NBA Preview 2011-2012

Photo courtesy of zimbio.com. Kevin Durant (pictured above) took over Rucker Park this past summer. Now I expect him to take over the Western Conference and bring home the MVP.

By Josh Kramer

Welcome to “Lob City.”  Though it seemed highly improbable just a little over a month ago, we are going to have an NBA season after all.  Granted we will be off to the races with 66 games per team in the next 123 days (nearly a game every other day). I think most of you remember what the 1999 season was like, resulting in a Cinderella run by the 8th seeded New York Knicks all the way to the NBA finals.  But hey, as the great Andy Roddick would say, “If sports were predictable, they would be like watching a DVD.” Just a hunch that this shortened year will be anything but predictable.  

Main Storylines:

-What effect will the infamous “Stern-Veto” have on the overall scope of the League, especially out in LA?

-Will a 66-game season lead to a crazier postseason than we had in 1999?

-Will LeBron finally capture a ring in year two of the “MonStars” experiment?

-Can the Dallas Mavericks repeat despite the loss of their bruiser inside, Tyson Chandler?

-How will the Celtics do in what is likely the last season of the “Three Musketeers?”

-What young star is ready to take the next step?  Derrick Rose or Kevin Durant?

-Will SportsCenter have to invent a new top ten strictly for the Los Angeles Clippers?

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“Grizzlies or Thunder?”

Sunday afternoon will be a big day for the Oklahoma City Thunder as they look to advance to their first conference finals since 1996 (they were the SuperSonics then). Expect Kevin Durant (pictured above) to play a large role.

The Memphis Grizzlies continue to shock the world with their never say die mentality.  They went into halftime staring elimination in the face.  Memphis had the look of a deer in headlights.  Down by 10 with 24 minutes of basketball to go.  Randolph, Mayo, Conley and Co decided that the ball was not going to strike midnight yet on the current Memphis magical ride.  And they made sure it didn’t.

“Food for Thought 5-3-11”

Regardless of your opinion on Memphis power forward Zach Randolph (pictured above) off the court, you have to give the man props on his playoff performance thus far.

Over the past 24 hours, lots of news has happened both inside and outside of the sporting realm.  Here are the main sporting items that have been on my mind.

Zach Randolph:  Looking Like A Hall of Famer?

“Weekly Nickel”

This is the big week for ESPN NFL Draft gurus Mel Kiper (left) and Todd McShay (right). You will be hearing these two go at it all week and into the weekend.

It is another Monday in the wide world of sports.  We have a stellar week ahead full of exciting action across the board.  Lets take a look at what the key events of the upcoming week will be.

“NBA Playoff Preview”

As I predicted in the preseason, I am taking Kobe, Phil, and the Lakers to complete the 3-peat with another amazing playoff run. Will this be the end of the line for Phil Jackson?

The grueling 82 game regular season is finally over and playoff time is upon us.  Most casual fans do not invest a heavy interest in the regular season, but come playoff time, the NBA takes center stage.  There is no questioning the effort of these amazing basketball players at this time of year.  It is all or nothing.  This is where the men are separated from the boys.  As promised, I am going to provide my predictions on how this year’s postseason will play out.