NBA Power Rankings: Top 5 Teams Most Likely To Prevent a Lakers Three-Peat
It's no secret the Lakers struggles this year are unlike anything we've seen over the past two-and-a-half seasons under head coach Phil Jackson. Look no further than the last six games, four of which have been losses by 15 points or more.
The evidence doesn't end there, take a look at the schedule, and you'll notice a four-game losing streak in late November and more recently, a three-game losing streak that included a blowout home loss to a Milwaukee Bucks team playing without their best player, Brandon Jennings.
These types of losing streaks have been almost unheard of during the Pau Gasol era and have many wondering if this is the simply the beginning of the end of the Lakers recent dominance over the rest of the league.
With that in mind, we take a look at the Top Five teams most likely to prevent a Lakers three-peat. And please note, it's not a coincidence that four of the five teams are ranked in the top six in the NBA in points allowed...defense wins championships folks, ask Kobe Bryant.
5. Orlando Magic
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The Magic barely edged out the Chicago Bulls for the No. 5 spot on our list due to their recent blockbuster trade that has turned their season around. Orlando is suddenly on a six-game winning streak by getting back to the formula that got them to the Finals in 2009.
By surrounding the most physically-gifted big man in the world, Dwight Howard, with a bunch of deadly three-point shooters, the Magic are virtually impossible to guard.
Not only is Howard averaging a career high, 21.2 points per game, his perimeter kick out options now include, Jason Richardson, Hedo Turkoglu, Jammer Nelson, Gilbert Arenas and J.J. Reddick. All five players are shooting over 35 percent from three-point land on the season with Reddick, Turkoglu and Nelson all over 40 percent.
With a roster loaded with talent and a defense that ranks fifth in the NBA in points allowed, we could easily see this team back in the NBA Finals for the second time in three years.
4. Dallas Mavericks
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At 25-8, the Mavericks might have been higher on our list until they received some crushing news. Caron Butler, 6'7" swingman and third leading scorer, underwent season-ending knee surgery today to repair a torn tendon in his right knee.
Averaging 15 points in just under 30 minutes per game, Butler will be sorely missed on a Mavericks team that is extremely thin on the wing.
Losers of three of their last four, the Mavericks remain on our list because we fully expect Mark Cuban to make a move before the deadline to fill the void left by Butler. And let's not forget, this is still a roster that includes Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Terry, Jason Kidd, Shawn Marion and Tyson Chandler.
Assuming Nowitzki fully recovers from a recent mild knee sprain, this team will be a tough out in the playoffs due to their renewed commitment on the defensive end (sixth in points allowed) and the re-emergence of Chandler and Marion.
3. Miami Heat
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Many analysts are eager to crown the Heat as NBA Champions this year, so please forgive us for ranking them so low. The 2010 NBA Finals ultimately came down to bench play and interior play, two areas where the Heat are lacking.
That said, this is a team that ranks third in the NBA in points allowed and has won 19 of their last 20 games, including 11 straight on the road. And to top it all off, the Big Three are everything they said they would be, averaging a historically good 68 points per game.
We remain skeptical because of the Heat's lack of depth, but you simply can't ignore any team that includes possibly the best all around player in NBA history in LeBron James, a NBA Finals MVP and bona fide superstar in Dwayne Wade and a third option who averages 18 points and eight rebounds a game in Chris Bosh.
We're not sure the Heat will win the title in 2011, but if they continue to add pieces around the Big Three, this will without a doubt be the NBA's next dynasty.
2. Boston Celtics
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We thought long and hard about ranking the Celtics No. 1, but ultimately, it comes down to what it almost always comes down to in sports...injuries. Yes, injuries are a part of the game, and everyone has them, but when it comes down to winning titles and not winning titles, injuries are often the determining factor. Ask Kendrick Perkins last year, Kevin Garnett the year before and Andrew Bynum the year before that.
Frankly, the Celtics just don't seem to have much luck when it comes to staying healthy over the past couple years, and that trend seems to be continuing in 2011. The Celtics injury list so far this season includes: Kevin Garnett, Rajon Rondo, Shaquille O'Neal, Jermaine O'Neal, Delonte West and Kendrick Perkins. Age is an issue with this team, but we also said the same thing last year when they only won 50 games and entered the playoffs as a No. 4 seed in the East.
The bottom line is this is an extremely deep team that ranks first in the NBA in points allowed and plays with a chip on its shoulder at all times. When you combine that with a group of hard-working guys that have championship experience, it's hard not to imagine this team back in the NBA Finals for a third time in four years.
1. San Antonio Spurs
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Leading the league with a 29-6 record and on pace to win 68 games, the San Antonio Spurs received top billing as the team most likely to prevent a Lakers three-peat. It's easy to forget that the core group of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobli and Tony Parker won three NBA Titles between 2002 and 2007.
Led by head coach Gregg Popovich, who many consider to be the best in the business, the Spurs have combined an influx of youth with a man on a mission this year in Ginobli. He's averaging a career high in minutes and seems to have a spring in his step that has resulted in arguably his best season ever.
Parker remains an elite point guard, averaging 17.7 points per game and seven assists, while Duncan is getting some much needed rest, playing a career low 29 minutes per game while still managing to average 13.6 points and 9.4 rebounds. Saving Duncan's energy for the playoffs is the key to the Spurs season and so far, it has worked to perfection.
But the main difference between this year's Spurs and the Spurs teams of the past few years is what comes after the Big Three. The Spurs have been getting solid contributions all year long from Richard Jefferson, who looks much more comfortable in his second year in San Antonio. George Hill, DaJuan Blair and Gary Neal have all been major contributors as well.
When you combine championship experience, a deep roster and the top head coach in the game, you have a formula that can potentially prevent history from being made this year in Los Angeles.
