High Expectations: A Look At The Title Contenders For The 2010-2011 NBA Season
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If there is one thing that is certain heading into the beginning of training camp, it is that the power is shifting from the Western Conference to the Eastern Conference.
and that is something that has huge implications for those that are Title hopefuls for this season.
Does that help the Lakers? I certainly think it helps them.
But for those in the Eastern Conference, they are going to experience what those in the Western Conference have been experiencing for the past five/six seasons.
In reality, there are always around eight teams that have the ability to compete for a title, but by the end of the season, that number is whittled down to three or four.
So here are the Seven teams that I think have a legitimate shot at being in the race for a championship.
Thank you for reading.
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Orlando Magic
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The Orlando Magic haven't gotten any better, nor have they gotten any worse.
They are a year older, but I really don't think that age is a huge factor. Dwight Howard is still the best center in the league, they are hoping Jameer Nelson will continue his long range onslaught into this season, and whatever they can get out of Vince Carter is a bonus.
I mean really, isn't that the biggest X-factor?
Vince Carter could either be the biggest leech in the NBA or he could end up being a leading scorer for this team.
Is he going to be lazy through 3/4 of the regular season or is he going to motivate himself, helping his team compete for a better seed heading into the playoffs?
People forget that the Orlando Magic won 59 games with Vince Carter virtually absent.
If Vince can shoot closer to 45% throughout the entire regular season, and then carry that over into the post season, I don't see the Magic getting anything less than the fourth seed in the East.
Even without Vince, the Magic will be just fine. But when you add a long distance threat to a team with the best center in the league, that center will only become more effective.
There aren't very many questions to ask about the Magic, but if you are going to ask one, it has to be about Vince Carter's consistent production.
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Los Angeles Lakers
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The Los Angeles Lakers won their second straight NBA title last season and, believe it or not, have gotten much better over the course of this offseason.
The addition of Steve Blake to the Triangle offense is something that can only be explained through the actions and success of an 82 game season. For only $20 million dollars, the Los Angeles Lakers found themselves the biggest steal this offseason.
For projected production, you take into consideration that he averaged 7.3 points and 4.8 assists with two different teams, in a down year.
I can only expect over 10 points and 5 assists with decreased minutes.
Steve Blake's game fits what the Los Angeles Lakers system needs form their point guard.
Three point shooting, consistent play, very few turnovers, good court vision, and experience.
Taking it all into perspective, I can very well say that the signing of Steve Blake will prove to be the best for the money in the 2010 offseason.
But that's just Steve Blake. The Lakers also signed Matt Barnes, a heady, defensive minded shooting guard who will provide the team with a third lockdown defender.
Barnes is also a reliable offensive threat that could be used a lot while Bynum recovers from his knee surgery (Pau moves over to center, Lamar Odom to the power forward, freeing up minutes at the shooting guard position).
The Lakers also signed Theo Ratliff to a contract, a signing who could have to play 20 minutes a game while Bynum is sidelined.
All in all, the Lakers have done nothing more than improve on their Title winning 2010-2011 roster.
So is it fair to expect anything less of them? No, it really isn't.
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Oklahoma City Thunder
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The Oklahoma City Thunder are a very good team that could win an NBA title sometime within Kevin Durant's career. Next year? I don't know.
and we won't know until they are in the middle of the Playoffs this season.
Here is my article about the Oklahoma City Thunder being the most overrated team in the NBA:
(Something in which you may or may not want to read in it's entirety)
"I get it.
The Thunder are a good team.
They have a player that, in my opinion, could very well be the best player in the NBA (I wouldn't bet against him in a game of one on one).
And around him, they have a very good supporting cast led by Russell Westbrook.
But I cannot understand for the life of me why the Oklahoma City Thunder have suddenly been propped up and put on the same pedestal as Miami, Los Angeles (Lakers), Boston, Orlando, Dallas, or even Portland.
They snag the eighth seed in the playoffs, have a couple of good games against the World Champions, and suddenly we should expect them to challenge the Lakers next season.
Go figure.
Lets insert a little reality into this conversation.
The Thunder are good, but not great.
They are young and still inexperienced.
They have no post game and rely on their jump-shooting from game to game for their success.
They are only average on defense.
Often times, they get caught in other teams systems.
But you know what?
Because they aren't.
They have one elite level player and a good supporting cast.
And while were talking about the Thunder's roster, why not close the hype for each and every player?
Oklahoma City Thunder
Eric Maynor: The Thunder Really don't know what they will get out of the young point guard. Right now he sits behind Russell Westbrook so he is going to need to make the most of the minutes he is given. There is no chance that he will overtake the starter, so for now Maynor is nothing more than insurance.
As far as backups go, I would conclude that he is below average. But then again, he is young and has some upside, so that could very well change.
Thebo Sefolosha: ESPN says he is a starter, but I do not believe that to be the case. Good defender, but most definitely not lock down quality.
Russell Westbrook: Above average point guard and could very well break into the top ten for point guards alone. Not an elite player, but is very good.
An above average playmaker and gets the job done on defense.
James Harden: Lots of potential, a hard worker on the floor, and a good three point shooter. Defensively, he gets the job done. Works hard to cover up his mistakes but is by no means a lock down defender.
He still has a lot of time to improve and by the looks of the Thunders situation, he may very well be the permanent starter. As a starter, Harden is a below average talent in comparison to the rest of the starting shooting guards in the NBA.
Kevin Durant: Best pure scorer in the league, difficult to guard, and his athleticism and length allow him to play good defense on just about any position.
Front runner for the MVP trophy.
Morris Peterson: Adds experience to the Thunders young roster and provides depth behind Durant. A good three-point shooter and a good option off the bench, but shouldn't be expected to play a huge role on the Roster.
Jeff Green: A very interesting prospect to say the least. As far as ranking him amongst the leagues other starting power forwards I would say that he is slightly above average, but not elite by any means.
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I compare him to LaMarcus Aldridge.
A finness power forward that is still developing all of the tools to be a very good forward. Maybe a year or two behind Aldridge in terms of production and improvement, but Green is nothing to scoff at.
A good player that will play a huge role in how far the Thunder will go.
Nick Collison: A good backup as far as limited backup power forwards go. Limited minutes behind Green will keep him off of the floor for the most part. In terms of back up power forwards go, he is average.
Nenad Krstic: A serviceable big man that can score and rebound. In a league in which seven footers that can put up good numbers are very rare, Nenad is above average.
Serge Ibaka: Young, mobile, and puts up good numbers for only averaging 20 minutes a game last season.
I wouldn't be surprised if he earns the starting role before the season is over. As a backup, Serge is average, but has great potential.
Cole Aldrich: A good early first round selection, whatever you can get out of him next season is a bonus.
Team As A Whole:
Defense: Average.
Offense: Above Average
Starting Five: Average for Playoff Teams
Bench: Below Average
Potential: Above Average
Championship Window: Open for the remainder of their core player's contracts
Percent Chance that they Win An NBA Title within the next two years: 10%
Conclusion: Above Average
The Oklahoma City Thunder are a very good team. They have a team that is built for the future and has the experience and talent to succeed right now.
But they are not elite.
The hype machine has boosted them to a level in which they do not deserve to be at.
Eighth seed in the West and a first round exit does not earn you bragging rights. The Thunder should have to prove that they are worthy of an elite level tag before we incorrectly label them as such.
I am high on the Oklahoma City Thunder, but obviously not as high as the dreamers in the media."
Agree, disagree? Let me know.
With everything in perspective, the Thunder would need a monster year to win a title and they probably don't have the talent to win one their their current roster.
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Portland Trail Blazers
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The Blazers have had legitimate excuses to hide behind over the past few years.
In 2008, the Blazers surprised everyone, winning 54 games and tying the San Antonio Spurs and Denver Nuggets for the second seed in the Western Conference. But they were young and inexperienced, sending them to a first round exit to the Houston Rockets.
Last season was promising, but injuries to nearly every player on the roster kept them from making a statement. Both centers went down early in the season with knee injuries, forcing the team to start Juwan Howard and play two rookies significant minutes.
It was an impressive feat for the Blazers to make the playoffs, let alone take a quality team like the Phoenix Suns to six games without Brandon Roy, the team's all-star.
The Blazers will be ready to take off from where they left off in the 2008-2009 season and anything but home court advantage would be a disappointment.
So why do people continually dismiss their chances?
Is it the small market?
The recent string of injuries?
The slow paced, half-court system?
What is it?
The Portland Trail Blazer's championship window is open, the Blazers have committed themselves to defense and the signing of Wesley Matthews will add a second lockdown defender to an already stout defensive unit.
If Greg Oden can stay healthy and play in 60 games next season, the Blazers will be in position to make a run at the Lakers.
So maybe Portland needs to pull out the underdog card, because by the way the national media have evaluated them, they could have the same situation as last season occur again, and still exceed ESPN's expectations.
The Portland Trail Blazers have the talent to compete for an NBA Title, they just need all of their pieces to work together, at the same time, for one season.
Just one.
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Miami Heat
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Is there anyone out there who really thinks that the Miami Heat don't have any shot at a title?
I mean, I'd love to hear your opinion, but in good conscience (or a good, normal mind) you can't tell me that they have less than a 30% chance of being in the Finals next season.
Chances are that the Heat will be a perennial Championship contender until LeBron, Dwyane Wade, and Bosh's contracts expire.
Whether you agree or disagree is really out of the question.
The Heat have the talent and they have the experience.
Whether they put what they have on paper, on the court is really something that we will have to wait for.
That is really all I can say about the Miami Heat.
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Boston
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Don't we always forget about the Celtics?
It always seems that the media has some reason that the Celtics won't be able to compete with the other elite teams in the NBA.
I'm not going to fall into that trap again, the Celtics are getting older and that is going to be an issue in the long run.
But if Boston has proven anything to us in the past two years, it is that they can continue to succeed and defy the odds despite their increasing age. Maybe I am running off of hope and dumb optimism, but I think it is time that we turn the tables.
Let's let the Celtics prove to us that they are getting too old instead of making them prove that they still have it.
They still have the same basic roster, adding Jermaine O'Neal, Delonte West, Avery Bradley, and Shaquille O'Neal will give them new blood while not overhauling the playing rotation.
Bradley could end up being a solid backup to Rondo and West might be able to add scoring off the bench if he doesn't become too much trouble.
The Celtics are still a top three team in the Eastern Conference, but the questions surrounding their franchise will continue to be the story throughout the 2010-2011 NBA season.
Chances are that the Celtics will exceed expectations yet again and bide another year for their imminent rebuilding.
A title may end up being out of the question if age ends up being an overpowering issue, but heck.
I can't continue to dismiss their chances when year after year they have shown they are masters at going against the odds.
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Chicago
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The Chicago Bulls lost in the LeBron James sweepstakes, but they ended up winning a consolation prize over the offseason.
Instead Of LeBron James, the Chicago Bulls got Carlos Boozer and Kyle Korver, neither are exactly superstars, but both are very good basketball players.
Carlos Boozer is a guy that will give your team 20 points and 10 rebounds a night, he may not be the best defender, but he gets the job done.
Kyle Korver may very well be the most underrated player in the NBA. In just 18 minutes a game, Korver averaged 7.2 points and 2 assists while shooting an NBA best 54% from beyond the arc.
Yes, not 54% from the field, 54% from three point range through an entire NBA season.
Staggering to say the least.
So the Bulls added a post presence and a long range marksman, so suddently they are title contenders?
Yeah.
That and they will hopefully get Derrick Rose to have better year than he had in the 2009-2010 NBA season.
A starting lineup of Rose, Korver, Luol Deng, Carlos Boozer, and Joakim Noah has everything you want.
Playmaking, shooting, postgame, rebounding, and experience.
Possibly a Title team, but they would have to prove it to us.
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