| 2008-2009 Central Division Preview |
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| Written by Phil Partington | |
| Wednesday, 20 August 2008 | |
 Projected starting five: C Rasheed Wallace; PF Jason Maxiell; SF Tayshaun Prince; SG Richard Hamilton; PG Chauncey Billups. The Cleveland Cavaliers are in danger of losing the league’s most marketable player. LeBron James can opt out of his contract after 2010, and other teams, like the New York Knicks, have been apparently clearing cap space to make a stab at him. The biggest dilemma is that the Cavs’ main contributors not named LeBron are either insufficient or quickly aging. Center Zydrunas Ilgauskas had a respectable season last year averaging 14.1 ppg and 9.3 rbpg, but is slow on defense and is 33 years old. Ben Wallace will be 34 years old in September. Expect Wallace to continue to slip at a fast pace, because his game is primarily based on athleticism, which he’s losing. Word is that the Cavs will acquire Point Guard Mo Williams from the Milwaukee Bucks as part of a three-way deal between Cleveland, Oklahoma City and Milwaukee. While Williams’ scoring ability will help the Cavs, he comes at a hefty price at five years, $43 million. Projected starting five: C Zydrunas Ilgauskas; PF Ben Wallace; SF LeBron James; SG Wally Szczerbiak; PG Mo Williams. Many fans viewed the Chicago Bulls’ 2007-2008 season as a disappointment. After winning 49 games and making the playoffs the prior season, Chicago’s record flip-flopped (33-49). The one good thing that may have come out of their fallout was the number one overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, which they used on Point Guard Derrick Rose. With the addition of Rose, many speculate that Kirk Hinrich, who always plays the point, might be moved. Others believe the Bulls might keep Hinrich and use him more as a scoring guard. Hinrich isn’t the offense creator the Bulls need from the position like Rose is, but he’s still a top-notch defender and a capable scorer. One thing’s for sure, with a back court of Rose, Hinrich, Ben Gordon, Larry Hughes and Thabo Sefolosha, and a need for help in the paint, it’s likely that the Bulls will make some sort of deal before season begins. Projected starting five: C Joakim Noah; PF Drew Gooden; SF Luol Deng; SG Larry Hughes; PG Derrick Rose or Kirk Hinrich The Indiana Pacers are rebuilding for the future, and have a great start in Small Forward Danny Granger. At 6-9 230lbs, Granger had a breakout season last year averaging 19.6 ppg, 6.1 rbpg in 80 games. He’ll be the leader for this young team that’s still trying to find its identity. Trading the oft-injured Jermaine O’Neal for Point Guard T.J. Ford and big man Rasho Nesterovic was a good move. O’Neal was bringing the team down with his poor attitude. Besides, the Pacers wanted to replace Jamaal Tinsley at the point guard spot because of his locker room attitude and being out of shape. However, Ford has his own history of injury problems and will be used in Indiana more than he was in Toronto, where he split time with Jose Calderon. Assuming the other teams in this division all have relatively healthy seasons, expect the Pacers to fall to last place in the division. Projected starting five: C Jeff Foster; PF Troy Murphy; SF Mike Dunleavy; SG Danny Granger; PG T.J. Ford The Milwaukee Bucks is doing its best to get back into the playoffs after a year plagued by constant injury. The key to this team’s success will hinge on how big of steps Center Andrew Bogut can make in his development. Trading coveted prospect Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons to the New Jersey Nets for Forward Richard Jefferson was a risky gamble, but may pay off if Jefferson can stay healthy. The Bucks need a sidekick scorer for Michael Redd and Jefferson’s versatility and ability to attack the basket makes him a good fit. The Bucks will trade Mo Williams to the Cleveland Cavaliers as part of a three-way deal. In return, they land Point Guard Luke Ridnour and probably other players. The deal will likely help the Bucks clear cap space, and Ridnour will compete with Ramon Sessions for the starting point guard spot. What the Bucks still need is a bruiser-type at the power forward position to help protect Bogut in the paint. Projected starting five: C Andrew Bogut; PF Charlie Villanueva; SF Richard Jefferson; SG Michael Redd; PG Ramon Sessions. Predicted Final Division Standings: 1. Detroit Pistons 56-27 2. Cleveland Cavaliers 44-38 3. Milwaukee Bucks 41-41 4. Chicago Bulls 34-48 5. Indiana Pacers 27-55         Set as favorite Bookmark Comments
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