5 Reasons Why It Will Be Portland Trailblazers vs. Miami Heat in the NBA Finals

Count me among those who are not ready to concede the NBA Finals to the Miami Heat and the Oklahoma City Thunder just yet.  The hottest team in the West (and perhaps in the entire NBA) right now may be the new-look runnin', gunnin' Portland Trailblazers. 

Let's take a look at why Portland is off to such a great start in this young season.

Terrific Team Chemistry

It's rare in today's NBA to see guys put their team first above their selfish instincts.  From No. 1 to No. 15 on the Blazers roster, these players do not seem worried about their individual playing time or their personal box score. 

They are having a great deal of fun and seem to genuinely like one another.  Although it's generally understood that it is LaMarcus Aldridge's team now than Brandon Roy has retired, there are no superstars.  Aldridge may be "The Man" now, but to a player they all have an important role if this team is to succeed. 

As new addition Jamal Crawford (free-agent guard acquired from the Atlanta Hawks) said in John Canzano's column in The Oregonian today: "It goes beyond being unselfish," he said.  "You can see that the guys are happy for each other."  Crawford went on to say that this experience is different than with other teams in the NBA.

This Trailblazers Team Has Talent

The Blazers have six players on the NBA All-Star ballot (Aldridge, Wallace, Batum, Camby, Matthews, Felton), more than any other Western Conference team. 

Offseason addition Raymond Felton is fitting in well and is responsible for fulfilling coach Nate McMillan's desire to push the pace.  While there were a few goofs in the new run and gun offense in the first few games, the mistakes are lessening and the potential for fast-break points looks better every game.

Gerald Wallace has simply been amazing on both ends of the court.  And if there is currently a woman in Portland who is not madly in love with Wallace, I haven't met her yet.  If anyone still has the outdated notion that the Blazers are soft, just watch Wallace and Camby taking it to the opponent under the basket.  Soft, my a--.

Camby's play belies his years.  The Blazers are third in team defense in the league, and Camby is a big reason why. 

Filling in for Wallace is Batum, and he is really hitting his stride this season.  Batum is cagey, savvy, a great defender and his accent is so adorable.   

Jamal Crawford has been terrific coming off the bench and adding scoring punch.  The team and our community worked hard to woo Crawford and it's paying off.

Matthews started slow but appears to have found his rhythm and his shot.  His energy and enthusiasm will come in handy when the reality of this speeded-up short season hits some of the older guys.

Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant and Blake Griffin will be a factor every night in the Western Conference, but roster-for-roster, I like the Blazers talent.    

The Blazers Have Depth

This year, when potential All-Stars like Aldridge and Wallace need a breather, the Blazers don't lose ground. 

Guys like Nicolas Batum and Jamal Crawford are both capable of sparking the second unit.  Batum is widely considered to be one of the better defenders in the conference, and Crawford can get the hot hand on the other end. 

Kurt Thomas, Craig Smith and youngster Chris Johnson were good offseason additions to provide some backup for the bigs.

LaMarcus Aldridge missed most of the shortened training camp due to a heart procedure.  He has, nevertheless, played brilliantly and will only get better as his fitness improves.

Depth might be the true sixth man this year in the NBA, and I think Portland is well-positioned down the stretch.

Portland Trailblazers Intangibles

In this stunted NBA season, the intangibles that come into play nightly will have a bigger impact than usual. 

Portland has some of the best—if not the best—fans in the NBA.  In this small-market city, the Blazers are the only game in town this time of year (now that our beloved Oregon Ducks have won the Rose Bowl)!  Win or lose, the Blazers fans show up and are loud and knowledgeable.

There are lots of good coaches in the NBA, but Nate McMillan is a treasure.  Through the rash of injuries, verbal fights with past players and the retirement of superstar Brandon Roy, Sarge just keeps going on.  

I also love the addition of Buck Williams on this year's coaching staff, and attribute the Blazers more physical "take-no-crap" play and improved rebounding performance to his influence.   

The Miami Heat

Yeah, they're good too.

Bring it on.