1apg Oden is going to be the next great center in the NBA

With a brief stopover in Phoenix, Shaq is supposed to be the final piece of a puzzle that will catapult the Cavs into the NBA finals I do not subscribe to that theory. Shaq is a declining player and is another big body (and 6 fouls) to throw at Dwight Howard in a seven-game series. If Cavs fans are expecting the Shaq that was a contributor in Miami theyll be lucky to receive the Shaq that was in Miami the year after the championship. ONeal is in such decline I strongly disagree with the potential trade of the Big Z (Zydrunas Ilgauskas) as Anderson Varejao is not a full time center, and there is no one on the Cavs roster that would ably fill that position. Without question the gamble that this team has made is in a almost 40-year old with a questionable track record of health, this of course equals yet another disappointment for Cleveland sports fans.Projected 2010 Stats: 13.9ppg, 3.2apg, 8.7rpg.

Griffin makes the list simply because of the team and coach hell be playing for. Frankly at this point I cannot imagine why or how Mike Dunleavy has some how managed to acquire both positions is a mystery right up there with the location of Osama Bin Laden. Griffin had a dominate year in the NCAA where he overwhelmed opponents with his size strength and athleticism. In the NBA where he will be matched with similar and better players I feel that he will not be the dominate rookie that he is being hyped up to be. (As of today its been announced that Griffin will start the year coming off the bench).

Griffin plays on an extremely veteran team, and Dunleavy known for sticking with his vets will not give Griffin a chance to make an impact. So for those expecting great things from Griffin it may yet still happen it just wont be this year (Also no ROY for him either, if everyone stays healthy) Projected 2010 Stats: 11.4ppg, 6.4rpg, 2.1apg Oden is going to be the next great center in the NBA. Or at least that was the prognosis when Oden was drafted a couple of years ago. Now 2 injury-plagued uninspiring years later I cant exactly understand what the hype was all about, frankly I think that the Blazers have yet again taken another Sam Bowie instead of the Michael Jordan that was available.

Oden is not a bad player at least he hasnt gotten that dreaded bust label attached to him yet. This will be his most critical year yet regarding his development. He however is likely to get injured or disappoint again, have you seen him in games Hes a foul machine and often misses defensive assignments that would make Jose Calderon blush. This year something has got to give for Oden not to be a complete write off.Projected 2010 Stats: 7.9 ppg, 6.5rpg, 0.9apg. Kevin Garnett - Boston CelticsHis knee injury will not allow him to play as he once did, the decline is inevitable for this once proud warrior.Allen Iverson\Zach Randolph Memphis GrizzliesWith the addition of these two dominate on the ball players, the small steps of success the Grizzlies made last year will seem like a distant memory with the pending confrontation between teammates and management.Ron Artest LA LakersThe thought of Ron Artest in LA for an entire year without getting into ANY trouble is about as far fetched as Kanye West and Chris Brown appearing in Taylor Swift featuring Rhinanna song Ron should have a decent year on the court though.. Rashard Lewis\Vince CarterIt is never a good idea to put two disinterested minimum effort guys together on the same team. The only benefit I can see in this partnership is the ability for Carter to accidentally take some of those helpers Rashard has been caught using last year, perhaps hell actually stay healthy and productive for an entire year.Tracy McGrady Houston RocketsHere is the ultimate poster-boy for disappointment.