Cleveland Cavaliers: Mission Possible, Bring the Ring for the King

Mission Possible: Bring the Ring for the King

Cleveland Cavaliers

By Josiah Israel Albelda

OUTLOOK

Grizzled pivot man Shaquille O’Neal comes to Cleveland this season with two missions: to bring the King a ring and to make sure the King stays in his Ohio kingdom.

After being stunned in six games by the Orlando Magic last year, the Cavaliers try to bounce back this season with higher expectations, especially with the arrival of the Big Cactus, touted to be one of the best big men to ever step into the big league.

While Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic, who both were not vital cogs in the rotation last year, are gone, the boys of coach Mike Brown are expected to step up the competition a notch higher with the acquisitions of high-flying Jamario Moon and steady guard Anthony Parker.

Still, the defense and the firepower that the Cavaliers showed to streak to a league-best 66-16 record last year will center around reigning NBA MVP LeBron James, who is gunning for a second straight trophy.

For Cleveland to at least equal their sterling 2008-09 slate, James and the rest of the pack should work more on their defense and continue to improve on their three-point shooting. Mo Williams needs more than another All-Star year and Delonte West has to cope with his personal problems to be able to contribute big time.

X-FACTOR

While James will always be the face of the Cavaliers, O'Neal will be the key to whether the team will surpass their achievements last year. He was added to give Cleveland the heft and height it needs to counter the bigs of Orlando, Boston and the Los Angeles Lakers. The Diesel's physical conditioning and pacing will be crucial to the success of this five.

PREDICTION

64-18 (1st/2nd in the East)

Milwaukee Bucks: Are they Redd-y?

Are they Redd-y?

Milwaukee Bucks

By Marc Cleo Salayo, Sauyo HS

OUTLOOK

It will be a challenging season for the Milwaukee Bucks as they open their battle without a bulk of their starting five in forwards Richard Jefferson and Charlie Villanueva, and court general Ramon Sessions.

It seems like their playing injured, but with the acquisitions of Hakim Warrick, Walter Sharpe, Kurt Thomas, Ersan Ilyasova, Carlos Delfino, and the return to harness of streak-shooter Michael Redd as well as highly-touted rookie Brandon Jennings, the Bucks are playing with the future in mind.

It might not be a very competitive line-up, but those players will step up to accept the NBA challenge. Players like sophie Joe Alexander, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, and Charlie Bell are now taking their test as they now include the Milwaukee rotation.

After a one-year career in Italy, Jennings is now making his way to play in the NBA, a young talented player with veteran moves that can help the wounded Bucks.

Scott Skiles returns to coach Milwaukee and hopes to bring back the Bucks to the playoffs after a three-year absence.

Bucks will start their season eight new players in the line-up. They may not get their tempo in their start but soon they can get their roles as the season moves onwards.

X-FACTOR

After missing 49 games last season and with Jefferson and Villanueva now plying their trade elsewhere, Michael Redd takes the centerstage anew with hopes of bringing his legendary shot back inside the hoops of Milwaukee. Expect Redd to be more aggressive and pumped-up as the season progresses.

PREDICTION

30-52 (fourth in Central Division)

Atlanta Hawks: Spreading their wings

Spreading their wings

Atlanta Hawks

By Myke Miravite, Quezon City Science HS

Outlook

After finishing fourth seed in the conference last season, the Atlanta Hawks are now back on the radar.

Outlasting division rival Miami Heat in a hard-fought seven-game series before succumbing to the Cavaliers in the conference finals, the Hawks are eyeing to exact revenge this season with their rebuffed lineup.

The team was able to re-sign veteran point guard Mike Bibby to run the show while bringing in high-scoring guard Jamal Crawford as well as the underrated Joe Smith, a solid rebounder and terrific low-post defender. Former Wake Forest point guard Jeff Teague was also a solid addition on draft night.

This is a large upgrade, particularly when the sometimes-breathless Hawks had no bench to speak of, and it showed.

Al Horford, however, should be healthy and inspired. Smith will never turn into the all-around superstar that his potential suggests, but he still is an all-around force who takes you in and out of games, offensively and defensively.

Atlanta will be better in 2009-10, but so will the rest of the East. And though the team has no real major weakness save for possibly giving up too many offensive rebounds, the Hawks will struggle to keep up.

X-Factor

The Atlanta Hawks will be heavily relying on Mike Bibby which they acquired in exchange for Shelden Williams, Anthony Johnson, Tyronn Lue, Lorenzen Wright and a 2008 second-round draft pick.

Even though he battled through thumb, heel and quad injuries last season has has been still able to put up 14.1 points and 6.6 assists per game while working in an unfamiliar offense to lead the Hawks to their first playoff berth in almost ten years. Barring any injury or something dramatic happening in other teams in their division, Bibby and the rest of the gang will hopefully be able to troop again to the playoffs.

Prediction

40-42 (Last Year: 37-45)

Chicago Bulls: The Rise of Rose?

The Rise of Rose?

Chicago Bulls

By Myke Miravite, Quezon City Science HS

OUTLOOK

With their key players plagued by injuries, it is really up for 2009 Rookie of the Year Derrick Rose to grab the limelight. The Bulls had their numbers rising when they hit the jackpot at the 2008 Draft lottery, acquiring this superstar in the making. The Bulls however hit a speed bump when they lost Kirk Heinrich and Luol Deng during the mid-season because of a thumb injury and stress fracture, respectively.

But many still believe that this is the most promising Bulls team of the post-Jordan era. John Salmons and Deng are highly capable of giving Rose a hand in lifting the team while Tyrus Thomas and Joakim Noah can provide the hustle and energy that the Bulls need.

But that won't be enough to make the Bulls one of the top contenders in the East unless something dramatic happens to the Magic, Cavs or Celtics. But they're well-positioned to capture one of those top three spots in the future--2010 and beyond.

X-FACTOR

Derrick Rose. This 21-year-old point guard, also a former member of the US national training pool for the Beijing Olympics, Rose will surely into the occasion, especially when the going gets tough. Averaging an impressive 18.9 ppg and 6.1 assists on nearly 50% shooting, he will still be the core of the team this season.

PREDICTION

50-32 (Last Year: 41-41)

Will probably earn the 5^th-7th berth in the Playoffs

Boston Celtics: The Big Three Shall Bring Back the Celtic Pride

The Big Three Shall Bring Back the Celtic Pride

Boston Celtics

By Myke Miravite, Quezon City Science HS

OUTLOOK

Apologies for telling you what you already know but the story is quite the same as it was last conference--Boston is still one of the clear favorites to win the Atlantic Division, even the Eastern Conference crown. Beyond that, it's a question of how well they match up with nemeses Cleveland Cavaliers and Orlando Magic.

The Celtics however has one major problem to be concerned of—Kevin Garnett’s health. While having one of the most feared starting crew in the league, their campaign still depends heavily on their health. They know their "Big Three" has a limited shelf life, and they're making the most of it. This season, they added Rasheed Wallace to their already loaded roster. Hoping to provide some assurance to their starting unit, Boston signed this 6-foot-9 behemoth together with Marquis Daniels and Shelden Williams from the free agents pool.

From a fantasy perspective, the Celtics are now the East Coast version of the San Antonio Spurs--their top priority is the playoffs, and they don't much care if their regular season numbers suffer as a result.

X-FACTOR

Aside from the health of Garnett’s knee, the Celtics will very much depend on their “Big Three”. But after a breakup performance last season, Rajon Rondo will most likely spell the difference between glory and defeat for them.

Although he’s still a bit immature when it comes to the most crucial plays in the most crucial games, he is still one of Boston’s major threats in the hardcourt. His capability of posting triple-doubles and his crafty playmaking will surely give other teams headache throughout the season.

PREDICTION

63-19 (Last year: 66-16)

First in the Atlantic Division; 1^st/2^nd in the Eastern Conference.

Philadelphia 76ers: New Coach, New System, New Hope?

New coach, new system, new hope?

Philadelphia 76ers

By Marc Cleo Salayo, Sauyo HS

OUTLOOK
New head coach Eddie Jordan is tipped to give a new taste of Philadelphia basketball, implementing the Princeton offense on the Sixers system. As the players will be provided the principles of unselfishness, they have to look for the best spot on the court.

He cited newly-acquired sharpshooter Jason Kapono and old-hand Willie Green as the new leaders in this motion system. Jordan added that burly forward Elton Brand will lessen his back-to-the-basket plays while also giving space for Andre Iguodala to showcase his individual talents.

The acid test for them would be implementing their new color of playing ball. The Sixers have to work and get better as they become familiar with the system. Big men in Brand and sophomore Mareese Speights need to pour in extra effort to suit to the fluid Princeton system after being used to isolation and post-up plays in their careers.

X-FACTOR
Elton Brand, once touted as the savior of Philadelphia, can still score and rebound, but his role will surely be lessened as the system changes. The way he adjusts to this style of ball will tell whether Philadelphia will be back to the glory days of old or continue to teeter on the edges of the playoff scramble.

PREDICTION
40-42 (Last year: 41-41)
3rd in the Atlantic Division, 8th/9th in the Eastern Conference

Are you ready for this?

With only two days left before the much-awaited National Basketball Association (NBA) 2009-2010 season fires off, In the Huddle gives you a preview of what's hot and what's not in the world's premier hoops league.

Josiah Israel Albelda, Myke Miravite (Quezon City Science HS), Michael Angelo Jugado (Ponciano Bernardo HS), Alexx Esponga (JCSGO Christian Academy), Marc Cleo Salayo (Sauyo HS), and Albert Allen Aquino (Ernesto Rondon HS) will bring you to a peek of each and every NBA team from the Blazers of Portland, Oregon to the Miami Heat of southern Florida.

Join us on Wednesday as we keep an eye on the season's first tussle between rivals Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics. Will hulking Shaquille O'Neal or the temperamental Rasheed Wallace spell the difference for both teams? Tune in to BTV (Ch. 149) at 8:00am.

Check this link for your NBA 2009 preview: http://ithnbapreview200910.blogspot.com/