Call my cocky if you wish, but I consider myself one of the best NBA handicappers in the world. Handicapping the NBA and making profit betting on the NBA throughout a season is all about knowing the appropriate values of every single player that will be on the court that night. I believe my personal ratings that I have given every player in the NBA give me a significant edge over the betting public.
Follow me throughout the year, and you will make money on the NBA with me.
Onto tonights plays...
1.5 Unit
L.A. Lakers -11 vs L.A. Clippers
1 Unit
Washington +8 at Dallas
Houston +10 at Portland
Follow me throughout the year, and you will make money on the NBA with me.
- For the 3rd year in a row, I have the Boston Celtics rated the best team in the NBA. If they stay healthy (most importantly Garnett, the 4th most valuable player [per my ratings] in the NBA behind LeBron, Paul, and Wade), they are the team most likely to win the NBA Title this year.
- The Cleveland Cavaliers are right there and will be competitive this year. Their most important offseason addition was NOT Shaquille O'Neal (although I do think he'll end up being a decent addition assuming he stays healthy), but Jamario Moon and Anthony Parker from the Toronto Raptors. I grade both players very valuable. They are all-around players who can compliment LeBron on offense and both are very effective defenders.
- The Los Angeles Lakers made a substantial net-gain with Ron Artest over Trevor Ariza. However, Derek Fisher is on his last leg at point guard and Jordan Farmar is not a very sub-par backup. This is without a doubt their weakspot, and it'll be interesting to see if they decide to make a move this year. Other than the PG position, the team brings back alot of the same talent that won a title. If they stay healthy, they will without a doubt be the favorites to reach the NBA Finals out of the Western Conference.
- Detroit Pistons will finish LAST in the Eastern Conference Central Division. The cogs in that team for years, Tayshaun Prince and Richard Hamilton are breaking down. They are nowhere near the players they were in the early-mid 2000s. Charlie Villanueva is not the answer and I expect this team to struggle all season long. The loss of Rasheed Wallace is even more devastating than losing Chauncey Billups. The bench got weaker without Antonio McDyess as well and this franchise will struggle to win 30 games this year.
- Charlotte Bobcats will make the playoffs. If Tyson Chandler can get and stay healthy, he'll be an upgrade over Emeka Okafor. D.J. Augustin is poised to have a breakout year and the front-office added some decent depth with Stephen Graham. Larry Brown has guys who here will listen to them and they'll be right there at the end of the season fighting for a playoff spot, and get it!
- Houston Rockets will miss the playoffs. No Yao, No Artest, No McGrady. Although they have a deep, decent bench, they have no front-line difference makers outside of Shane Battier. In the Western Conference that isn't good enough. They will have one of their worst seasons in recent memory.
- Oklahoma City Thunder will continue to suck. Looks like another 20-25 win season. As good as Durant has looked on the offensive end, he's an eyesore for defense, and I don't see that changing overnight here. Russell Westbrook, not Durant, is the real young difference maker on that team and one to keep an eye on for the future.
- Portland Trailblazers will struggle early in the season, and will need to rally to make the playoffs. Andre Miller was a poor offseason acquisition IMO. This guy is at the end of his career and for him to be gobbling up 25+ minutes here will have a negative impact on this team. That 3-year $21 million deal is one of the worst I've seen in recent years. I am also not sure Martell Webster will fit right in with his return from injury. Right there are two guys who will start who I think make this team worse than they were last year. They will no longer be under the radar early in the year and will take some November/December lumps. They'll end up pushing for 50 wins and a playoff berth, but I don't see them improving on last years 54
- Memphis Grizzlies will be improved. 24, 22, and 22 wins the last 3 seasons. I think they break out of that funk and have an improved season, finishing with somewhere around 35 wins. I don't think they'll miss Darko and Hakeem Warrick. They are improved with veterans Zach Randolph and Allen Iverson. O.J Mayo, Mike Conley, and Marc Gasol are going to very solid players that are only going to get better. I am looking forward to hammering this team in their opener Wednesday vs the Pistons.
Onto tonights plays...
1.5 Unit
L.A. Lakers -11 vs L.A. Clippers
1 Unit
Washington +8 at Dallas
Houston +10 at Portland