2012 NBA Predictions: Thornton has gone crazy

Loyal readers: apologies for not posting in a while, and leaving you in the hands of Thornton, who has obviously signed over his posting privileges to Kim Jong Un or Skip Bayless. Kobe Bryant as the scoring champion? The Blazers as the Western Champions? No freaking chance in hell. Your rational predictions follow. But first, a quick look at your 2012 Washington Wizards.

MVP: Thornton is continuing to confuse "Best all-around game" with "Most Valuable Player." In light of the 2011 Colts, I can't emphasize enough that MVP should be given to the player who contributes the most to his team given his surrounding pieces. Under this conception, Derrick Rose makes perfect sense--replace Rose with any other pg in the league, and the Bulls don't sniff anywhere close to the East Finals.

This year? No player sharing a court with DWade or Bosh deserves the honor. Durant, Paul, and Melo have too many other good pieces surrounding them. Nash, Duncan, Pierce, and Garnett are too old. Deron Williams and Dwight aren't going to win enough games. The race comes down to three names: Kobe, Rose, and Dirk. My prediction: Dirk ekes out a narrow win after the Mavs win 50 despite the realization that Chandler was way more important to last year's team than they realized.

Scoring Leader: Kevin Durant

Thornton, did you pay attention to basketball at all this summer?

Disappointment of the Year: Los Angeles Clippers

Lob City is gonna be entertaining as hell to watch, and they will win 45-48 games. But they won't be able to beat OKC, Denver, San Antonio, Miami, Chicago, or Boston. Maybe not even Orlando. They make an early exit from the playoffs.

Surprise of the Year: Philadelphia 76ers

They're young, they're well-coached, and they have a ton of depth. I like the Pacers pick, but I think the 76ers outplay them.

ROY: Kemba Walker

Agree with Thornton here. I think Derrick Williams and Kyrie Irving have higher ceilings, but none of them will have as much responsibility, as early, as Kemba.

Western Conference Champs: OKC Thunder

The young'uns put it together here. This is basically the same team that took the Mavs to 7 in the West Finals last year, except that they added Kendrick Perkins, James Harden makes the Leap, and Kevin Durant grows up to be 23 (he's still only 23!!! how incredible is that!!!) This team will win 52 games.

Eastern Conference Champs: Chicago Bulls

Probably agree with Thornton here, but a man's gotta stand by his principles, and I will never pick LeBron James to win anything. The Bulls got run out by the Heat last year, but I think the Rip Hamilton pickup is sneaky good. The rest of this team is deep, they play rugged, and Derrick Rose (who's also only 23!!!) has an even better season.

NBA Champion: OKC Thunder

They put it together at last, and, as Thornton says, "it won't be close."

2012 NBA Predictions

MVP: Lebron James

When Michael Jordan, was the best player in basketball, sports writers would get bored with the pick and take other players from time to time.  Karl Malone was the proud beneficiary of said boredom.  There starts this justification of whether it is the best player or who is having the best season.  Sometimes, the MVP is just the best player.  After a hiatus with a "fine" Derrick Rose pick, I think sports writers come back to voting for the actual MVP.  

Scoring Leader: Kobe Bryant

What year is this?  Kobe cannot possibly be the scoring leader!  Well, my answer is who the hell else is going to score for the Lakers.  I think Kobe is about 5 games away from seeing enough of Steve Blake, Josh McRoberts, and Metta World Peace shooting the ball.  It won't take much before Kobe goes into the mindset, "If I were to pick any person on this team to shoot every possession, it would be me."  And this time, Phil Jackson is not there to talk him down from the ledge.  

Offensively Bad Team of the Year: Charlotte Bobcats

Like so bad that you just wonder.  How, how could you be this bad?  Like maybe John Calipari's Kentucky Wildcats could beat you bad.  They have been completely mismanaged and got absolutely no value to show for it.  They need to have a lot more after loosing Tyson Chandler and Gerard Wallace.   The good news is the Anthony Davis lottery goes through Charlotte!

Disappointing Team of the Year: New York Knicks

I love the acquisition of Tyson Chandler.  Whoever advised him on where to go, did an excellent job finding a competitor that was in need for his exact skills.  I think the Baron Davis move could also pay dividends, though I think it is ludicrous to expect anything more than what the Knicks got last year from now Clipper Chauncey Billups.  This team's bench is horrendous.  The injury history of the players is high.  I haven't like Mike D'Antoni as a coach since he left Steve Nash.  They are an injury away from starting....somebody terrible.  The expectations for this team just don't match everything it has to offer.

Most Surprising Team: Indiana Pacers, though a later pick may be more surprising

This team is built with solid players who hustle on both ends, know their roles, have high basketball IQs, and continue to improve.  The offseason pick up of George Hill and David West may be the most overlooked.  I like this team two and three deep across the floor.  Listing starter then back-up from across the team: Darren Collison/George Hill, Paul George/Lance Stephenson, Danny Granger/Dahntay Jones, Tyler Hansbrough/David West/Louis Amundson, and Roy Hibbert/Jeff Foster.  I just listed 11 guys I wouldn't mind having on the floor.  Look for this team to win more than it loses, and to certainly pick up a few wins on nights when the other team is playing a back to back.

Rookie of the Year: Kemba Walker

Yes, the leader of the Offensively Bad Team of the Year will be the Rookie of the Year.  This is because he is the whole team as far as I can tell, and it will only take a couple game winners on SportsCenter before everyone notices.  I think we are looking at 17.8ppg and 4.6apg by the end of the year with 3 game winners.  Sadly, I think the team might only win 15 games, so 20% of those wins will come on Kemba Walker game winners.  I think the future could be bright for Walker, I just have no idea when that future will come.

Biggest Non-Trade of the Season: Dwight Howard

Dwight is going to open up in Brooklyn.  He will have a handshake with Jay-Z.  He will be great with Deron Williams.  It will happen via free agency.  The will be a 3 seed.  They will lose in the conference finals.  It will feel like Orlando 2.0.

Biggest Actual Trade of the Season: Steve Nash

To be perfectly frank, I don't know where Nash would go.  As much as I hate to say it, I would really like to see him in a Lakers uniform.  I think the Lakers should have considered this when they were in the middle of the Paul trades.  As far as good teams go with no real point guard, there is no obvious more obvious situation here.  The Suns could look at Steve Nash and crummy contracts for either Bynum or Gasol to pair with Gortat.  

Western Conference Champs: Portland Trailblazers

WHAT?!?  The Trailblazers!  You have to be kidding me.  Right now, I look over the rosters and I just don't like a lot else out there.  If this team gets a year together, they are a very solid team at every position.  They have scoring off the bench.  They have great defense.  They have legitimate low post threat and serious rebounding.  If this team can find a defensive groove, I see no reason that they can't pass the old Mavericks, Lakers, and Spurs, while out executing and muscling the Grizzlies, Thunder, and Clippers.  It was said here first.

Eastern Conference Champs:  Miami Heat

I think we are about to see basketball road kill this season.  I hate the Heat in a completely impartial kind of way.  I mainly just hate how they have approached everything, but this team is now a defensive stopper with the Greatest Show on Turf offense.  I have this sneaking suspicion that we are going to see a Baltimore Ravens defense combined with a Drew Brees offense.  And if you were wondering...

NBA Champion: Miami Heat

And it won't be close.  Zone Press doesn't like how bought in it is on the Heat this year, but the math is right there.  Eventually, the scary NBA Finals gets boring to Lebron and he just decides to take it all out.  I think this season could be monster, and there really isn't much that I think will stop it.  

Samuel Dalembert Signs with Rockets

Let me start a list of Centers in the NBA who had a better PER than Samuel Dalembert, the new addition to the Zone Press' beloved Houston Rockets.  Last performing better offensively included: Brook Lopez, Chris "Birdman, am I only a Center because sometimes Nene needs to rest" Anderson, Marcin Gortat, JaVale McGee, Brad Miller (a Rocket just last year, for way cheaper), Chuck Hayes (a Rocket just last year, for way cheaper), Nazr "Oh God." Mohammed, Marreesse Spreights (Who the hell are you?), Trevor   Booker (yes the back-up center for the WIZARDS), and Jeff Foster.  Are you kidding me?

The structure of the contract is fine.  A two year deal at $13.7 million with a team option second year small buy-out.  I had been looking to this deal for awhile in order to sure up a very shaky center position.  I thought Dalembert would be a nice option for a player that wouldn't cost much, but could be a really solid option.  The fact is that I was very wrong.  This is a bad center, so I am looking to the positive.  The Rockets bid $14 million to make sure that they get a better lottery pick!  I am convinced this team would have been better off with Jordan Hill and Hasheem Thabeet.  Is that the worst sentence that has every graced this blog and did I completely lose all credibility, potentially yes.  Did I have any credibility to start with? Probably not.

But consider this, Jordan Hill had a PER of 13.10.  Sadly that is lower than Dalembert, but he also have fewer blocks/minute.  Ok, there is no reason to reasonably think that Jordan Hill would be ready to play Center other than his hair, which is way cooler.

Chris Paul Goes to the Clippers

Chris Paul will be traded to the Clippers for Eric Gordon, Al-Farouq Aminu, Chris Kaman, and the unprotected 1st round pick of Minnesota.  The trade may not offer as much value to the NBA owned Hornets as the original trade with Houston's Kevin Martin, Luis Scola, and the Laker's Lamar Odom, but it does build a lot more to the future.  If that unprotected pick turns out to be number one, then we might be looking at a New Orleans Hornets team with Anthony Davis and Eric Gordon.  That would certainly be something that a buyer maybe interested in, taking the Hornets off the league's hands.

Stern.  Just sit quietly for the next few hours.  If I see this get pulled because of something you do, then I pledge not to watch an NBA game this season.  I will turn this blog into an NHL blog.

As Centers Sign, Rockets Don't Take Off

There were rumors.  There were rumors that the Rockets were on their way to Pau Gasol when David Stern came in and stepped on the deal.  There were rumors that with the Gasol acquisition, the Rockets were actually the leaders for Nene.  A front court of Nene and Gasol would immediately be the top in the league.  It would make the Rockets a lock for a playoff birth, and a tough out once the playoffs started.

Now, the Rockets don't have Gasol.  They do not have Nene after he signed a $67 million deal with the Nuggets.  Chuck Hayes has gone to the Kings in a deal that broke every Rockets fan's heart.  Tyson Chandler signed with the Knicks of all places (especially bad since the Rockets own their pick in 2012).  Kwame Brown, yes we are to the point when I say the Rockets need Kwame Brown, signed with the Warriors.

The starting center for Rockets is a no. 2 overall pick.  But unlike no. 2 overall picks of the past, he has only ever scored 20 points in the D-League.  Hasheem, Thabeet is going to be the center for the Rockets this year with Jordan Hill backing him up.  I hope they just trade Kevin Martin away for a 1st round pick.  Maybe get a pick from the Bulls, who are in desperate need for a 2 guard.  The Rockets are in bad, bad shape with the news of the Nene signing.  That only means one thing, Anthony Davis starting center for the Houston Rockets 2012.

Kwame Brown to the Rescue!

The Warriors were in the hunt for Chris Paul.  They were the front runners in a deal for Tyson Chandler.  They could be courting Nene.  They got Kwame Brown!!  In case you didn't know, Zone Press moved its headquarters out to the The City.  That means the Warriors are now the local team of choice.  For those keeping track at home, that means I went from the Bobcats and Wizards to the Warriors of the Golden State.

I as a full-fledged local of the greater Bay area, there was a noticeable buzz this morning over the signing of Kwame Brown.  I could tell as soon as I woke up.  Actually, it was when I got to the office and a co-worker shook his head in disbelief only to repeat $7 million, Kwame Brown, $7 million, Kwame Brown...

I don't think it is a bad move, just a curious one.  If Kwame has a good year, what do you accomplish?  A few more wins.  The Warriors still don't make the playoffs.  Now, Kwame is more expensive and you have to let him go.  What if he has a bad year?  What did you expect it is Kwame Brown.  He will bring is 8 ppg, 7rpg, and 12 PER to the Warriors, and I don't think anyone will notice.  Yes, The City is a buzz.

A Letter to the Clippers

Dear Clippers,

What are you doing?  Are you really going to let DeAndre Jordan go away?  Are you going to let him sign with the Warriors and not bring him back with his best NBA friend Blake Griffen.  Do not let him disappear from your young and growing roster.  Every position on your team is talented, and very young.  Can a starting five of Eric Bledsoe, Eric Gordon, Al-Farouq Aminu, Blake Griffen, and DeAndre Jordan win the Championship?  This year? No.  In the next couple, maybe.  Add on Caron Butler and Morris Peterson coming off the bench, and the team has legitimate weapons in years  to come.  Make sure you match.

Please stay away from the Chis Paul trade.  Eric Gordon is well on his way to being a top 5 shooting guard.  (Despite the overwhelming amount of talent in the NBA right now, this is a pretty low time in terms of Shooting Guard prowess.)  Don't give away your future Small Forward in Aminu.  Don't give away Eric Bledsoe who is only 22 years old.  Don't scrap your team of all of its talent for Chris Paul.  The only hope then is to be just as good as the Hornets are now.  Is that what you want?  Mostly, you have the 1st round pick of the Minnesota Timberwolves.  The Timberwolves have a new coach, a point guard who averaged single digit points per game in Spain, 8 power forwards, and Michael Beasley.  You might as well just say, we would also like to include Harrison Barnes in this trade.

In summary, Harrison Barnes, Al-Farouq Aminu, Chris Kaman, Eric Bledsoe, and Eric Gordon for Chris Paul.  Please save yourself.

Best,

NBA Zone Press

P.S. You are going to do it and Paul will blow out his knee because you are the Clippers.

Brandon Roy Set to Retire

This is one of the sadder stories in the NBA this season.  Brandon Roy is set to face facts that his knees just can't hold up anymore.

To Brandon, this is a good move.  When you are 65 and your grandson wants to shoot hoops or you want to see his games, I think that may be something that is still possible.  Enjoy your life outside of basketball.

This leads to an interesting situation with the Blazers who can save their amnesty clause and a ton of cap space if this goes through.  There are a number of requirements including waiting the season for cap space to open up and having a doctor confirm that the injuries or illness are too much for the wear and tear of basketball.

If I had to guess though,  I think Roy will show up on the court a couple more times before it is all said and done.  He is such a fierce competitor that I think when it gets down to it, he will won't need to talk himself into it.

Mario Chalmers Looking to Re-Sign with Heat

Mario Chalmers looks like he might be the Heat's point guard again this year.  To be honest there isn't a lot of other choices.  The Heat's big addition my be Shane Battier, who provides the shooting and the defense that will fit in well with a team of big time playmakers.  I think it will also be good to have a player with a high level of maturity on that time.  I also really like the addition of Eddy Curry to the camp roster.  Yes, that was a joke.

CP3 and Pau Stay Put

Let's recap.  Chris Paul was leaving.  The Lakers were going to have a point guard for the first time since who knows when, the Rockets finally got a good center since healthy Yao, and the Hornets were clearing out a guard that didn't want to be there.  Sounds like a win-win-win.

Then the owners started whining about the Hornets trading away a star player to a big market star team.  Stop it. Just stop it.  That trade was phenomenal for the Hornets.  Let's assign some quick trade grades

Los Angeles Lakers           Grade: B-

The Lakers have continued to be competitive year after year for one reason.  Size.  When they can consistently roll out Bynum, Gasol, and Odom they can win every night.  That front court is is strong, big and skilled.  Take out Gasol and Odom, that leaves you with one good knee in Andrew Bynum.  However, the one thing really holding the Lakers back has been the point guard play.  Every team with a quick point guard has wreaked havoc on their team.  And the PG spot has been an offensive (both in the quality of play and on that end of the court) bust.  Chris Paul is a game changer for sure.  Kobe and Paul backcourt is incredible.  But Paul, Bryant, World Peace, Bynum, and ....

Houston Rockets          Grade: C

Houston fills the biggest need, a center.  Pau obviously solves a big problem for the Rockets who have not had a legitimate center (Chuck Hayes, no offense, the Zone Press loves you) since the one time Yao was ever healthy.  The trade also helps alleviate the backlog at power forward with Luis Scola, Jordan Hill, Patrick Patterson, and first round pick Marcus Morris.  That is an army of power forwards.  It is time to let Patterson have more minutes, but also losing Kevin Martin (underrated) and Gragic (appropriately rated) puts this trade at the right level.  If that were the trade, I would give it a B.  That is a good move, and I would continue to subscribe to Daryl Morey Disciples of Latter Day Power Forwards.  It is the last piece that bugs me.  The Rockets also give away a 2012 1st round pick.  This draft class may not be Lebron, Melo, Wade, Bosh good.  However, with so much talent staying in college last year, the one thing this draft will be is deep.  Trust the pick.

New Orleans Hornets          Grade: A-

How do you trade away one of the best 15 players in the game and get an A- grade?  You get more than he is worth.  Simple question, will the Hornets win a championship this year? No.  Was Chris Paul resigning? No.  Ok, good talk.  7 months of Chris Paul for Kevin Martin (underrated), Louis Scola (David West replacement), Lamar Odom (replacement for every position on the floor), Goran Dragic (back-up, maybe it is time to start but not well point guard), and 2 first round picks!  Are you telling me the Hornets get 4 starters and two first rounders in the deepest draft in 5 years for 7 months of a player with a questionable knee?

I feel bad for the Hornets.  I feel bad for Paul.  I feel bad for every player that just had their team trade them to be returned only minutes later.  There will certainly be an interesting feel around the locker room later this week.