2008-09 Previews

The NBA has finally returned and not a moment too soon. Unfortunately, even I have trouble getting into preseason basketball so we're going to do a little season preview instead.

Worst Team in the League
The front runner at this point has to be the Oklahoma City Thunder. Their ineptitude and their new logo will certainly fool a few casual fans into thinking they are an expansion team. If Jeff Green plays much better than he did last season and Russell Westbrook beats out Earl Watson (a quality backup but not a starter) then they have a chance to crack the top 29.

Fantasy Sleepers
I don't actually play fantasy basketball but these are guys who I think are underrated.

• Ryan Gomes (MIN) - Gomes has improved in each of his three seasons and now has a legitimate three point shot. Not sure if he's projected as a starter this year but he will be by the end of it.


• Leon Powe (BOS) - I almost wish Powe hadn't blown up in Game 2 last year so you might believe that I'm not basing this on just one game. The problem is his team is stacked. Boston should give Powe big minutes early and then trade him for a backup point guard.


• Shaun Livingston (MIA) - NBA.com has Chris Quinn listed as the Heat's projected starter this year and if that's the case then Livingston might actually be a decent fantasy pickup. A healthy Livingston, DWade, Beasely and Marion could be a scary combination. Miami is one Joel Anthony breakout season away from the playoffs.


• Elton Brand (PHI) - If Brand is healthy he will put up big numbers. Andre Miller doesn't even want to score 17 ppg again next year and Iguodala is better off as a secondary option in an offense. Which segues nicely into...


• Kareem Rush (PHI) - I'm actually lukewarm on Rush as a player overall but he's the best pure shooter on a revamped 76er roster with a good pass first PG and a credible low post threat. Would not be surprising to see him post career bests.


• Chris Paul (NOH) - That's right, people still don't get how good he is.

And now for the overrated guys...

• Chris Duhon (NYK) - Duhon is a solid third string point guard. With the exception of two games last season he looked consistently terrible. He seems like a good guy and a hard worker. It's a shame Starbury is too insane to start at PG.


• Mo Williams (CLE) - I hate doing this because I like Williams but I don't see him as the answer to LeBron's problems in dealing with Boston, Detroit or even Philly.


• Mike Bibby (ATL) - Is Mike Bibby washed up? Maybe. If the guy looked like he didn't care up in chilled out Sac Town then he's going to lose all motivation in Hotlanta with its plethora of strip clubs. The Hawks got their "answer" at the point a few years too late.


• The Orlando Magic Backcourt - Jameer Nelson? Bogans and Reddick fighting for starting minutes at the 2? The only way Dwight Howard could be scarier is if he had an All-Star point guard handing him dimes.

more previews to come...