NBA Summer Forecast: 2014-15 Western Conference Standings

1.   Oklahoma City Thunder

Additions: Anthony Morrow, Sebastian Telfair, Mitch McGary (R)

Subtractions: Thabo Sefolosha (Hawks), Caron Butler (Pistons)

2.   San Antonio Spurs

Additions: Kyle Anderson (R)

Subtractions: None

3.   Los Angeles Clippers

Additions: Spencer Hawes, Jordan Farmer, C.J. Wilcox (R)

Subtractions: Darren Collison (Kings), Danny Granger (Heat), Willie Green (Magic), Ryan Hollins

4.   Dallas Mavericks

Additions: Chandler Parsons, Jameer Nelson, Richard Jefferson, Al-Farouq Aminu, Tyson Chandler & Raymond Felton (Via Trade with Knicks)

Subtractions: Vince Carter (Grizzlies), Jose Calderon, Shane Larkin & Samuel Dalembert (Via Trade with Knicks), Shawn Marion (Cavs)

5.   Memphis Grizzlies

Additions: Vince Carter, Jordan Adams (R)

Departures: James Johnson (Raptors), Mike Miller (Cavaliers), Ed Davis (Lakers)

6.   Golden State Warriors

Additions: Shaun Livingston, Brandon Rush

Subtractions: Steve Blake (Trail Blazers), Jordan Crawford

7.   Portland Trail Blazers

Additions: Chris Kaman, Steve Blake

Subtractions: Mo Williams (Timberwolves)

8.   Houston Rockets

Additions: Trevor Ariza, Jeff Adrien, Clint Capela (R)

Subtractions: Chandler Parsons (Mavericks), Jeremy Lin (Via Trade with Lakers), Omer Asik (Via Trade with Pelicans)

9.   Phoenix Suns

Additions: Isaiah Thomas (Via Sign & Trade with Kings), Anthony Tolliver, T.J. Warren (R), Tyler Ennis (R)

Subtractions: Channing Frye (Magic), Emeka Okafor

10. Denver Nuggets

Additions: Aaron Afflalo (Via Trade with Magic), Gary Harris (R), Jusuf Nurkić (R)

Subtractions: Evan Fournier (Via Trade with Magic), Aaron Brooks (Bulls)

11. New Orleans Pelicans

Additions: Omer Asik (Via Trade with Rockets), Jimmer Fredette

Subtractions: Anthony Morrow (Thunder), Brian Roberts (Hornets), Jason Smith (Knicks), Al-Farouq Aminu (Mavs)

12. Los Angeles Lakers

Additions: Carlos Boozer, Ed Davis, Julius Randle (R), Jeremy Lin (Via Trade with Rockets)

Subtractions: Pau Gasol (Bulls), Jodie Meeks (Pistons), Chris Kaman (Blazers), Jordan Farmar (Clippers), Kent Bazemore (Hawks), Kendall Marshall (Bucks)

13. Sacramento Kings

Additions: Darren Collison, Nik Stauskas (R), Jeremy Tyler & Wayne Ellington (Via Trade with Knicks)

Subtractions: Isaiah Thomas (Suns), Aaron Gray (Pistons), Travis Outlaw & Quincy Acy (Via Trade with Knicks)

14. Minnesota Timberwolves

Additions: Mo Williams, Zach LaVine (R), Andrew Wiggins (R), Anthony Bennett and Thaddeus Young (Via 3-Way Trade with Cavs & 76ers)

Subtractions: Kevin Love, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute & Alexey Shved (Via 3-Way Trade with Cavs and 76ers)

15. Utah Jazz

Additions: Dante Exum (R), Trevor Booker, Rodney Hood (R), Steve Novak (Via Trade with Raptors)

Subtractions: Marvin Williams (Hornets), Richard Jefferson (Mavericks), Brandon Rush (Warriors)

NBA Summer Forecast: 2014-15 Eastern Conference Standings

      With LeBron James returning home to the Cleveland Cavaliers, the balance of power has shifted dramatically in the Eastern Conference. The Cavs, who missed the playoffs in each of the four years James spent in Miami, will be the favorites to seize the East in the regular season--especially after acquiring Kevin Love in a blockbuster trade.
         The 25-year-old widely regarded as the NBA's top 'stretch four', Love is coming off a career-year, in which he averaged 26.1 points, 12.5 rebounds and 4.4 assists. Adding Love to a team already with Kyrie Irving and the best player in the NBA in James, the Cavs undoubtedly boast the most talented star trio in the league.

        Could a Central Division foe--specifically the Chicago Bulls--prevent the Cavs from landing the top spot in the conference? Will the Bulls' signing of Pau Gasol be enough to snatch the top-seed? 

        Don't forget about the Washington Wizards, who are now the favorites to win the Southeast--a division the Heat dominated the past four seasons. The Wizards signed future Hall of Famer Paul Pierce, who delivered in the clutch for the Brooklyn Nets in their first-round playoff series victory over the Toronto Raptors. The Wizards also bolstered their bench by adding DeJuan Blair and Kris Humphries via free agency. 

          You can't sleep on the Raptors, either, after the club retained all of its core players from last year's Atlantic Division-champion roster. 

            So, how will the East stack up 1-15 in the upcoming year? I forecast the 2014-2015 standings below. 

1.     Cleveland Cavaliers

Key additions: LeBron James, Kevin Love (Via 3-Way Trade with Timberwolves & 76ers), Mike Miller, Joe Harris (R), James Jones, Brendan Haywood, Shawn Marion

Subtractions: Spencer Hawes (Clippers), Luol Deng (Heat), C.J. Miles (Pacers), Jarrett Jack & Tyler Zeller (Via 3-Way Trade with Celtics & Nets), Anthony Bennett (Via 3-Way Trade with Timberwolves & 76ers) 

2.     Chicago Bulls 

 Key additions: Pau Gasol, Doug McDermott (R), Nikola Mirotic (R-Spain), Aaron Brooks, E'Twaun Moore

Subtractions: Carlos Boozer (Via Amnesty clause--signed with Lakers), D.J. Augustin (Pistons), Jimmer Fredette (Pelicans)

3.     Washington Wizards 

 Key additions: Paul Pierce, Kris Humphries, DeJuan Blair

Subtractions: Trevor Ariza (Rockets), Trevor Booker (Jazz)

4.     Toronto Raptors 

 Key additions: James Johnson, Bruno Caboclo (R), Lou Williams (Via Trade with Hawks)

Subtractions: John Salmons (Via Trade with Hawks), Steve Novak (Via Trade with Jazz)

5.     Miami Heat

 Key additions: Luol Deng, Danny Granger, Josh McRoberts, Shabazz Napier (R)

Subtractions: LeBron James (Cavaliers), James Jones (Cavaliers), Ray Allen

6.     Charlotte Hornets 

 Key additions: Lance Stephenson, Marvin Williams, P.J. Hairston (R), Brian Roberts

Subtractions: Josh McRoberts (Heat), Anthony Tolliver (Suns), Luke Ridnour (Magic), Brendan Haywood (Cavs)

7.     New York Knicks

 Key Additions: Jose Calderon, Shane Larkin & Samuel Dalembert (Via Trade with Mavs), Travis Outlaw & Quincy Acy (Via Trade with Kings), Jason Smith

Subtractions: Tyson Chandler & Raymond Felton (Via Trade with Mavs), Jeremy Tyler & Wayne Ellington (Via Trade with Kings)

8.     Atlanta Hawks 

 Key additions: Thabo Sefolosha, Kent Bazemore, Adreian Payne (R)

Subtractions: Lou Williams (Via Trade with Raptors), Cartier Martin (Pistons), Gustavo Ayon, Elton Brand

9.   Brooklyn Nets

 Key additions: Jarrett Jack (Via 3-Way Trade with Celtics & Cavs)

 Subtractions: Paul Pierce (Wizards), Shaun Livingston (Warriors), Andray Blatche, Marcus Thornton (Via 3-Way Trade with Celtics & Cavs) 

10.     Indiana Pacers

Key additions: C.J. Miles, Damjan Rudez (R- Europe), Rodney Stuckey

Subtractions: Lance Stephenson (Hornets), Evan Turner (Celtics)

*Paul George likely out for season after breaking leg during USA Basketball Showcase

11.   Detroit Pistons

 Key additions: Jodie Meeks, Cartier Martin, D.J. Augustin, Caron Butler

 Subtractions: Chauncey Billups, Rodney Stuckey (Pacers)

12.   Boston Celtics

 Key additions: Marcus Smart (R), James Young (R), Evan Turner, Marcus Thornton & Tyler Zeller (Via 3-Way Trade with Nets and Cavs)

 Subtractions: Kris Humphries (Wizards), Jerryd Bayless (Bucks)

13.   Milwaukee Bucks 

 Key additions: Jabari Parker (R), Jerryd Bayless, Kendall Marshall

 Subtractions: Jeff Adrien (Rockets), Ramon Sessions

14.   Orlando Magic

 Key additions: Aaron Gordon (R), Elfrid Payton (R), Luke Ridnour, Ben Gordon, Channing Frye, Evan Fournier (Via Trade with Nuggets)

Subtractions: Jameer Nelson (Mavs), Aaron Afflalo (Via Trade with Nuggets), E'Twaun Moore (Bulls)

15.   Philadelphia 76ers

 Key additions: Joel Embiid (R), Dario Saric (R), Luc Richard Mbah a Moute & Alexey Shved (Via 3-Way Trade with Cavs and Timberwolves)

 Subtractions: Thaddeus Young (Via 3-Way Trade with Cavs and Timberwolves)

Count These Red Sox Out

It’s tough to lose hope in the ever-so-mediocre 2014 American League East. The division-leading Toronto Blue Jays stand at 47-39—well above expectations—yet fending incessant doubts for a franchise that has missed the playoffs every year since the legendary Joe Carter hit a walk-off home run to clinch the club’s consecutive World Series title in 1993. But this year’s Boston Red Sox, yes the defending champion Sox, managed to write their obituary before Independence Day.

The Red Sox got pummeled on a nationally televised ESPN broadcast on Wednesday night by the rebuilding Chicago Cubs, who completed a three-game sweep at Fenway Park with an emphatic 16-9 victory. After scoring just two runs in the first two loses of the series, the Red Sox surrendered a whopping 16 runs in Wednesday’s disaster versus the Cubs, who rank 13th in the National League in batting.

After narrowly avoiding Jake Arrieta’s no hit-bid in the opener, the Sox mustered just one run in Tuesday’s defeat. The loss on Tuesday was especially appalling, given that the overpaid and disappointing Edwin Jackson (4.98 ERA) held the Sox to a single run over six innings of work.

Wednesday’s debacle came next, a contest that saw the Sox suffer a humiliating defeat in front of their home crowd versus a Cubs team that is thrilled to be sitting nine games under .500 (37-46). The Cubs are in complete rebuilding mode, stocking up on assets in Triple-A to build for the future that may come sooner than most outsiders thought. They should be happy with this year’s progress. The Red Sox are the defending champions—believed to have a realistic chance of repeating after bringing back the core of last year’s World Series team—yet steadily creeping to the basement of the American League East. The Cubs have the 23rd ranked payroll—the Red Sox post the league’s fourth-highest payroll. But it was the Cubs making a statement in an early July series, showing that their future is bright after all. The Red Sox, meanwhile, continue to fuel the qualms of their loyal fans, who are witnessing their champions turn into the dreaded 'has-beens' label before their eyes.

The Red Sox trail the Blue Jays by 8 ½ games in the AL East. The Sox are just a game ahead of the last-place Tampa Bay Rays, who are fresh off a road sweep over the scuffling New York Yankees.

Gaining less than nine games of ground with roughly 70 to play seems attainable for the defending champs. But these Red Sox have no resemblance of last’s year’s heart-warming title club.

These Red Sox can’t get out of their own way, most evident by their decision to sign weak hitting Stephen Drew to a dubious $10 million midseason-contract at the cost of Xander Bogaerts’ mentality (who freely admitted he was disappointed that he had to move back to third base after Drew signed), whose average has dipped below .250 after his hitting tirade in the month of May.

Bogaerts extended his hitless streak to 23 at-bats. He has yet to record a hit in July after a woeful .135 June (13 for 96, 27 K's). 

It may seem premature to discard the defending champions from the wide open AL East race. But the Red Sox are champions no more. These punchless Red Sox are finished.