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Playoff teams from West: San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Clippers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies, Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves. Cutoff at 48 wins.
San Antonio Spurs have consistently been amongst the best teams in the NBA since 1998, a year after they picked Tim Duncan with the 1st pick in the NBA Draft. It is an incredible feat considering that they usually work within the salary cap and have had to compete with young super teams more recently that are propping up everywhere in the league. Last year they were denied a fifth championship in 14 years on a hail mary from Ray Allen in game 6 and a legendary performance from Lebron James in the game 7 of the NBA Finals. Kawhi Leonard, drafted 15th in the 2011 draft, went through his baptism of fire against Lebron James and held his own in a match up which has the potential to transform into a rivalry in the next 3 to 5 years. Kawhi is a premier defender and along with Paul George is one of the best up and coming Small Forwards, behind Durant and Lebron. If Spurs are able to keep the trio of Parker, Duncan and Ginobili healthy, they should get through the Western conference which is absolutely stacked in terms of quality. This season could be Ginobili and Duncan’s last hurrah and a grand stand finish would be the perfect way to cap off great NBA and International careers.
Along with the Spurs, the Warriors, OKC, Clippers and the Houston Rockets would all feel that this is their year. The list does not even include a very strong Memphis team that made the Western Conference Finals the previous season. Individual talents like Stephen Curry, Chris Paul, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, a healthy Dwight Howard, James Harden, Blake Griffin and many others, all make up for a very strong western side of the two conferences in the NBA. The teams that finish as 7th and 8th seeds would be no walkover either come playoff time. Chris Paul and Kevin Durant, in particular, would feel that they have stayed long enough in the shadow of the reigning MVP Lebron James. The Clippers, who recently decided to cover up the Lakers’ championship banners hanging from the rafters at the Staples Center for home games, in an arena both teams share, will be looking to make a deep run into the playoffs with Doc Rivers at the helm. The shoe is well and truly on the other foot now. The ‘other team’ in Los Angeles, the Lakers, who have not missed the playoffs since 2005, look sure to miss out, barring some incredible turn of events, say a ‘Kobe Bryant‘ going crazy, or injury concerns for the teams above. With Kobe Bryant’s level of play upon return uncertain, and an ageing line up with defensive concerns, the perennial play off team look certain to remain mediocre this year. The Lakers’ and the Dallas Mavericks’ have fallen far from the top, since last winning the Championship in 2010 and 2011 respectively, and do not look like they will be contending for the title anytime soon. Minnesota Timberwolves, who have Ricky Rubio and Kevin Love will be fun to watch. Every player loves to play with a point guard who can pass the ball the way Rubio does. But if they do not make the playoffs this year, for any reason, the organization will need to have a real rethink with regards to where they are heading.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2UfpPnqhcE
Playoff teams from the East: Miami Heat, Indiana Pacers, Chicago Bulls, Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks, Washington Wizards, Detroit Pistons, Cleveland Cavaliers. Cutoff at 43 wins.
Miami Heat have won the last two NBA Finals, simultaneously cementing Lebron James’ place as the best basketball player on the planet and the Heat as the most feared unit to take the court against. Lebron would be the favourite to win the MVP award for a fifth time, a feat that would tie him with the great Michael Jordan and bettered only by the all time NBA points leader Kareem Abdul Jabbar. That is a super elite company. On their way to the title, Miami Heat dominated the league last year, had the second longest winning streak in NBA history and played one of the best finals series in recent memory against the San Antonio Spurs. But they had some very close shaves. Lebron’s game winner against the Pacers and the Ray Allen three in game 6 of the finals come to mind. Also, the knees of Robin to Lebron’s Batman, Dwyane Wade, will have to hold up for the duration of a full season for them to three-peat.
The other teams, themselves, are building their rosters with an eye on the Heat. Indiana Pacers and Chicago Bulls would seem like their biggest challengers in the East, with Paul George a year smarter and, Derrick Rose and Danny Granger coming back healthier. With a Tom Thibodeau team you know what you are going to get: A defense that will not let you have a single easy point through out the game. Derrick Rose gives them a boost offensively, but you get the feeling that they would not be able to score enough points to win a 7 game series versus the Heat. The Indiana Pacers, for now, look better equipped to take the Heat down. They have size in the front court, in the form of David West and Roy Hibbert, and they may just find themselves third time lucky. The team in Brooklyn, the “Brooklyn Celtics”, do not like the Heat. That is an understatement. Having added Paul Pierce, Jason Terry and Kevin Garnett, from the Boston Celtics, to Deron Williams and Brook Lopez, the Brooklyn Nets have added some much needed toughness to their roster. The shoulder Pierce gave to Lebron in a pre-season game was a not so gentle warning to King James and everyone else that things will not be easy against this team. I expect them to be in cruise control through the regular season but come playoff time, they will be ready. The Jason Kidd experiment is one to keep an eye on as well. Great players don’t always make the best of coaches, but Jason Kidd is a very smart man and he, more than anyone else, is equipped to make the transition.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UR5RGAcPhSw
Knicks fans, forget it. Carmelo Anthony will have another good year but a 5th seed and a likely first round exit may be on the cards. Enjoy Metta World Peace though, wonderful entertainer. Watch Tyler Hansbrough, who himself loves a little batte, go, “Oh my bad. My bad”.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdwweXTQVoo
NBA Finals Predictions: Indiana Pacers vs San Antonio Spurs. Spurs in 7, if their big three are healthy, but 4-5 teams have a real shot.
Teams in the West are more exciting to watch and are more run and gun compared to the Eastern grit and grind teams at the top. But East has Derrick Rose, Kyrie Irving and Lebron James, I guess that makes up for it.
Three picks for MVP: Lebron James, Chris Paul and Kevin Durant.
With Doc Rivers as the coach, the Clippers could finish as first or second seed, and if that happens, Chris Paul would be a serious MVP contender. Lebron James will have another great year, will surely be there or thereabouts as a top contender. Kevin Durant has serious questions being asked of him as a competitor and winner after last year’s playoffs, but expect him and Russell Westbrook to lead OKC to another great year and a deep playoff run.
Three picks for Defensive Player of the Year: Jimmy Butler, Tony Allen and Dwight Howard. Tony Allen and Dwight Howard, when healthy, are great defensive players and should be up there when the voting results are in. Jimmy Butler, for me, is one of the best one on one defenders in the league and guards 3-4 positions. If he has a good season with the Bulls this year, it would probably be on back of his great defensive displays.
Rookie of the Year: Trey Burke. Utah is a nice setting for a rookie to come into, with little competition for his starting place. Victor Oladipo at Orlando Magic is another good player. Giannis Antetokounmpo. Try saying his name.
Coach of the Year: Tom Thibodeau/Frank Vogel. Bulls and Pacers would be near the top of the Eastern standings and whoever is closer to the top should get the COTY award. Gregg Popovich just won it in 2012, they won’t give it to him again so early.
4 Players to break out this year (Make All Star Game): John wall, Anthony Davis, Kawhi Leonard, Greg Monroe. John Wall has signed a max contract and should give Wizards their first playoffs since the Gilbert Arenas days. Greg Monroe has a very good supporting cast and this should be the year that he becomes one of the premier power forwards in the league. Anthony Davis will have a great year, he was very good year last year as well but the injuries kept him out for long spells. Making the All Star game may turn out to be a stretch in the packed Western Conference, but it probably would not be because of his own lack of production. Kawhi Leonard, he should become a top 20-25 player in the league, and being in only his 3rd year, it would bode well for the Spurs.
Final Word: The season will see a lot great players returning at different times during the season and one can only hope for them to remain healthy. Basketball Gods – Please leave them alone. Looking forward to a great NBA season.
