Hey guys, it's my first blog entry over winter break. Before I forget, I want to wish anyone who reads a very Happy and Blessed Holiday Season, spend it with your loved ones. Now, the top 5 teams in the East & West of the NBA:
Eastern Conference Top 5:
5.) Philadelphia 76ers
I've moved the 76ers in front of several teams for the upcoming season, including Orlando, Atlanta, and the up and coming Pacers. In the first round of the 2011 playoffs, the Heat simply overpowered Philly. However, this team's very young, and has a few emerging solid players, including Jrue Holiday, Thaddeus Young, Jodie Meeks, Evan Turner, etc. The two veterans of the team (Iguodala, Brand) can definitely add some strong leadership in the locker room. I predict the Sixers will get a 6-seed at WORST this season. Expect good basketball from this team throughout the season.
4.) Boston Celtics
Obviously the Celtics have the "original" big 3 of Pierce, Garnett, and Allen. That group has certainly aged, and it showed last year against Miami. In my opinion, this team now rests on the shoulders of Rajon Rondo, who has certainly proven that he is one of the top point guards in the league. However, the loss of Jeff Green will certainly hurt Boston, who seemed to be a little thin after they traded Kendrick Perkins to OKC last season. Expect the Celtics to win their share of games during the regular season, but I just cannot see a deep playoff run from this team that would involve beating Miami, Chicago, New York or even Philadelphia.
3.) New York Knicks
I expect big things from the Knicks this year. One of the biggest additions during the extended offseason was Tyson Chandler to the Knicks. Chandler will be able to provide a spark on the defensive end for NY, and will also help clean up the offensive and defensive boards. Baron Davis coming to New York gives him a place to shine in the spotlight, so I expect Davis to have a nice season after his return from injury. Also, Carmelo and Stat don't hurt. I could see the Knicks as a possible contender in the ECFs, but not a Finals contender.
2.) Chicago Bulls
The Bulls were obviously a legitimate contender in the East last year, where they had the conference's best regular season record. Derrick Rose is a beast. Plain and simple. However, do the Bulls have enough to take the next step and reach the Finals? The addition of Rip Hamilton certainly adds another strong outside shooter, which will help Rose on his dribble-drive penetration. But if Chicago were to meet Miami in the playoffs again, does D-Rose have an answer for LeBron defending him on each time down the floor? We shall see, but I expect improved jumpshooting from Rose this season. The Bulls will be doing battle with NY and Miami come playoff time.
1.) Miami Heat
In my opinion, the Heat are the class of the East. They made the Finals in 2011, and have only improved their roster for the 2012 season. Wade, James, and Bosh are simply a struggle to stop for any team in the league. If one guy is off, the other steps up. A healthy Udonis Haslem will help the Heat contain the paint. Haslem was strong in the playoffs last year, and I believe that he will be excellent for the Heat this year. The Heat also added Norris Cole, a PG with the ability to hit the 3-ball., as well as the veteran Shane Battier, who adds shooting and lockdown defending. According to reports from various Twitter feeds, the Heat added Eddy Curry, and he seems to be taking care of himself. I think I can speak for everyone when I say: I'll believe it when I see it.
ECF Prediction: Heat over Bulls, 4-2
Top 5 Teams in the Western Conference:
5.) Los Angeles Lakers
This was a little weird to type the Lakers in at 5, but it seems right in my opinion. The Lakers did not add CP3. The Lakers did not add Dwight. They also lost Lamar Odom to Dallas for.... Draft picks. What? That move made no sense to me in my opinion. Kobe's certainly aging, and who knows if he will be able to get lift in that jumpshot of his come playoff time. The Lakers have won their titles with their length down low, and the loss of Odom will only hurt. I simply do not believe that Josh McRoberts will fill Odom's shoes in a Laker uniform. Also, the Lakers need another scoring option. Metta World Peace is more of a liability to them now. They'll make the playoffs, but I think they need to make a move to have a deep playoff run.
4.) Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis exploded onto the scene last year, and they will get the return of their star, Rudy Gay. I would have moved Memphis up into the top 3, but the losses of Darrell Arthur (Achilles) and Shane Battier (Free Agency - Heat) will be bigger than most think down the road. Memphis' starting five is as solid as any team in the league. Mike Conley, Zach Randolph, and Marc Gasol might all be the most underrated players at their respected positions. Memphis will be fast paced, high-scoring, and electrifying. They can play with anyone, but I don't think they can make the Finals over a few other teams.
3.) Los Angeles Clippers
The Takeover. In my honest opinion, the Clippers are a better FULL team than the Lakers at this point in time. Easily. Some people think the Clippers will be 'Lob City', but I see a team with plenty of offensive and defensive firepower. Chris Paul, in my opinion, is still the best pure point guard in the league, right up there with Deron Williams. The additions of Chauncey Billups and a healthy Caron Butler will help strengthen the Clips on both sides of the court. We all know about Blake Griffin, but DeAndre Jordan has the potential to be a beast in the paint this year thanks to the addition of CP3. If the Clips are able to dump one of their bench players (possibly a Mo Williams) for one more big man, they might be considered a favorite in the West in some people's eyes.
2.) Dallas Mavericks
Even though they are the defending champs, I did not even think about putting the Mavs in the #1 spot. They did some nice things in the offseason, adding Lamar Odom, Delonte West, and Vince Carter (might not be a nice pickup), but I feel like they may have lost some strength on defense. The loss of Tyson Chandler takes some size, rebounding, and shot-blocking away from a strong defensive team. Who will be the Mavs' force under the hoop? Brendan Haywood is more than likely the starter on Christmas Day for Dallas. Haywood's a solid player, but he'll need some help, and I don't see it on the Mavs roster. They'll be strong because of Dirk, Jet Terry and J-Kidd, but will they be strong enough to repeat?
1.) Oklahoma City Thunder
I feel like a lot of people are just waiting for Kevin Durant to explode in the playoffs. I think his time is now. Durant is at the top of the NBA when it comes to scorers with Melo and LBJ, and his supporting cast is strong enough on both sides to get the job done. I believe the Thunder have the biggest force under the basket at center in the West this year in Kendrick Perkins. Perkins might not be a stat-sheet stuffer, but he does all the little things that certainly help his team win. Players like Serge Ibaka, Thabo Sefolosha, and Nick Collison also are strong on defense, and are capable of putting in some points in limited minutes. James Harden is an up and coming stud from behind the arc, and even though many people were down on him in the 2011 playoffs, Russell Westbrook is a flat-out baller. I expect to see the Thunder battling the Heat in the NBA Finals this year.
WCF prediction: Thunder over Clips, 4-2
I hope you guys enjoyed this blog. It took a pretty long time to type it up so I hope you gave it a good read! Once again, I hope everyone has a blessed Holiday season with their families/loved ones. Thank you and God Bless!
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