NBA Playoff Obstacles: Why Each of Last Year's Postseason Teams Might Not Return
Each NBA season is a brand new ballgame; although most teams that made the playoffs last year have an inside track to return, each is at risk to instead fall into the lottery. There is just too much unpredictability in the 82 game marathon, with so many unexpected occurrences that disrupt expected outcomes.
There are unanticipated injuries, off-court issues, feuds and trades.
There are young teams ready to explode onto the scene, a la last year's Thunder.
There are offseason moves that we have all analyzed on paper but have yet to actually assess on the court.
Each of the 16 NBA teams that made the playoffs in 2010 could have potential problems this time around, so here is a list of the things that might prevent repeat postseason performances, starting with the least likely to see action in June.
Cleveland Cavaliers: High Treason
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This one is pretty obvious, isn't it? LeBron James was everything to the Cleveland Cavaliers: offense, defense, personality and heart. In the words of Omarion, there is now an "icebox where my heart used to be." Post-Decision Cleveland might as well be an arctic tundra.
The Cavs are not completely devoid of talent, but a Big Three of Mo Williams, Antawn Jamison and Anderson Varejao do not exactly inspire confidence. JJ Hickson's long term future looks bright, but the lights are already going out on his team's prospects for this season. After a shocking upset over Boston, Cleveland has dropped three straight.
Charlotte Bobcats: Roster Stagnation
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Last year, the Bobcats were a surprise. A mid-season trade for Stephen Jackson propelled them towards their first playoff berth as a franchise. After last season, though, they essentially moved over to the right lane of the freeway and set the cruise control for 64. This season they will not be a train wreck, but they are not exactly speeding back to the postseason.
A lot of teams in the Eastern Conference improved during the offseason, either through free agency, trades or the draft. Charlotte's biggest move? Trading Tyson Chandler for Erick Dampier and subsequently releasing Damp.
They also lost their starting point guard, Raymond Felton, who bolted for New York. Charlotte has started 0-3, and its roster stagnation will very likely have them chasing down taillights at season's end.
Phoenix Suns: Rebounding
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The Achilles' heel of all Steve Nash-era Suns teams has been rebounding, and this year Phoenix has only gotten worse. They are starting Hedo Turkoglu and Grant Hill at the forward spots, which leaves them vastly undersized, and Robin Lopez is the only legitimate big man on their entire roster. Perhaps 6'11 Channing Frye has lost his boarding allergy, but I doubt it.
Phoenix will give up boatloads of offensive rebounds and rarely get second-chance points of their own, so they'll need to be deadly efficient to win. In the Suns first three games, of which they have lost two, they have been out rebounded by an average of 7.3 per contest. The only teams worse are the Memphis Grizzlies (who have been battling frontcourt health issues) and the Washington Wizards.
Utah Jazz: Bench Production
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I'm starting to feel like the Utah Jazz might go as CJ Miles goes. Their bench is depleted this year—no more Wesley Matthews or Kyle Korver; Andre Kirilenko is back in the starting lineup—and if Miles doesn't generate offense, then the second unit will struggle mightily. It is hard to be a playoff team without consistent bench production.
CJ Miles has four total points in their two losses and 21 points in their one win. Interesting, huh?
When Mehmet Okur returns to action, the bench might be bolstered. However, who knows how an already plodding big man will respond to Achilles surgery. For now, it is up to Miles to carry the scoring burden for the subs.
Milwaukee Bucks: Sophomore Slump
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Brandon Jennings is a special offensive talent who can be problematic not only for his opponents but also for his own team. He is a streaky shooter who dominates the ball, and while he is a capable passer, that is not his main priority. As a rookie he was very hot and cold, though the good generally outweighed the bad.
If Jennings struggles offensively, especially with his jumper, Milwaukee should expect serious issues. Jennings might try to shoot himself out of a slump and instead shoot his squad in the foot. His field goal percentage so far is under 41 percent, and the Bucks are only 1-3.
Denver Nuggets: Melo-Drama
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The Nuggets are a talented, deep, experienced team that should have no trouble winning 50 games. There is merely this little cloud looming over Denver: the Carmelo Anthony situation. This has been documented and debated furiously over the past several months, so there is not much more to be said.
If he stays the whole season and plays hard, the Nuggets will make the playoffs, probably lose in the conference semifinals, and then watch Melo leave in free agency. If something else happens, it is impossible to prognosticate Denver's fate.
Chicago Bulls: Outside Shooting
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With the addition of power forward Carlos Boozer, Chicago has addressed one of its two glaring weaknesses: post scoring. They now have a big man who can get buckets with his back to the basket, with a mid-range jump shot, and on the pick and roll.
Their other glaring weakness remains just as noticeable. They lack reliable outside shooting. Kyle Korver is the only legitimate shooter on their team. Until Derrick Rose, Luol Deng and Keith Bogans prove they can routinely knock down open jumpers, opponents will pack the paint on the defense.
The Bulls have opened up 2-1 behind Derrick Rose's ridiculous play, but pay attention to the Bulls long distance clanking. It almost cost them a playoff spot last year, and it might do the same again.
Portland Trail Blazers: Brandon Roy Injury
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Portland has dealt with various complications over the past several seasons and has still managed to be successful. The Blazers are a resilient bunch, a quality adopted from head coach Nate McMillan.
However, they cannot afford to lose star Brandon Roy to injury. Roy is the catalyst for everything the Blazers do on offense. He is both scorer and facilitator, in addition to being money in the clutch. Without Roy, Portland has difficulty scoring and winning, as evidenced by the Blazers 8-9 record last year with him out of the lineup.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Kevin Durant Injury
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Oklahoma City's story is similar to that of Portland. Though the Thunder are about more than merely Kevin Durant —Russell Westbrook is a rising star, Jeff Green is extremely steady, and the bench is constantly improving—Durant is the indispensable linchpin.
Durant has missed only 10 total games in his first three seasons, so he has demonstrated durability. Last summer, though, he competed in the FIBA World Championships. While it was an incredibly valuable basketball experience and Durant grew as both player and person, who knows if it will cause him to wear down during the NBA season.
Dallas Mavericks: Discontent
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The Mavs have repeatedly been one of the NBA's best regular season teams and they should have no trouble winning 50 games yet again. The only possible roadblock is player discontent.
In the offseason Jason Terry asked to start and was granted his wish. Shawn Marion, a former All-Star who has been known to express dissatisfaction with his role before, is coming off the bench. Caron Butler has always needed his shots. Lastly, Dallas gave Brendan Haywood a fat new contract last summer and he is currently a backup.
Could one or several of these guys become unhappy and sabotage the team's success? Jason Kidd and Dirk Nowitzki should make sure the team stays focused on collective success, but you never know.
San Antonio Spurs: Age
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The Spurs have been trying to add youth for some time now, but their most important guys are still creeping upward in age. Tim Duncan is 34 and Manu Ginobili is 33, and both of them have witnessed a drop in production. If Father Time continues to slow these two down, San Antonio might be in trouble.
Duncan is no longer the offensive post threat he once was, but his defense and rebounding are still essential to San Antonio's effectiveness. On the other hand, the Spurs need Ginobili's scoring and clutch shotmaking.
Orlando Magic: Kryptonite
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Dwight Howard's interior dominance gives the Magic a chance to win every game they play. Take Superman out of the lineup and Orlando becomes quite ordinary.
Howard erases teammates' defensive mistakes, gets opposing teams in severe foul trouble, and controls crowds with his dunks and blocks. Though Marcin Gortat is a solid backup, he is not a viable replacement.
If something were to happen to Dwight, the Magic would be in real danger.
LA Lakers, Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, Atlanta Hawks: Flu Outbreak
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These teams are so talented, accomplished, deep, versatile and experienced. Unless they lose multiple stars to something crazy like an epidemic, they will 100 percent make the postseason. Heck, the Lakers and Celtics' benches could probably challenge for a playoff spot.
