{"id":121,"date":"2008-02-23T01:33:23","date_gmt":"2008-02-23T06:33:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.broadstreetbelievers.com\/?p=121"},"modified":"2009-12-11T13:10:55","modified_gmt":"2009-12-11T18:10:55","slug":"bsb-style-nba-preview-follow-up","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/broadstreetbelievers.com\/?p=121","title":{"rendered":"BSB-Style NBA Preview: Follow-Up"},"content":{"rendered":"

Here at BroadStreetBelievers, we do season previews a little differently than the boring “previews” that you are all used to.\u00a0 We are going to do previews BSB-Style<\/em>.\u00a0 By this, we mean that we are going to preview each pro sport season in a competitive mano\u00a0a mano<\/em>\u00a0game that we created.\u00a0 It should be fun and informative and, most importantly, should generate ample discussion material.<\/p>\n

Well, we started this website just as the current NBA season was getting underway, so we never got a chance to publish our official BSB-style <\/em>NBA preview.\u00a0 However, we did do the “game,” so we might as well post a mid-season follow-up.<\/p>\n

The rules of the game are simple.\u00a0 We try to predict whether each team in the league will go over or under their last year’s win total.\u00a0 The picks go like a regular draft, where one of us gets the first pick, the other one gets the next two and then we alternate.\u00a0 You can take any team you want and pick over or under.\u00a0 The only caveat is that if the team pushes (unlikely in the NBA or MLB), the\u00a0person that made the pick on that team loses that pick.\u00a0 At the end of the year, we will see who is a better prognosticator of each league.\u00a0 Also, this method allows us to comment on our predictions at different points in the season, and it also allows people to tell us how dumb we are and to say where we went wrong in our picks–at any point in the season.<\/p>\n

So, without further ado, this is how the BSB-Style NBA Preview went this year, and how it is looking halfway through the season (the final win projections quoted here do not include Friday’s results):<\/p>\n

PICK 1:\u00a0 Bry takes Boston-OVER 24<\/strong>
\nWith only 24 wins a year ago, and the additions of KG and Jesus Shuttlesworth, this was a really easy #1 pick.
\nUPDATE:\u00a0 Well, this did prove to be THE pick, as the Celtics already have 41 wins, covering the full-season line by 17.\u00a0 They are on pace for 65.
\n<\/em>Bry 1-0<\/p>\n

PICK 2:\u00a0 Doogan takes New Jersey-OVER 41
\n<\/strong>The Nets were only a .500 team last year and it was a good bet that they will be better than that this year, so Doogan takes this as his top choice
\nUPDATE:\u00a0 The Nets are slightly under .500 so far, on pace for 36 wins, but they will probably finish even worse, as they traded away Jason Kidd.\u00a0 So, for Doogan to get this one, the Nets will have to improve WITHOUT Kidd.
\n<\/em>Bry 2-0<\/p>\n

PICK 3:\u00a0 Doogan takes New York-OVER 33
\n<\/strong>It appears Doogan believes in Isiah.\u00a0 33 is a somewhat low number and the Knicks are expected to be improved with the addition of Zach Randolph.\u00a0 Is this is a bit high for a Knicks-OVER pick?
\nUPDATE:\u00a0 On pace for only 24 wins, it looks like Doogan’s top two picks are in trouble.\u00a0 But, hey, Magic Johnson believes this is a playoff team, so maybe there’s life left.
\n<\/em>Bry 3-0<\/p>\n

PICK 4:\u00a0 Bry takes Dallas-UNDER 67
\n<\/strong>The first UNDER selection goes to Bry going against the Mavs.\u00a0 It is not that\u00a0Bry thinks that\u00a0the Mavs will take a significant step backwards or that they won’t even be the best team in the league,\u00a0he just doubts their ability to win 67 games again.
\nUPDATE:\u00a0 A good call by Bry, as Dallas is still pretty good, but not 67-wins good.\u00a0 They are currently on pace for 53 wins, which way under the mark.
\n<\/em>Bry 4-0<\/p>\n

Pick 5:\u00a0 Doogan takes Minnesota-UNDER 32
\n<\/strong>A nice selection by Doogan, as we cannot expect Minnesota not to get worse after losing KG.
\nUPDATE:\u00a0 As predicted, a great pick by Doogan.\u00a0 The T-Wolves are on pace for a mere 17 wins.\u00a0 In fact, they only need 9 more losses to give Doogan the win on this pick.
\n<\/em>Bry 4-1<\/p>\n

Pick 6:\u00a0 Bry takes Memphis-OVER 22
\n<\/strong>Bry goes with the little number and plays the percentages here.\u00a0 22 wins is not very many and the Memphis team is young and there are signs that it will be improved.
\nUPDATE:\u00a0 This one is still way too close to call.\u00a0 But, as of now, we have to give the point to Doogan, as the Grizz are only on pace for 21 wins.\u00a0 They are terrible–really terrible.
\n<\/em>Bry 4-2<\/p>\n

Pick 7:\u00a0 Doogan takes Denver-OVER 45
\n<\/strong>The AI selection!\u00a0 Great choice because they will have AI for the whole year–that has to make ANY team better.\u00a0 Go Nuggets!
\nUPDATE:\u00a0 AI comes through, of course, as the Nuggets are on pace for 51 wins.\u00a0 They didn’t do anything at the trade deadline, but they should be okay to at least get to 46 and give Doogan the win here.
\n<\/em>Bry 4-3<\/p>\n

Pick 8:\u00a0 Bry takes Cleveland-UNDER 50
\n<\/strong>In thinking the Cavs will take a step backwards, Bry\u00a0goes against LeBron–not always the best move.\u00a0 But, 50 wins is a good amount, so this is not a bad pick.
\nUPDATE:\u00a0 There is a lot to be determined on this one after the big deadline deal.\u00a0 Right now, the Cavs are on pace for only 46 wins, which would give Bry the win here, but who knows how Wally and Big Ben are going to fit in in Cleveland.\u00a0 This one is very much up for grabs.
\n<\/em>Bry 5-3<\/p>\n

Pick 9:\u00a0 Doogan takes L.A.Clippers-UNDER 40
\n<\/strong>Another excellent pick by Doogan, as the Clippers are going backwards.\u00a0 40 wins is a lot for a bad team in the Western Conference.
\nUPDATE:\u00a0 Looks like an easy win for Doogan, as the Clips are on pace for just 29 wins.
\n<\/em>Bry 5-4<\/p>\n

Pick 10:\u00a0 Bry takes Orlando-OVER 40
\n<\/strong>Any team with Dwight Howard is bound to keep getting better.\u00a0 Plus, Jameer Nelson and\u00a0Hedo Turkoglu are just getting better and they added Rashard Lewis.\u00a0 All this spells improvement in Disney World.
\nUPDATE:\u00a0 This one looks like an easy win for Bry, as Superman and Company are currently on pace for 50 wins.\u00a0 In fact, they already have 34 wins, so as long as they win 7 more all year, Bry gets this one.
\n<\/em>Bry 6-4<\/p>\n

Pick 11:\u00a0 Doogan takes Portland-UNDER 32
\n<\/strong>In an admittedly tough call, Doogan went UNDER on Portland without Greg Oden.\u00a0 The West is just getting better and this team is set back without their #1 pick.
\nUPDATE:\u00a0 Probably the biggest surprise of the NBA season so far makes Doogan’s “tough call” look real tough.\u00a0 The Blazers are on pace for an astonishing 44 wins–they already have 29.\u00a0 This one is going to go to Bry.
\n<\/em>Bry 7-4<\/p>\n

Pick 12:\u00a0 Bry takes Atlanta-OVER 30
\n<\/strong>Another young team that is “bound” to get better, right?\u00a0 That is Bry’s rationale.\u00a0 Plus, he does not think that they\u00a0are\u00a0the worst team in the Southeast Division any more, so they must be heading for more than 30 wins, right?\u00a0 With all those high draft picks???
\nUPDATE:\u00a0 This one is still too close to call, as the Hawks are up on their number–projecting to 34 wins–but who knows?\u00a0 The Bibby acquisition and the playoff race should help keep them above the number, but still too close to call.
\n<\/em>Bry 8-4<\/p>\n

Pick 13:\u00a0 Doogan takes Miami-OVER 44
\n<\/strong>One could only think that the team that won the NBA title two years ago, with basically the same roster, could win more than 44 games, right?\u00a0 Right?\u00a0 Right?!?
\nUPDATE:\u00a0 They have already lost 43 games, which means the most that they can win this year (if they win EVERY remaining game) is 39.\u00a0 They are on pace for 14 wins.\u00a0 Point:\u00a0 Bry
\n<\/em>Bry 9-4<\/p>\n

Pick 14:\u00a0 Bry takes Washington-OVER 41
\n<\/strong>Bry’s rationale for this pick:\u00a0 “The Wizards will win 50 games–easily–once they trade for Kobe Bryant.”
\nUPDATE:\u00a0 At this pace, Doogan will take this one, as the Wiz did not trade for Kobe and are not on pace for 41 wins.\u00a0 They are close, though, with an oft-injured Arenas.\u00a0 They are on pace for 39 as it stands now, and if Arenas starts playing every day, who knows?\u00a0 As of now, though, it’s close, but it goes to Doogan.
\n<\/em>Bry 9-5<\/p>\n

Pick 15:\u00a0 Doogan takes Houston-OVER 52
\n<\/strong>A great pick this late in the draft by Doogan.\u00a0 52 wins is a lot of wins in the West, but this is everyone’s sweetheart team this year.\u00a0 In fact, several of the ESPN experts actually picked the Rockets to win the NBA title, so they should win more than 52 games.
\nUPDATE:\u00a0 Uhh…they are on pace for EXACTLY 52 wins, so obviously this can go either way.\u00a0 We are going to give this pick to Doogan for the time-being for the mere fact that the Rockets have won 10 in a row.\u00a0 But, obviously, this is going to be very close.
\n<\/em>Bry 9-6<\/p>\n

Pick 16:\u00a0 Bry takes Milwaukee-OVER 28
\n<\/strong>28 is a really low number.\u00a0 With the addition of Chairman Yi, the Bucks should get to 30 without a problem–this is a decent late-round pick.
\nUPDATE:\u00a0 This one, too, is going to go down to the wire, as the Bucks are on pace for 30 wins–just over the number.\u00a0 Close, but it goes to Bry …for now.
\n<\/em>Bry 10-6<\/p>\n

Pick 17:\u00a0 Doogan takes Seattle-UNDER 31
\n<\/strong>Doogan takes the UNDER, saying “Durant’s gonna score 25 a game–on\u00a050 shots.”
\nUPDATE:\u00a0\u00a0Easy win\u00a0for Doogan with the 17th pick, as it would take a big hot streak for the Sonics to get to 31 wins.\u00a0 They are currently on pace for only 22 and they already have 39 losses (13 more and they can’t cover this number).
\n<\/em>Bry 10-7\u00a0<\/p>\n

Pick 18:\u00a0 Bry takes Golden State-UNDER 42
\n<\/strong>Bry is banking here that the sweetheart team of last year’s playoffs is not going to have a carry-over effect into this year.\u00a0 For God’s sake, they are the Warriors<\/em>.
\nUPDATE:\u00a0 Yes, they are the <\/em>Warriors, but they are also very good and on pace for 50<\/em> wins.\u00a0 It\u00a0is very far-fetched that this team will falter enough down the stretch to get back to .500.
\n<\/em>Bry 10-8<\/p>\n

Pick 19:\u00a0 Doogan takes Sacramento-UNDER 33
\n<\/strong>A bad team, but the question is just how bad?\u00a0 Doogan believes that they are worse than 33 wins.
\nUPDATE:\u00a0 Though you never hear anything about them this year (which may be a good thing when Ron Artest is on the roster), the Kings are actually having a pretty decent season, relatively-speaking.\u00a0 They are quietly on pace for 39 wins.\u00a0 However, they did just trade away Mike Bibby, so we will see how that affects them down the stretch, but for right now, Bry looks pretty good on this one.
\n<\/em>Bry 11-8<\/p>\n

Pick 20:\u00a0 Bry takes Charlotte-OVER 33
\n<\/strong>Bry justifies this pick with the two letters that never lose:\u00a0 “M.J.”
\nUPDATE:\u00a0 M.J. is losing–a lot–this year.\u00a0 The Bobcats are on pace for only 29 wins.\u00a0 That is not that far off their target of 33, but right now it looks like Doogan is going to get this one.
\n<\/em>Bry 11-9\u00a0<\/p>\n

Pick 21:\u00a0 Doogan takes Philadelphia-UNDER 35
\n<\/strong>This lasted so long because neither of us could take the Sixers and the UNDER, and we definitely <\/em>couldn’t take the Sixers and the OVER.\u00a0 Doogan finally toughened up and went against Mo and the boys.
\nUPDATE:\u00a0 Never bet against the home team.\u00a0 The Sixers are on pace for 36 wins, and all signs point to being even better than that.\u00a0 They are in a playoff race and they did not trade away Andre Miller at the deadline.\u00a0 Maybe the only playoff team looking to move their best player at the deadline, didn’t do it,\u00a0and now they are probably going to give Bry the win on this one.
\n<\/em>Bry 12-9<\/p>\n

Pick 22:\u00a0 Bry takes Phoenix-UNDER 61
\n<\/strong>This pick was much like the Dallas pick, in that Bry doesn’t believe that the Suns will take a step backwards, he just believes that 61 wins is a tall order in the Western Conference.
\nUPDATE:\u00a0 Right now the Suns are only on pace for 56 wins.\u00a0 This does not take into account the Shaq Factor, but who really knows what that is going to do.\u00a0 Right now, this is a pretty comfortable win for Bry.
\n<\/em>Bry 13-9<\/p>\n

Pick 23:\u00a0 Doogan takes New Orleans-UNDER 39
\n<\/strong>Down here in the bottom rounds are the really tough picks.\u00a0 At this point, we really have no idea which way to go on the remaining teams.\u00a0 So, Doogan takes New Orleans, thinking that other than Chris Paul, this team does not appear to have any real star power, and Paul is still pretty young.\u00a0 39 wins in a tough Western Conference is not an easy task.
\nUPDATE:\u00a0 Well, Doogan picked the wrong side of the coin on this one–and missed BADLY.\u00a0 The Hornets already have 37 wins and are on pace for 58.\u00a0 We can call this one.\u00a0 In a related story, did anyone else know that Chris Paul was going to be the best player in the NBA this year?\u00a0 If so, you are really smart.
\n<\/em>Bry 14-9<\/p>\n

Pick 24:\u00a0 Bry takes Chicago-OVER 49
\n<\/strong>Again, these remaining teams and their numbers are tough.\u00a0 Bry likes the “Baby Bulls” and they are a popular pick as the best team in the East.\u00a0 That should equal more than 49 wins.
\nUPDATE:\u00a0 Already with 32 losses, the Bulls have to win EVERY game for the rest of the year to win this one for Bry.\u00a0 Now, we at BSB, don’t claim to be all-knowing or all-predicting, but we think it is safe to say that the Bulls will lose at least one more game this year.\u00a0 How are the Bulls this bad?\u00a0 Anyone?\u00a0 Anyone?
\n<\/em>Bry 14-10<\/p>\n

Pick 25:\u00a0 Doogan takes Utah-OVER 51
\n<\/strong>Another really tough call, as both of us think that Utah will be right at 51.\u00a0 Doogan has confidence in the youth and coaching in Utah and goes with the OVER.
\nUPDATE:\u00a0 This one is going to be close all the way, but right now, Doogan’s got it.\u00a0 The Jazz are on pace for 53 wins.
\n<\/em>Bry 14-11<\/p>\n

Pick 26:\u00a0 Bry takes San Antonio-OVER 58
\n<\/strong>These picks just get harder and harder, as again, we both feel that the Spurs will be right around 58 wins again.\u00a0 Bry just went on the fact that he believes the Spurs may try a bit harder for home-court for a rematch with Phoenix this May.
\nUPDATE:\u00a0 Another one that is going to go down to the wire (as predicted at the start), but right now the advantage here goes to Doogan as well, as the Spurs are only on pace for 56 wins.
\n<\/em>Bry 14-12<\/p>\n

Pick 27:\u00a0 Doogan takes Detroit-UNDER 53
\n<\/strong>Again, 53 is a tough number for the Pistons.\u00a0 Doogan thinks that they might be getting a bit old for 53 wins, but with very little conviction.
\nUPDATE:\u00a0 It is going to take a big collapse for the Pistons not to go over 53.\u00a0 They are currently on pace for 59 wins, so Bry is looking good on this one.
\n<\/em>Bry 15-12<\/p>\n

Pick 28:\u00a0 Bry takes Toronto-UNDER 47
\n<\/strong>Yes, they are a young, up-and-coming\u00a0team in the East, but 47 is a good amount of wins for an average team.\u00a0 Again, no real conviction in this selection, but an UNDER pick nonetheless.
\nUPDATE:\u00a0 Wow, another one that is, as feared, going to be very close.\u00a0 Right now, Doogan has the edge here because the Raptors are on pace for a mere 46 wins.\u00a0 This is one where the push may come into play.
\n<\/em>Bry 15-13<\/p>\n

Pick 29:\u00a0 Doogan takes L.A.Lakers-UNDER 42
\n<\/strong>With his last pick, Doogan goes with the rebuilding Lakers (after they trade Kobe) missing the playoffs and having a losing record.\u00a0 These last picks are tough, but this actually a pretty good one for pick #29.
\nUPDATE:\u00a0 Just as we learned with the Wizards pick, the Lakers did not trade Kobe to Washington, in fact, they did not trade him at all.\u00a0 They only added a superstar to Kobe and Company.\u00a0 Trouble for the UNDER pick.\u00a0 They already have 37 wins, so 5 more and Doogan loses this one.\u00a0 They are on pace for 56.
\n<\/em>Bry 16-13<\/p>\n

Pick 30:\u00a0 Bry takes Indiana-UNDER 35
\n<\/strong>The only team left, Bry just has to make a decision on the OVER\/UNDER.\u00a0 He just throws up his hands and says, “they’re not very good, right?\u00a0 Give me the UNDER.”
\nUPDATE:\u00a0 This one might be close at the end.\u00a0 Bry has a bit of a cushion here, as the Pacers are on pace for 32 wins, but it is still way too close to call.
\n<\/em>Bry 17-13<\/p>\n

Alright, so take your shots at our NBA wisdom or, more likely, stupidity.\u00a0 But, whatever happens, know that this is a lot harder than it may seem now 50 games into the season.\u00a0 We will continue to follow how this progresses throughout the season and expect a similar “preview” for the upcoming MLB season.<\/p>\n

Sincerely,
\nThe BroadStreetBelievers<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Here at BroadStreetBelievers, we do season previews a little differently than the boring “previews” that you are all used to.\u00a0 We are going to do previews BSB-Style.\u00a0 By this, we mean that we are going to preview each pro sport … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[65,747],"tags":[480],"class_list":["post-121","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-nba","category-season-previews","tag-bsb-preview"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/broadstreetbelievers.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/121","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/broadstreetbelievers.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/broadstreetbelievers.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/broadstreetbelievers.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/broadstreetbelievers.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=121"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/broadstreetbelievers.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/121\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/broadstreetbelievers.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=121"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/broadstreetbelievers.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=121"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/broadstreetbelievers.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=121"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}