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."