Top Three Hottest NBA Teams coming into the season

This article is also posted at hoops4life.com, an NBA fan site.

The NBA slogan is "Where…happens." "Where impossible happens." "Where comebacks happen." "Where excellence happens." These words express perfectly what a NBA season represents, and especially if we are talking about the 2007-2008 season which was one of the greatest ever.

As said, these words are used during the season, but there is another one which defines what the off-season is. For many teams, the off-season is "Where illusion happens."

Despite of many different factors, each year a group of teams are able to build some momentum during the summer. A good ending of the previous season, a huge move, or something like this let us to point a bunch of teams before the season opener.

Many times, the grind of the season knocks down the expectations, nevertheless, other few times, the team achieve his goal. In this article, you will find which teams are coming of the edge in ’08-‘09 and why.

1. Portland Trail Blazers (Last season record: 41-41; West 10th)

I have followed the NBA since I was about 10-years-old, and I have never seen all this expectation around a non-Playoff team. The expectations are high, but the youth and the talent of this team match them.

Greg Oden, former first overall pick of 2007 NBA Draft joins Lamarcus Aldridge and all star Brandon Roy. These players are called to form one of the best "big threes" of the upcoming seasons.

Aldridge and Roy had a breakout season in their second year in the League, as they combined for about 37 ppg, 12 rpg and 7 apg. Above the stats, they were an outstanding dynamic duo. Both are raising players, and they have too much space until reaching to their peak.

Oden’s presence will help the team defensively. The former Buckeye is a tremendous power at the low post. Aldridge took a step forward last year, but he can’t mach Oden’s intimidating abilities. He will be a force grabbing rebounds and blocking. I don’t expect big scoring numbers for him this year, but his contribution to the collective defense of the team will lead the Blazers to the post-season.

Oden will not be the unique new face at Oregon, while Spanish star Rudy Fernandez joins the team too. Fernandez was the Olympic sensation, and his dunk over Dwight Howard was the play of the tournament. He will have an important impact in his rookie season and he will help from the perimeter.

Fernandez will not have as much touches as in Spain, but he is a great player and he will capitalize his opportunities.

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