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Miami Heat‘s dominance over the last three years has been nothing short of spectacular. They reached the NBA Finals in 2011 and have won the championship in 2012 and 2013. Can they make it to a three-peat? I certainly hope so.
While they’re the strongest contenders for the title this season as well, there are bound to be a few teams which would make them work to attain glory. In this article, I have short listed the top 5 teams in the Eastern Conference which could pose a threat to Miami.
While this team is not so much of a threat to the Heat, they’re definitely a top 5 contender. Any team boasting of Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire will be a team to look out for.
Offensively, the Knicks are quite strong. They have one of the league’s most prolific scorers in Melo and a versatile PF/C in Stoudemire. J.R. Smith’s addition will add more spunk to their offence. Stoudemire and Metta World Peace will make that sure that the team is not found lacking in defence either. They also have Tyson Chandler, who showed us all what he’s capable of when he was part of the championship winning Dallas team.
They have a strong bench with Andrea Bargnani, Kenyon Martin and Raymond Felton. Overall, the Knicks are one of the most balanced teams in the NBA right now. While they may not be a threat to the Heat, they’re on the rise and is a team to watch out for in the near future.
Cleveland Cavaliers
One of the true dark horses this season, the Cleveland Cavaliers finally have a team which is a legit play-off contender. On paper, they have a young, talented and energetic team. They’re also one of the teams which could blossom into something really special.
Kyrie Irving, the next big thing, along with Andrew Bynum would form a potent inside-out duo in Cleveland. Irving’s fast, talented and is a ridiculously good ball handler. Bynum is good at posting and is an incredible defensive presence. Remember, when he was healthy, he was the No. 2 center in the league after Dwight Howard. If these two stay healthy, the Cavs have a real shot at making to the Top 3 of the conference.
C.J. Miles and Jarrett Jack will provide the required assistance to Irving. Anderson Varejao, one of the league’s most underrated centers will probably start at Power Forward and that means their front line will be one of the most physical ones in the league. With Anthony Bennett, Dion Waiters and Tristan Thompson coming of the bench, the Cavs have a well rounded team led by the young Kyrie Irving.
3. Brooklyn Nets
Brooklyn Nets
One of the three legitimate threats to the Heat this season. The Nets have shown how productive an off season can be provided you utilise your time and money. Coached by the recently retired Jason Kidd, this team can give most teams a run for their money.
At full health, Nets start with an all All-Star team on the court: Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Brook Lopez. Just look at that team. It has got talent, size, speed, experience, youth, everything. They have an incredibly deep bench too: Andrei Kirilenko, Jason Terry, Andray Blatche and Tomike Shengelia just to name a few. They are sound both offensively and defensively.
There are two reasons as to why they have not been placed higher up in this list:
1) Team chemistry. Most of the starting five are new to Denver. Also, Williams has always been the man in Brooklyn. The same applies to Garnett and Pierce who have been “The Men” in Boston. How well they can co-exist will go a long way in determining the success of this team.
2) Kidd, while being a legendary player, has never coached before. That’s definitely a liability albeit with his experience and leadership, I am sure he’ll figure out a way to overcome it.
Despite these two concerns, the Nets have a deep and strategically sound team. I would be very surprised if they didn’t make a deep playoff run.
2. Indiana Pacers
Indiana Pacers
The Pacers are young, fast and talented. They also gave the Heat a very hard time last season during the conference finals. They have had a quiet but fruitful off season, plugging the holes in their ship and addressing their problems.
Danny Granger’s return will add more spunk to their already strong offence. They have an immensely strong front court with Paul George, Roy Hibbert and David West. Oh, like that wasn’t enough, they have Luis Scola coming of the bench. Their back court has George Hill and C.J. Watson, two extremely talented players.
Their main cause of worry last season was bench strength. Their acquisitions of C.J. Watson and Donald Sloan will add more depth to their bench. Their squad looks terrific, physical, young and dominating. With Paul George, Roy Hibbert, David West and Danny Granger as their core, this team definitely looks good enough to be a Top 3 contender.
Chicago Bulls
Probably the only team in the entire league which can truly match up to Miami Heat right now. Let’s put it another way, they’re the only team in the league which can dethrone “The King”. The main reason for this statement is this, take out LeBron James from the Heat roster and Derrick Rose from Chicago Bulls. Who’s better? Bulls, by a slight margin. Factor in both of them, and the Heat is definitely better.
The return of Derrick Rose will add immense depth to their roster. Without him, the Bulls were primarily a defensive team. They were the 3rd best defensive team and the 4th worst offensive team last season. With Rose back, their offense will be taken care of.
With Jimmy Butler and Luol Deng at Shooting Guard and Small Forward respectively, the Bulls have a very effective perimeter duo. Factor in Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah and the Bulls have a defense which is even better than last time. Mike Dunleavy gives them the much needed offensive abilities of the bench. Overall, the Bulls have one of the most balanced, well-coordinated and well-coached teams and they’re quite probably one of the few legitimate title contenders this season.
However, the Bulls will remain this strong only if Rose manages to play at his MVP level of play right from the word go. And if no other player gets injured during the course of the season. The Heat are still the strongest team this season, but the Bulls come pretty darn close.
