Monday Morning Point Guard: Why It Pays To Be an NBA Underdog
LayupDrill.com Presents Monday Morning Point Guard
Jan. 12, 2009
Watching the NBA over the years, I have realized that more often than not, the team “everyone” thinks is the best in November and December rarely winds up winning it all in June.
Now of course, there is the exception to the rule, like the Jordan-era Bulls who dominated the ‘90s, or even Magic and Larry trading titles in the ‘80s. Taking a look at the NBA Champions over the past five seasons (Celtics, Spurs, Heat, Spurs, Pistons), the favorite to win it all in the preseason, and in some cases, once the Finals matchup was set, did not win it all.
The pressure of the moment gets to even the greatest athletes in the world sometimes, I guess. Take the 2004-05 season, which produced the San Antonio Spurs winning the NBA title over the Pistons in a great seven-game series. The preseason pick by some experts to make it? The Indiana Pacers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves.
Yeah, before you laugh, you have to remember that both of those franchises were relevant not that long ago. They have both gone down, and in the case of Indiana, seem to be showing signs of turning it around now.
Remember the favorites to win the NBA title this year? The Lakers and Celtics. Both have shown signs of being the best teams in their conference this year, and they are both the safe picks to make it to the title round in June.
But strange things seem to happen over this long season, such as injuries, suspensions, last minute trades, fatigue, and luck. Whether you are LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, or Tim Duncan, you cannot control those factors. The Suns were a flagrant foul away from an NBA title a few seasons ago, but thanks to Robert Horry, it was not to be.
More than any other professional sport, it seems strange things happen that can tip the scales. So, on Jan. 12, as many experts are already printing up Lakers vs. Cavs/Celtics Finals T-Shirts to sell on EBay, I would suggest letting this season play out. There is a lot of basketball to play over the next five months.
Dwyane Wade 2008-09 is Kobe Bryant 2006-07
Watching the Miami Heat this year, I have been very impressed with the leadership displayed by Dwyane Wade on the court.
The Heat, who were absolutely horrible last season, are very young collectively, and Wade is relied on heavily every night to be the man on both ends of the court.
His defensive game has improved, and his offense seems to get better each time out. His numbers this year are impressive 29 points and seven assist a game, but like Kobe Bryant in 2006, the help just isn’t there.
Bryant led the 2006-07 Lakers to a 42-40 record, with Kobe averaging 31 points and five assists a game. However Kobe’s supporting cast disappeared much too often to be a serious contender, and as a result, the Lakers lost to the Phoenix Suns in the first round.
Fast forward to D-Wade.
Wade is set to average career highs in points and possibly assists, and the Heat are on track to finish 42-40. That should be good enough for sixth or seventh in the East, which would give Miami a first-round date with Boston, Orlando, or Cleveland. The Heat are a season, or a free-agent signing (Carlos Boozer/Chris Bosh) away from being a legit contender in the East. For now, Heat fans, be patient, and enjoy the Dwyane Wade show.
Question of the Week:
“Should the NBA change the playoff format to include the 16 teams with the best regular season records, regardless of conference?”
- Walt, Glen Allen, VA
The current format of the playoffs gives the top eight teams into the postseason, with the top three seeds being division winners. We have seen recently teams in the West have a legit beef, as 47-50 win teams are sitting out, and the East would get a team at or below .500 as the eight seed.
Based on today's records, an example of a first-round matchup under Walt’s question/proposal would be:
1. Lakers (30-6) vs. 16. Nets (18-19)—Proposed league wide seedings
instead of;
1. Lakers (30-6) vs. 8. Utah (22-15)—Traditional Western Conference seedings
It would definitely be interesting to see. However, cross country flights would be an issue.
This Week's Must See Team: Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers, who enter this week with the best record in the NBA, have a rough eight-day stretch.
They start the week in Texas, playing at Houston (Tuesday night 8:30 p.m.—NBATV), and then the following night at San Antonio (Wednesday night 9 p.m.—ESPN). They return home Friday night to host Orlando (Friday 10:30 p.m.—ESPN) and finish the run hosting Cleveland (Monday Jan. 19 at 10:30 p.m.—TNT).
Four playoff teams in eight days will test the staying power of Kobe’s crew, who will be getting the best that each team has to offer. With a six-game cushion between the Lakers and Spurs for the top overall record in the West, this is a critical week to see if there will be a race for the top overall spot.
We Reminisce: Ron Harper:
I remember watching Ron Harper play in Cleveland, and then later winning NBA titles with Michael Jordan, and Shaq & Kobe.
A five-team NBA Champion, Harper transformed his game from being a prolific scorer into a great defender and role player. Check out this classic interview from NBA TV last spring.
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