Predicting the NBA Conference Finalists a Year from Now

The 2012 NBA Conference finals have been sensational just like they are every year.

In the East, Miami versus Boston has been a slugfest to say the least and out West, San Antonio versus Oklahoma City was truly “must-see” TV.

Who will be next year's conference finalists?

Let's focus on the Eastern Conference teams first.

Miami Heat

Wow, what a major surprise, huh?

This would make it three straight trips to the conference finals for the boys from South Beach.

When your roster includes the best basketball player in the world in LeBron James and an absolutely unstoppable scorer in Dwyane Wade, you’re basically guaranteed to make a deep playoff run.

And oh yeah, you can’t forget about Chris Bosh, a seven-time All-Star big man.

If management can surround the Big Three with a better supporting cast this offseason, the Heat might not only reach the conference finals next year, but win it all.  

Indiana Pacers

The Pacers shocked the world earlier in this year’s playoffs.

It’s not a surprise that they knocked off the Dwight Howard-less Orlando Magic in the first round, but who really thought they’d take Miami to six games in the semifinals?

With 2012 Executive of the Year Larry Bird running the show in Indianapolis, the Pacers should be even better next season and could be a lock to reach the conference finals, especially with Derrick Rose’s injury and a possible Boston rebuilding project.

Now let’s take a look at the Western Conference finalists. 

Oklahoma City Thunder 

Like the Heat, this would be the third consecutive conference finals appearance for the Thunder.

OKC has a three-time NBA scoring champ in Kevin Durant, who’s pretty much unguardable, as well as an elite point guard in Russell Westbrook.

Any you can’t talk about the Thunder without mentioning super sub James Harden and shot-blocking extraordinaire Serge Ibaka.

This young and exciting squad could become the league’s next great dynasty.

Los Angeles Lakers   

After winning back-to-back championships in 2009 and 2010, the Lakers have been eliminated in the semifinals two straight seasons.  

However, if they can make some big-time moves this summer like trading for superstar free agent Deron Williams, L.A. could easily reach the Western Conference finals in 2013. 

Kobe Bryant isn't young anymore, but he's still one of the game's top players and center Andrew Bynum—when he wants to be—is the league's top big man not named Dwight Howard.

Being absent from the conference finals two years in a row is way too long for a proud franchise like the Lakers.