Better Luck Next Year

By Willie Stern

The New Jersey Nets enjoyed a successful season this year as they all but secured the eighth playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Devin Harris played like an MVP candidate, Vince Carter averaged over 20 PPG and Brook Lopez almost averaged a double double. The rebuilding process for the Nets has gone faster then expected and with a few good draft picks, they will contend next year in the Eastern Confrence. 

Player Rankings - New Jersey Nets

By: Robert Kivell

New Jersey Nets

1. Devin Harris

2. Vince Carter

3. Brook Lopez

4. Yi Jianlian

5. Jarvis Hayes

6. Keyon Dooling

7. Bobby Simmons

8. Ryan Anderson

9. Josh Boone

10. Stromile Swift

11. Trenton Hassell

12. Sean Williams

13. Maurice Ager

14. Eduardo Najera

15. Chris Douglas-Roberts

Western Conference Playoff Predictions

It's time for our Western Conference Playoff Predictions:

The Favorite:

1. L.A. Lakers

This isn't even a question. The Lakers are by far the best team in the West without Andrew Bynum and will be unstoppable when he comes back. They just have so many ways to beat you: Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum down low, the outside shooting of Derek Fisher, Sasha Vujacic, and don't forget Lamar Odom.

The Next Tier:
2. San Antonio Spurs

It's the big three again. Parker, Ginobli, and Duncan. They just have so much experience and talent here. Look for a big second half for George Hill and Fabricio Oberto to help this team get the second seed in the West.

3. Denver Nuggets

You think the Pistons are having second thoughts about the Iverson-Billups trade right now? Nene, Carmelo, and Kenyon Martin are playing great and Chauncey Billups is just a great disher. This is a very dangerous team. They play the Celtics, Hawks, and Lakers this week. We should learn a lot about Denver this week.

They Could Win it if They Get Hot:

4. New Orleans Hornets

Tyson Chandler failing his physical may be a blessing in disguise for the Hornets. Paul, West, and Chandler can really carry this team. I look for the Hornets to capture last year's magic and take the fourth seed in the West.

5. Phoenix Suns

Even with Amare Stoudamire lost for the year, Alvin Gentry has got this team looking good. The first team since the Trail Blazers in the 91-92 season to score 140+ in three straight games. Look for the Suns to play like last year with Mike D'antoni and take the fifth seed.

6. Utah Jazz

My sleeper team of the West. They have been plagued my injuries early in the year and now are finding their stride. They've got so many stars here with Deron Williams, Carlos Boozer, Mehmet Okur, Paul Millsap, Andrei Kirilenko, and Ronnie Brewer. I think that the Jazz can realy make a run late in the year.

Maybe Next Year:

7. Portland Trail Blazers

They've played well up to now, but I don't think that they can keep it up. Aldridge, Roy, and Rudy Fernandez are young. I think that next year these guys could be a real force in the West.

The End of a Good Run:

8. Dallas Mavericks.

This team is getting old (Kidd), Dirk Nowitzki is going to be a free agent in 2010, and no one else has stepped up. They had a nice run and could have kept it going longer without that horrible trade with the Nets for Jason Kidd. Nevertheless, the Rockets lost Tracy McGrady for the year and traded away Rafer Alston for basically nothing. Their only player is Yao and he is not assertive enough to carry the Rockets. In the end, the Mavs will edge out the T-Mac-less Rockets for the last spot

Player Rankings - Utah Jazz

UTAH JAZZ

1. Deron Williams
2. Carlos Boozer
3. Paul Millsap
4. Andrei Kirilenko
5. Mehmet Okur
6. Kyle Korver
7. Ronnie Brewer
8. C.J Miles
9. Matt Harpring
10. Morris Almond
11. Ronnie Price
12. Brevin Knight
13. Kosta Koufos
14. Jarron Collins
15. Kyrylo Fesenko

Knicks-Thunder Trade

By: Robert Kivell

Knicks Get:

Chris Wilcox

Thunder Get:

Malik Rose

I like this trade for the Knicks too.  Wilcox is clearly the better and younger player, plus the Knicks are shedding salary on this one.  It's a shame that Tyson Chandler failed his physical because the Thunder looked fifty times better at this time yesterday than they do today.

Knicks-Bulls Trade

Knicks Get:

Larry Hughes

Bulls Get:

Jerome James

Anthony Roberson

Tim Thomas

I like this deal for the Knicks because they finally get rid of Jerome James and his awful contract and get a quality player too.  Roberson is never going to be that good and Thomas is getting old.

Player Rankings-Boston Celtics

By Adam Sperber

BOSTON CELTICS

1. Kevin Garnett
2. Paul Pierce
3. Ray Allen
4. Rajon Rondo
5. Kendrick Perkins
6. Leon Powe
7. Eddie House
8. Glen Davis
9. Brian Scalabrine
10. Gabe Pruitt
11. Bill Walker
12. Patrick O'Bryant
13. Tony Allen

Play For the Day

Kryptonite over Superman

Bulls-Kings Deal

By: Robert Kivell

In a three team, seven player deal, the Bulls and Kings (and blazers) have swapped some good players.  Here is the deal.

Bulls Get:

Brad Miller (from Sac)

John Salmons (from Sac)

Kings Get:

Andres Nocioni (from Chi)

Drew Gooden (from Chi)

Cedric Simmons (from Chi)

Ike Diogu (from Por)

Blazers Get:

Michael Ruffin (from Chi)

I like this deal for the Bulls as they get the best two players in this trade.  Salmons has the most talent out of all these players and Brad Miller is a good veteran to have down the stretch.  It doesn't look like the Bulls will get Amare anymore, but they definitely have a good shot at the eighth seed in the east.

Player Rankings- Miami Heat

By: Scott Matza

MIAMI HEAT

1. Dwayne Wade
2. Jermaine O'Neal
3. Mario Chalmers
4. Udonis Haslem
5. Michael Beasley

6. Jamario Moon
7. Daequan Cook
8. Joel Anthony
9. Dorell Wright
10. Yakhouba Diawara
11.Chris Quinn
12. Mark Blount
13. Jamaal Maglore