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AC TITTICOCK'S WEEKLY FREE NBA BASKETBALL PICKS AND WINNERS |
Contact AC at ac@wagercom.com
11/8/03 NBA Basketball Season Preview
I am excited to announce the addition of our new NBA Basketball expert analyst AC Titticock. While leafing through resumes prior to selecting our new NBA Basketball gambling expert it became clear that AC was the man for the job. Not only did his analysis come across entertaining but it was clear he knew the NBA and about betting on basketball. I am confident you will find his outlook on the NBA extremely useful especially when it comes to his weekly free NBA Basketball picks against the spread. To get things going he has outlined which NBA teams to watch out for this year in both the Eastern and Western NBA conferences. In addition AC will be providing us with a weekly outlook and his free NBA Basketball picks on some of the weekend games each Friday.
On this eve before the NBA season I am as giddy as Shawn Kemp at a late night IHOP, Vin Baker at the Budweiser plant, or Rasheed Wallace on a flight to Jamaica. You see, unlike the rest of the sane world I love the NBA. I’ll take Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Yao Ming, and the player formerly known as Reggie Miller over Michael Vick, Ricky “don’t call me shirley” Williams, and Kordell Stewart any day. Now with the Euros bringing fundamentals back into the game, the dawning of the LeDong James Era, and the Marc Cuban traveling all-stars the NBA promises to be as good as ever.
That said here is my NBA Preview, listed in order of expected finish. I will be following this up every week with my picks against the spread for the weekend games.
THE EAST
1. The Exit 16W Nets—They would have won it last year if only Tim Duncan had contracted herpes and Richard Jefferson didn’t have stone hands. Dicky Jeff is the human turnover. Despite his high flying acrobatics he leads the running for most overrated NBA player (you can breathe easier Vince). Anyway, the Nets have replaced the carcass formerly known as Dikembe Mutombo with Alonzo Mourning which is addition merely by subtraction. If Mourning shows anything this could propel the Nets to three wins in the NBA finals. Add in another MVP-caliber year for the wife beater and the improved play of Kenyon Martin and this team will be hard to beat.
2. The Indiana Larry Birds—Here’s the deal, Larry knows how to win. Larry knows the game. Larry will bring a championship to Indiana. Now I’m not a big Rick Carlisle fan as the Jeff Van Gundy/Pat Riley slow down game makes me wish I were a hotel worker playing hard to get in a Colorado resort, but anything is better than the cute little just say no boy Isiah Thomas. I just hope Larry told Isiah he’d be just another coach if he were white when he fired him. The Pacers had the most talent in the East last year but Isiah, who has now failed as GM, league owner, and coach, had no idea how to win. Let’s see putting Al Harrington on Antoine Walker and Erick Strickland on the floor would have done it. Also, leaving Brad Miller in there would have seemed like a bright idea. I will miss not having Isiah around to make me feel better about myself but this team is going to give the Nets a run for it. Al Harrington can flat out play if used correctly, Jermaine O’Neal for all his faults can be unstoppable, Ron Artest might get it one of these days and Kenny Anderson will make a nice back-up to Jamal Tinsley (who thanks to his shooting is now living in a nice brick mansion). I’ll never understand the fascination with the poor man’s Christian Laettner, Austin Croshere, but I won’t question Larry Legend’s basketball knowledge. Look for the Pacers to take it to the Nets.
3. Detroit Pistons—I give Joe Dumars a lot of credit for rebuilding this team. Dumping Stackhouse last year was brilliant but I don’t know how you pass up Carmelo for Darko. Elden Campbell will be a nice addition and it will be interesting to see if Tayshaun turns back into a pumpkin. I like Chauncey, point guard or shooting guard who cares, he can flat out play. The problem they have is their bench is incredibly weak. Chucky Atkins and Bob Sura (Wilkes-Barre in the house) just won’t cut it. They do have the genius of Larry Brown but not enough fire power to take the East.
4. Philadelphia 76ers—Iverson, Iverson, Iverson. The guy has heart and can play. Add in the Big Dog to play the part of Keith Van Horne minus the rebounding and shooting percentage and you have yourself ready for another first round playoff loss. I am intrigued by Marc Jackson. The guy was awesome in his first year with the Warriors but not clear what happened with the Wolves. If he can regain his touch from two years ago it will be a huge plus and take pressure off of DC having to play every day. By the way, Eric Snow can be the captain of my all-underrated team.
5. Orlando Magic—Love the Drew Gooden trade and Tracy McGrady may take this team far in the playoffs. The problem is they are running out a front court of Juwan Howard and Andrew Declerq because apparently Dwayne Shintzius was out of the country. Tyronn Lue, who did a great job of playing Gilligan to Michael Jordan’s Skipper is just not an NBA point guard. This team has potential but not enough to get it done.
6. New Orleans Hornets—With Paul Silas as coach they might have had a chance to win the East but Tim Floyd is no Paul Silas. A solid starting five led by the all overrated Jamal Mashburn and all underrated Jamaal Magloire. Can Baron stay healthy and step it up? Will anybody respect Terrible Timmy’s coaching? Was there ever a better city for an NBA player to live in?
7. Boston Celtics—Have you all met Paul Pierce? Two years ago he was unstoppable. Last year he was clearly worn down and never had the same groove. There are times when you can see in his eyes how much he wants to win. Would they have a better record with Antoine? Yes. Are they better in the long run without him? Unquestionably. Pierce is a true leader/go to guy and will not let this team lose. That said, carrying around a front court of Baker, Lafrentz, and Battie makes me yearn for the days of Joe Kleine, Ed Pinckney, and Brad Lohaus. I would have kept Troy Bell over Marcus Banks but Danny Ainge sees something in this Banks kid. Has anybody noticed that three of the greatest starting five ever now run NBA teams? Larry, Kevin, and Danny while the Chief and DJ sit on the sidelines. Hmm, makes you wonder if Greg Kite is sitting by his phone awaiting a call from the Wizards. One last aside, Jim O’Brien’s job is on the line. He has the players he wants now lets see if he can run a real NBA offense. By the way, the end of the Chris Wallace era is the best thing to happen to Boston basketball since 1986.
8. Chicago Bulls—Why not? Eddy Curry may be for real and Tyson Chandler can be scary if he gets his head in the game. Also, little known fact is that both of them are among Scottie Pippen’s 32 illegitimate kids. Having daddy Scottie around to change his babys’ diapers during the game should help them settle down. If they could do something about Jamal Crawford they could go far. Move Jalen to the point then bring in Jimmy King and Ray Jackson and let them run.
9. Toronto—Vince will have 1-2 good games and be hurt or cry the rest of the year. Can Kevin O’Neill be the NBA’s version of Dennis Green (awful at Northwestern and then decent in the pros)? I doubt it. Don’t expect much no matter what people say about Bosch.
10. NY Knicks—They rolled the Antonio McDyess and crapped out. Michael Sweetney can play but not much else going on here.
11. Miami Heat—Stan Van Gundy who could not win with Michael Finley and the twin towers Rashard Griffith and the other guy at Wisconsin takes over a terrible team from the greaseball Pat Riley. Now that Odom is out of LA and in the calm mellow city of Miami I am sure his off court problems will come to a halt (bwahahahahaaaa!!!!!). Odom in South Beach is just asking for it.
12. Wizards—Kwame Brown will have a decent year, Stackhouse will shoot a lot, and they will win very few games. Maybe they should think about signing that Jordan guy.
13. Ceveland Cavaqueers- LeDong James and the Cavaqueers sounds like a gay porn movie. LeDong is good, but the rest of the team isn’t. When did darius miles become a veteran?
14. Milwaukee Bucks—Ray Allen, Glenn Robinson, and Sam Cassell will take them far. Problem is none of them are still there. Good luck Terry Porter, maybe you should suit up.
15. The Atlanta Hawks—Dan Dickau, sounds like what happens when you zip up too quickly. Hey Jiggy, remember that skank I nailed last night? The one with the Tattoos and built in condom dispenser? I think she gave me a bad case of the Dickau.
THE WEST
1. The Lakers—Kobe can play this game no matter how stupid he is (and yes he is the dumbest person in the history of the world but I will save that for another column). Shaq is a beast. Payton can still play this game. They are going too be too tough in the playoffs unless Kobe finds the one other girl on the planet who will not have sex with him. Shaq is motivated, game over.
2. San Antonio Spurs—Rasho is just not good. Duncan will miss the Admiral but Turkolglu will be a big addition. They are still very good but this is not their year. They are an ankle sprain away from the lottery.
3. Minnesota Timberwolves—I love this team but their bench worries me. Latrell and Cassell will be tough if they have anything left in their tanks. Garnett is the best player in the league. If Wally is healthy, they will make a real run for the title. Little known fact, Olowakandi is actually Nigerian for Mokeski.
4. The Mark Cuban traveling All-Stars—Not enough balls to go around (insert your own punchline). I wish they could pick up Antowain Smith from the Patriots, the gay Antoine guy from the Real world Paris, and Antoine Fischer, to go with Antoine Walker and Antawn Jamison. That Mark Cuban is a tricky one, cornering the market on spellings of Antoine. They still have Nash and Dirk and Finley oh my. Don Nelson for all the praise will never win a title. Too bad, I like this team.
5. Sacramento Kings—Cristina Webber just doesn’t cut it. Maybe he should start wearing the skirt that Doug “Sally” Christie’s wife makes Doug wear. Peja can not get over the injury bug and as much as I love Bibby and Bobby Jackson, they don’t have the firepower to beat the other four teams.
6. Houston Rockets—Yao and Francis. Add a real coach and lets see what they can do.
7. Phoenix Suns- Shawn Marion is the most underrated player and Amare could be a monster. Add a motivated Joe Johnson and a semi-healthy Penny to go with Marbury and you have an upset waiting to happen.
8. Portland Jailblazers—In Bonzi we trust. If Rasheed and Damon keep hitting the pipe, who knows. If they have to stop, then the blazers have no chance. I am not sold on Zach Randolph. This is a team ready to win 35 games.
9. Memphis—Why not? Jason Williams may settle down and Pau Gasol is the second most underrated player in the league. Did I mention I like Troy Bell?
10. Denver—Carmelo is for real. Add in a healthy Marcus Camby and Nene Hilarious and you have the makings of a good team. I would not be surprised if they take the eighth playoff spot.
11. LA Clippers—Elton Brand, Corey Maggette, Quentin Richardson. They will be entertaining but they should have kept DJ as coach. They deserve to lose just for that.
12. Golden Shower State Warriors—Mike Dunleavy, come on now. I am a huge Jason Richardson fan but he has some anger management problems. Bring back Run TMC, please. This was an entertaining team but they sold off all of their talent. Can’t we even get a little Earl Boykins in the house?
13. Seattle Supersonics—Do they still have Jack Sikma and his man perm?
14. Utah Jazz—Go back to your room and think about how you’ve made me feel.
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