2010-2011 Season Predictions, Part 2.

Jumping right back into my predictions (while furious over a Bulls' loss and watching the Rockets/Warriors no less)...

Houston Rockets:
Yao Ming is back (well, sort of, hes only allowed to play 24 minutes a game). Courtney Lee and Brad Miller have been acquired. And Trevor Ariza has been lost. However, I honestly don't see any of this making a difference. I see the Rockets having more or less the same season this time around. Not horrible, but certainly not amazing.

Indiana Pacers:
Ok, does anyone really care? Call me harsh but I honestly have trouble remembering this team is even in the league. I have nothing at all against them as a whole, or even against any individual player on the team, I just don't have any interest. At all. And with all this said, I can't see them having much better of a season. I doubt they'll even get their record to 500.

Los Angeles Clippers:
Blake Griffin is back, and while I know in my mind that I should be excited, my heart just isn't feeling it. Theres no doubt that he'll be good. Maybe even better than good. But for whatever reason I'm still way more excited about rookies like John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins than I am about Griffin. My feelings on him aside though, I think the Clippers will certainly improve this time around. With Griffin's return, rookie Al-Farouq Aminu being drafted, Vinny Del Negro coming in as a new coach, on top of a team with vets like Baron Davis and hard-workers like Chris Kaman, the Clippers have a great deal of potential. Its all a matter of what they do with it.

Los Angeles Lakers:
What is there really to say? If the Lakers don't three-peat, they'll certainly come close. They lost Jordan Farmar but gained Matt Barnes, and as long as guys like Kobe and Pau Gasol stay healthy, they'll once again rule the league.

Memphis Grizzlies:
Even though my Bulls swiped Ronnie Brewer from them, guys like Rudy Gay and O.J. Mayo have stepped up their game big-time. This team more than likely won't make the Playoffs, but they'll have a decent season, and will keep working their way up in the league.

Miami Heat:
Oh Lord, where do I begin? Yes they've assembled a superteam of Dwyane Wade, Lebron James and Chris Bosh. Yes they also have great sidekicks like the big Z, Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller. And yes Pat Riley is a genius. However, don't buy into ALL the hype. They're still going to lose plenty of games (starting with last night). They're going to have conflicts in ego, no matter what anyone says. And they're probably going to battle injuries at some point, as even in preseason they had eight guys sitting out at once during a period of time. The Heat will certainly have a good season, but I don't see them winning the championship just yet. Just because they've gotten better doesn't mean teams like the Celtics or the Lakers have gotten worse.

Milwaukee Bucks:
Fear the deer. One of the best NBA slogans out there. But will they really be feared this season? I think so, yes. Brandon Jennings is only getting better with time (and props for me for deeming him my favorite rookie, even before draft night). They've acquired Corey Maggette and Drew Gooden. And they now have the drive to once again reach the Playoffs, something I think is well within their reach.

Minnesota Timberwolves:
...I think I'm at a loss for words. Its going to be a rough road for them. And it honestly breaks my heart because I think Michael Beasley can do so much better. Like I've said before though (and sadly think I've stolen this saying from Vinny Del Negro), its the NBA, anything can happen, but I personally don't see things going too well for the Wolves.

New Jersey Nets:
First of all, whenever I think of the Nets now, I think that of that movie "Just Wright", with Common and Queen Latifah. And then of course, I think of Jay-Z. But when actually looking at the team...I'm honestly not sure what to think. On the one hand, the Nets have been under some serious construction, from a new arena to new office members to new players, they're definitely serious about starting fresh. Whether or not their dreams will turn into reality though is a whole different story. I think they'll do at least a little better than last year but how much better is really up the air right now.

New Orleans Hornets:
Poor Chris Paul. He should have been out of there a long time ago. Despite the desire and decent talent, the Hornets just can't seem to catch a break. And I don't really expect this year to be any different. I see them having a better season, sure (though can a team with Aaron Grey on it really have anything better than a bad season? I kid, I kid...), but I can't see them being Playoff worthy. I admire CP3's motivation and loyalty, but the sooner he gets out of there, the better.

New York Knicks:
Amare, Amare, Amare. While I'm sure everyone in NY thinks he made the right move, I'm sorry to tell you he didn't. It'll take years upon years for the Knicks to be anything better than horrible. You can't really hate on them due to all the history that goes along with the team, but lets be honest. The Knicks are hopeless. And will continue to be until they're able to get more stars like Amare on their side. Their season may improve by 5-10 games, but hoping for anything more is just unrealistic.

Oklahoma City Thunder:
Kevin Durant is going to be MVP, mark my words. This guy gets better by the day and I don't see his talent reaching his full potential any time soon. Their season is going to improve, their talent will improve, and they will most certainly make the Playoffs. Its a done deal.

And there you have the second part of my predictions. Part three will be up soon.