Release of NBA schedule nets season predictions

Tuesday afternoon the NBA released its 2006-2007 regular season schedule, and with it a barrage of predictions on who the team to beat will be this season. While many organizations beefed up during the off-season, 2006 may still be dominated by a handful of repeat performances.

Though it may seem foolishly premature, it’s never to early to start looking ahead and making some bold predictions for this upcoming season.

Eastern Conference – Atlantic Division

Last year the New Jersey Nets put it all together at just the right time to streak towards a division title in the final months. This season the Nets will return studs Jason Kidd, Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson, adding UConn rookies Marcus Williams and Josh Boone.

While Boone likely won’t have that big of an effect this season, the addition of Williams gives the Nets a truly potent point guard for 48 minutes a game. The only test for the Nets in this division will be the Philadelphia 76ers, but their playing with the prospect of losing Allen Iverson to a trade at any given moment can’t make for solid team chemistry.
Prediction: Nets

Central Division

The Central could quickly turn into the most exciting and competitive division in all of the NBA. While the Pistons were an early favorite to continue their dominance, the Bulls signed top defensive player Ben Wallace out from under their noses. Combined with the Tyson Chandler trade and the drafting of Tyrus Thomas, the Bulls could be poised to finally return to Jordan-era success.

However, don’t sleep on LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers – with the signing of Drew Gooden and veteran Alan Henderson they could be a force as well. In a division that saw every one of it’s members make the playoffs last season, this one is a toss up.
Prediction: Bulls

Southeast Division

Expect the reigning NBA Champion Miami Heat not to sit back and relax following their title run. Believe it or not last season may have only been the tip of the talent iceberg that is the Dwayne Wade and Shaquille O’Neal tandem. The two will only get better as Wade begins to adjust into his role as the last second go-to-guy and Shaq realizes he doesn’t have to score every basket. Don’t expect much resistance from the rest of this division.
Prediction: Heat

Western Conference – Northwest Division

While on paper the Nuggets should be able to repeat as division champions this year, it could be a pair of rookies that raise the most eyebrows. Seattle’s drafting of Washington Husky senior Brandon Roy was possibly the smartest pick in this summer’s NBA draft. Roy is an experienced and well-rounded point guard who is playing in his own backyard. If he can step up his game to the NBA level quickly, the Sonics may turn a few heads early on. For the Timberwolves, Villanova guard Randy Foye gives the squad a much-needed outside weapon that may be the final piece to the Minnesota puzzle.
Prediction: Supersonics

Pacific Division

Steven Nash and the Suns have got to be the early favorite to repeat as division champions. A healthy Amare Stoudemire only adds power to a team that won the division last year by seven games. However, the main reason that the Suns will repeat as division champions is that nobody else in the division is ready to take the next step and rise to the top. The Clippers had a breakthrough season last year, but didn’t do enough during the off-season to catch Phoenix.
Prediction: Suns

Southwest Division

Get ready Dallas fans, this is the year that you finally become the top team in the Lone Star State. The Mav’s were so close to an NBA title last year they could taste it, and without the misfortune of some questionable officiating, could have hoisted the trophy. With Jason Terry resigned and all the big names returning and the drafting of Michigan State standout Maurice Ager, Dallas should be poised to leave the Spurs and company in their dust. Memphis is solid, but very young, and the Hornets are only as good as Chris Paul can make them.
Prediction: Mavericks

By Chris Licata
TicketNews.com