Lockout over, all past transgressions forgiven, just so long as you can entertain. Dallas reigns as the defending champions, but having lost an awful lot more (Tyson Chandler, J.J. Barea, Caron, Butler) than they brought back (Lamar Odom, Vince Carter, Delonte West) in free agency , Mavericks fans had better enjoy this one while it lasts…unless, of course, Mark Cuban is actually able to lure a major free agent or two in the off-season with all the cap-space they are clearing. In the meantime, his strategy looks an awful lot closer to that of a failed fantasy basketball owner than that of the owner of the ‘World Champions‘.
Teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder, Chicago Bulls, and Miami Heat all sit ‘primed’ and ready to snatch the trophy and smile from Cuban’s smug grill (see the most recent overly-glitzed and ultra-trendy Budweiser commercial). These are teams that will all be battling one another, granted relative health, throughout the year for upwards of 50-55 wins, and the vaunted #1 seed throughout the playoffs. OKC is still relatively young, and will undoubtedly have it’s share of bumps along the way (see sideline arguments/tantrums), but barring major injury, they look to be the class of the West. The Bulls, on the other hand, look to vie with the Heat for the top spot out East. The addition of Rip Hamilton is key, and if a slimmed-down Boozer and Noah can provide a steady game from the low-post, then the seemingly-meteoric path to success Derrick Rose is on shall only continue to grow brighter. What else can you say about the Miami Heat that wasn’t said about them last year? Yes, we’ve all heard the jokes about Bron-Bron’s hairline declining worse than he did in the 4th, how even his fiancee has more rings than him now that he proposed, and how they would have a tougher option for the third position within the “Big-3” if you replaced Chris Bosh with Brittney Griner (Baylor University)…but with all the clowning and joking going on, one might forget that without a monumental collapse in the 4th quarters of last year’s Finals, these Miami Heat would have been your defending champions. A fully healthy Udonis Haslem, LeBron’s eager acceptance of a secondary role down the stretch of the bigger games/moments, and the addition of Shane Battier (and Norris Cole, Cleveland State) may prove to be just what this team needs to quiet their doubters.
You’ve also got teams like the new-look Clippers and Knicks right on the cusp of being elite teams, but still unproven as overall units. The Clippers shipped out a plethora of young talent, and received the best point guard in the league for their troubles. I won’t waste anyone’s time rehashing particulars of that trade scandal, but either way, the Lakers were left scrambling while the Clippers were left with one of the league’s better backcourts to go along with Blake Griffin and recently re-signed DeAndre Jordan. Clipper fans, bandwagon or not, are hoping what this young squad lacks in size/depth can be overcome or off-set by supreme skill, speed, and unparalleled athleticism at several positions. The Knicks may have done a fabulous job by acquiring a defensive anchor in Tyson Chandler, but will that all of the sudden transform Amar’e and Carmelo into players that will miraculously start caring about that end of the court for more than a stretch, game, or even quarter at a time? Will Mike D’Antoni’s system ever produce anything more than high scores and good fantasy basketball numbers?
The Lakers, Celtics, and Spurs are each still viable threats for the crown, but may be a bit long on the tooth (as currently constituted) to be serious competitors in such a rushed and frenzied season. Before fans of these teams go jumping on me, allow me to hit you with the facts: The 2011-2012 NBA Season will be 66 games in approximately 125 days. Obviously, not a pace conducive to older teams. Take a look at a team like the Lakers, for example. They are trying to work in an entirely new basketball philosophy, let alone an offensive system, a new head coach (Mike Brown), had a roster shake-up (Odom still playing ‘No Woman, No Cry’ on repeat, in the dark), Kobe enduring a tendon tear in his shooting (right) wrist and a matrimonial tear as Vanessa filed for divorce, a suspension of Bynum, all while trying to nurse Gasol’s psyche along the way. I’m not saying it is impossible to teams like the Celtics, Spurs, and Lakers to win, but in a season like this one, everything will HAVE to go perfectly for that to take place. Speaking of Vanessa, since she is reportedly entitled to half of what Kobe is worth, does she have the right to ask him to remove half of that hideous tattoo he has of her name on his injured shooting arm?
Kobe fans, I kid, I kid. Put simply, I have absolutely no idea what will be the ultimate outcome of this season. While there certainly look to be several “favorites”, history has proven there should be no surprise nor shock when even a team like last year’s Dallas Mavericks flies beneath the radar, endures a first-round scare, systematically dismantle the (then) defending champion Lakers on the way to a Finals in which they extinguished the highly-touted Miami Heat. Here’s an end to the mystery out there: Neither does anyone else. Not the ESPN or FOX Sports analysts or so-called experts. Not even Vegas. I can tell you this much, I will be watching, analyzing, and critiquing each step along the way.
All of that being said, why not have a bit of fun with it? Here are 10 early-season predictions:
The Los Angeles Clippers win 47 games, are exciting, but the Clippers curse (you didn’t think I wouldn’t mention it, did you) snatches away all promise via the injury-bug.
The Miami Heat win 62 games on their way to an Eastern Conference showdown with the Bulls.
The Indiana Pacers push for a top-4 spot in the Eastern Conference, barring major injury.
The Memphis Grizzlies are not able to recapture all the momentum they had with Rudy Gay out with injury, prompting them to shop him before the deadline. Z-Bo remains a beast.
Orlando continues to threaten to keep Dwight, before finally conceding his rights in a deal prior to the deadline. Unlike with Carmelo (Nuggets/Knicks), they are not able to land nearly what they would have liked in return.
Demarcus Cousins is eventually granted his trade request…not long before John Wall formally makes one of his own.
Mike Brown’s offensive system is more difficult for Kobe to adapt to than any other player. Provides far too many opportunities for free-lance and one-on-one situations, and you see the worst of Kobe just as many nights as you witness the best…as long as they remain without a playmaker in the point guard position.
Eric Gordon, while already on the rise as a player, will undoubtedly have the finest year of his career, and the Hornets will experience relative success…thus, validating Commissioner Stern’s handling of the CP3 trade(s). Not, necessarily, saying the league will “see to it”, but I will mention that the NBA is probably second to “Hollywood” at generating, stories and hype.
Kemba Walker has D.J. Augustin, his fans, and loved ones on notice. As the losses continue to mount, how long before the Jordan’s decide this (already) fan-favorite needs more of the spotlight?
With all the drama surrounding Russell Westbrook’s shot totals/selection, Kevin Durant continues to improve on the defensive end as well as rebounding…all while continuing to lead the league in scoring, while winning his first MVP award.
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