Yesterday, I broke down the NBA's Eastern Conference Twitter style, 140 characters or less per team. With the NBA tipping off the 2009-10 season later tonight, it's now time for my Western Conference preview as well as playoff picks and major awards.
Western Conference
- @LAKERS: Artest in place of Ariza will be the headline all year. Bynum's development. Fish & Kobe mileage, Odom's marriage, bench play key subplots.
- @spurs: Duncan's run at a 5th ring comes with help...Jefferson, McDyess, Blair, healthy Manu, don't forget Parker. Loaded roster for a great coach.
- @hornetsdotcom: CP3 & co. add Emeka Okafor in hopes that the former #1 pick can give them the frontcourt presence they've lacked in recent years.
- @pdxtrailblazers: Roy, Fernandez are sneak good, but '09 Cinderella won't sneak up on anyone this year. Title contender if Oden becomes #1 pick worthy.
- @denvernuggets: Billups one year older means Anthony must take increased leadership role. Same question as last year...who guards Kobe?
- @dallasmavs: Now or never for an aging Mavs team. No shortage of scoring options. The question will be how good is the D in Big D?
- @Utah_Jazz: Boozer's back, backup Millsap may be better, causing PF logjam. PG Williams deserves all-star bid; 2-guard is big hole Utah needs to fill.
- @LAClippers: Young talent including #1 pick Blake Griffin along with a healthy Baron Davis running the show makes optimism the new word in Clipperland.
- @okcthunder: Not breaking news that Durant should be an all-star this year. But talented young surrounding cast could make them this year's Blazers.
- @PhoenixSuns: Stoudemire's health, Nash's age are two big question marks for best two players on an old Suns team. Also lack depth.
- @MNTimberwolves: Jefferson + Love are the best frontline you've never seen. Backcourt needs bolstered, though. No Rubio, no sizzle in Minny.
- @HoustonRockets: Well run team. But no Yao, questions about TMac. This team's identity and go-to-guy is unknown heading into the season.
- @memgrizz: Iverson + Randolph + Mayo = trouble. Who passes on this team?
- @WARRIORS: Captain Jack wants out. Two (too?) small scoring guards in the backcourt. Nellie could be in for a long year.
- @sacramentokings: Kevin Martin is a scoring phenom, the team's top asset. Also, Kevin Martin is their best player.
1. Cleveland over 8. Toronto
4. Chicago over 5. Atlanta
3. Boston over 6. Washington
2. Orlando over 7. Miami
Eastern Conference Semifinals
1. Cleveland over 4. Chicago
3. Boston over 2. Orlando
Eastern Conference Finals
1. Cleveland over 3. Boston
Western Conference Playoffs: Round One
1. Los Angeles Lakers over 8. Los Angeles Clippers
5. Denver Nuggets over 4. Portland Trail Blazers
3. New Orleans Hornets over 6. Dallas Mavericks
2. San Antonio Spurs over 7. Utah Jazz
Western Conference Semifinals
1. Los Angeles Lakers over 5. Denver Nuggets
2. San Antonio Spurs over 3. New Orleans Hornets
Western Conference Finals
1. Los Angeles Lakers over 2. San Antonio Spurs
2010 NBA Finals
Los Angeles Lakers over Cleveland Cavaliers
Finals MVP: Kobe Bryant
2010 NBA MVP: LeBron James
2010 Coach of the Year: Phil Jackson
2010 Rookie of the Year: Blake Griffin
2010 All-NBA 1st Team: Dwight Howard, Tim Duncan, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul
2nd Team: Shaquille O'Neal, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant, Dwayne Wade, Tony Parker
3rd Team: Andrew Bynum, Dirk Nowitski, Paul Pierce, Derrick Rose, Rajon Rondo
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