mom. She comes up with better lines than either of her sons and she's not even trying to be funny.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | October 31, 2006 at 04:40 PM
HELP!!!
I have been using slingbox to watch games and I just found out that my friend who has it setup for me moved and doesn't know how to reinstall it. The game is in like 3 hours. Does anyone here have an extra slingbox or NBA Broadband account they can let me borrow just to watch the Lakers Phoenix game? I MUST watch this game. Please.. if you can email me at davidwhang@gmail.com or AIM me at davidwhang.
thank you in advance
Posted by: David Whang | October 31, 2006 at 04:52 PM
NBA Champions - Miami Heat...not much going in the Eastern Conference to give them a threat with the exception of intra-state rivals...Orlando Magic. Once the Heat make it to the Finals...who's going to stop Shaq's referee whining and Wades' free throw trips...and phantom fouls on a last second play...
NBA MVP - Yao Ming - Assuming that Houston has a winning year and Yao continues the pace that he ended last season with...could be a surprise right there...
NBA Scoring Champ - IVERSON - He's still one hell of a scoring threat. This may very well be on of Iverson's last great scoring years.
Defensive Player of the Year - B-B-B-B-Ben Wallace!!! I wonder how they're going to announce his name in Chicago now that he's not in Detroit. Can you imagine just hearing them announce the starting five in Chicago and hearing the PA Announcer simply say Ben Wallace and sipping his glass of water.
Most Improved Player - Luke Walton. Don't ask me why...but Luke feels good...especially in a contract year...
FINALS MVP - Dwayne Wade - based on the post above of the Heat repeating...and based on the NBA loving the Miami Heat as their poster-team.
My Biased Conclusion: The Lakers have that "Lights Out" mentality. Kobe for MVP, Lamar Odom for Finals MVP. Lakers all the way!!!
Prays.
Posted by: Laker Pete | October 31, 2006 at 04:57 PM
CBuck
Hows this handle work out?
Posted by: Kobe's24"Mamba | October 31, 2006 at 04:59 PM
BK,
That was fricken awesome! Seriously, well done, brother!
Your "vision" of LeBron James winning the MVP I believe cannot be reversed. There is too much hype surrounding him, the East is too weak (except in the eyes of East Coast media/journalists), and Cleveland doesn't have a second star on their team.
LeBron will win the MVP.
But he is nowhere as good a player as Kobe Bryant.
Kobe will never win the MVP (even if he AVERAGES 81 points a game for the season) until the season after the Lakers win a championship.
It is that simple.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | October 31, 2006 at 05:03 PM
NBA Champion - Los Angeles Lakers
(Actually it will probably be the Clippers or Phoenix.)
Scoring Champ - LeBron James
MVP - Lebron James
(LeBron James is a jerk, but Nike loves him so he'll win the MVP.)
Sixth Man - TBD
(I'm really not sure. I think you need a month into the season to make an accurate prediction about that.)
Most Improved Player - Kwame Brown
(Another impossible to determine award this early in the season, but I think Kwame is the best candidate, though Shaun Livingston, especially if he starts, will be another obvious choice.)
Rookie of the Year - Jordan Farmar
Most Improved Team - Golden State Warriors or New Orleans
Lakers Victories: 55
(I am a member of the club.)
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | October 31, 2006 at 05:07 PM
right now, SHAQ is getting his UGLIEST RING BY FAR from the Amish Comish.
Brain sotrming on MIAMI's championship-
Red and Black RINGS are UGLY. 33 free throws. Wade premeter shooting. 33 Free throws. 33 free throws. 33 free throws. 33 free throws.
Posted by: rayray | October 31, 2006 at 05:07 PM
BK -
What is the blog policy on torrents/games? Just curious before I post anything.
Posted by: Evan | October 31, 2006 at 05:08 PM
Best Sports Blog in the Country: L.A. Times Lakers Blog.
Period.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | October 31, 2006 at 05:08 PM
AK/BK:
Enough of the Clippers and Shaun Livingston love. This is the Lakers blog, guys, in case you forgot.
AK, and you wonder why Ken and I are always on your case about the Clippers. Even a f#cking link to the Clippers blog.
Send those mofos to Seattle so you will stop pimping the wrong team.
Tom
Posted by: LakerTom | October 31, 2006 at 05:12 PM
NBA Champions - Certainly NOT the Mavs! They're too soft. NOT the Heat, they'll be back to earth this year and find out how hard it is to repeat. I'm tempted to pick the hated Spurs, but that's too obvious. My heart says Lakers, but my mind says pick the Suns in an upset win.
Scoring Champ - AI, he's going to try to prove something to all those GM's that didn't want him this summer.
MVP - Has to be Lebron James. The NBA has too much invested in him to not make him win. Watch for favorable calls all year.
Sixth Man Award - I think Luke Walton is a good choice for this award, but he might be a starter. I'm going to stay at home and roll with the "Big Dawg" Andrew Bynum. It's a long shot, but if he continues to improve he should win either 6th man or most improved.
Rookie of the Year - Adam Morrison. Bad team, he'll play a lot of minutes and shoot when and as much as he wants to. He'll be the #1 scoring option and should come up with some big numbers.
Most valuable Team For Media Purposes - No question, it is the Knicks. Not only is Isaiah's head in the guillotine, the pin has been pulled and the blade is starting it's descent. It should start picking up speed, well, about any moment now..... let me check the paper real quick.....
Least Valuable Player - No doubt about it..... Brian Grant. Negative $15,000,000.00. Enough said.
Most Likely to Get Fired, Letting Everyone Know He Had a Job - Shoot, got to go with Isaiah Thomas. When the pressure mounts, we're going to see fist fights in that Knicks locker room and somebody is going to punk Isaiah, big time.
Posted by: Laker Larry | October 31, 2006 at 05:13 PM
Hey, K Brothers?
How many people check into this blog each day on average?
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | October 31, 2006 at 05:15 PM
Lakers: World champs
Kobe: MVP
Phil Jackson: Coach of the Year
I just watched the Shaq and the Heat get their rings. That was really hard to watch. Let it be the Lakers next year, and how do the editors of a lakers blog not pick the lakers every year. I'm sure there is an opening for blogers in Dallas!!!
Posted by: woolridge | October 31, 2006 at 05:16 PM
My picks will be dead on. trust.
____________________________________
NBA Champion - Spurs
Scoring Champ - Lebron
MVP - Tim Duncan
Sixth Man - Devin Harris
Most Improved Player - Darko
Rookie of the Year - Brandon Roy
Most Improved Team - Houston
Posted by: The Lamar Show | October 31, 2006 at 05:17 PM
NBA Champion - Lakers (wishfull thinking, but can't get myself to put any other team there)
Scoring Champ - Kobe
MVP - Kobe
Sixth Man - Michael Finley
Most Improved Player - Bynum
Rookie of the Year - Roy
LVP - Mckie
Most Improved Team - Houston
GO LAKERS!!!!!!
Posted by: ChiTown_LAKERFAN | October 31, 2006 at 05:19 PM
All NBA teams face adversity.
It comes in the form of the prowess or potential of opposing players. It is experienced in the schedule, with injury, through trades, through coaching and in budget constraints. There are personal and personnel problems; problems with fans and facilities.
Some might suggest that even the sun, the moon, the stars, certain psycho-biofeedback readings or even which way the wind is sucking can take its toll, and yes, even sportwriters and bloggers can adversly affect the outcome.
In the face of real and percieved adversity, when all is said and done, the team that either sees through or overcomes the adversity best is the champion.
So what's my point? Well, it's coming, but right now, I have to cook dinner.
Posted by: sonnybelfast | October 31, 2006 at 05:19 PM
Ummmmmm, Lakers win it all baby,
ROY- The Farm
MIP- Luke
I can't drink fast enough, this Miami game is killing me....
Posted by: bob | October 31, 2006 at 05:24 PM
Does the Knicks have to pay Jalen Rose for this season? I assume yes.
I've always liked Jalen Rose.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | October 31, 2006 at 05:43 PM
Is there really a AK AND a BK? Are we being setup by just one evil and twisted person like Dr. Jeckyl with his Mr.Hyde persona? Is it the same person?
Happy Halloween Guy(s?)!
Posted by: p ang | October 31, 2006 at 05:43 PM
OMG Cox is killing me.....
Posted by: bob | October 31, 2006 at 05:53 PM
TYRUS just blocked SHAQ from the WEAK SIDE.
Posted by: rayray | October 31, 2006 at 05:59 PM
CBuck-
Gay was traded to MEMPHIS on draft day. no JERRY is gonna be gay.
Posted by: rayray | October 31, 2006 at 06:01 PM
NBA CHAMP: Dallas Mavericks. Great Coach, Great star player. Incredible supporting cast. Over the Bulls in the finals. Good D, good coach, solid group of players, Big Ben's revenge
Scoring Champ: Kobe Bryant. I know we should expect more support from the rest of the team but i still see him averaging 30+. Runners up: Lebron, Gilbert Arenas, Melo.
Rebounding Champ: Dwight Howard. One of the youngest ever. Guy is going to be a monster on the glass. Runners up: Ben Wallace, KG, Bosh.
MVP: I hate to admit it: LBJ. With the redefinition of the MVP no other player stands to take a mediocre team further (except Kobe, but no way will he get it, too many haters). Runners Up: TD, Nowitzki, Nash, Wade, Kobe, Dwight Howard.
SIxth Man: Going to have to agree with BK. Nocioni. Was a starter last year but got bumped for defensive purposes. What does this mean? He's still going to get lots of minutes. Runners Up: Leandro barbosa, Alonzo Mourning.
Most Improved Player: Andrew Bynum. I said in an earlier post, added confidence + lots of minutes = big leaps in his game. Runners up: Darko, Livingston, possibly Marvin Williams if he comes back from hand injury well.
Rookie of the Year: I really think that Brandon Roy is the most pro ready rookie. But he's stuck out there in the Northwest where nobody cares. This is what I think happens: Perhaps you guys are familiar with the last time that Jerry West traded a solid veteran player for an enigmatic young rook? Yep, thought so, I'm taking Rudy Gay. Plus with the loss of Pau, they are going to need a scorer to fill in. Runners up: Brandon Roy, Rajon Rondo, Jordan Farmar.
Most Valuable Team for media Purposes: Unanimously the NY Knicks. They are crazy. No Runners up
Least Valuable Player: Going to Go with Brian Scalabrine. Big Contract and he's worthless. He's the poorman's Olowokandi. That's bad. Runners Up: Kandiman, Jerome James, Rasho Nestorovic.
Posted by: bmurph | October 31, 2006 at 06:03 PM
AK-
You like ShaunLivingston from the SEATTLE CLIPPERS to win the 6th man? I'll take him as one of the KEYS to the CLIPPERS mess that's gonna be this year.
Posted by: rayray | October 31, 2006 at 06:03 PM
Let's get this fricken game on!
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | October 31, 2006 at 06:14 PM
kobe's out, so it looks like an L for the lakers.....hopefully, LO goes crazy and gets a triple, double...go SOCKS!
Posted by: Greg "Ghostride the whip" Owens | October 31, 2006 at 06:16 PM
NBA Champion: Spurs--I hate to say it, but I think that they will take it this year. Hopefully we can come together and get it, but I think that they are the best right now.
Scoring Champ: Kobe--Man, it's Kobe
MVP: Kobe--I think that the Lakers will continue to improve and that Kobe will get what he earned last year.
Sixth Man Award: Amare
Most Improved Player: Kwame Brown
ROY: Roy--Come on man, it makes too much sense
Most Valuable Team for Media Purposes: New York--BK has it right; if they win media will freak out. If they lose, media will hang Isaiah and Starbury.
Least Valuable Player: Brian Grant...oops, too late. How about Gary Payton--Yea, Payton made some clutch shots in the playoffs last year. He's hanging on by a thread, though, and time keeps tickin.
Most Likely to Get Fired: Hopefully Simers
Posted by: Marcus | October 31, 2006 at 06:17 PM
just heard Kobes not playin tonight.... completely sux. Hopefully will be better for us in the long run. WHY IS THIS INJURY TAKING SO LONG TO HEAL?
Posted by: John barry (not the ex laker) | October 31, 2006 at 06:38 PM
kob wont play 2nite!dammit
Posted by: smoothd | October 31, 2006 at 06:41 PM
is this the end of kobs career?2mos. to heal from minor surgery oh no
Posted by: smoothd | October 31, 2006 at 06:44 PM
Sonny-
You're COACH, like I was afriad he would, did IT. Just can't believe JEOF PETRIE would make that kind of a move.
Posted by: rayray | October 31, 2006 at 06:47 PM
Everybody and their MOTHER must be on NBA.com, cause I can only navigate between two pages each hour! And I've been trying to log onto my nba.com fantasy league sites for hours now and NOTHING! wow...hey at least bball is BACK!
Posted by: blaze1bx | October 31, 2006 at 06:49 PM
hey.. SHAQ just gettin well beaten by BigBen..heat down by 29 in the 1st half.. and he guaranteed champ for this year??? GET REAL!!!
Posted by: kobe_24 | October 31, 2006 at 06:50 PM
is there any LIVE BLOG TODAY???
Posted by: kobe_24 | October 31, 2006 at 06:52 PM
MVP - Ron Artest
Mike Bibby (strong runner-up)
6th Man - John Salmons
Most Improved - Ronnie Price
NBA Champs - Sacramento Kings
Best fans - Kings (no close seconds)
Posted by: sonnybelfast | October 31, 2006 at 06:56 PM
Regarding the live blog, yeah, there will be one. It's opening night, people!
Evan-
As for policy, I can't answer you... because I have no idea what you're talking about.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | October 31, 2006 at 06:57 PM
So, who here thinks now that Shaq has won his first (and only) championship without Kobe that he will quickly slide into an overweigth, slothful sloggoth of a basketball player?
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | October 31, 2006 at 06:57 PM
Good luck. 5 minutes and you'll be forced to wake up.
Posted by: sonnybelfast | October 31, 2006 at 06:58 PM
Two months is a long time to heal from an arthroscopic surgery. I know. I've had three.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | October 31, 2006 at 07:00 PM
Duhon is killing it right now
Posted by: bmurph | October 31, 2006 at 07:04 PM
Laker Larry,
I personally Disagree with your least valuable. At least with paying the good guy Grant, we get some Karma. I think Scalabrine, Jones and Kandi might actually hurt their teams.
Posted by: bmurph | October 31, 2006 at 07:07 PM
Jon
shaq is going to wait for kobe to win another one before he gets in shape again.....
Posted by: bob | October 31, 2006 at 07:10 PM
Im with Jon Kavulic, Shaq is done. He looks like crap.
Posted by: bmurph | October 31, 2006 at 07:16 PM
We all know these awards are fixed by the NBA and the K's have to play along with what is accepted or they will never get that cherished vote they covet or desire.
With that in mind,
*********NBA Rigged*******REAL WINNER
MVP******Lebron*************Kobe
Def******Big Bad Ben********Kobe
Champs***Spurs**************Lakers
MIP******Josh Howard********Kobe
6th man**Sam I am***********Kobe
Coach****Thomas*************Kobe
Bestlooking**Wade***********Kobe
ugliest***Kobe*********Tie - kaman,Dirk,Nash
Just my honest humble unbiased opinion
Posted by: jfatty | October 31, 2006 at 07:26 PM
NBA Champion: San Antonio Spurs
Scoring Champ: Gilbert Arenas
MVP: LeBron James
Sixth Man Award: Corey Maggette
Most Improved Player: Josh Smith
Rookie of the Year: Brandon Roy
Defensive Player of the Year: Kirilenko
Coach of the Year: Scott Skiles
Posted by: rjlink | October 31, 2006 at 11:03 PM
NBA Champ: San Antonio - they were one stupid foul away from winning it last year
Scoring Champ: LBJ
MVP: LBJ
Defensive Player of the year: Prolly Big Ben again - just because Chicago was already a good defensive team, and will get a lot of attention. So anything Benny brings to the table will be magnified
MIP - Milicic, though Livingston could run him close
6th man: Nocioni - guy is good enough to start. Though Luke could be a surprise here.
ROY: Roy (R--O--Y). C'mon - I don't believe no one caught on to that earlier. It's meant to be people.
LVP: Miles. No one wants to trade for him, and he *hates* Portland.
Most Likely to Get Fired: Dwayne Casey. If Minny sucks again this year, someone has to take the blame. And they've got someone already waiting on the wings.
Posted by: hariyahu | November 01, 2006 at 09:28 AM
how in the world can anyone pick lebron fro mvp and scoring champ?
KOBE IS THE MOST TALENTED PLAYER IN THE WORLD
he's gonna both awards
Lebron is averaging 24/5/4 this year and the cavaliers are winning 45 games
Posted by: serdna | November 02, 2006 at 03:03 PM