Connect Four

by Brandon Moor

July 25, 2010

Yes it’s early, but the 2010 NBA offseason trade and free agent deadline offered a preview of what maybe to come for the 2010-2011 NBA regular season.  The colossal movers and shakers have already been dealt paving the road for three teams who are now established threats in dethroning the back to back champion Los Angeles Lakers.

Although several high-profile players will be migrating around the league in search for a new home, the blockbuster deals have already been finalized.  New Orleans Hornets’ point guard Chris Paul remains unhappy because the Hornets provide little (if they are lucky) to no help in creating a playoff caliber basketball team.  Chris Paul’s impact on any team lucky enough to land him will no doubt improve the team’s overall stock, but still not enough to move into the top four.

Following the conclusion of the 2010 NBA Finals, the front office of all 30 teams began scrambling around the clock to address their needs in terms of player personnel.  With that said, four teams found themselves in wealth of success wasting no time in re-signing prolific veteran gamers as well as reaching well outside the boarders of their own home cities to shore up any loose spots.

Looking ahead to next years’ playoff picture; the defending World Champion Los Angeles Lakers, D-Rivers’ resilient Boston Celtics, Dwyane Wade’s stacked up Miami Heat capped off by an incredibly hungry Oklahoma City Thunder bunch round out my top four teams fit to finish atop the league summit. 

Consider the 2011 NBA Playoff hypothesis as a rush to judgment if you wish, but believe it or not, there is a method to the madness.  Within a five part series, I will run through the skinny on each of the four teams left down the stretch. 

Part one tips off featuring the Los Angeles Lakers.  Can the Kobe/Phil regime score the three-peat?

Part two examines the Boston Celtics’ late season blooming trademark.

Part three steps away from the air conditioning to explore the new star-packed Miami Heat.

Part four pays tribute to the “Youth Movement on the Plains”, better known as the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Part five wraps up as I unveil my prediction into which of the final four contenders will raise the coveted Larry O’Brien Trophy in the end.

Will it be the “Beasts of the East” or “Best in the West?”  Take your pick.