2012-2013 NBA Season Futures

I usually stay on the bench until a few weeks into the season, so I can get a sense for teams/players and how each fares under certain situations...  It seems the world is expecting the NBA Finals to include either Miami, OK City, LA Lakers and I guess a few predictions of Boston and San Antonio. 

Atlantic : New York Knicks +200 (4 units to win 8)

Sure, Boston is the team to beat and Brooklyn seems to have laid the foundation, but I think the Knicks take the division.  They have added court intelligence and experience to an already explosive lineup.  It was inconsistent, but the defense was good last year, and it only got better in the offseason.  Health will be a key issue for the Knicks, but Boston is just as brittle and vulnerable there.  The loss of Ray Allen will be a huge blow for the Celtics.  The Knicks matchup very well with Boston with Chandler and Camby down low and with nobody to spread the court, NY has the on-ball defenders to handle Rondo and Pierce. 

Chicago Bulls Under 46.5 Wins (8 units to win 7.27)

Rose being out is huge, but they manged just fine in the regular season without him there.  They've added Hinrich and Nate Robinson to run point while DRose is out and while both are servicable, the other teams in the East have just gotten better.  The other pieces just aren't good enough to maintain an elevated play while they likely get inconsistency at the point. 

Pacific : Los Angeles Clippers +270 (4 units to win 10.8)

I really like this Clippers team and while I fully believe the Lakers and Thunder are the best out West talent wise, the former has some chemistry to figure out this season.  They didn't win a game in the preseason, which really means nothing to me, but it certainly didn't help this team gel.  Their collective goal is to win an NBA title, which is a team oriented focus, but they won't hesitate to sit Kobe, Howard, Nash, Gasol when needed.  I think while Howard and Nash were huge acquisitions, I like what they did to bring in Jamison and Meeks. For as stacked as the Lakers are, the Clippers have every piece you want to win an NBA title.  Their backcourt is four deep and has leadership, scoring, outside shooting and quickness.  A frontcourt of Griffin, Jordan, Butler and Odom will be a nighlty test for the rest of the conference. 

jerome - hey buddy, still power for now.  Hoping it stays on, but I'd be surprised if it did.  Tread lightly on these futures, I haven't looked at the NBA at all.  Just some value and numbers I liked so took a shot.  I'll have some NFL stuff up in a bit.  Upset with myself on the NO pick.  I leaned Denver all day then I flipped

jerome - ha, well said.  never like losing, but the goal is simply to make more than you lose, so Sunday was good in that regard. 

bob - As you note, the Atlantic is the most balanced division, so I'm not convinced 45 wins takes the title.  It should, but I'd rather stab at +200 than -120, which is where my NYK juice is currently sitting.  I know I'm in the minority, but I am down on the Boston Celtics this year.  Playoff team? Absolutely.  Division winner? I wouldn't be surprised.  ECF? I don't see it.  The Knicks were good last year and while they have injuries, age and chemsitry issues to worry about, they have added pieces they were missing last year.  I think the Celts went in reverse.