View from Boston

It's not entirely true that Boston sports writers think the world ends at the 495 loop... They do occasionally cover things other than the Patriots, Red Sox and that other team ... oh, yeah, the Celtics. Here are a few predictions from today's paper:

The Rockets will finish fifth in the Midwest. Like many pundits, they tab the Hawks (tonight's opponent) as the league's most improved team.

<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="400">
<tr>
<td bgcolor="#6495ed">
<div align="center">
<b>Pacific</b></div>
</td>
<td bgcolor="#6495ed">
<div align="center">
<b>Midwest</b></div>
</td>
<td bgcolor="#6495ed">
<div align="center">
<b>Central</b></div>
</td>
<td bgcolor="#6495ed">
<div align="center">
<b>Atlantic</b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Lakers</td>
<td>Spurs</td>
<td>Bucks</td>
<td>Magic</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Kings</td>
<td>Mavs</td>
<td>Raptors</td>
<td>Sixers</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Blazers</td>
<td>Jazz</td>
<td>Hornets</td>
<td>Knicks</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Suns</td>
<td>T'Wolves</td>
<td>Hawks</td>
<td>Heat</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Warriors</td>
<td>Rockets</td>
<td>Pacers</td>
<td>Celts</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Clippers</td>
<td>Grizzlies</td>
<td>Pistons</td>
<td>Nets</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sonics</td>
<td>Nuggets</td>
<td>Cavs</td>
<td>Wizards</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>Bulls</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
</table>

They didn't say who would make the playoffs, but it doesn't look like they think we will. Quote: "The Rockets were forced to deal franchise icon Olajuwon, a fixture since 1984. Then Maurice Taylortore his Achilles' tendon and was lost for the season. Anderson went to New York in a deal for Rice. who can give them scoring when healthy. In short, it will be a different team, but with Francis still running the show. He and Mobley form a young, dynamic backcourt and the Rockets are high on Torres, a 6-6 sculpted rookie from Venezuela. Cato can play if he commits himself, and Willis is a decent 11th hour addition to help out at power forward. But in the cutthroat West, it's going to be difficult to make much of a move. They had one of the best records ever for a non-playoff teamlast season; it could be more of the same."

All four writers (Peter May, Dan Shaughnessy, Bob Ryan, and Shira Springer) pick the Laker to beat the Bucks in the Finals.

Peter May lists some things to watch for:

Rookies who might surprise
<ol>
<li>Shane Battier, Grizzlies
<li>Pau Gasol, Grizzlies
<li>Andrei Kirilenko, Jazz
<li>Jason Richardson, Warriors
<li>Joe Johnson, Celtics</ol>
Maybe he thinks Griffin is supposed to do well, so he won't be a surprise.

Best 1-2 Punches
<ol>
<li>Shaq-Kobe, Lakers
<li>McGrady-Hill, Magic
<li>Stockton-Malone, Jazz
<li>Allen-Robinson, Bucks
<li>Pierce-Walker, Celtics</ol>
Number 2 is a pretty high standing for two guys that have never played together before in a real game. Personally, I think Francis-Mobley belong up there, maybe at #3.

Breakout possibilities
<ol><li>Baron Davis, Hornets
<li>Eddie Robinson, Bulls
<li>Keith van Horn, Nets
<li>Raja Bell, Sixers
<li>Shawn Marion, Suns</ol>
Uh.... didn't Marion already have a breakout season?

USA Today

USA Today didn't list their predictions, but did list

Five guys you might not know now but will soon
Alvin Williams
Rashard lewis
Cuttino Mobley
Jamaal Tinsley
Michael Redd

Random thought: after blowing it with Lewis, did Rudy feel more inclined to take Griffin, another unproven youngster?

Teams on the way up....
Orlando
Clippers
Raptors
Hawks

.... and teams on the way down
Sonics
Suns
Heat
Knicks

Shantih shantih shantih