The NBA season is ready to tip off on Tuesday, which means it is time to consult your sportsbook odds and pick your champion for the upcoming hoops season. So, if you are looking for more tips before you bet online, here are Roy’s Bi-Weekly Power Rankings, starting with the defending champions from Boston.
Boston – Online sports betting odds have given the Celtics solid odds to repeat, and the question will be desire: will Boston still be hungry after winning last year? With Kevin Garnett on board, desire should not be an issue.
Los Angeles Lakers – Andrew Bynum is back and healthy, and could form, with Pau Gasol, the best frontcourt duo in the league. Online betting has the Lakers as the favorites to win the title, and this could be the best chance Kobe Bryant ever has to win a championship post-Shaq.
New Orleans – The Hornets are another year older, but they have to deal with lofty expectations from fans, analysts and online betting enthusiasts alike. If the Hornets win the West, Chris Paul will win the Most Valuable Player award.
Houston – Call this a gut decision, although the Rockets still have good NBA odds entering the season. Ron Artest will take a lot of pressure off Tracy McGrady, who simply must stay healthy. However, having Rafer Alston as your starting point guard is troubling.
Cleveland – LeBron James finally has a bonafide No.2 scoring threat in Mo Williams. We know the Cavaliers will play defense, and if they can coax another decent season out of Zydrunas Ilgauskas, expect their sportsbook stock to rise.
San Antonio – God, I hate the Spurs. Why won’t they decline already? Expect more tough (and borderline dirty, as long as Bruce Bowen is around) defense, bank shots and double-doubles from Tim Duncan, and more sideline pictures of Eva Longoria-Parker.
Toronto – If Jermaine O’Neal can stay healthy, he will combine with Chris Bosh for a Twin Towers-esque duo. Jose Calderon will have to deal with more minutes at the point position. The improvement of Andrea Bargnani will be essential for Toronto.
Philadelphia – The 76ers could be the most improved team of the season with their pickup of Elton Brand and the re-signing of Andre Igoudala. However, their bench leaves a lot to be desired.
Detroit – Like the Spurs, these guys just won’t die. With a new coach (Michael Curry) at the helm, it will be interesting to see how this veteran group, particularly Rasheed Wallace, takes to new instructions.
Phoenix – The Suns may start slowly, but you watch: by midseason, they will be right in the thick of the West race. Keep an eye on first-round pick Robin Lopez, who will bring energy and rebounding off the bench for the aging Suns.
And the rest …………
Orlando – If D-12 doesn’t get at least 40 touches a game, someone needs to be fired.
Utah – Deron Williams better not miss too much time; he is the catalyst of the whole team.
Portland – Greg Oden’s numbers: 11 points, 12 boards, 2.5 blocks and a slew of “he looks old” jokes.
Dallas – I love Jason Kidd to death, but why can’t he hit an open jumper?
Chicago – Derrick Rose for Rookie of the Year. Bet on it.
Los Angeles Clippers – The pickup of Baron Davis is excellent, and the Clippers may actually be decent. Of course, I’m setting the OVER/UNDER for a Ricky Davis distraction at 30 games, and taking the UNDER.
Miami – For some reason, I have a feeling D-Wade is going to beast this year.
Golden State – Without B-Diddy, the Warriors are going to find themselves on the wrong end of the shootouts they used to win.
Atlanta – Joe Johnson really deserves better than this. But Marvin Williams is going to break out this year.
Denver – They were awful defensively with Marcus Camby in the middle. With no Camby, the Nuggets will be lucky to keep the opposition under 120 points a night.
Washington – Showed they were snakebitten by resigning Gilbert Arenas, who is injured (AGAIN). Then they lose Brandon Haywood for six months. Have fun, Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler.
Milwaukee – Scott Skiles’ coaching style will rub some of the young Bucks the wrong way, and I’m guessing Charlie Villeneuva will be the first in line.
Minnesota – Kevin Love’s interior passing should open up the lane for Al Jefferson, but the rest of the ‘Wolves will have to hit their outside shots.
Indiana – The Pacers could sneak into the final East playoff spot, and you should keep an eye on Brandon Rush and Roy Hibbert, two rookies with top-notch college pedigrees.
New Jersey – Vince Carter as your team leader? Ugh. Wake me in ’10 when the Nets are in Brooklyn and going after Bron Bron.
Sacramento – Kevin Martin and John Salmons will get theirs, but the rest of the Sacramento team is either old or just plain bad.
New York – If the Knicks can get rid of Stephon Marbury and Zach Randolph’s massive contracts, the season will be a success.
Oklahoma City – This team is going to be so much fun to watch. Kevin Durant will drop 25 points a game, and the Thunder (that looks weird) will play no defense. Enjoy.
Charlotte – This franchise rivals the Knicks for being a hot mess. The point-guard battle between D.J. Augustin and Raymond Felton should be the only thing worth talking about all year.
Memphis – Loads of young point-guard talent and Rudy Gay. Like the Super….I mean, Thunder, they will be fun to watch, but it will not translate into success.
