NBA 2010 Previews

[StarDust Bum]

San Antonio Spurs 2010-11 Outlook

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SAN ANTONIO SPURS

2009-10 record: 50-32, 7th place in Western Conference

GUARDS
With free agency looming, TONY PARKER needs a big year if he’s going to cash in. We think he’ll deliver . . . The Spurs have reached a point where they have to keep MANU GINOBILI on the court for 30 minutes a night; they can’t coast through the regular season. He’s a stud if he can stay healthy, which is unlikely considering how much contact he absorbs on a nightly basis . . . If Parker struggles or Ginobili get hurt, GEORGE HILL gains major minutes. He has some ability as a playmaker, but his biggest asset will be those corner threes . . . JAMES ANDERSON can score in a variety of ways. He’s a guy with a seemingly bright NBA future.
FORWARDS
TIM DUNCAN’s regular-season role will continue to get smaller. His recent struggles at the free-throw line continue to be a concern . . . It was a rough first year in a unique offensive system; RICHARD JEFFERSON should be a little better this year, but we still don’t think he’s the right fit in San Antonio . . . Don’t go nuts over DeJUAN BLAIR. He’s a rebounder at this point, but not much else, which is why his role will be part-time again . . . ANTONIO McDYESS will play out the string as a reserve.

CENTERS
TIAGO SPLITTER will finally be suiting up in the NBA. He’s a smart, skilled big man with a little bit of an edge and should start alongside Duncan all season. A lack of blocked shots and secondary offensive role limits his numbers . . . MATT BONNER will continue to give the Spurs solid play with his ability to draw opposing big men outside.

Sportsbook.com Odds to Win NBA Championship: 25-to-1

2009-10 TEAM STATISTICS
Offense – 101.4 points per game (15th in the NBA)
Defense - 96.3 points per game (8th in the NBA)

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Washington Wizards 2010-11 Outlook

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WASHINGTON WIZARDS

2009-10 record: 26-56, 14th place in Eastern Conference

GUARDS
We’re definitely JOHN WALL believers. The Wizards will hand him the keys immediately, and he should produce in Flip Saunders’ system where the guards dominate the ball . . . Sure, maybe GILBERT ARENAS won’t adjust well to being the Robin to Wall’s Batman, but with the beating his image has taken he’s one insubordination from being shipped out . . . KIRK HINRICH’s defense and ability to play both guard spots will earn him solid minutes as a steadying sixth man . . . NICK YOUNG can score in spurts, but inconsistency has pushed him to the edge of the rotation.
FORWARDS
ANDRAY BLATCHE will have to overcome a broken foot if he’s to build off his big finish to 2009-10. With John Wall and Gilbert Arenas joining him, Blatche is the No. 3 option . . . He’ll likely get first shot to start at the three, but AL THORNTON is thoroughly mediocre . . . Don’t expect JOSH HOWARD to be 100 percent this year, as he’s 30 and coming off a torn ACL. He should still push Thornton to the bench by midseason . . . Saunders plans on using YI JIANLIAN at all three frontcourt spots . . . TREVOR BOOKER is a Saunders frontcourt player: physical, sets screens, defends and rebounds . . . KEVIN SERAPHIN is very physical, but very raw.

CENTERS
JaVALE McGEE has been steadily improving, and he’ll be Washington’s center on Opening Night. Thirty minutes per night might be a stretch since Andray Blatche can play some five, but McGee is still in for a breakout year . . . HILTON ARMSTRONG hasn’t done much of anything right over four NBA seasons.

Sportsbook.com Odds to Win NBA Championship: 200-to-1

2009-10 TEAM STATISTICS
Offense – 96.2 points per game (26th in the NBA)
Defense - 101.0 points per game (16th in the NBA)

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Utah Jazz 2010-11 Outlook

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UTAH JAZZ

2009-10 record: 53-29, 5th place in Western Conference

GUARDS
You could argue that DERON WILLIAMS is the NBA’s best point guard, and we wouldn’t disagree with you. Don’t worry about the departure of Carlos Boozer affecting him . . . Even if he doesn’t start, C.J. MILES will play starter’s minutes this year. He’s steadily developed into a reliable wing . . . There’s a good chance head coach Jerry Sloan will tap RAJA BELL to start over Miles because of Bell’s defense. We’ll see what he can do offensively coming off a major wrist injury . . . SUNDIATA GAINES will be in and out of the rotation all season . . . RONNIE PRICE has played himself into Sloan’s doghouse, but he’s still their only true point guard on the bench.
FORWARDS
Carlos Boozer is finally gone, meaning PAUL MILLSAP finally steps into the starting lineup. Unfortunately, he’ll now have to compete with Al Jefferson for touches and boards . . . The departure of Boozer could be a good thing for ANDREI KIRILENKO, who was an All-Star before Boozer arrived. He won’t get back to that level, but expect a mild improvement . . . We’re not sure GORDON HAYWARD can keep up defensively to the point where he’ll get major minutes as a rookie, but he should be able to post decent across-the-board numbers if he gets minutes.

CENTERS
We think he’s one of the NBA’s most overrated players, but there’s no doubt AL JEFFERSON at least fits in Utah’s half-court game. He’s an injury risk and defensive liability, but the Jazz value his back-to-the-basket skills . . . MEHMET OKUR seems to be the odd man out as he returns from a ruptured Achilles, but he’ll still get decent minutes in the three-man bigs rotation.

Sportsbook.com Odds to Win NBA Championship: 30-to-1

2009-10 TEAM STATISTICS
Offense – 104.2 points per game (4th in the NBA)
Defense - 98.9 points per game (12th in the NBA)