By: Stephen Patterson
I decided to start thinking of weekly columns to try to introduce into my postings, and thought I'd try this one now. I'm going to normally keep the time frame of my predictions within a week, but since everything big in NBA is going down around July 8th, the first ever Bold Predictions will be for the next weeks. Here are three bold predictions of things to come in the NBA between now and the 8th:
1. One Clippers Player Has Annual Summer Injury: It's a sad truth for Clippers fans, but most of them realize they haven't exactly had the best luck in the NBA over the years. I'm not sure whether there is a curse on the franchise or if owner Donald Sterling is that horrible of an owner, but LA's second team always has something derail otherwise promising seasons. With a line up that is getting increasingly more competitive, the Clippers are on pace to improve this season. For that reason, I expect atleast one player to get hit by their annual injury bug. You hate to see a player get hurt, but I personally almost expect it once or twice a year for the Clippers to ruin their season.
2. New York Won't Land LeBron James: I say with complete confidence I think the New York Knicks have zero chance at landing to Class President of the biggest free agent class in NBA history. With a decade of stupid front office decisions, horrible signings, scandals, and almost anything else that can go wrong for a franchise, why would anyone want to go there? I'm sorry, but I don't believe LeBron is making that much more money that he would anywhere else. If James goes to Chicago, LA, New Jersey or Miami I think he'll make almost the same amount of money through endorsements. This is probably the safest call there is to make in this summer's free agent frenzy with the exception of Joe Johnson being gone (someone send that last sentence to Al Horford, he's been misled).
3. Dwyane Wade Returns To The Heat: Wade will announce no later than Saturday, July 3, at 12:00 PM that he is resigning with the Miami Heat for a little less than the maximum allowing to team to bring in an all around better team, not just a superstar or two. Wade is the most likely of all the major free agents to resign (not including Dirk Nowitzki, almost a lock to resign). Of the 2003 Draft class members at the top of the class (James, Anthony, Bosh, Wade), only the Heat's Dwyane Wade has won a championship and also a Finals MVP. I expect Wade's example of taking slightly less than the max will bring two other players (perhaps Bosh and James) to the Heat.
