Top Three Hottest NBA Teams coming into the season

This article is also posted at hoops4life.com, an NBA fan site.

The NBA slogan is "Where…happens." "Where impossible happens." "Where comebacks happen." "Where excellence happens." These words express perfectly what a NBA season represents, and especially if we are talking about the 2007-2008 season which was one of the greatest ever.

As said, these words are used during the season, but there is another one which defines what the off-season is. For many teams, the off-season is "Where illusion happens."

Despite of many different factors, each year a group of teams are able to build some momentum during the summer. A good ending of the previous season, a huge move, or something like this let us to point a bunch of teams before the season opener.

Many times, the grind of the season knocks down the expectations, nevertheless, other few times, the team achieve his goal. In this article, you will find which teams are coming of the edge in ’08-‘09 and why.

1. Portland Trail Blazers (Last season record: 41-41; West 10th)

I have followed the NBA since I was about 10-years-old, and I have never seen all this expectation around a non-Playoff team. The expectations are high, but the youth and the talent of this team match them.

Greg Oden, former first overall pick of 2007 NBA Draft joins Lamarcus Aldridge and all star Brandon Roy. These players are called to form one of the best "big threes" of the upcoming seasons.

Aldridge and Roy had a breakout season in their second year in the League, as they combined for about 37 ppg, 12 rpg and 7 apg. Above the stats, they were an outstanding dynamic duo. Both are raising players, and they have too much space until reaching to their peak.

Oden’s presence will help the team defensively. The former Buckeye is a tremendous power at the low post. Aldridge took a step forward last year, but he can’t mach Oden’s intimidating abilities. He will be a force grabbing rebounds and blocking. I don’t expect big scoring numbers for him this year, but his contribution to the collective defense of the team will lead the Blazers to the post-season.

Oden will not be the unique new face at Oregon, while Spanish star Rudy Fernandez joins the team too. Fernandez was the Olympic sensation, and his dunk over Dwight Howard was the play of the tournament. He will have an important impact in his rookie season and he will help from the perimeter.

Fernandez will not have as much touches as in Spain, but he is a great player and he will capitalize his opportunities.

The Blazers have much to prove this season and show the entire League that theirs future is right now. I expect them to make the Playoffs and upset someone.

2. Houston Rockets (Last season record: 55-25; West 5th)

Perhaps, a first round elimination was a disgusting ending for this team. Perhaps T-Mac can’t go into the second round of the NBA Playoffs. Perhaps, Yao Ming would not be the same he used to be before his devastating knee injury. And perhaps, they were the worst team in NBA history to have 22 victories in a row.

Yes, all of this topics can be for real, but it is off-season time, and the Rockets are not the place for pessimistic at this point. They were a tremendous team last year, although they missed all-pro center Yao Ming for the second part of the season.

All the players stepped forward, and raised their level. In my opinion, during the second part of the season, and during their short trip to the Playoffs they built a chemistry of a championship team.

They know right now that the can face anyone, and they also know that there are so many problems you have to overcome during the season for be succeeded.

Coming into this year, they have this background, they are a settled team and the newcomer, Ron Artest, will help them to advance to the next level. I expect them to battle for a spot in the Western Conference Finals.

Perhaps, this is their season.

3. Philadelphia 76ers (Last season record: 40-42; East 7th)

The Sixers are the most intriguing team out of these three. They had a loosing record last year; nevertheless, they forced the Pistons to play six games to knocking down them. They were able to clinch a game at the Palace, and they nearly went for a 1-3.

In this case, this bright final, and the acquisition of all-pro Elton Brand gives the team a huge momentum coming into the season. Andre Miller and Andre Iguodala are an underrated although talented duo of perimeter players. They carry the scoring weight of the team, combining for 36 ppg. Louis Williams is a reliable option coming of the bench as he puts over 10 ppg.

At the low post, Brand joins Samuel Dalembert, and I’m sure that they are going to be a dominating couple. Dalembert is a defensive-minded player; a rebounding machine and an intimidator. Brand will complement him with his offensive talent and skill as he will also improve the overall level of the team.

In my opinion, this team will break out this year, making the postseason again and becoming a huge contender through the NBA Playoffs.