Originally Published: October 20, 2009
Marc Stein's 2009-10 Predictions
Our ESPN.com NBA senior writer forecasts the regular-season outcome for the East
Predicted Finish for Western Conference: 2009-10
| RANK | TEAM | COMMENT |
|---|---|---|
|
 Los Angeles Lakers |
The champs are indeed this season's favorites to win it all again. Their potential is frightening if Artest blends in and Bynum can finally be a consistent force. But they'd be bigger favorites on this scorecard had they just kept Ariza. |
|
 San Antonio Spurs |
It all comes down to where Timmy and Manu stand health-wise in the playoffs, as always, but rest assured that if any other team in the Western Conference is in Kobe Bryant's thoughts at night, it's the reloaded Spurs. |
|
 Denver Nuggets |
Living up to last season's everything-went-right script ain't going to be easy. But I have to say that I'm surprised to hear how many folks see the Nuggets as one-hit wonders. Still the class of the Northwest Division to me. |
|
 Dallas Mavericks |
If you insist on singling out a dark-horse pick to win the West, you could do worse than volunteering Dallas. Even after the disappointment of missing out on Gortat, Dallas significantly boosted its talent and depth over the summer. |
|
 Por. Trail Blazers |
Even if Andre Miller's transition to Portland was super smooth, I'd still hesitate to say this team will automatically take the next step. Moving up a level from where the Blazers were last season is one of the hardest steps. |
|
 Phoenix Suns |
If you asked me to pick a team to wildly exceed expectations, these Suns would be the choice. Not suggesting they'll be back in the title mix or anything, but too many folks are dismissing them with Amare back and their running game restored. |
|
 N.O. Hornets |
A healthy Chris Paul will get the Hornets to 50 wins. But that's about as far as the New Orleans Hornets can go as currently constituted, which makes you wonder if that's enough to keep CP3 from getting frustrated. Again. |
|
 Utah Jazz |
The Jazz have to be healthier this season. Have to be. Not sure this season will be any easier, though, given the uncertainty surrounding Boozer's future that will dominate conversation and the lack of difference-making new blood. |
|
 L.A. Clippers |
Am I gullible enough to believe that the arrival of Blake Griffin, shedding of Zach Randolph and swipe of Rasual Butler will combine to finally deliver the Clippers-Lakers showdown in the first round that I've always dreamed of? |
|
 Houston Rockets |
The way they've played through countless injuries -- for years -- makes me hesitant to issue a blanket dismissal of Yao-less Houston's ability to be a nuisance in the conference race for the No. 8 slot out West. Somewhat hesitant. |
|
 OKC Thunder |
The focus will soon shift from Durant's plus/minus figures to what the Thunder are doing in the standings ... and I'm not sure that'll be any more pleasant. Lots of folks, it says here, are expecting too much from such a young group. |
|
 G.S. Warriors |
The Dubs' collection of promising youngsters, headlined by Anthony Randolph and Steph Curry, is as good as any in the league. But all you're going to hear about here until Stephen Jackson is traded are Stephen Jackson stories. |
|
 Minn. Timberwolves |
They'd obviously be infinitely more watchable if Rubio was here, but a core trio of Al Jefferson, Kevin Love and Ramon Sessions has some promise. The Wolves will be worth following for the first time since Kevin Garnett left. |
|
 Memphis Grizzlies |
Most interesting team in the league? Most interesting lottery team for sure. You mix Gay, Mayo, Thabeet and Marc Gasol with Iverson and Zach Randolph and you get must-see League Pass. No matter what the standings say. |
|
 Sacramento Kings |
The only time we heard about the Kings this preseason was Francisco Garcia suffering a major wrist injury when the workout ball he was sitting on exploded. You fear it's going to be that kind of regular season, too. |
Predicted Finish for Eastern Conference: 2009-10
| RANK | TEAM | COMMENT |
|---|---|---|
|
 Orlando Magic |
I recite this stat because it explains why the East champs were wise to be so proactive with changes: Last season's Lakers were the first team since '89 to lose in the Finals and then win it all a season later. That last step is the toughest. |
|
 Cleveland Cavaliers |
They can't really prove anything until the playoffs. They also have to manage a complicated Delonte West situation as well as the ceaseless LeBron 2010 talk. Gonna be a long regular season no matter how many games the Cavs win. |
|
 Boston Celtics |
The Celts have the manpower to ask very little of Kevin Garnett during the regular season and nurse him to full strength -- or as close as he can get -- for the playoffs. If that's how Boston's season plays out, watch out. |
|
 Atlanta Hawks |
It's not something you print up on T-shirts or brag about, but the Hawks are indeed the clear-cut Fourth Best Team in the East after re-signing Bibby, Pachulia and Marvin Williams and adding Jamal Crawford and Joe Smith. |
|
 Chicago Bulls |
Put me in the camp that says D-Rose's Year 2 maturity, Deng's return from injury and having Salmons and Brad Miller for the whole season will enable the Bulls to keep building on that epic Boston series. Even without Ben Gordon. |
|
 Toronto Raptors |
Still such a big fan of newcomer Hedo Turkoglu -- even as I heartily endorse and applaud Orlando's willingness to shake up a team that went to the Finals -- that I expect a big jump here. Into the Eastern Conference's top six, even. |
|
 Wash. Wizards |
Even as a longtime Flip fan, allow me to tap the breaks here. The Arenas/Butler/Jamison core had a limited ceiling even at their youthful and healthiest best. Playoffs? For sure. But you can't automatically call the Wiz a top-10 team. |
|
 Philadelphia 76ers |
I'm intrigued by Thaddeus Young, I'm amused by Jason Kapono's formula to arrive at No. 72 and I've followed Eddie Jordan since his "Thief of Baghdad" days with the Lakers. But let's face it: Elton Brand's comeback is the story in Philly. |
|
 Miami Heat |
Wade missed three games last season and willed the Heat to 43 wins. He will have to be similarly brilliant -- and durable -- to keep his ultra-thin team at that level until the summer of 2010 arrives and Pat Riley starts making moves again. |
|
 Detroit Pistons |
The Pistons are still transitioning from one era (Rip, Tayshaun and Big Ben) to the next (Villanueva, Gordon, Stuckey and Daye). Which suggests that they'll have to endure another bumpy ride in the .500 range. |
|
 Indiana Pacers |
Probably should be applauding Danny Granger's optimism and how he thinks the Pacers can be a "top-six team" in the East. But my snide side takes over and wonders if Indy can even match its usual ninth-place finish. |
|
 Charlotte Bobcats |
Is swapping Okafor for Chandler, importing Flip Murray and leaning heavily on Larry Brown's coaching enough to get Charlotte off the short list of North American major sports franchises with zero playoff berths? I'm skeptical. |
|
 New York Knicks |
What would qualify as a successful season for the Knicks? Al Harrington would obviously say playoff berth. Team prez Donnie Walsh would undoubtedly settle for trading Eddy Curry or Jared Jeffries before July 1. |
|
 Milwaukee Bucks |
I will still be tuning in, because I could watch Redd flick those quick-release jumpers all day, but it ain't easy to put a glossy spin on the Bucks after the financially motivated departures of Jefferson, Villanueva and Sessions. |
|
 New Jersey Nets |
If they can get Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov approved as their new owner, you have to believe that pretty much nothing else matters this season. This looks like it could be that big of a break for the Nets. |
Click the mugs below to see our writers' predictions
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