NBA Playoffs 2011: Power-Ranking Each Team's Chance of Winning the NBA Finals
The 2010-2011 NBA regular season was nothing short of spectacular.
In a season filled with rising stars and blockbuster trades, this installment of the NBA Playoffs will surely be filled with "Where Amazing Happens" moments. With the potential for second round matchups of Los Angeles and Dallas, along with Miami and Boston, the NBA Playoffs will truly show the high quality level of talent that each of its teams and players possess.
Although this season has been highly contested, the concentration of the league's best teams is very close to the top. Here is a ranking of each chances of being crowned the 2011 NBA Champions.
"Really?!? The Playoffs?! Come on! Couldn't we lose a few more games and get a lottery pick?! What a waste!"
16. Indiana Pacers
The Frank Vogel-coached Pacers are "being rewarded" with the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference. Every year, there is a team or two that would just be better off with a lottery spot, not an early exit to one of the top teams in the league. The Pacers are one of those teams. They have a solid foundation with Danny Granger, but no team can be competitive with him as their first scoring option. The Pacers will be lucky to win a game in the first round, and start to set their sights the warm summer months.
They will only win it all if ... a natural disaster (or something of that sort) wipes out practically every team in the league.
There is no doubting Chris Paul's steadying influence on his young Hornets team, and had them in contention for a top five seed in November and December. But, the feel good story out of NOLA may have come to an end. David West's torn ACL has been devastating for the Monty Williams led Hornets. Without any inside presence, the New Orleans has no chance to make a run through the NBA Playoffs.
Coach of the Year candidate Doug Collins has gotten the most out of his young team. Led by a somewhat rejuvenated Elton Brand and an athletic and energetic young core, Collins has his team playing hard every night. But, in the NBA Playoffs, talent is a necessity, and with no go-to-scorer, the 76ers have almost no chance at an NBA Championship, at least not this year.
"Hey, we are just happy to be here. It was great to get an invite to the party, but we'll see you for real next year."
The Grizzlies, formerly of Vancouver, have been a consistent cellar-dweller in the first decade of the 21st century. But, is it possible that Rudy Gay and co. have the talent and camaraderie to turn it around? Yes. But, unfortunately the Grizzlies are still a year or two away. With the improved play of former first-round pick Michael Conley; Memphis could give the Western Conference's top team, the San Antonio Spurs, a run for their money.
12. Denver Nuggets
This season was more about a former Nugget, Carmelo Anthony, than anything else about the team. After trading Anthony and Chauncey Billups in late February, the Nuggets went an impressive 18-7. They are the highest scoring team in the league at just over 107 points per game, and coach George Karl has his team playing well together. The major concern with the Nuggets is their lack of "star power." It does not seem as if anyone on their roster is capable of taking over a game for certain stretches, something they will need to match Kevin Durant and the Thunder in the first round.
11. Portland Trail Blazers
Isn't it just expected by now? The 'Blazers and injuries are like peanut butter and jelly, they just go together. But, as the story goes, led by steady coach, Nate McMillan, Portland has battled its way into the playoffs through strong chemistry and gritty play. Brandon Roy missed the first half of the season recovering from two micro-fracture surgeries on his knees, and centers Greg Oden and Marcus Camby are non-factors due to injury. Regardless, the Trailblazers are back into the playoffs, but are still an injury-free season away from doing much impact on the postseason.
"All we here is about their defense! THEY CAN'T STOP A NOSEBLEED!" - Bart Scott
10. New York Knicks
New York fans got all that they wished for at the trade deadline and more. The addition of Carmelo Anthony and NBA Finals MVP, Chauncey Billups gave the Knicks one of the most talented cores in the league. But all did not go as planned. By going just 14-14 since the trade, panic began to take hold in NYC. And with a defense that "can't stop a nosebleed," there is no reason to believe that Mike D'Antoni's club will magically turn it around on the defensive end of the floor. Although loaded with talent, this edition of the Knickerbockers will need to buckle down on defense if they want any shot at hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
In the past four seasons the Atlanta Hawks have won two playoff series, both in the first round, and then were swept in the conference semifinals both times. And they enter the 2011 NBA Playoffs with practically the same roster. They added Kirk Hinrich for defensive toughness during the season, but it still does not make up for their clear lack of intensity and heart. With the third-worst rebounding average in the league, the Hawks must toughen up, especially on the inside. Nothing against the "Georgian Sensation" (Zaza Pachulia), but would anyone want him standing up for you after a hard foul? Waiting, still waiting, and as I had guessed, no one would.
You know how some people are just in-between. Its like they aren't "good" enough to be mentioned with the best, but better than almost everyone else. That is the "Isiah Thomas" effect. He was never as good as Magic and Bird during the '80s, but he was better than just about everyone else.
Just two years removed from the NBA Finals, the Orlando Magic have gotten almost no hype as a contender. Even with the best center in the league, Dwight Howard, they still remain a "forgotten" team. During the regular season, they revamped their roster bringing in Jason Richardson and Gilbert Arenas, along with Hedo Turkoglu. Turkoglu, a major catalyst for the Magic's run to the 'ship in 2009, must step up like he did in those playoffs. With their defensive prowess and three-point shooting, the Magic could make a similar run to the one they had two years back.
"Are the Mavericks soft?" This questioned has been on the minds of NBA followers for years now. "Does Dirk Nowitzki have what it takes to win an NBA Championship?," is another. But, regardless of the question marks, the Mavs have plenty of encouraging spots that could help setup a deep playoff run. They added Tyson Chandler, a well respected, shot-blocking center, while Jason Kidd has found a "fountain of youth." Even as the third seed in a highly competitive Western Conference, they still don't receive credit. Will this year's Mavs play with a chip on their shoulder, or subside to the pressure of expectations?
They showed glimpses of it last year, in their first round series against the Los Angeles Lakers. OKC took the Lakers to a one-point win in Game 6 to clinch a series victory. They showed the heart and chemistry, the defense and the hustle. Kevin Durant emerged as a superstar and Russell Westbrook began to reveal his true potential. What the Thunder truly lacked was an interior presence. And at the trade deadline, GM Sam Presti stole Kendrick Perkins from the Celtics. The Thunder are widely discussed as too young, or as a team with a shallow bench, keeping them from reaching the status of true contenders.
April flowers do not just bring May flowers. April brings the NBA Playoffs, which awaken certain NBA teams like the first signs of spring awaken a hibernating Grizzly.
Oh, Danny Ainge, what were you thinking? Ainge, the Celtics GM, not only let Kendrick Perkin waltz to the Oklahoma City Thunder at the trade deadline, but he also created yet another avenue for head coach Doc Rivers to continue his mantra: "The starting five, Rondo, Allen, Pierce, Garnett and Perkins, have never lost a playoff series together." But seriously, the Celtics have been so mediocre after Perkins was traded that some analysts are beginning to question their desire and hunger even when it comes to the playoffs.
4. San Antonio Spurs
Gregg Popovich has worked yet another magical coaching job. The Spurs beat the Dallas Mavericks in a six game series in last year's first round, but then suffered a swift and through four game beating by the Phoenix Suns. Many thought the Spur's run had ended. Tim Duncan was too old, Manu Ginobili couldn't get his own shot anymore, and Tony Parker was too slow to continue to get into the pain were all valid concerns heading into the 2010-2011 campaign. But, what the Spurs have is a perfect combination a youthful, energetic bench and veteran leaders. This meshing of these two key components give San Antonio reason to believe that this year will not end like last.
3. Los Angeles Lakers
They are the two time defending champs, they have the best clutch player in the game, and arguably the best coach in the league, the Los Angeles Lakers' playoff prospects don't look too bleak. In Phil Jackson's last season, the Lakers should be gunning for a three-peat, the fourth of Jackson's coaching career. With Kobe's nasty glare, and Pau Gasol's toughness steadily on the rise, the only question the Lakers have is how healthy Andrew Bynum will be after hyper-extending his knee on the eve of the playoffs.
"You either die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become the VILLAIN." - Harvey Dent (The Dark Knight)
2. Miami Heat
The great thing about the 2010-2011 NBA Season was that the Miami Heat gave everyone outside of South Beach, a favorite team to hate. Fans enjoy superstars going at it, not passing to each other on the same team. That is what All-Star Games are for. This designation of a common enemy for NBA Fans was followed by constant scrutiny by the media. This overshadowed the talent and strength of this Heat team. They are a hard-nosed defensive team, and oh, by the way, they do have LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh all on the same roster. Their depth (or lack thereof) will not matter because at least two of their three superstars will be on the floor during the whole game. The talent that the Miami Heat have is so vast, that they are one of the scariest playoff teams in recent memory.
Mom and Dad's FAVORITE child. They get all the best gifts and are constantly awarded with somewhat meaningless prizes. But, in the long run, are they really the best?
The Bulls are back. They have the MVP in Derrick Rose and the Coach of the Year in Tom Thibodeau, a second unit with its own nickname ("The Bench Mob"), and Brian Scalabrine. Rose's humility and self-less attitude have captured the league's followers and helped his team will itself to the best record in the NBA at 62-20. It’s the Bulls who are the best defensive team in the league and also the best rebounding team. Chicago has everything in place to win an NBA Title. Their unselfish and driven style of play will suit the slower-paced gritty style of the NBA Playoffs, as they try and win their first NBA Championship since the days of the great Michael Jordan.
Josh Rosenblat is a high school student from Chicago looking to find a way to break into sports journalism. He often writes about the NBA (primarily the Chicago Bulls), as well as the MLB, College Basketball, and the NFL. You can email him at joshua.m.rosenblat@gmail.com or follow him on twitter @JMRosenblat. Feel free to send him comments.
