NBA Predictions – Lamar Odom To Return, Lebron James To Win Historic 5th MVP And the Champion Will Come From The East
It's only the start of the season.The first week is not very indicative of how the rest of the year will go.
One of the best examples was in 2011. First overall draft pick Kyrie Irving was off to a shaky start while Norris Cole of the Miami Heat, drafted last in the first round, started to make heads turn.
There were some bold critics who dismissed Kyrie Irving as a bust and declaring Norris Cole as the steal of the draft. They were compared because they both played point guard and were first and last in the round. Kyrie Irving is now one of the best players in the NBA and Norris Cole is a good reserve sometimes. One broadcaster said it well: "Remember when we said Norris Cole was better than Kyrie Irving? What the hell were we thinking?"
Even from someone who's acknowledged as the best, these predictions should be taken with a grain of salt. From Marc Stein of ESPN, three bold predictions for the season.
Lamar Odom will return. He did say that it could be next season. However, if the OKC Thunder goes on a playoff run and they have a weak frontline, they could gamble on Odom (assuming he's fit and well from rehab) at the minimum salary. They also have Derek Fisher who can keep him in check. This is a possibility.
Lebron James will win his fifth MVP -- the first to do it in six seasons. No player has kept a lock on being the best player in the NBA for such a time. The only other winner is Derrick Rose, and they keep saying it should have gone to James that year. The first week saw MVP type performances from Chris Paul, Kevin Love, Kevin Durant and Michael Carter-Williams(!) but we all know James will get it on when it matters.
The Champion will come from the East. Not really being Captain Obvious and predicting a Miami Heat three-peat, Stein argues that whoever knocks the Heat from the East will beat anyone from the West. The Pacers, Bulls or even the Nets can beat the Spurs, Rockets or Clippers.