Biggest Surprise of the Season:
Utah Jazz. It's good to see the Jazz finally back, winning their division for the first time in the post-Stockton/Malone era. After missing the playoffs for three consecutive seasons, Utah is poised to make a run this year in the postseason. Carlos Boozer's 21 points and 12 rebounds per game anchor the rock solid Jazz, who don't feature any household names but are still one of the top eight teams in the league. With Boozer and Mehmet Okur in the front court, and Deron Williams in the midst of a career year directing traffic from the top of the key, the Jazz are a legitimate threat to go deep in the playoffs after missing the postseason altogether just a year ago.
Biggest Disappointment of the Season:
Adam Morrison. By no means can we label him a bust as of now, but Morrison's NBA career to date has been less than stellar. The former Zag was labeled by many as a can't-miss, elite prospect, possibly the best in last year's draft. Morrison is shooting a paltry 37.6% from the field this year, while grabbing only three boards and scoring just 11 points per contest. Morrison still has plenty of time to turn things around, but he'd be best served to get moving in that direction.
Most Valuable Player:
Steve Nash. There are those who think Nash hasn't even deserved his first two MVP awards, but they couldn't be more wrong. No player means more to his team than Nash, whose combination of transition ability and scoring prowess make him one of the most entertaining players of his generation to watch. Nash's value to a team extends far beyond his gaudy stat line. There hasn't been a point guard with his caliber of Basketball IQ since Magic Johnson.
NBA Finals Prediction:
Suns over Pistons. The Suns are long overdue for an NBA Finals appearance. Given their tremendous talent level, it is a shock they have not made one since signing Steve Nash in 2005. Nash will carry the momentum from his third consecutive MVP award into the playoffs and lead Phoenix to the franchise's first-ever championship. While the Pistons will probably give the Suns some trouble, it should be over in six games or less, as it's just been too long for a team that features Nash, Raja Bell, Shawn Marion and Amare Stoudamire to go without a title.
Greg Oden or Kevin Durant:
Greg Oden. This is about as intriguing as it gets when it comes to prospect comparisons. On the one hand, you've got a freakishly athletic, versatile, and silky smooth Kevin Durant, who is coming off one of the most impressive college basketball seasons of all time. On the other hand, you've got a rare elite center prospect in Greg Oden who recently led his Ohio State squad all the way to the NCAA Finals. The nod goes to Oden, because a center with his explosive athleticism just doesn't come along very often in this day and age. It isn't a stretch to project the 19-year-old phenom as one of the top three or four players at his position after a few years in the league.
