PG Rankings 4

Starting Point Guards Countdown (12-7)

12.Deron Williams

Deron Williams had more talent surrounding him last season in Brooklyn with the arrival of Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. However, Williams continued to struggle with injuries and had his worst season since he entered the NBA. He seemed to struggle with finding rhythm as he was in and out of the lineup. The biggest thing to me was his complete lack of confidence in his offensive game. Williams did not attack the basket or shoot with the efficiency that once made him a top five point guard. In addition, his assists per game dropped to 6.1, but this was a result of him not having the ball in his hands as much. In Utah, Williams would complain about not being able to freestyle and do his own thing on offense. In Brooklyn, he was given the chance to do those things and now he seeks a consistent system. With a new head coach in Lionel Hollins and the departures of Shaun Livingston and Paul Pierce, Williams’s points and assists should take considerable leaps. When Williams is healthy, he is a top 10 point guard and makes Brooklyn an Eastern Conference threat.

11.Kyle Lowry

The growth of Kyle Lowry helped the Toronto Raptors reach the playoffs for the first time since Chris Bosh left. He averaged 17.9 points, 7.4 assists, and 4.7 rebounds that almost landed him on the list of All-Stars. Lowry was once looked at as nothing more than a solid backup early in his career. Early in his career, he lacked a consistent jump shot, but always played tough, hard-nosed defense despite his stature. Over the years, Lowry has managed to develop a respectable offensive repertoire, which consists of many different floaters, a streaky jumper, and the ability to finish in the lane. Lowry is underrated when it comes to running an offense, finding open teammates, and rebounding. In fact, he has often been compared to Chris Paul because of his feel on how to run a team. With the return of Derrick Rose, many have written the Raptors off as a contender in the East. Being from Philadelphia, Lowry will make sure the Raptors fight every night.

10.Goran Dragic

 10.Goran Dragic
Having Goran Dragic in this spot may come as a surprise, but he quietly put together one of the better seasons for a point guard. It was definitely the year of the dragon as Dragic almost willed the Phoenix Suns into the postseason as he captured the Most Improved Player award. It was incumbent upon him to assume more of a scoring role as the Suns ran a two-guard system that included Eric Bledsoe. While Dragic's assists dipped to just under six a game, he averaged 20.3 points per game. In addition, Dragic scored at an efficient rate from beyond the arc at 40 percent while shooting 50 percent from the field overall. The Suns seem to believe in Dragic more than Bledsoe and rightfully so because Bledsoe missed a huge chunk of the season. The Slovenian point guard plays a lot like a younger Steve Nash who was his mentor. He is at his best when he attacks the basket because he has the uncanny ability to finish in the lane. Dragic is a wizard with finding his teammates as well. Heading into a contract year, I expect Dragic stellar season to spill over into this upcoming season.

9.Derrick Rose

I may be very generous having Derrick Rose still sitting in the top 10, but the guy is a former MVP. When Rose is healthy, he is easily a top five player because of his desire to be great. Sometimes that desire to be great can be his biggest downfall. Rose has a bad tendency to press when the Bulls need a basket and it makes me wonder how much he trusts his teammates. On the other hand, he could be dealing with insurmountable pressure no one besides Lebron James could understand. That pressure is being a hometown kid trying to win a championship for his city. Another reason Rose is still in the top 10 is because the previous players on this list are up-and-comers, past their prime, or system-oriented. Rose would be an elite athlete in just about every setting. He has a wicked first step, unreal speed, a pretty floater, freaky athleticism, oh and he has a consistent jumper. Rose has to learn to trust his team more and pick his spots to attack defenses more carefully. If he finds his groove, Chicago is an instant title contender.

8.John Wall

In Washington, Bradley Beal is the lightning and John Wall is the thunder. Wall propelled himself into the second tier of elite point guards as he made the All-Star team. He averaged career highs in points and assists with 19.3 and 8.8. I love the jump in assists because that let's me know he is a willing passer and knows when to hit his teammates. I think Wall has a tendency to be a bit erratic at times and it showed in the playoffs as he committed ill-advised turnovers and took bad shots. There is no way a player of Wall's caliber, including his cat-like speed and athleticism, should be settling for jumpers. Since his arrival from Kentucky, I have seen little improvement in a shot that needs fine-tuning. However, Beal compliments Wall's game because what he lacks Beal compensates for. The valuable experience Wall gathered in the playoffs and the rejection from Team USA should be the fire burning within him this season. 

7.Kyrie Irving

Kyrie Irving had a big year regarding individual achievements. He was an All-Star game MVP, FIBA World Cup MVP, and a gold medallist. Irving might have given spectators a taste of what's to come this upcoming season as he played the role of "Captain America" during Sunday's gold medal rout. Irving played the way I expected as he took his fair share of shots on offense. The surprise came on the defensive end as he played inspired D throughout the tournament, as did majority of the key contributors on Team USA. It will be interesting to see if he can maintain that intensity or bring it when it counts the most without Coach K there. Irving has a tremendous handle as he can put defenders on skates. Also, he possesses a scorer's mentality and with the arrival of King James he will likely be relieved of playmaking duties. The only problems I have with Irving are his ability to find the open man, his leadership, and his health.
 

PG Rankings 3

Starting Point Guards Countdown (18-13)

18.Brandon Jennings 

Brandon Jennings is a shooting guard stuck in a point guard's body. He would much rather attack the basket and shoot jumpers than set his teammates up and run set plays. This has been the underlying problem for Jennings in his young career as he seems to be content with being a turnover machine as well as a volume scorer. He did boost his assists up to a career high 7.6 per game, but he has to reduce his turnovers. Hopefully, Stan Van Gundy can help him continue to develop as a point guard with three big men capable of finishing inside. The additions of DJ Augustin and Jodie Meeks should help his assists total increase and spread the floor. Jennings brings scrappiness on defense as he likes to strip defenders attempting crossovers. On offense, he provides speed and good one on one skills. Jennings will probably never lead the league in assists, but he can learn to make smarter passes. His shooting ability is like night and day, but on a Detroit team with no real go to scorer Jennings can be that guy. If Jennings can take better shots and commit fewer turnovers, he can help Detroit return to the playoffs. 
    

17.Kemba Walker

Kemba Walker was able to produce career highs in rebounds and assists in his third year in the NBA as he and Al Jefferson led Charlotte to the playoffs. He seems to have full control of this team and is showing the same confidence he displayed at Connecticut. Walker plays like the New Yorker he is as he can score, rebound, pass the ball, and play tough defense. He never backs down from a challenge and this characteristic rubs off on his teammates as they imitate his confidence. Walker used to dance as a child growing up, which explains his scintillating crossovers. He is second to no one in that regard. Walker seems to have almost reached his ceiling because at 6'1 scoring 17.7 points per game is as good as it gets at his size. His 6.1 assists might not jump any higher as well because the signing of Lance Stephenson could spell less ball handling duties for Walker. Nevertheless, Walker and Stephenson should form a top three backcourt in the NBA and make Charlotte a conference contender in the East.

16.Jrue Holiday

After missing over 40 games after being traded to New Orleans, Jrue Holiday is probably itching to get back on the court and prove he was worth trading for. Holiday plays with a laid back demeanor and a silky smooth approach. As a result, he never seems to be rattled. At 6'4, he can occasionally go inside and finish amongst post defenders and his jumper continues to improve as he gets further into his career. Good offensive talent on the Pelicans surrounds Holiday, which includes Anthony Davis, Eric Gordon, Tyreke Evans, and Ryan Anderson. His 7.9 assists should definitely take a hike provided that he gets out in the open court more often. Also, more pick and rolls with Davis, the newly acquired Omer Asik, and pick and pops with Anderson should help. Holiday seems to be stuck in point guard purgatory as he is in between All-Star and elite caliber status. A healthy season should help truly identify how good Holiday is.

15.Jeff Teague

Jeff Teague almost seemed to will the Atlanta Hawks past the Indiana Pacers in the playoffs, but the experience of Indiana showed as the series wore on. Teague showed his worth to the Hawks fan base as he averaged a career high 16.7 points in the absence of Al Horford. Teague seems to be really smart with the ball, as he does not force shots; he knows how to draw fouls and looks comfortable in transition. He has sneaky athleticism as he can rise over defenders and dunk on them. Teague has to improve his jumper and get a better feel for finding his open teammates. The lack of television time for the Hawks makes it hard for fans to know how good he is, but the playoffs helped him gain exposure. In a bad Eastern Conference, Teague could end up being an All-Star. Of course, the Hawks would need a winning record. The Hawks are a team that is under the radar in the East, but if Teague, Horford, and Millsap can play at All-Star levels they can upset a team in the playoffs.  

14.Mike Conley

Mike Conley had a slow start to his career after dealing with injuries coming out of Ohio State. Also, being a top 10 pick in his draft class certainly did not help his case. After averaging a career high 17.2 points along with his 6 assists, Conley has managed to jump into the tier of elite-esque point guards. Many viewed him as an All-Star a year ago, but he might be a victim of playing in a system with two of the best big men in Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph. Conley always seems to play well against some of the best point guards as he takes pride in his defense. In fact, Conley is considered one of the best on ball defenders at point guard. On offense, he can finish with either hand with his signature floaters, shoots the ball well, and runs the Grizzlies offense with efficiency. Conley is certainly the glue that holds Memphis together for 40 minutes, but late in games he seems to fade away and let others take big shots. Tony Allen should not have the ball in his hands late in the game. Gasol and Randolph is what makes the Grizzlies tough, but Conley has to step up and ease their duties late in games.  

13.Ty Lawson

It was a disaster in Denver following a magical 53-win season, but Ty Lawson was the lone bright spot for a team that sorely underachieved. Lawson seemed to be the only player comfortable under new head coach Brian Shaw and it showed in his play on the court. He averaged career bests in points, rebounds, assists, blocks, steals, and minutes. However, his team lacked a consistent Robin to his Batman heroics. The Nuggets were without JaVale McGee, Nate Robinson, and Danilo Gallinari. The rest of the players seemed to be lost. It seemed like coach Shaw did not know how to use his players or did not assign them proper roles. This hurt Lawson, as he was another player on the list of All-Star snubs. Lawson excels in the open court, he can finish in traffic despite his size, and he has a reliable jumper. Overall, I must say I never expected him to develop into the player that he is because of his stature. Early in his career I viewed him as a solid backup. Lawson has certainly put himself in a position to receive a large contract as a viable first or second option. If he continues to improve, Lawson can derail one of the next guards on this list and be a part of the second tier of point guards.

PG Rankings

Starting Point Guards Countdown (30-25)

30. Jameer Nelson

The Mavericks have improved across the board at every position, but the point guard situation remains a question mark, as they have to decide between Raymond Felton, Jameer Nelson, and Devin Harris. Felton should not be asked to do much in Dallas where he will only be asked to run and set everything up on offense. He will run the offense with poise and be streaky as a scorer, but his lackluster season in New York will likely have him in a backup role. Nelson brings the same qualities to the table as Felton. However, he is a better spot up shooter and commits less turnovers on pick and roll plays. He is suspect on defense, but Tyson Chandler can erase his mistakes. Finally, Harris offers a new element at point guard with speed. His improved shooting is also a bonus. Although Harris is a better scorer and defender, Nelson is currently the starter at point guard. None of this will matter as the ball handling duties will be split between Monta Ellis and Chandler Parsons.

29. Darren Collison

Darren Collison revived his career last season in Los Angeles for the Clippers as he averaged 11.4 points and 3.7 assists. At times during their postseason run, he was the third best player on the team after Chris Paul and Blake Griffin. Sacramento liked what they saw as they gave Collison a three year contract. Initially, I liked the move because I thought Isaiah Thomas would be the starter. With Thomas ditching Sacramento for Phoenix, Collison will be asked to compete against an elite point guard every night in the West and I do not think he will thrive. Collison does not do any one thing great, but he does a lot of good things. He will score, defend, and rebound for a young Kings team with low expectations.

 28. Jose Calderon

The Knicks traded for Jose Calderon as Phil Jackson and Derek Fisher look to implement the triangle offense in "The City That Never Sleeps." Calderon is a player and coach favorite as he is willing to pass the ball and commits little to no turnovers on a nightly basis. The triangle offense has always featured a point guard with shooting ability and a team-first mindset. Calderon certainly fits that mold and his 11.4 points and 4.7 assists should help the offense flow smoothly. At 6'3, you would like to see Calderon look to attack the basket more, but that has never been a part of his game that developed. He has been a consistent veteran on every team he has been on and I expect the same for the Knicks.

27. George Hill

With the devastating leg injury to Paul George, George Hill will be one of the many players asked to step up in the absence of the Pacers star player. Physically, he fits the description of the contemporary point guard at 6'4. However, Hill lacks explosiveness and a killer-instinct, as he seems to go AWOL in key moments. Some even argue that Hill is not a point guard because of his inability to run the Pacers offense. Hill does bring the ability to shoot and score in the paint. He is a willing defender as he can defend both guard positions and he rebounds well for his size. In Indiana, he just does not look like the confident player he once was in San Antonio. In my opinion, Hill is a better fit off the bench because then he is allowed to attack the basket and play against backups. 
  

26. Steve Nash 

Steve Nash would elevate the Lakers and put them in the playoffs if they had a time machine. At this point in what has been an illustrious career for Nash, he is just trying to finish out his contract. Nash still possesses an innate ability in terms of distributing the ball. Also, he can still shoot the ball and get into the lane at times. His defense is suspect, but it has always been that way. Injuries in the last two seasons have Lakers fans upset with the former MVP and many view him as selfish. In his final season, the Lakers are not expected to make the playoffs. If Nash remains healthy, he could end his career on the court with decent stats and be a good mentor to Jeremy Lin. Either way he is a future Hall of Famer. 

25. Trey Burke

Trey Burke struggled early on in his rookie season as he returned from an injury. Suddenly, he caught fire at the beginning of 2014 as he averaged 14.8 points and 6 assists in the month of January. Also, he shot the ball at 40 percent from the field and 36 percent from beyond the arc during January. His numbers slightly dipped as the season waned, but he was in a comfortable groove. Utah drafted Dante Exum, but this could be good for Burke as he will share point guard duties and play more off the ball. At Michigan, Burke did some of his damage playing off the ball and coming off of screens. Burke has a pure jumper, but struggles in the paint because of his smallish stature. He has a chance to be a solid point guard especially when you see Kyle Lowry and Ty Lawson play at a high level with the same frame. Look for Utah to run more with Exum and Burke running the point.
  

PG Rankings 2

Starting Point Guards Countdown (24-19)

24.Mario Chalmers

With the departure of LeBron James, Mario Chalmers should receive more ball handling responsibilities. Erik Spoelstra will expect Chalmers to run the offense efficiently as a veteran and be a bulldog on defense. Chalmers game is predicated on his streaky shooting. When he is knocking down his shots, he tends to attack the basket more and play with confidence. As a result, the Heat are a tougher team to beat. Chalmers is pretty good playing off the ball as well because he is an excellent cutter and a good spot up shooter. Also, he plays better at home because he is one of those players that feeds off of the energy radiating from the fans. Chalmers and Norris Cole are the point guards, but Dwyane Wade and Luol Deng will run the offense as well.

23.Patrick Beverley

Patrick Beverley is another one of those off the ball point guards. Because James Harden handles the ball for Houston, Beverley is a beneficiary of wide-open jumpers and easy lay-ups. He is one of my favorite players in the league, as he tends to do what it takes to help his team win. He is a scrappy defender as he embraces match-ups against some of the best point guards. If you need proof, turn on the playoff series from two years ago against the Thunder. He gave Russell Westbrook fits before his freak injury occured. Beverley was not able to play with the same kind of intensity on defense against Damian Lillard in this year's playoffs because he battled injuries and a flu virus. He is not the flashiest player, but he is a valuable player as he sets the tone for a Rockets team lacking toughness. 

22. Victor Oladipo

I was surprised to see how comfortable Victor Oladipo looked at point guard for Orlando. I thought the Magic reached for him in last year's NBA Draft, but he looks like he will be a solid guard. Oladipo's 13.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and assists, and 1.6 steals per game almost helped him win Rookie of the Year. He is still a work in progress at point guard because distributing the ball does not come natural for him. He committed over three turnovers per game as well, but that is to be expected from a rookie. With the acquisition of Elfrid Payton, Oladipo can now play off the ball more and focus on spotting up beyond the arc and slashing to the basket. He has a first step and athleticism comparable to Dwyane Wade and his poise is unheralded for a young player. On defense, his height and wing span allow him to harass defenders and force them to turn the ball over. Payton and Oladipo should develop nicely under Jacque Vaughn who was a point guard himself. The future is certainly bright in Orlando.

21. Brandon Knight

Brandon Knight had career highs in points, rebounds, assists, and steals as he started for the sub par Milwaukee Bucks. Knight was a part of a surprising sign and trade deal for Brandon Jennings last offseason and looked comfortable in his new city as he averaged 17.9 points, 4.9 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 1 steal. He plays with poise at point guard as he is never seems to be rattled. He is a good spot up shooter and has sneaky athleticism. Jason Kidd should help Knight develop a knack for finding the open teammate and cutting down his turnovers. Being in a small market with no pressure, Knight should be able to continue to develop as a good young point guard. Barring injuries, the Bucks can be an exciting franchise with Giannis Antetekounmpo, Jabari Parker, Larry Sanders, and Knight leading the charge.

20.Ricky Rubio

The hype surrounding Ricky Rubio when he first entered the NBA was monumental as many expected him to be the second coming of Steve Nash or Pistol Pete Maravich. The euphoria has certainly worn off as Rubio seems to be stuck in mediocrity in terms of his offense. His marvelous passing can leave defenders frozen and the common spectator enamored. Rubio can do it all as he can throw pinpoint lobs, behind the back, through defenders legs, and no look passes. He averaged 8.6 assists a year ago. The problem with Rubio is scoring the ball as he seems to be too pass happy at times and lacks a consistent jumper. I think there were a combination of things that hindered his growth offensively last season. First, Kevin Love needs his 20 touches on a nightly basis and he distributed the ball as well. And second, Rubio probably became hesitant if his jumpers were not going in. At 6'4, Rubio should look to attack the basket more often. If he improves offensively, he can catapult his way into the top 15.

19.Michael Carter Williams

The sky is the limit for Michael Carter-Williams as he is the tallest point guard on this list at 6'6. I look at MCW and instantly think of him being what Shaun Livingston could have been. Like Livingston, he is an absolute giant at point guard with the uncanny ability to distribute the ball, rebound, and bother guys at his position with his length. It had to be frustrating playing in Philadelphia because he could only rely on Thaddeus Young on a nightly basis. Nevertheless, he was still able to average 16.7 points, 6.3 assists, and 6.2 rebounds and win Rookie of the Year. As with any young player, he has to cut down on his turnovers and take better shots. The 76ers have a good coach in Brett Brown who was a former pupil under Gregg Popovich. The influx of six rookies gives the Sixers a better roster and a chance for their young core to grow together. Philadelphia is probably in for another long year, but these are growing pains that will help the Sixers return to basketball supremacy.

    

NFL 2014

NFC Division Predictions

NFC East

The Dallas Cowboys had this division locked up for a good portion of the season. However, a historically horrid Dallas defense and a hot Chip Kelly Eagles team had "America's Team" on the outside looking in during postseason play. On offense, Dallas was one of the best on that side of the ball as they racked up points in bunches. They avoided drafting Johnny Manziel as they selected Zack Martin to stabilize the offensive line. The Eagles parted ways with speed demon DeSean Jackson and drafted receivers Jordan Matthews and Josh Huff. The Redskins named Jay Gruden the new sheriff in town. Also, they signed the aforementioned Jackson and Andre Roberts to help an ailing Robert Griffin. The defense now has two veterans to lean on in Jason Hatcher and Ryan Clark. The Giants still have problems on the offensive line, but the installation of a West Coast offense should help Eli Manning avoid turnovers and sacks. So far, the offense looks balanced and fluid. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie was added to the secondary, which should help a struggling defensive line get to the quarterback. There is not much separation amongst these teams as they each have seemingly explosive offenses and mediocre defenses. The Eagles will win this division by a game or two simply because their defense appears to be more reliable on a week to week basis.

NFC North

This is another division with explosive offenses and lackluster defenses. The Bears gave Jay Cutler a new contract this offseason in hopes of him being the driving force behind a deep run in the postseason. The return of Charles Tillman and the services of Jared Allen, Lamarr Houston, Jay Ratliff, and Kyle Fuller should help a franchise-worst Chicago defense. The Packers stole a division rival as well as they signed Julius Peppers away from the Bears and drafted safety HaHa Clinton-Dix. Having one of the best quarterbacks in the league in Aaron Rodgers always helps. The Lions fired a Jim and hired a Jim as they swapped Schwartz for Caldwell. They continue to overload on offense as they brought in Golden Tate and Eric Ebron. They drafted Ziggy Ansah's former college teammate Kyle Van Noy as they form an all-Cougar duo on the right side of that defense. The Vikings also got a new coach in Mike Zimmer and drafted Teddy Bridgewater. Minnesota can only hope that the third time is a charm as this is their third new quarterback in the last four seasons. Vikings games should look like a rugby scrum because Adrian Peterson will get the ball 30 times a game. Green Bay will win this division by a hair only because Cutler cannot be trusted despite having a better team.

NFC South

Atlanta is the team of this offseason as they host this year's season of Hard Knocks. They appear to have regained their swagger, gotten tougher, and have a thirst for a Super Bowl ring. Matt Ryan will need to cut down on his turnovers, but Julio Jones and Roddy White can bail him out by snatching those would-be interceptions away from defenders. It will be interesting to see what the Falcons can muster out of their running game and who will fill that void over the middle where Tony Gonzalez used to be. Stephen Jackson, Jacquizz Rodgers, and Devonta Freeman have the looks of a solid running back committee. New Orleans parted ways with home run threat Darren Sproles, but they added Brandin Cooks who should be a Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate. Pick artists Jairus Byrd and Champ Bailey should help a much improved Saints defense so expect more blitzes from Rob Ryan. On the other hand, there should be a concern amongst the Saints organization because of Drew Brees's back. The Panthers were one of the surprises in the NFL a year ago, but they should come back down to Earth this season with a brutal schedule. Cam Newton is coming off ankle surgery and probably showed up to camp scratching his head because he lost all of his receivers. Kelvin Benjamin is a promising receiver, but expect Carolina to deliver a heavy dosage of run. Finally, the Buccaneers got a new coach in Lovie Smith and fans can only hope there are glory days ahead similar to his former mentor Tony Dungy. They added Mike Evans at receiver and Alterraun Verner at corner as their notable acquisitions. Also, Josh McCown seems to have a leg up on the quarterback battle against Mike Glennon. The Saints and Falcons should have a tug a war battle for the division title. I flipped a coin before deciding the winner and I went with the Falcons.

NFC West

The Super Bowl champion Seahawks were quiet this offseason for a very animated team. They drafted Kevin Norwood and Paul Richardson to help bring more explosion to the offense. There is not much to clamor about as Seattle maintained a good percentage of their core. The 49ers were a play or two away from being in the Super Bowl, but Richard Sherman had other plans. That lead to one of the greatest sound bites in the history of sound bites, but I'm getting off topic. They drafted Carlos Hyde as an insurance back, which is paying off now. They too kept a good percentage of their core. St. Louis is a team many think can make the playoffs and have a shot to win the NFC West, but it all lies on the shoulders of Sam Bradford. The Rams helped their offense as they added former Auburn Tigers Greg Robinson and Tre Mason. They also added depth on defense with Lamarcus Joyner, Aaron Donald, and EJ Gaines. They are hoping the presence of Kenny Britt can help their offense, but it is a gamble. The Arizona Cardinals head into this season hoping to make the playoffs after barely missing the postseason with a 10-6 record. The Cardinals will look to run the ball more as they get Jonathan Cooper back from injury and Jared Veldheer from Oakland. On the other side of the ball, they paired Antonio Cromartie up with Patrick Peterson and drafted Deone Bucannon to be the enforcer in the secondary. Like the first three NFC divisions, this too was a tough one to decide because two or three good teams from this division will miss the playoffs. Do not be surprised if the Seahawks or Niners miss the playoffs. I think San Francisco ends up winning this division. They were going through an identity crisis midseason a year ago, but I think they have it figured out.

NFL 2014

AFC Division Predictions

AFC East

The Patriots have been the class of the AFC East division over the last decade led by the Hall of Fame duo Bill Belichick and Tom Brady. The Patriots have a revamped defense featuring two blanket corners in Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner as well as the return of ex-Patriot Patrick Chung. The offense should be more lethal with a healthy Rob Gronkowski and a year of experience with the wideouts. The Jets, Dolphins, and Bills each made offseason headlines in the draft or free agency. The Jets brought in hard hitting safety Calvin Pryor and Eric Decker as the top pass catcher. The Dolphins stabilized their offensive line with Ja'Wuan James and Billy Turner. Also, they got Ryan Tannehill another weapon in Jarvis Landry. The Bills jumped to the four spot in the draft to select the dynamic receiver Sammy Watkins. In reality, these three teams will be fighting for second in the division and a possible shot as a wild card team. They will give New England problems, but the Patriots are head and shoulders above these teams.

AFC North

The AFC North might be the hardest division to predict because every team is in flux. The Cincinnati Bengals, on paper, are expected to be a Super Bowl contender, but they lost their offensive and defensive coordinators. In addition, they have a quarterback surrounded by a barrage of playmakers that seems to go brain dead in pressure situations. If you do not believe me, watch his last three playoff games. Andy Dalton is still young and with the new contract he received the Bengals seem to be clear-minded despite his Casper-like playoff performances. The Ravens and Steelers struggled with their identities a year ago. This offseason they both seem committed to becoming tougher and running the ball effectively. Then there is the Cleveland Browns. They were the only team to make offseason headlines from this division as they drafted Johnny Manziel. There is a flip side to those headlines as Josh Gordon forced them to tamper any playoff expectations they were beginning to garner. Each of these teams has a strong defense so the team with a consistent offense will be key in this division race. I will go with Baltimore over Cincinnati by default only because of a re-energized run game led by Ray Rice.

AFC South

The Tennessee Titans will hope the arrival of Ken Whisenhunt will help Jake Locker and the offense progress. The defense will take a hit as Alterraun Verner left town for Tampa Bay. The Titans will be an 8-8 as they will struggle with finding an identity under their new coach. The Jacksonville Jaguars will win this division only if 10 teams on their schedule forfeit for some reason. Even 10 wins might not be enough for this team because well it is the Jaguars. They will finish last in this division and I know that is shocking. Back to reality, the Texans and Colts are the teams expected to go neck and neck for this division title. Houston is coming off a two-win season that ended on a 14-game skid. They drafted Jadeveon Clowney to play opposite of JJ Watt and brought in Bill O'Brien as the head coach. O'Brien is expected to get Houston back to the playoffs, but he will need a quarterback first. The team is currently hosting a three-way battle between Ryan Fitzpatrick, Case Keenum, and rookie Tom Savage. After producing laying an egg offensively, it is safe to say this battle is more like a stalemate. Many experts believe Fitzpatrick will be the starter because of his experience. The Colts will be a healthy bunch this season as they will get Reggie Wayne, Vick Ballard, and Dwayne Allen back on the field. Their defense is suspect, but with Andrew Luck under center he can help mitigate any problems on the other side of the ball. My prediction is that the Colts will barely win 10 games and take this division.

AFC West

If this division is anything like a year ago, this will be one of the best division's in the NFL. The Broncos, Chiefs, and Chargers all made it to the postseason and almost made it to the second playoff weekend. A Jamaal Charles injury changed that scenario. Denver will be expected to win this division as they have been labeled "A Team on a Mission". Demarcus Ware, TJ Ward, and Aqib Talib will be expected to provide an edge to a defense that lacked toughness a year ago. On offense, Eric Decker is gone, but Emmanuel Sanders is no slouch at receiver. Finally, the diagnosis given to Pat Bowlen will only add to a fire the Broncos are itching to start. However, San Diego and Kansas City will not lay down as both teams either have a top 10 offense or defense. Philip Rivers will look to continue his renaissance and try to win a Super Bowl. He has at least six or seven playmakers on offense. The Chiefs will be out to prove that last season was no fluke. They looked like Super Bowl contenders until they flamed out in the second half down in Lucas Oil Stadium. The Oakland Raiders will be a team to reckon with as they signed veterans James Jones, Maurice Jones-Drew, Justin Tuck, Lamarr Woodley and Matt Schaub. They too have a chance to win eight or nine games. The Broncos will more than likely win his division, but the Chargers and Chiefs will be resilient.

Bulls pt. 1

Current State of Chicago 

It has been a busy offseason for the front office of Chicago led by Gar Forman and John Paxson. They continue to put faith into Tom Thibodeau as they let a key member off the bench, D.J. Augustin, leave via free agency for a fourth consecutive season. The Bulls were proactive as they met with players like Carmelo Anthony, Lance Stephenson, and even reached out to Minnesota regarding Kevin Love. Unfortunately, they were not able to get the services of these marquee players. However, they have a roster that has many labeling them as the favorites in the East.

The Bulls were really active this offseason as they barely missed out on the chance to acquire Anthony. For fear of missing out on Anthony, Chicago was able to sign the 34-year old Spaniard Pau Gasol. Subsequently, they amnestied Carlos Boozer after a mercurial four-year tenure in the Windy City. Gasol brings the same offensive skills as Boozer, but is a little better on the defensive end. He and Joakim Noah should form one of the most skilled set of big men in the NBA.

Chicago was able to add an influx of young talent that included Doug McDermott, Cameron Bairstow, and Nikola Mirotic. McDermott is a 6’8 forward who is much more than justna spot up shooter. He averaged well over 20 points his senior season, scored over 3000 points in his career, and was named the John Wooden Player of the Year. At the 2014 Summer League, McDermott averaged 18 points, four rebounds, and shot 44 percent from beyond the arc. He showed his ability to get the free throw line, post up, and finish through contact as well. Next, Bairstow was very scrappy in Summer League play as he found ways to annoy players, rebound, and score easy points. In a crowded frontcourt, minutes may be hard to accumulate, but his energy will make him a favorite of Thibodeau. Finally, Mirotic was finally lured out of the Spanish league to play for Chicago as a big man that could spread the floor. He was named the Spanish League MVP in 2013 and has the shooting touch to be in the 40/50/90 club. Being around veterans Noah, Gasol, and Gibson, Mirotic should be able to develop an all around game.

Chicago patched up their backcourt as they re-signed Kirk Hinrich and brought in Aaron Brooks to replace Augustin. Hinrich brings a steady temperament off the bench while Brooks provides another scorer. With the return of Derrick Rose, Chicago should be a top three team in the Eastern Conference. They have a deep roster with players that know their roles led by a stringent head coach in Thibodeau. The time to win a title in Chicago is now with aging stars and an Eastern Conference that seems to be getting better.