NBA Conspiracy Theory: 5 Early Season Myths Exposed
The NBA offseason set the stage for what some considered to be the most anticipated season in recent memory.
There were a number of factors that contributed to the excitement, and none were greater than the historical free agency signing period that landed LeBron James and Chris Bosh in Miami.
Speculation ran rampant concerning the potential of Miami's super team and how other free agents would impact the fortunes of their new teams, but so far many of the predictions have failed to meet expectations.
Of course with only three weeks gone in an 82 game regular season, there is still plenty of time for some of those predictions to come true, but in the mean time fans have been treated to a series of unfolding events that few people could have seen coming.
For instance, how many people expected the New Orleans Hornets to be the final undefeated team standing at this point?
How many observers thought that the NBA's top three players at this point might consist of a group that does not include James, Dwyane Wade or Kobe Bryant?
I have attempted to compile a list of five of the biggest assumptions that have been proved false thus far.
All of the slides are subjective, but each one challenges a theory that was presented as truth before the season began. All of them have been exposed as myths as the season has progressed.
Feel free to comment on whether or not you agree with my picks, and if there are other preseason myths that you feel deserve consideration, then don't hesitate to mention them.
All I ask is that you respect the opinion of others and please respond in a respectful manner. Thanks, and enjoy!
5. The Miami Heat Are Not a Great Team, Yet
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When LeBron James announced his intentions to "take his talents to South Beach" many NBA analysts and pundits fell over themselves predicting the dawn of a new dynasty.
Some went as far to predict a 70 win season, while Las Vegas immediately installed the Heat as favorites to capture the 2010-11 NBA championship. All this before the team had played a single regular season game.
So far the reality has not matched the expectations, as the combination of James, Wade and Chris Bosh has at times looked forced, and other issues such as point guard defense and weak post play have emerged as major issues.
Few people gave teams like the Boston Celtics much of a chance against Miami, but after two easy victories by the Celtics, the bigger question may be whether the Heat really stand a chance against them?
A 6-4 record through 10 games does not mean Miami's season is doomed, but it does suggest the Heat have a little more work to do before they can be the team that everyone expects them to be.
Time and chemistry should help improve the rhythm between James, Bosh and Wade; however the same can not be said about Miami's roster problems.
Unless Miami can acquire a big man (Erick Dampier?), and shore up their point guard defense, talks of a title this season are a little premature.
4. Oklahoma City Is Still a Mid-Level Team in the West
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The Oklahoma City Thunder were installed as a dark horse favorite to win the Western Conference crown, but through three weeks of the season they currently reside at seventh in the conference, which is only one space better than they finished last season.
Most pundits agreed that the experience gained by Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook during this summer's FIBA World Championships would benefit the Thunder during the 2010-11 season, but so far that edge has yet to materialize.
To be honest I'm not sure why such huge gains were expected in the first place, since their roster was barely modified from last season's version.
The one thing that each of the teams ahead of the Thunder in the West have in common is a strong post presence, and although there were hopes that Serge Ibaka could serve in that capacity, it remains to be seen.
I do think the Thunder stand a great chance of improving on their playoff seeding from last year, but does anyone really believe they have the horses to run with the Lakers, Mavericks, Hornets or Spurs?
After you get past Durant and Westbrook, the Thunder have few other offensive options. Although forward Jeff Green has the ability, he has yet to show he can consistently serve in that capacity.
3. Age Has Not Been a Problem For Boston Or San Antonio
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Speaking of the Spurs, many observers felt this would be the season that age would finally catch up to Boston and San Antonio, but it looks like someone forgot to mention that to either team.
Boston's 7-2 record is the best in the Eastern Conference and San Antonio stands at 8-1, which is just below conference leader New Orleans and just above the two-time defending champion Lakers.
If anything Boston and San Antonio's experience have played a major part in their strong starts, and if both teams can remain healthy it would be foolish to think that they can't challenge for a NBA title.
Age may very well play a huge role in the season outcomes for Boston and San Antonio, and they will likely use it to their advantage in the postseason.
2. The West Is Still Stronger Than the East
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This season was supposed to be the year Eastern Conference teams rose out of the shadows of their more celebrated Western counterparts, but after three weeks of the regular season it doesn't appear that much has changed.
The East has stronger teams at the top of their conference, just like last year, but there is still a strong possibility that one or more of their teams could qualify for the postseason with a .500 or below record.
Only five teams in the East are currently above .500 right now, but you will not find that same dynamic in the West where nine teams currently reside above .500, and all of them have a legitimate shot to finish with 50 wins.
That's not even the crux of the story, because teams like the New Orleans Hornets have improved immensely, while the Utah Jazz's recent romp through the Southeast division shows they are a little better than expected.
On the other hand, Charlotte and Cleveland were both playoff teams last season and both have regressed from that point. Not to mention that teams who were expected to improve significantly, like the New York Knicks, don't really seem much better than last season.
We may be in store for a season where a 50+ win team from the West is denied a postseason berth, while a mediocre team from the East "earns" a spot in the playoffs.
1. The Best Player So Far This Season Is Not Named Kobe, LeBron Or D-Wade
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I'm not sure who can claim the title of frontrunner for the NBA's MVP award, but I could probably think of a few names and none of them end in Bryant, Wade or James.
The above-mentioned trio may stake their claim to the honor as the season progresses, but so far players like Pau Gasol, Chris Paul, Rajon Rondo and Derrick Rose have appeared to be worthier candidates.
Paul is the main reason the New Orleans Hornets are the NBA's lone undefeated team, and his presence has the Hornets looking like a legitimate contender in the West.
Rondo has started the season averaging better than 16 assists per game, and he established an NBA record with more than 80 dimes in his first five games, and still counting.
Rose has proved that he really did work on his outside shot in the offseason, and he apparently used the time to refine his playmaking skills as well.
Rose is averaging better than 20 points and eight assists per game, and his Chicago Bulls look every part the contender that many people expected.
Gasol leads the NBA in the category of combined points, rebounds and assists, and has started the season more aggressively than at any other point of his career.
Gasol, not Bryant, has been the major reason for the Lakers' early season success, and his performances have illustrated why he may be the NBA's top power forward, and the league's most versatile big man.
