PROTECT THE PAINT

Last season, the Bulls, the Heat, and the Blazers returned to the post-season after all three participated in the Derrick Rose-sweepstakes as lottery teams during the 2008 draft.

Chicago got Rose and nearly knocked-off the defending champion Celtics in the first round.

Yesterday I told you the Pistons, 76ers, and Rockets would go from the playoffs to the lottery. This, of course, creates three openings and these three teams will seize the opportunity:

IN: Toronto Raptors

Should I stay or should I go now.... (Credit: picapp.com)

This does depend on Chris Bosh staying up north for the duration of the season, but teamed with Jose Calderon, newly signed Hedo Turkoglu, and top draft choice DeMar DeRozan, the Raptors should not only return to the playoffs, they should be hosting a first-round series.

Early success for the Raptors means they’re more likely to ride out the season knowing Bosh will become a free agent.

IN: Washington Wizards

The Hibachi returns......(Credit: picapp.com)

Gilbert Arenas has played in only 15 games the past two years, but new coach Flip Saunders says he looks sharp.

Not sure what else the coach is going to say, but taking Saunders on his word, inserting Agent Zero back into a lineup with Caron Butler and Antwan Jamison means the Wiz should be among the top scoring teams in the league.

They traded their lottery pick to Minnesota (who selected Ricky Rubio) for Randy Foye and Mike Miller, two players solidifying the Wizards bench.

If Brendan Haywood and Andray Blatche commit themselves on the defensive end of the court, Washington should be able to hang with any team in the East.

IN: Phoenix Suns

I can't take much more of this. (Credit: picapp.com)

The problem in the desert the last year and a half was Shaquille O’Neal. He’s gone. Amare Stoudemire is healthy. Steve Nash is committed to the team.

Alvin Gentry will move Stoudemire back to Center, where he played prior to Shaq coming to town and parking in the paint, and run.

Earl Clark–the last of the lottery selections–is projected to start at power forward and should flourish in an uptempo system.

They won’t contend for the title, but they’ll run their way into the top eight out West.

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