NBA Preseason Picks

Got to get them in under the wire...

EAST
Atlantic: Boston, Toronto, New Jersey, New York, Philadelphia
Central: Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Indiana, Milwaukee
Southeast: Washington, Orlando, Miami, Charlotte, Atlanta

WEST
Northwest: Denver, Utah, Seattle, Portland, Minnesota
Pacific: Phoenix, LA Clippers, Golden State, LA Lakers, Sacramento
Southwest: Dallas, San Antonio, Houston, New Orleans, Memphis

Playoffs
EAST
Chicago (1) vs. Miami (8)
Boston (2) vs. Orlando (7)
Cleveland (3) vs. Toronto (6)
Washington (4) vs. Detroit (5)

WEST
Phoenix (1) vs. Golden State (8)
Dallas (2) vs. LA Clippers (7)
San Antonio (3) vs. Utah (6)
Houston (4) vs. Denver (5)

EAST
Chicago vs. Detroit
Boston vs. Toronto

WEST
Phoenix vs. Houston
Dallas vs. San Antonio

EAST
Chicago vs. Boston

WEST
San Antonio vs. Houston

FINALS
San Antonio vs. Chicago

CHAMPION
San Antonio

Notes: I like Houston if McGrady and Yao play at least 75 games each, but until they do I have to go with Dallas in the regular season and San Antonio in the playoffs. Phoenix will have the best record in the West because they are in a weaker division, but I see them having a lot of problems with Houston, especially if Aaron Brooks matures and can come off the bench to help defend Nash. The NBA is about matchups (ask Don Nelson) and the Spurs and Rockets just seem to be able to matchup better this year no matter what is thrown at them. While I think the Mavs and Suns are still great, I think their best teams have already come and gone and their window of opportunity is closing rather than opening.