Its the time of year when every casual sports fan puts on his prediction hat and proclaims that x team is going win the NBA Championship. While it's understandable that most have picked the Celtics, Lakers, Spurs, Hornets or Cavaliers, a few elite teams are flying under the radar.
In the case of some, there is considerable doubt over how a major offseason move will play out, or there's a feeling that the team's window of opportunity has closed. Perhaps there is a young nucleus which seems a little ripe.
One formula I've sworn by for a very long time is the 3+3D formula—three stars, depth, determination, and defense.
In this league, regardless of whether you have LeBron, Kobe, or Duncan, you need solid B and C options. You also need depth, solid role players, the determination to win, and a defensive identity.
The following five teams each boast a spectacular trio of star players surrounded by solid supporting casts. Each of these teams has a great shot at exceeding expectations, and each of them had a very disappointing end to the 2007-08 NBA season.
5.Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets boast one of the most imposing starting lineups in the NBA, which features one of the league's premier scorers, its best perimeter defender, and its biggest global icon. Between Artest, McGrady, and Yao, the Rockets have nearly as talented a trio as the Boston Celtics.
Role players like Rafer Alston, Shane Battier, Steve Francis, Brent Barry, Luis Scola, Carl Landry, Aaron Brooks, and Luther Head make the Rockets one of the deepest teams in the league.
They have one of the finest coaches in the NBA in Rick Adelman, and are coming off a season of injuries and disappointment. Look for the Rockets to get well past the first round this season. Even against the Lakers or Spurs, this team has a great chance.
4.Toronto Raptors
The Raptors shipped T.J. Ford and Rasho Nesterovic to Indiana for what they hope is a healthy, and rejuvenated Jermaine O'Neal. They put former first-overall pick Andrea Bargnani through a summer of weight training, surgery, pickup, games and overall development.
The Raptors have two spectacular players in Chris Bosh and Jose Calderon, who led them to the playoffs last season. When you add a healthy O'Neal, and a vastly-improved Bargnani to that mix, you're basically adding two star players to replace Nesterovic and last year's Bargnani—who was, to put it kindly, awful and unhealthy).
If a few role players like Kris Humphries, Anthony Parker, Jason Kapono, and Roko Ukic can play a little above their heads, this might be a squad that could be the last team standing in the East.
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