Although Kevin Garnett and company had struggled a bit in the earlier phases of the playoffs, the Boston Celtics easily won the championship against the team of the best player in the planet and their arch-rival, the Los Angeles Lakers, to reestablish the ground works for the dreaded Celtic dynasty.
As the season 2008-2009 begins, the question on everyone's mind is, "Is there any team that can prevent another Boston domination?"
Los Angeles Lakers
Being still basketball's pound-for-pound best player, Kobe Bryant cannot easily forget about the sound beating he and his Lakers had gotten in the NBA finals.
The gold medal he helped won for the US may have eased the pain a little, but, for sure he just can't wait for a vengeance.
A healthy Bynum could be the missing piece of the puzzle for the Lakers this year and if he successfully return to the deadly form he had prior to his injury, another blockbuster Celtics-Lakers finale is in the offing.
Phoenix Suns
When Phoenix Suns traded for Shaq, they had expected to solve the match-up problems they had against teams with great centers. But they realized that their haste made waste as they got booted out right in the first round of the playoffs.
The management may have become a bit impatient when they let go of their coach who turned Phoenix into a competitive team. But the fruits of getting Shaq in their fold are bound to be harvested starting this season.
But whether they will prevent a Boston-LA part II remains a big question.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Everybody expects LeBron James to at least win a championship ring in his NBA career.
A couple of years ago, the kid had experienced what it was like playing in the finals. Even if Tim Duncan made it a bitter one.
With another year added to his maturity and the boost he got from winning a gold medal, James will surely do everything to at least get a second crack at NBA glory.
San Antonio Spurs
Tim Duncan and company have been winning the championship every other year. With this trend, it's only logical they didn't win last year.
And this year, the Larry O'Brien trophy is supposed to end up in San Antonio if the pattern continues.
The coming season for the aging San Antonio Spurs could be another breakthrough. Or it could lead to a break up of its nucleus at the end of the year.
6 comments Last one added 9 months ago — Leave a Comment
Pete Treperinas 10 months ago
I see the Spurs winning the West this year. Not just because of the trend that they have going, but I believe they have the experience and talent to go all the way. Even though the Lakers beat the Spurs in five games in the Conference Finals this past season, I think the Spurs are among the most complete teams in the West.
Now, will they be able to be the C's, who are obviously representing the East in the Finals? I'm not sure. The Spurs won't have the best record in the Western Conference this year, but they alway hover around the third or fourth seed. Duncan, Parker, Ginobili, with role players like Finley and Bowen. Sounds good. People think that the Spurs are done, but I think they have at least one more run in them.
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Inaki Angulo 10 months ago
I don't count with the Suns and the Cavaliers for this season. In my opinion, the Cavs have not made a several improvement during the off-season. LeBron is a superstar, but he can't handle the team alone.
And the Suns; definitely their time is over. Shaq is done, and he is not an intimidating player at this point. Nash is also getting older, and without D'Antoni I don't put my money on them.
Good pointed article in any case.
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sam the fact checker 10 months ago
just throwing out a random team...the bobcats...if the bobcats can obtain an 8th seed and match up against the celtics (assuming there #1) then the bobcats might actually scare the celtics like the hawks did...last year the celtics and bobcats played 3 times...celtics went 2-1 but...bobcats won 1 game...celtics won one by 8 pts and another by 1 pt...that 1 pt game should have been a bobcats win but there was the stupid turnover...the buzzer beater...the 8 second call and alot of things that went the celtics way...the bobcats match up against the celtics very well...
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Marcel Mansour 10 months ago
The Lakers will definitely win it all next season if they are healthy. Last year, they only got Gasol for 30 games, didn't have Bynum for the end of the season and playoffs and had none of their young bench players experience what it is like to play in important playoff games and they still were only 2 games away from winning it all. This season the bench will have more experience, Bynum will be healthy and Gasol will be there from training camp.
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Waleed Ershad 9 months ago
No one can stop them. Cuz Paul Pierce is the BEST player in the world! And he has Kevin Garnett with him. Oh yeah, and Ray Allen
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Alexa Freed 9 months ago
What about the Rockets? They're looking scary!
GO GREEN!
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