5. Thunder - They have the youngest player ever to lead the NBA in scoring last year in Kevin Durant (25.3 pts & 6.2 rebounds for his short but impressive career so far) and an explosive pt. guard in Russell Westbrook (15.8 pts., 5 rebounds & 6.7 assists for his career so far) that make quite a tandem! This dynamic duo showed a lot of heart versus the eventual champion Lakers in the playoffs and took them to a tough game 6 in a series that had basketball supporters taking notice! They will still need continued growth and consistent good play from role players like Jeff Green & Thabo Sefolosha, in order to excel to the next level. Only time and extra playoff experience will tell for sure!
4. Magic - It was a close one between the Magic and the to make this list, but the injury to power forward pickup Carlos Boozer gave the edge to Orlando in my book. Orlando is 2 years removed from the NBA Finals, and just 1 year removed from the Eastern Conference Finals. So we know they're a force to be reckoned with. Center Dwight Howard is the most dominant defensive player in the game today (career stats 17.5 pts & 12.7 rebounds) and has led the league in rebounding the final couple of seasons! If his work in the offseason with Rocket legend Hakeem the Dream, pays off he will also add a nice growing array of offensive post moves to his arsenal as very well!
Point guard Jameer Nelson is the sure and steady captain that runs this ship and if he stays healthy (career stats 12.4 pts. 4.6 assists), can assist Dwight toward brining the Magic towards another title run. The true key lies with Forward/Guard Vince Carter needing a bounce back year (after being a somewhat struggling disappointment throughout most of last season), if he can summon some of that Half man, Half amazing offensive dominance (not necessarily with high flying dunks, because I realize he's older, but atleast having a consistent offensive presence that commands even more of the defenses attention) they could make things really interesting this year ninja body kits. Let's just hope that spanking the Heat served them on Thursday (Oct.29th) was just an off night and not a sign of things falling apart!
3. Miami Heat - The thing that makes these guys so scary is that Wade, James & Bosh are all coming together to join forces in Miami and they are barely in the prime of their careers yet (D. Wade 25.4 pts, 4.9 rebounds, 6.6 assists, LBJ 27.8 pts., 7 rebounds, 6.9 assists Bosh 20.1 pts & 9.4 rebounds)! Having said that I think their season opener game against the Celtics proved it's not just about slapping talent together and throwing them out together to play (no matter dominant and frightening they may potentially be), you have to have staff chemistry, hard work ethic, attention to detail, and a commitment to defense to be a successful crew in this league. And 3 all star caliber players a championship staff does not make! It takes a whole staff of players knowing their roles and playing them effectively. It may take some time for them to gel (mainly because D Wade was out hurt during the preseason) but as also proved by the Heat's game vs. Orlando on Thursday (Oct. 29th) when they get it together and find their groove, they will be down proper frightening!
2 time MVP is still one of the most strongest, athletic, quick and multi-talented forwards in the game. And D Wade is nightmare matchup for any other guard with the combo of quickness, strength, agility & clutch performances few can match! Bosh is a talented and skilled big man who has a dependable mid range jumper and agility for his size. The Heat did a nice job adding shooters like Mike Miller & Eddie House to the fold, and Carlos Arroyo will do a solid job at the point! Trusted guys like Haslem (the only guy left along with Wade from the championship Heat team a few years back) will also put in solid numbers and work hard for the workforce.
The only problem lies with depending on unproven role players to step up and deliver during the times when the stars need a boost (the way guys like Big Baby Davis, or Nate Robinson steeped up for Boston, or the way Shannon Brown & Ron Artest step up for the Lakers, etc.) They will also be without ace shooter Miller till atleast February which could be rough if consistent outside shooting becomes an issue. And with only aging but solid vet Ilgauskas as their 7 footer, far more size is a should to compete with the Lakers & Celtics of the league! Time will tell if Miami Thrice and rest of the Heat have what it takes to take the crown!
2. - With the addition of the Oneal's (Shaq & Jermaine, no relation lol) the Celtics have the big man depth that should solidify the paint till center Kendrick Perkins comes back from injury around mid season. And with coach Doc Rivers secured for 2 far more seasons, the workforce should be focused & hungrier than ever to get back at LA & win their 2nd ring in 4 years! The big 3 is back and looking more effective than ever with a slimmer Paul Pierce, still deadly shooting Ray Allen & healthy Garnett! But the continued high caliber play from point guard Rondo (who recorded 27 assists in their season opener vs. the Heat & 24 assists vs. the Knicks) makes them a tough out for anyone come playoff time!
And as if there was any real surprise here, my choice for the number 1 NBA group is.......
They still are waiting for center Andrew Bynum to come back healthy, but Odom is playing some inspired ball since his stint with Crew USA & a nicely rested Pau Gasol should help shoulder the big men's load. And then there is number 24. Off season surgery and age may have slowed down his explosiveness or highlight reel dunks, but make no mistake about it Kobe Bryant is still the most dangerous and feared clutch performer & closer in the game! I'm not even going to insult the intelligence of your sports followers by listing the stats on his career resume (and for those who have been under a rock the final 14 + years, them for yourself lol.) His desire to win ring # 6 (which would also tie him with another high flying legend from Chicago hint, hint) is higher than ever, and the Lakers are probably poised enough, and prepared with enough experience, talent & toughness to get it done!
And now I want to mention a few teams who may not be title contenders but could definitely make things interesting and be in the mix to make the playoffs, or improve within them.
Which is what the Knicks have been for years since Ewing was shown the door in 2000 when Knicks management decided they would rather focus the team on Allan Houston & Latrell Sprewell than on one of the 50 greatest players (albeit an aging one) of all time! So with Stoudemire (career stats 21.4 pts & 9 rebounds) and a solid supporting cast with Raymond Felton, an upgrade from Chris Duhon the final 2 years (ex: Felton 13 pts & 6 assists, Duhon 7.7 pts & 5.1 assists) Wilson Chandler (whose had a steady climb upwards from 7.4 to 14.4 to 15.3 pts a game the final 3 years) who maybe due for a breakout season 2007 gsxr fairings.
Forward Danilo Gallanari has struggled a bit during the first 2 games with confidence in his shot, so he will have to find a way to break out of his slump. With injuries to forwards Anthony Randolph & Kelenna Azubike (both acquired in the David Lee trade from Golden State), it is imperative that Gallo get off to a strong start! Turiaf (also acquired in the Lee trade) is a solid and hard working forward who should provide some defense and hustle. But the key gems for the Knicks hopes may also lie in 2nd year guard Tony Douglass & rookie guard Landry Fields who had a really impressive outing for the preseason and even in the Vegas summer league play. He so far is averaging 11 pts and 7 rebounds in the young season. If that type of promising play can continue gsxr fairing kits, the Knicks may see their first playoff birth in 7 years. Only time and a continued effort of hard work, focused crew play and a commitment to defense will tell.
So enjoy sports followers, and let's see if one of the teams on my list are holding the trophy in June of 2011! Stay tuned.
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