Random thoughts on the 2008-09 NBA season

Maybe I'm alone in this, but I am excited about this season.  Sure, I'm not as thrilled about the Wizards' role in it as I was a month ago, but I'm still excited.  The league is deeper than it's been in a long time and there's going to be a lot of compelling story lines this year as we start to see the start of the changing of the guard (I'll let you interpret that any way you want).

Anyways, here's a little bit of what I think we'll see in the upcoming season.

• Even though there's going to be a lot of change this season, one thing that will stay the same this season is the teams playing in the NBA Finals.  Book it.
  
• Don't count out the Spurs.  I know people are down on them because Manu Ginobili is hurt, they're getting older, and because they're just generally unlikable but they're not going to just go away that easily.  They've still got a top-notch point guard in Tony Parker, some nice additions in Roger Mason Jr and Ian Mahinmi, and the best player of the post-Jordan era.  They'll still be plenty good until Manu returns.
• As much as I hate to say it, I don't see how LeBron doesn't win MVP this year. Guys like Kobe and Chris Paul are going to have spectacular years in their own right, but I really think this is when LeBron is going to start to hit his prime (which is really scary when you think about it) and I just don't think anybody will be able to match that kind of output.  As long as the Cavs end up in the top 3 in the East, which I think they will, LeBron will take it this year.
• With that said, if you're looking for a darkhorse MVP pick this year, go with Deron Williams.  If Utah wins the West (not likely, but not impossible either) he could make a very compelling argument for MVP.  Again, I wouldn't say his chances are great, but if you want to break away from the Big 3 that everyone keeps picking for MVP this year, that would be my choice.

Now with that out of the way, let's get to some award presentations:

MVP: LeBron James
Rookie: O.J. Mayo
Coach: Jim O'Brien
Sixth Man: James Posey
Most Improved: Amir Johnson
Defensive POY: Ron Artest

And here are my picks for who will make the playoffs, I already know that half of these are going to be completely wrong.

Maybe I should stick to baseball predictions.