The SLAM NBA Preview: Central Division
SLAM’s official predictions for the 2006-07 NBA season…
A few years ago, I came up with the idea of running individual NBA team previews on The Links, and having each team’s preview written by a fan of that team. Nowadays, all the fans have their own blogs, and every NBA site (including ours, thank you) has been having fans/bloggers review their team’s chances for the upcoming year.
So in order to flip the script a little, I’m going to do quick NBA previews for each division. I wrote a gargantuan NBA preview in SLAM 103 (on newstands now!), and I’m using the illustrations from that issue here (drawn by the terrific Mike T).
If you want to read my full predictions and thoughts you’ve gotta go buy the magazine. But here’s how I ranked them and why.
Today, the Central Division…
How I picked it in the magazine:
1. Detroit Pistons
2. Chicago Bulls
3. Cleveland Cavaliers
4. Indiana Pacers
5. Milwaukee Bucks
Why I picked them that way:
I know the Bulls are the trendy pick in the Central, but the Pistons have too much pride to just roll over and give up. They’re without Ben, sure, and I’ve never been a Flip Saunders believer, but I think they have one more year in them, with probably 55 wins (which will be enough to win the hard-fought Central). Rip, Chauncey, Sheed and Tayshuan now have their chance to show us that they can play defense without relying on Ben to have their backs.
The Bulls will be better than they were last year, but Ben Wallace is still talking about needing touches on offense and wanting to shoot the ball more, and he’s not going to thrilled when Ben Gordon takes his twentieth shot of the half. I also wonder how much longer Scott Skiles and his tough-guy act will last with these guys.
He’s got the whole world — or at least the city of Cleveland — on his shoulders, and thus far, LeBron’s never backed down from a challenge. They’re already pumping him up as a legit MVP candidate in the Cleveland papers, and I’m thinking that’s not far from the truth. But he still needs help. The other thing that bothers me is how much better the Cavs played without Larry Hughes last season during the Playoffs.
The Pacers haven’t had a drama-free season in recent memory, and that’s not changing going into this year. They have good players, a good coach, a good GM…but it just doesn’t seem to fit together, for whatever reason. And what happens if Stephen Jackson is convicted of a parole violation halfway through the year?
Finally, the Bucks. I understand the thought behind moving TJ Ford for Charlie Villanueva — going older for younger, smaller for bigger — but I don’t think a Steve Blake/Charlie Bell combo has anyone shaking in their boots. Now Bogut’s hurt, Villanueva isn’t playing particularly well, and Terry Stotts is still the coach.
15 Responses to “The SLAM NBA Preview: Central Division”
Oct.26 at 4:59 pm
Bryant Reeves says:
Nice write-up, but I really don’t think D-Town is going to win the Central this year. Weak bench + no Ben + Flip = 2nd place (at best). It is going to get so bad the fans are going to chant “Darko, Darko”.
Oct.26 at 5:26 pm
sheed33 says:
Central:
1. Pistons 53 Ws (Flip, oh, Flip…)
2. Cavs 51 Ws (LeBron will reign)
3. Bulls 50 Ws (Watch out for a playoff run)
4. Pacers 43 Ws (where’s reggie?)
5. Bucks 41 Ws (Redd can run the point)
all will make the playoffs at 2,4,5,7,8
Oct.26 at 5:36 pm
DP says:
Sheed33, detroit will not win but the Cavs win. When you have a furture hall of famer on your team, you don’t have to worry about that much. Watch out for Lebron this year, he will be 2nd in MVP voting behind no.1 kobe. Monta for most improved player of the year and rudy gay for rookie of the year.
Oct.26 at 8:03 pm
sheed33 says:
ok cavs no. 1, you got me
Oct.26 at 9:14 pm
David says:
Everybody’s picked the Bulls because they’re very promising and the Pistons looked like they were falling apart in the playoffs last year. I actually think the Cavs are going to take first place since they seemed even more promising in the playoffs. Should be pretty close for those top three. I don’t think they’ll all make the playoffs, though. The Pacers have lost all the hopes (and the Tru Warier - awful title) that made them favorites a few years ago. I think they need to rebuild and at least they found someone to take Croshere. The Bucks probably won’t do that well, either.
Oct.27 at 10:44 am
Shotcaller21 says:
I think some of you are underestimating the Pistons bench… I’ve been watching their preseason games, and I think that they are better than last year. Flip Murray, Delfino, McDyess, Maxiel, Hunter… that’s pretty tough. And Maxiel is an animal. Oh, and they have a center that can play offense and make some free throws.
It may take a little time for them to gel, but I think they will be tough when they do.
Oct.27 at 11:31 am
FJ says:
Keep on BALLING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oct.27 at 2:29 pm
Will says:
Now that Ben Wallace is gone, Detroit might have tougher time on Defense but Nazr looked good offensively in the preseason.
Oct.27 at 3:04 pm
Brian says:
Reg season is when Flip shines. I’ll believe that the bench will play when I see it. How can Flip the Magician top running one of the most cohesive units in recent memory into the ground?
Oct.28 at 11:57 am
Wong says:
Are you guys serious? The Bucks will win the division. How can you not win with Ha Seung-Jin? And the Kobe-Stopper?
Nov.16 at 1:59 pm
Yo Mama says:
I think alot of people are underestimating the bucks they may not seem like they will be good but watch some of there games they are doing pretty good i think they will beat out the pacers for sure and maybe even the cavs. call me crazy but the bucks will make the playoffs.
Nov.20 at 12:13 pm
matt garza says:
cleveland will win the division but by very close
Nov.29 at 3:33 pm
» Return of The Links! - SLAM Online says:
[…] And on October 26, I wrote here: The Bulls will be better than they were last year, but Ben Wallace is still talking about needing touches on offense and wanting to shoot the ball more, and he’s not going to thrilled when Ben Gordon takes his twentieth shot of the half. I also wonder how much longer Scott Skiles and his tough-guy act will last with these guys. […]
Dec.12 at 2:37 am
OJ king says:
hello i dont know what to say
Dec.12 at 2:37 am
OJ king says:
hello i dont know what to say.