Last time on The New Millennium, a new power duo formed in Minnesota, as Kevin Durant was drafted to join Kevin Garnett, while one broke apart in Los Angeles, as Shaquille O'Neal was traded to Dallas. How will these changes affect the 2007-2008 season?
Western Conference
1. Los Angeles Lakers(57-25)
2. Golden State Warriors(54-28)
3. Vancouver Grizzlies(46-36)
4. Los Angeles Clippers(44-38)
5. Portland Trail Blazers(43-39)
6. Sacramento Kings(41-41)
7. Minnesota Timberwolves(39-43)
8. San Antonio Spurs(39-43)
9. Seattle SuperSonics(36-46)
10. Dallas Mavericks(36-46)
11. New Orleans Pelicans(35-47)
12. Houston Rockets(35-47)
13. Denver Nuggets(33-49)
14. Phoenix Suns(28-54)
15. Utah Jazz(26-56)
The Lakers added Joe Johnson(18.4 ppg) and achieved their best finish since 2004, and the Warriors improved majorly thanks to the development of young Kyle Lowry(14 ppg, 6.6 apg). Further down the standings, Sacramento was carried by new MVP Chris Paul(21.3 ppg, 13.4 apg), and Minnesota and San Antonio just snuck in despite losing record. Dallas definitely lost that big trade, as Shaq(15.6 ppg, 9.7 rpg) continued to regress, and Phoenix just looked terrible all year. And Utah lost big in signing bust Thomas Augmon(9 ppg, 6.5 rpg), leaving them in dead last.
Eastern Conference
1. Chicago Bulls(57-25)
2. New Jersey Nets(53-29)
3. Charlotte Hornets(51-31)
4. Orlando Magic(51-31)
5. Indiana Pacers(50-32)
6. Toronto Raptors(46-36)
7. New York Knicks(44-38)
8. Boston Celtics(42-40)
9. Cleveland Cavaliers(40-42)
10. Atlanta Hawks(39-43)
11. Washington Wizards(39-43)
12. Philadelphia 76ers(37-45)
13. Milwaukee Bucks(34-48)
14. Miami Heat(28-54)
15. Detroit Pistons(27-55)
Chicago is still the best team in the East, but they need to start winning in the playoffs to be considered legit. The Nets played well and moved up, and the Hornets were spectacular thanks to new signing Ellis Rowland(15 ppg). The Knicks have finally made the playoffs, as have the Celtics, who have a new hero in LaMarcus Aldridge(16.4 ppg, 7.3 rpg). Cleveland and Atlanta were unlucky, as the East simply has too many good teams, and Philadelphia really struggled thanks to Allen Iverson's continued regression. Detroit is yet again in last place, but is still improving and will likely get a high draft pick.
Awards
MVP: Chris Paul, Sacramento Kings
Rookie of the Year: Kevin Durant, Minnesota Timberwolves
Sixth Man: Josh Smith, Golden State Warriors
Defensive Player: LeBron James, Atlanta Hawks
Most Improved: Donta Conner, Miami Heat
Coach of the Year: Phil Jackson, Los Angeles Lakers
Can Kobe and Joe Johnson lead the Lakers to another championship? Can the Bulls finally start winning in the playoffs? Find out next time on The New Millennium!
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