It's that time of year again: the autumn leaves are beginning to cover the picturesque New England landscape, the air is turning crisp, and, of course, the NBA season is kicking off.
This is one of the more anticipated seasons in recent memory, with the return to prominence of the league's most storied franchise - the Boston Celtics - the will-Kobe-be-traded saga, and several high-profile names in new places. So here are four "expert" predictions for the 2007-08 season.
1. Kobe Bryant will remain in Los Angeles, and he'll average 40 points a game. That's not a joke. But the Lakers will miss the playoffs.
Kobe has made his dissatisfaction with the Lakers very public. The inability of the Lakers front office to land Shawn Marion, Jermaine O'Neal or Kevin Garnett has caused Kobe to demand a trade, but Kobe may be an unmovable commodity.
Despite his discontent, he is working harder than ever, dropping 15 pounds this offseason, which has added explosiveness and stamina to his already lethal first step and unstoppable jump shot. He is in the prime of his career and is peerless in terms of individual skill and focus. A motivated Kobe who has no faith in his teammates? That equals individual records but not enough wins to crack the loaded Western Conference's top eight.
2. The Nuggets will be the league's biggest surprise and will lead the NBA in regular-season wins, even in the landmine-riddled West. The Nuggets boast two of the league's most prolific scorers in Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson, who have had the benefit of a half-season and a playoff run to get used to each other.
Denver also has the Association's deepest frontcourt, with a healthy Kenyon Martin, Linas Kleiza, Nene Hilario, Eduardo Najera and the reigning Defensive Player of the year, Marcus Camby. Talented swingman J.R. Smith and veteran point guard Chucky Atkins also bolster the Nuggets' bench.
If the Nuggets can cook up some chemistry, they will ride the league's most talented roster to the top seed in the West. But their lack of experience in big games will prove fatal, and they will fall to the Spurs in the second round.
3. Those same Spurs will be dethroned by the team that gave them the most trouble in last years' playoffs - the Phoenix Suns, who will prevail in the Finals over the Boston Celtics.
Grant Hill adds veteran leadership to a squad that has playoff experience, athleticism and of course, two-time MVP Steve Nash. Nash will have his finest season yet, and Amare Stoudemire will improve upon his first-team NBA form of last season. Unheralded rookies Alando Tucker and freak athlete D.J. Strawberry will benefit from the tutelage of Hill and the masterful passing of Nash. The motivation and the hunger are apparent and time is running out as Nashty only gets older. This sense of urgency will culminate in the Suns' first-ever NBA championship.
4. Kevin Garnett will lead my Celtics to the best record in the East, earning his second MVP award in the process. In the JV conference that is the East, KG will put up freakish numbers, averaging somewhere in the range of 23 points, 13 rebounds, six assists and three blocks. His legendary intensity will rub off on fellow Big Three members Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. Youngsters Rajon Rondo, Tony Allen, Glen "Big Baby" Davis and Kendrick Perkins will improve based on the wisdom and unselfishness of The Big Ticket, who has always been renowned for being the consummate teammate.
I'll be there to watch it all unfold, starting with Friday's Celtics game. And please, KG, don't prove me wrong.
Danny Joseph is a sophomore majoring in English. He can be reached at Daniel.Joseph@tufts.edu.
