Last time on The New Millennium, the Miami Heat finally got their Dwyane Wade replacement in young stud Derrick Rose with the first overall pick. Guards continued to be the story of the offseason, as Allen Iverson was trade to the Sacramento Kings to pair up with Chris Paul while Steve Nash was sent to the Cleveland Cavaliers. How will these changes affect the 2008-2009 regular season?
Eastern Conference
1. Chicago Bulls(55-27)
2. Indiana Pacers(51-31)
3. Orlando Magic(45-37)
4. New Jersey Nets(45-37)
5. Milwaukee Bucks(45-37)
6. Toronto Raptors(45-37)
7. Charlotte Hornets(44-38)
8. Atlanta Hawks(44-38)
9. Washington Wizards(42-40)
10. Philadelphia 76ers(42-40)
11. New York Knicks(38-44)
12. Miami Heat(37-45)
13. Boston Celtics(34-48)
14. Detroit Pistons(31-51)
15. Cleveland Cavaliers(31-51)
Two constants of this series finished one and two, as the Bulls beat out the defending champion Pacers to once again finish atop the East standings. The Magic got a stupendous season out of sixth man J.J. Redick(18 ppg) to achieve a high finish, while LeBron James(30.2 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 8.2 apg) won his first MVP and willed his team into the playoffs. Philly just missed out in their first year without AI, and rookie Derrick Rose(15.7 ppg, 6.7 apg) turned in a solid effort to get the Heat out of the basement. That unfortunate distinction went instead, shockingly, to the Cavaliers. After this last place finish and years of underperforming, trade rumors involving star Paul Pierce have begun to gain steam.
Western Conference
1. Los Angeles Lakers(51-31)
2. Los Angeles Clippers(49-33)
3. San Antonio Spurs(43-39)
4. Golden State Warriors(43-39)
5. Vancouver Grizzlies(42-40)
6. Portland Trail Blazers(42-40)
7. Sacramento Kings(42-40)
8. Denver Nuggets(41-41)
9. Minnesota Timberwolves(40-42)
10. New Orleans Pelicans(39-43)
11. Houston Rockets(39-43)
12. Utah Jazz(35-47)
13. Phoenix Suns(34-48)
14. Seattle SuperSonics(32-50)
15. Dallas Mavericks(29-53)
The City of Angels had a lot to celebrate, as their two teams clashed throughout the regular season, with the veteran Lakers eventually winning out. The Nuggets could be a big threat, literally, featuring two quality young big men in Sherman Conway(18.8 ppg, 8.8 rpg) and Kevin Love(18.6 ppg, 7.3 rpg). Despite a late season push, Minnesota still missed out, despite Kevin Durant(23.9 ppg) making his first All-Star Game. Seattle got a great year from Rajon Rondo(14.7 ppg, 8.4 apg) but still lack a true star, while the rebuilding Mavericks bottomed out, at least putting them in position for a good draft pick.
Awards
MVP: LeBron James, Atlanta Hawks
Rookie of the Year: Sherman Conway, Denver Nuggets
Sixth Man: Kurt Fox, Vancouver Grizzlies
Defensive Player: LeBron James, Atlanta Hawks
Most Improved: J.J. Redick, Orlando Magic
Coach of the Year: Vinny Del Negro, Chicago Bulls
The more things change, the more they stay the same. Just like last year, the Lakers and Bulls are the top two seeds, with both looking to reverse recent playoff struggles. Other contenders include the Pacers, who have won two out of the last three titles, Atlanta and Golden State with stars LeBron and Melo, plus teams featuring great big men like San Antonio, who have Tim Duncan and Dwight Howard. Who will win the 2009 NBA Championship? Find out next time on The New Millennnium!
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