10 Predictions for 2010-2011

1. The Miami Heat will become the league's most hated franchise.

What is more annoying than LeBron coverage in Cleveland? LeBron coverage in Miami. Now that the biggest ego in the league has landed in Miami with two other stars, Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade, we will never hear the end of it from sports broadcasting companies. (Cough, cough, ESPN) Sports fans have been dragged through this ridiculous free agent process for two months and were subject to watching LeBron's half-witted plan unveiled in an hour show. (By the way, he said he would reveal his decision within the first ten minutes. It took him about 26 minutes) Now that's two and a half uncontainable egos in one locker room. (Wade [1], LeBron [1.5], Bosh [Yet to be determined; you can't hear egos in Canada]) This means NBA fans will have to hear about this threesome (chuckle) every single night. They will undeservingly receive more prime time games than any other team and people will get just plain tired of it. And when they fail to reach the Finals, we will just have to hear about went what wrong and will once again see Pat Riley rear-end his coach and take his spot.

2. Blake Griffin wins Rookie of the Year.

The John Wall sensation is the second biggest story of the summer, but let's not forget about last year's #1, Blake Griffin. I must admit, Wall is a unique talent and will thrive in the league. However, Griffin is in a much better spot because of one simple word, teammates. His teammates are better than Wall's. Griffin will play along side All-Stars Baron Davis and Chris Kaman and other budding talents such as Al-Farouq Aminu and Eric Gordon. Griffin will be playing for a possible playoff contender and will get more notoriety for it. Besides, Griffin's life expectancy is much higher since there are no secret agent teammates pulling out guns on his squad. But there is good news for John Wall..............

3. Gilbert Arenas will be traded to the Nets.

A lot of cap space. No big players landed in the 2010 free agent frenzy. And still not enough people in the seats. So why not? Washington is sick of Arenas and his antics, plus they want to give Wall as much playing time as possible. And the Nets can take on that fat ol' contract with their virtually unused cap space. Before they become totally irrelevant, the Nets will land this "superstar" to stay afloat. 

4. Lakers-Heat will be the Christmas game of the year.

For obvious reasons.

5. Kevin Durant wins MVP in a landslide. 

Now that LeBron is apart of the "Miami Thrice" he will not be considered as valuable. Same with Kobe. He's on a team of unmatchable talent so he doesn't have to be the league's most valuable guy. So who does that leave? The Durantrula. This guy is a bit overhyped right now but will the league's most valuable player next year and perhaps for even more years to come. OKC will be a legitimate team, perhaps even more than last year, and will credit most of its success to the face of their franchise. He'll average 30.1 PPG and pull down 7.8 REB in an impressive campaign. 

6. LeBron will put up a Triple-Double in his return turned hate-fest in Cleveland.

What does LeBron like to do best? I was going to say show-off but now I'm going to say sticking it to Cleveland harder than anyone since Art Modell's fiasco. Cavs fans (or whatever is left of them) will boo LeBron and break the sound barrier for sports fans once he is introduced. Every time he touches the ball, scores, and rips down a board, the fans at the Q will jump all over him. In his egotistical nature, LeBron will try his hardest to drain every shot, grab every rebound, and dish out every dime to fill up the stat sheet and beat out the Cavs faithful for the subject of Sportscenter. In addition, Cavs Owner Dan Gilbert will make a feeble attempt in making nice with LeBron after his epic letter posted the night of LeBron's move. (That was the best piece of literature ever written by an owner of a franchise, just edging out Al Davis' speech on firing Lane Kiffin.)

7. Shannon Brown will win the 2011 Slam Dunk Contest.

The question on everyone's mind after the 2010 contest? "What the hell was that? And can I get my money back even though I didn't pay for anything?" Brown's disgraceful display in the contest was the most embarrassing moment moment for Laker fans around the world since the 2008 Finals. But this time, LA holds All-Star weekend. Why not but Shannon in? He will not be as nervous and he will fulfill his plans of dunking over DJ Mbenga whether the King of the Congo is a Laker or not.

8. An NBA player will get into trouble with the law. 

It's the newest craze for professional athletes. Forget performance enhancers, forget flashy endorsement deals. Getting into legal trouble is what athletes love to do. A new face will join Gilbert Arenas and half of the NFL in court. 

9. The Boston Celtics will not win 50 games, but will go to the Finals.

If it was one thing I learned this past season it was that the 82 games preceding the Playoffs do not matter. Boston went 27-27 down the stretch and looked absolutely dead in the water. But this team rose to the challenge as soon as the 2010 postseason began falling just short of their second title in three years. Well Allen is back, Pierce is back, and Rondo will prove his value even more so next year. Despite the numerous injuries they may and probably will face due to their roster of older guys, expect them to be ready for another impressive postseason run. But..........

10. The Los Angeles Lakers will win the 2011 NBA Finals en route to Jax's fourth 3-Peat.

Yeah, it's gonna happen again. And why not? Phil Jackson is quite of a history buff. His team never loses when winning Game 1 of a series, he has only 1 series loss when his team has any advantage, and he likes to win in threes. That's why the Zen Master came back for this, his final year. He knows this team has something special brewing and simply cannot leave it behind for retirement in Montana. Kobe will once again prove that he is the world's best player. (NOT LeBron. It's always been Kobe) Pau will show that he has transformed into the league's best big man. Derek Fisher will drain huge 3 pointers in tight playoff games. And Ron Artest will remain on his best behavior as he gives various shout-outs to his family and of course, Queensbridge. The Lakers will defeat the Boston Celtics once again as Kobe drains a buzzer beater in double overtime of Game 6 to win 113-111. 

****My apologies to Gilbert Arenas. I don't know why I completely bashed him in this post.