30 Teams in 30 Tweets: Vol. 3

What an off-season for the NBA! LeBron and "The Letter", a mega, mega TV rights deal, another Team USA gold, old faces in new places, pre-season injuries, 44-minute games and renewed hopes and expectations for every team in the league. Yet, while all of this has been great, the real reason for our excitement is that we are finally ready for the 2014-2015 tip-off this week!

Now, what would the few days before the dawn of a new season be without a Ball So Hard Sports "30 Teams in 30 Tweets" primer for our fans?! Sure, you can go to the "experts" out there (or Jalen Rose and his baseball bat if you just want to hear jibberish) for long-winded analysis, but like Sweet Brown says, "Ain't Nobody Got Time For That"! So, instead, we give the #BSHNation what they want: 30 Teams in 30 Tweets: Volume 3!

As always, read, enjoy, debate, criticize, whatever your little roundball-loving hearts desire. But know this: we hit 14 of 16 playoff teams last year. Now, some of the jade has stayed (we still love Doc and the other LA squad) and some has moved (Pierce to DC means the Wiz get far more love than Brooklyn now) and some is renewed (welcome back, Hornets!), but as always, the analysis is real!

Without further adieu, here we go. Your 140 character outlooks for everyone in the NBA. Tuesday will be a great beginning for the league's future and hopefully we'll look back in June as some really great predictions from here. Let's get to the tweets:

Atlanta Hawks:  Playoff constant. Could be as high as 4 seed. Still see low seed, 1^st round exit and Horford dealt.

Boston Celtics: Smart, Sully and Olynyk will be fun to watch. This team will scrap. Don’t discount an 8 seed, but 28-30 wins and a big summer sounds right.

Brooklyn Nets: Kidd leaving is a plus. Hollins will get max effort. Bottom half playoff team if healthy. Enjoy KG’s last ride.

Charlotte Hornets: Hornet Revival! Big Al and Born Ready will get this team into the playoffs again, where they might just make some noise.

Chicago Bulls: Can D-Rose stay healthy? If so, Gasol makes this team one of, if not THE favorite in the East. Big year for Noah.

Cleveland Cavaliers: The Letter stole the summer headlines. The Big 3 stole the preseason media coverage. Will LeBron bring a ring to Cleveland? Yes, but in ’16.

Dallas Mavericks: Parsons is a nice get. Nelson an underrated signing as well. Should keep this squad in the West 8, but not far into the playoffs.

Denver Nuggets: Can a team be TOO deep? We will find out this year. Nuggets have the talent to make playoffs and go deep. Manimal’s break out year!

Detroit Pistons:  Stan Van Gundy has his work cut out for him in the Motor City. Feels like a “reset button” year to get things in order. Sorry, fans.

Golden State Warriors: Pressure is on Klay. If they choose you over K-Love, you better help Steph and the crew get deep into the summer. They picked the wrong guy.

Houston Rockets: They failed to get their 3^rd star. Ariza will help. Look for a mid-year Rondo push. Still a piece or two away from cracking the elite teams.

Indiana Pacers: Feels like their window slammed shut. PG-13 missing the year means a long, long season in Indy. Could also mean Lottery status.

Los Angeles Clippers: The Clippers era of failure is gone. Ballmer and Rivers will win. This could be the year for the “other” LA team to raise a banner.

Los Angeles Lakers: Can Kobe be healthy again or has age finally caught up? We know it has with Nash. Randle can be good, but this team will struggle.

Memphis Grizzlies: RT from 2013: Made noise but fell short last year. Same old story. Guessing they drop a bit this year before making a charge down the road.

Miami Heat: This is D-Wade’s team. Unfortunately, this isn’t 2006. They’re still a playoff team, but the Heatles era is nothing but a memory now.

Milwaukee Bucks: Jabari will be great. Not sure why they wanted Kidd, but they are the Bucks. At least they have Mallory Edens!

Minnesota Timberwolves: Another year where MIN trades a star to create a Big 3 for someone else. Wiggins is a star in the making, but not yet. Rubio needs to shine.

New Orleans Pelicans: The Brow is a future MVP. This team is ready to make some noise. Could crack the playoffs this year, but if not bank on it in ‘16.

New York Knicks:  Jackson will eventually bring a title to the “Zen Garden” but will it be before Melo’s new deal expires? Doubtful. Growing Pains for D-Fish.

Oklahoma City Thunder: The Durant injury is crippling to this team. Have to have homecourt to beat SA or LAC. Westbrook will carry them but could be a lost year.

Orlando Magic: They are building something special in Florida with Oladipo and Gordon. That next lottery piece they get next year will help too.

Philadelphia 76ers: Year 2 of Tankapalooza. They’ve got some pieces and potential, but its going to be ugly this year. Lowest wins in history? Possible.

Phoenix Suns: Dead wrong about them last year. They’ll hang around the 8 seed again, but ultimately will fall short. Then big decisions in off-season.

Portland Trailblazers: Lillard has elevated himself to star status. Now he has to team with Aldridge to improve on last year. They just might.

Sacramento Kings: Cousins is going to be an All-Star. Rudy Gay will help. Interesting mix of a team trying to win now while rebuilding. Rondo’s new home?

San Antonio Spurs: The Champs can repeat. Kawhi is again the key. If healthy, look for this team to be playing in June one more time.

Toronto Raptors: Shocking that Ujiri has turned the Raps into Denver East. Very deep. Maybe too deep. Top 4 seed in the East.

Utah Jazz: While they won’t win many games, this team is going to be interesting to watch. Young and can grow together. How will Exum adjust to NBA?

Washington Wizards: The Wiz put the league on notice in last year’s playoffs. Now, with the Truth to guide the young guns, this could be THE team in the East.

Playoff Predictions:

Eastern Conference Playoff Teams: 1. Chicago 2. Cleveland 3. Washington 4. Toronto 5. Charlotte 6. Miami 7. Atlanta 8. Brooklyn

Western Conference Playoff Teams: 1. LA Clippers 2. San Antonio 3. Golden State 4. Oklahoma City 5. Houston 6. Portland 7. Denver 8. Dallas

Eastern Conference Finals: Chicago over Cleveland. Everyone will pick Cleveland to win the East or be in the ECF. I think Washington gives them all they can handle in the Semis and would give Chicago a run if they got a crack at a healthy Bulls squad, but they just won’t have the firepower. The Bulls, if healthy, go to the Finals. If they aren’t healthy, it wouldn’t shock me to see LeBron back in the Finals and Cleveland fans out of their minds.

Western Conference Finals: LA Clippers over San Antonio. This is going to be the year that the Clippers officially put their past behind them, in every facet of the franchise’s history. New owner, great coach, an MVP candidate in Blake…all of it adds up to taking the moniker of “LA’s Team” from the Lakers and heading to the Finals.

NBA Finals: Bulls over LA Clippers. This will be one hell of an NBA Finals if it happens. As a Celtics fan, I love that it would be the perfect Lakers nightmare: the Clippers and Pau Gasol both battling for an NBA title while they sit home! This would seem to be a 7 game slugfest, but I think in the end, the student will get the best of the teacher and Thibs’ boys will overcome Doc and the Clips. This Chicago team just has too much talent if they are healthy to be beaten this year.

Awards Predictions:

MVP: This feels like an easy LeBron win. You could also see Blake make a run if the Clips follow through as far as I have them going. D-Rose will have to be an MVP again for the Bulls to win it all. I really like Westbrook putting the team on his back while Durant is out as well, and the Brow is still a year away. With all of that said, I’m going with LeBron, Westbrook, Griffin, Rose in that order this year.

6th Man: Andre Iguodala. If GS makes him the 6^th man as rumored, this is his to lose. You could see Tristan Thompson make a run here with Cleveland as well.

Coach: Doc Rivers. He kept this team focused and competitive as well as anyone could have during the Sterling debacle. He will be rewarded for keeping them focused and going even further this year.

Rookie: Jabari Parker. He is the most pro-ready of the Wiggins/Parker debate. He’ll show why and win this award this year.

Defensive POY: Joakim Noah. He’s going to have to be a monster for the Bulls to make the Finals and win it all.

There you have it. Outlooks for all 30 teams, ranked playoff predictions and award projections for the 2014-2015 season. As always, let's hear it in the comments if you agree or disagree and we'd love to hear your predictions as well. Happy Hoops Season, everyone!

30 Teams In 30 Tweets: Vol. 2

On the eve of the 2013-2014 season, muddled by all the LeBron 3-peat, Melo-drama, D-Rose/Kobe returns and taking chatter, one major question remains: where is the 30 Teams in 30 Tweets column from Ball So Hard Sports?! Rest easy, kids, all of the projections, predictions and insanity are here and back in full force! This promises to be one of the most entertaining and competitive seasons in recent memory and what better way to lay out predictions than in our favorite 140-character, quick-hit style?

As mentioned last year, of course you can grab your in-depth, put you to sleep analysis of this season at all of those other sites (whom we love dearly and read as well), but in the land of social media dominance, the tweet-length predictions and outlooks for every team will be just what you need to be ready for the opening tip tomorrow.

Without further adieu, here are the Ball So Hard Sports "30 Teams in 30 Tweets" for the 2013-2014 NBA season, followed by our NBA Playoffs and awards predictions as well. Enjoy and let us know whether you agree/disagree in the comments below.

2013-2014 NBA Previews:

Atlanta Hawks:  New season, same outlook, with or without J-Smoove. Bottom-half seed, 1st round exit. Welcome to Atlanta, where mediocre plays. 

Boston Celtics: Hate losing Pierce & KG but business is business. Love the Stevens hire. Don't rush Rondo, take your lumps. The pieces to rebuild are here.

Brooklyn Nets: Stay healthy, raise a banner. League's best starting 5, great bench, 2 hungry new leaders in Pierce & KG. One of the major contenders.

Charlotte Bobcats: They're getting there, slowly but surely. Big Al was a nice signing. Still a lottery team, but at least they seem like it isn't OK anymore.

Chicago Bulls: If D-Rose plays like he has in preseason, all is forgiven. Guys might start tearing ACL's just to come back this strong. Title/MVP possible.

Cleveland Cavaliers: Does Bynum play? Was Bennett #1 worthy? Is this Irving's audition to play with LeBron? A lot of questions, a year away from answers.

Dallas Mavericks: This team just feels like its fallen by the wayside. Window closed, locked and boarded. Time for Cuban to make a splash.

Denver Nuggets: Losing Iggy is a dagger. Needed to get better, took a step back AND traded Karl for a rookie Shaw on the bench. Middle of the pack at best.

Detroit Pistons:  Lots of new pieces in Motown. Jennings and Smith could make the team fun. Looking at a 7/8 seed and a 1st round sweep. Sound familiar, Josh?

Golden State Warriors: The chic pick to win the west. Iggy definitely puts them on the short list. If Curry's ankles are OK, expect big fun and bigger results. 

Houston Rockets: Is the Dwight drama over? Are they a player away? Is Harden OK with dropping back to 2nd fiddle? A year away from knowing, but promising.

Indiana Pacers: They answered the questions last year about being ready. Can they stay at this level and eventually push forward? George & Hibbert = yes.

Los Angeles Clippers: Can Doc work his magic with vets again? If so, they'll go from covering up the other LA team's banners to finally raising one of their own. 

Los Angeles Lakers: Which number is going to be higher: number of games Kobe misses or number of games the Lakers win? Gonna be a long year for the Lake Show.

Memphis Grizzlies: Made noise but fell short late last year. Same old story. Guessing they drop a bit this year before making a charge down the road.

Miami Heat: LeBron's last ride in South Beach or the title that cements his legacy & keeps him in MIA? Too many contenders, prepare for The Decision 2. 

Milwaukee Bucks: One of a handful of teams whose fans will be watching Kansas highlights more than their own team's. Lottery is a necessity for Bucks. 

Minnesota Timberwolves: Can they keep Love healthy and make a playoff run this year? Hopefully, otherwise it may be time to ship Kevin elsewhere.

New Orleans Pelicans: A year older. Tyreke is a nice add. Probably another year away but don't be surprised to see this team in a first-round matchup.

New York Knicks:  Officially NY's "other" team. MeloDrama will distract them all year. Bottom half of the bracket, 1st round exit, chaos when Melo leaves.

Oklahoma City Thunder: Will Westbrook rush back or take the D-Rose route? If he returns stronger like Derrick, this could be KD's turn to take the crown.

Orlando Magic: Enjoy Victor Oladipo, Magic fans. Then hope you can pair him with Wiggins next season. 

Philadelphia 76ers: Nice youth movement in Philly, even if it meant a step back. Stash Noel away, maybe win the lottery, be a major player in a few years. 

Phoenix Suns: Last year: at least they weren't the Bobcats. This year, before the first tip, it is safe to say that the Phoenix Suns are on the clock...

Portland Trailblazers: Do they keep Aldridge? They are a borderline playoff team either way. With a loaded draft & Lillard, a step away isn't a bad move long term.

Sacramento Kings: Sacramento won the battle to keep their Kings. Neither will win much else this year. The #1 pick would be nice karma and best case scenario.

San Antonio Spurs: Can they follow up last year's epic run with another? Kawhi needs to step up for it to happen. Never count Pop, Duncan & Parker out. 

Toronto Raptors: An intriguing squad this season. Ujiri is doing things right and should sneak into the playoffs. Will be fun to see if they make it.

Utah Jazz: Lottery seems inevitable but there's a young Thunder feel to their rebuild. You never know with bigs like theirs, but 2-3 years to be sure. 

Washington Wizards: It is time for John Wall to rise to the occasion. Playoffs or bust for WAS and they should do just enough to squeak in to a bottom 3 seed. 

Playoff Predictions:

Eastern Conference Playoff Teams: 1. Chicago 2. Brooklyn 3. Miami 4. Indiana 5. New York 6. Detroit 7. Washington 8. Atlanta 

Western Conference Playoff Teams: 1. LA Clippers 2. Oklahoma City 3. Golden State 4. San Antonio 5. Houston 6. Memphis 7. Denver 8. Portland

Eastern Conference Finals: Brooklyn over Chicago. After dethroning the Heat I'm the Conference Semis, Brooklyn will follow Boston's 2008 blueprint into the NBA Finals with KG and Pierce, leaving D-Rose just shy of a storybook comeback.

Western Conference Finals: LA Clippers over Golden St. I really wanted to pick the Warriors here. Love the Iggy signing and think they can go all the way, but probably 1 year away. With Kobe down & out for a year, this is the Clippers' time to make a run. 

NBA Finals: Brooklyn over LA Clippers. If you told me last October that Doc, KG and Paul Pierce would be in the Finals, I'd have been thrilled. Cut to a year later and they very well could be, but as opponents. Doc does wonders with a vet ball club and the Dynamic Duo knows they have 1 or 2 shots at another ring. I think they meet up with their old coach in June and reach their goal of retiring as champions.

Awards Predictions:

MVP: Derrick Rose. I've seen all I needed to this preseason. He's back. Sorry LeBron.

6th Man: Andrei Kirilenko. The only issue is if Jason Terry is really the BK 6th man.

Coach: Erik Spoelstra. The kid will get his due this year. After 2 titles, he will have to keep this team hungry and focused with all the "will he/won't he" LeBron distraction.

Rookie: Kelly Olynyk. A silver lining in this Celtics season. He'll have plenty of minutes and a chance to shine.

Defensive POY: LeBron. He wanted it last year. He'll make sure he gets it this year.

There you have it. Outlooks for all 30 teams, ranked playoff predictions and award projections for the 2013-2014 season. As always, let's hear it in the comments if you agree or disagree and we'd love to hear your predictions as well. Happy Hoops Season, everyone!

Cleaning Out The INBOX: Trade Deadline Edition

Following up today's blog on the NBA Trade Deadline, a series of questions came in via email and Twitter. No better way to get the answers out than with another edition of "Cleaning Out The INBOX". 

Should I start packing my bags? - J-Smoove, ATL

Well, J, if you are who I think you are...yes. You're gone by 3pm. Whether it is Milwaukee, Houston (more on this in a bit), Brooklyn or Phoenix, I think you'll have a new home. Hopefully you like it and get your max deal this summer.

How good am I? Seriously...tell me. - D. Morely, H-Town

I've long said that Masai Ujiri of the Nuggets was the best GM in the league. But now, yes, Mr. Morley, he is riding shotgun to the rig you're driving. Sure, the big free agents haven't lined up for your cash...yet. But, acquiring the right pieces to get James Harden, Lin and Asik, while still having assets and space, was smart. Turning the Bill Simmons "pu pu platter" into Thomas Robinson, whether to keep or deal again, is pure genius. My guess is you're turning Robinson and something into our friend from the last question, Josh Smith. But if not, you're set up real nice for July. Congrats, but keep an eye on that rear view, I think Masai is going to stay hot on your trail.

Why are Celtics fans intent on repeating the mistakes of the early 90's by not wanting KG and/or Pierce dealt for future assets? - Mike, Boston

As one of these alleged fans, I take offense, but I'll defend. First, this isn't like that team. They were ruined by the deaths of Bias and Reggie. They literally had NOTHING in the cupboard, or walking through that loser Pitino's door. The 2013 C's are different. If they stood pat and waited for KG/PP to retire, they's still have Rondo, Bradley, Sullinger and Melo to build off. It isn't legendary, but it is better than when Bird and crew left. Second, this team is still competing. They're only a few games out of the 2 seed and I'd argue they might be the ONLY team that could beat Miami in the East. They just match up that way, even without Rondo. Had they continued playing like they were before the Rondo injury, I'd probably be first in line to say "blow it up". But until they give us reason to think otherwise, I'm all for standing pat. With the cap the way it is now, you won't have 22 years of bad basketball if you give up a year or two for this regime. I'd gladly sacrifice a year or two in the future to watch these guys stay together and retire in Green.

Why doesn't anyone want me? - The Ex-Mr. K, Brooklyn

I don't have all day, but here goes...if the highlight of your year is being a diss in a Kanye lyric, followed by J.R. Smith owning you on Twitter after a lame attempt to trash talk, you're starting behind the 8-ball. Second, you're a liability with all of this off-the-court shenanigans. Saying you'd miss a playoff game, or series, to go to your court case just to embarrass the un-embarrassable (not sure its even a word, but how else to describe Kim K?!) instead of focusing on basketball? Yeah, I'm sure teams are lining up to have you on their roster. Third, your stats bro...worse than the living conditions on the Triumph. You can't make that much dough, with that little production and expect anyone to want you. We live in the world of salary caps, luxury tax and the dreaded repeater tax. If I were you, I'd keep my mouth shut, start balling and be thrilled that Kanye didn't tell Jay to cut you from the team for real.

Have your thoughts on who goes where changed since this morning? - Joe via Twitter

A little. I still think Boston holds their ground, but I'm a lot more nervous than last deadline. I really hope I'm not about to tune in to The Truth's last game as a Celtic. I think Josh Smith is going to be dealt, just not sure where. Houston intrigues me with the 3-team they put together today. I smell something, just not sure if it is for tomorrow or pre-draft. If Milwaukee thinks Jennings and Smith can be the future, I think they make the deal with Atlanta for Monta Ellis. I'd be surprised if Redick isn't dealt, just like I'd be surprised if the Jazz and Knicks didn't make any moves. I would like to see Indiana and the Clippers show us they're serious about making a run this year, but I don't know if either team pulls the trigger. All I know is this: we are 17 hours from the deadline and nothing is certain except for at least one more time, the Captain, Paul Pierce, is about to lead the Celtics against their hated rival, the LA Lakers, on what is sure to be an emotional night at Staples after the passing of Dr. Buss. I'm going to go enjoy that and hopefully escape this deadline madness for a few hours.