AP Photo

To conclude my NBA preview, I present my complete projected standings, records, award winners, and playoff results. A few notes:

--Playoff series predictions, as I have done them here, are pretty useless because they depend upon projecting the standings. Even a slight error can mean the matchups in any or all rounds will be different from what I have projected. As such, one team advancing farther than another should not automatically be read as the one being superior to the other, just that they drew a favorable playoff matchup I would expect them to win. For example, the Mavericks and Rockets are most definitely the second-and-third best teams in the Western Conference, but neither is likely to reach the Western Conference Finals. Likewise, the Pacers are strong championship contenders, but if they face Detroit in the first round, I see them getting bounced early.

--My award predictions represent who I think should win the awards based upon my projections, not necessarily who will win them. So if Carlos Boozer and Matt Harpring miss half the season and the Jazz post a dismal record, obviously I don’t expect Jerry Sloan to be Coach of the Year.

--For my thoughts on the Atlantic and Southeast Division, please scan RealGM’s General NBA board in the next few days. My predictions are too late for “preseason” press time.

--If you have any comments or questions regarding my previews, please send me an email at tlehrbach@usfca.edu

Projected Standings Pacific Golden State Warriors (48-34) Phoenix Suns (46-36) Sacramento Kings (44-38) L.A. Clippers (41-41) L.A. Lakers (38-44)

Northwest Denver Nuggets (50-32) Seattle Supersonics (43-39) Utah Jazz (42-40) Minnesota Timberwolves (39-43) Portland Trail Blazers (24-58)

Southwest San Antonio Spurs (59-23) Houston Rockets (57-25) Dallas Mavericks (54-28) Memphis Grizzlies (36-46) New Orleans Hornets (14-68)

Central Cleveland Cavaliers (57-25) Indiana Pacers (54-28) Detroit Pistons (52-30) Chicago Bulls (44-38) Milwaukee Bucks (36-46)

Atlantic New Jersey Nets (49-33) Philadelphia 76ers (40-42) New York Knicks (38-44) Boston Celtics (34-48) Toronto Raptors (22-60)

Southeast Miami Heat (56-26) Washington Wizards (42-40) Orlando Magic (32-50) Charlotte Bobcats (20-62) Atlanta Hawks (19-63)

Playoff Predictions Western Conference Quarterfinals #1 Spurs over #8 Supersonics in 5 #2 Nuggets over #7 Kings in 6 #3 Warriors over #6 Suns in 7 #4 Rockets over #5 Mavericks in 7

Eastern Conference Quarterfinals #1 Cavaliers over #8 76ers in 7 #2 Heat over #7 Wizards in 4 #3 Nets over #6 Bulls in 5 #5 Pistons over #4 Pacers in 6

Western Conference Semifinals #1 Spurs over #4 Rockets in 7 #2 Nuggets over #3 Warriors in 7

Eastern Conference Semifinals #5 Pistons over #1 Cavaliers in 6 #2 Heat over #3 Nets in 7

Western Conference Finals #1 Spurs over #3 Nuggets in 4

Eastern Conference Finals #2 Heat over #5 Pistons in 7

NBA Finals Spurs over Heat in 6

Award Predictions Most Valuable Player: Tim Duncan, San Antonio NBA Finals Most Valuable Player: Tim Duncan, San Antonio Defensive Player of the Year: Andrei Kirilenko, Utah Rookie of the Year: Chris Paul, New Orleans Coach of the Year: Jerry Sloan, Utah

All-NBA First Team G Kobe Bryant G Allen Iverson F LeBron James F Tim Duncan C Shaquille O’Neal

All-NBA Rookie First Team Raymond Felton Chris Paul Charlie Villanueva Deron Williams Marvin Williams