NBA Preview

Ok, this will be very short, sweet, and to the point. The reason being is that I don't necessarily follow the NBA, but the NBA is also fairly easy to predict, as it has basically the same contenders year after year, with very few changes.

So, allow me to start with the hometown team in the Philadelphia 76ers, who traded away the man most fans associate with the franchise in Andre Iguodala to the Denver Nuggets as part of a four team deal which landed the 76ers a premier center in Andrew Bynum, and that would move Spencer Hawes into more of a natural position at power forward. The 76ers are also trying to improve upon their Eastern Conference semifinal appearance and go back to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since their last trip to the NBA Finals back in 2001. The 76ers also have plenty of young, growing talent like point guard Jrue (pronounced Drew) Holliday, whom they just signed to a four year extension, showing their faith in how Holliday can execute the offense. Plus, with Doug Collins as coach, they have an excellent chance of dethroning the Boston Celtics off of their perch atop the Atlantic Division.
But, the Brooklyn Nets with Deron Williams and Brook Lopez, plus with the energy of playing in a new, vibrant arena and in Brooklyn bring an energy which can't be beat. Plus, you always have to be wary of the agang, but still viable Celtics who are looking to still be a contender. Then, the Knicks are also in there, but shouldn't pose much of a threat as far as advancing far in the playoffs, as while they have star power in Amar'e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony, they don't really have a team cohesion like the 76ers or Celtics.
Now, for the true contenders in the East, the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat. The Heat are the defending NBA Champions, so, as Ric Flair would say "to be the best, you gotta beat the best", and the Heat are certainly the best right now. Then the Bulls might have a say if Derrick Rose is healthy and the Bulls can pull one out in Miami for the Eastern Conference Finals. Because that's how I expect the East to finish.

Eastern Conference playoff teams (no particular seeding): Philly, Miami, Chicago, New York, Brooklyn, Atlanta, Orlando, Indiana.
Eastern Conference Champion: Miami over Chicago in 6.

Western Conference, I don't have much to say, other than the Oklahoma City Thunder, even without their sixth man, James Harden should repeat as Western Conference champions. Plus, the Houston Rockets, with their buzz should be able to challenge for a semifinal spot. Plus, the Lakers are always a contender and they are definitely built to win now, as they have two very aging players in Steve Nash and Kobe Bryant, who are still superstars. Don't forget the Lakers also added Dwight Howard from the Orlando Magic, which made Bynum expendable to the 76ers. Finally, there are also the San Antonio Spurs, who despite getting older, are still very good, and could make a final run towards a title. The West is also incredibly deep, as 11 of the 15 teams have a realistic shot of making the playoffs.

Western Conference playoff teams (no particular seeding): Houston, Oklahoma City, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, San Antonio, Memphis, Denver, Minnesota.
Western Conference Champion: Oklahoma City over Los Angeles Lakers in 7.