5 NBA Teams Poised to Surprise Us in 2011-2012

Should the NBA lockout ever cease, we will be in for an array of surprises in the 2011-2012 season.

A handful of NBA teams are on the hot seat as we look toward next season, but there are also a number of teams that are poised to shock the basketball world.

We are not talking about teams like the Miami Heat or Dallas Mavericks, rather teams who may have been on the down and out, but now have the ability to make some noise. We are talking about teams that may be expected to head in one direction, yet take a completely different path.

How capable of making a splash in the Eastern Conference are Deron Williams and the New Jersey Nets?

Can Blake Griffin and the Los Angeles Clippers even make an attempt at stepping out of the Los Angeles Lakers' shadow even somewhat?

The aforementioned teams, and others, are organizations that are ready to exceed expectations, shed the labels of underachieving and hapless, and catch some of the spotlight splashing off of teams like the Heat and Lakers.

And this makes them teams to keep our eye on, lockout willing, as we progress through next season.

Let's take a look at why.

Los Angeles Clippers

Remember that year the Clippers were relevant?

Me neither.

The Clippers have always been second fiddle in Los Angeles, mainly because of the Lakers' overwhelming popularity, but also largely in part to due their underwhelming performance. The Clippers' biggest accomplishment came during the 2005-2006 NBA season, in which they clinched the sixth-seeded spot in the Western Conference playoffs, one spot ahead of the seventh-seeded Lakers.

During that stretch though, the Lakers remained Los Angeles' team though, and the brutal truth of the matter is the Clippers, no matter how well they ever do, will never exceed the Lakers' popularity.

This doesn't mean the Clippers will never emerge from behind the Lakers' shadow though.

After going 32-50 last season, the Clippers are not really expected to do any real damage next year, even with the NBA's reigning Rookie of the Year and slam dunk champion, Blake Griffin, continuing to improve. However, we may be in for quite a surprise next season.

Why?

Griffin is an absolute rock down low for the team. He averaged 22.5 points and 12.1 rebounds last season. He is only 22 and his game is continuing to develop, which is a frightening thought for opposing teams. Look for him to extend his range on offense next season, as well as improve his defense, thus becoming a more well-rounded player.

Griffin is not the sole reason this Clippers team will surprise us next season though. Guard Eric Gordon also emerged as quite the producer last year, and all indications are the 22-year-old will only build upon that success.

Gordon averaged 22.3 points, 4.4 assists and 1.3 steals per game last, emerging as one of the league's better scorers. His accolades were often overshadowed by Griffin's incredible performance, but expect to see the two become quite the tandem next year.

The Clippers also have a promising center in DeAndre Jordan, who they extended a qualifying offer to back in June. The 23-year-old is 6'11" and is a solid low-post partner for Griffin. Jordan averaged 7.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in under 30 minutes per game last season. His production will likely improve greatly next season.

And then there are young players like Eric Bledsoe, Al-Farouq Aminu and the experienced Randy Foye who will all prove to be solid role payers.

The Clippers are young, but next season they will begin to come into their own and a playoff appearance is not out of the question.

Griffin and the Clippers will not being replacing the Lakers as Los Angeles' team, but by the end of the season they will have sent a powerful message to them and the rest of the league: Hey, we're here too. 

Golden State Warriors

The Golden State Warriors got off to an auspicious start last season, but by the end of the year they looked like a completely different team—and not in a good way, finishing 36-46.

Fortunately for the Warriors, better days are on the horizon.

New head coach Mark Jackson is a defensive specialist and is sure to improve the team's execution on that end of the floor. A solid defensive performance will prove to be huge to the Warriors, especially given that they are already a very good offensive team.

Monta Ellis' future may be unclear, but with or without him, and many seem to think he will remain in Golden State, the Warriors are set to shock critics next season.

If Ellis remains, he will put up similar, if not even better, numbers than his 24.1 points and 5.6 points per game from last season. And then Golden State has his partner in the backcourt, Stephen Curry, who averaged 18.9 points, 5.8 assists and 1.5 steals per game, while emerging as one of the league's premier shooters.

Let's not forget about the incoming Klay Thompson either, who averaged 21.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game in his last year with Washington State.

Some believe that his addition overcrowds the backcourt, explaining the shopping of Ellis, but in fact, he just gives the Warriors more options. All three guards are solid scorers and capable of running the point, a good problem to have. 

Golden State is also looking promising down low next season. David Lee's contribution to the team was severely underrated. He averaged 16.5 points and 9.8 rebounds per game last year, and the defensive-minded center should flourish under Jackson's new system.

These four players give this team a very bright future. And even if the Warriors opt to deal Ellis, they won't do so without getting someone of value in return.

Additionally, Ekpe Udoh now has a year under his belt and may be able to start living up to his potential. And Dorrell Wright and Andris Biedrins will help sure up the frontcourt next year.

The Warriors certainly underachieved last season, but now they have had time to develop a certain level of cohesion together, a cohesion that should allow them to incorporate Thompson rather seamlessly.

No denying that Golden State is a playoff-inexperienced team.

But that may all change next season. 

Washington Wizards

John Wall and the Washington Wizards did not turn any heads last season, finishing 23-59, and disappointing many who had higher hopes.

Next season will prove to be a different story though.

In his first season, Wall emerged as the leader of a young Washington Wizards team, averaging 16.4 points, 8.3 assists, 4.6 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game. He also made a name for himself as one of the most elusive players in NBA history.

And then we have his partner in the backcourt, Nick Young, who surprised many last year, averaging 17.4 points and 2.7 rebounds per game. He is a restricted free agent this summer, but the Wizards have extended a qualifying offer to him and are determined to keep him and Wall together.

The backcourt is further solidified by Jordan Crawford, who averaged 11.7 points and 2.8 assists per game last season. He made it clear he could score in bunches and handle the point guard duties as well.

The Wizards have a similar backcourt situation to that of the Warriors: not crowded, but full of options. 

In terms of the frontcourt, Washington will be much better off next year with the likes of Andray Blatche and JaVale McGee, who both showed promise and are continuing to improve. And while Rashard Lewis may not be worth the $21 million in salary he commands, but he provides some much-needed veteran leadership and experience for the team.

We also cannot forget the incoming Chris Singleton, who can both score and rebound and should prove to be a great frontcourt addition.

Washington has a solid young core in place, more so than people give them credit for. It is a core that experienced a variety of growing pains last season, but one that is set to come into its own next year.

A core that is poised to surprise a heck of a lot of people, perhaps by even becoming relevant in the Eastern Conference's playoff race. 

New Jersey Nets

The New Jersey Nets and owner Mikhail Prokhorov took quite a risk when they traded for Deron Williams without the guarantee of a contract extension, but it was a risk they had to take.

As the Nets prepare to move to Brooklyn, they needed to find a way to become relevant with the potential of remaining relevant, and Williams does just that, even with the team posting a 24-58 record.

Williams averaged a combined 20.1 points, 10.3 assists and 1.2 steals per game last season and provides the Nets with a top-tier player that can make everyone around him better, including the already up-and-coming and severely underrated Brook Lopez.

Last season, Lopez averaged 20.4 points, six rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. He is a solid defender and even has some range to his offensive game. He will absolutely thrive off the passing abilities of Williams, as well as the extra looks he is bound to get now that Williams will be focus No. 1 for the defense.

And do you know who else should thrive along side Williams?

Incoming rookie Marshon Brooks. In his last year at Providence, he averaged 24.6 points, seven rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.2 blocks per game. Sure, the NBA is a whole other level, but when you have someone at 6'5" blocking shots and rebounding like a power forward in college, he's a player with a potential.

Additionally, Brooks can put up points in bunches and should get plenty of opportunities to do just that while the defense focuses on Lopez and Williams.

Don't sleep on the Nets bringing back Kris Humphries either to sure up the middle. And Ben Uzoh should show some improvement from last season as well.

The Nets have a better core than they get credit for, but they are also dangerous for another reason: Dwight Howard negotiations.

New Jersey is a team that will push for Howard harder than most realize. The Nets are sure to be one of the top contenders in the sweepstakes and if they land Howard, a combination of he and Williams could be enough to push them to elite status.

However, even if Howard does not join the Nets, it seems that a playoff appearance is on the horizon for this young team.

And once we get into the postseason, anything is possible.

Portland Trail Blazers

After a posting a 48-34 record and claiming the sixth seed in the Western Conference last season, the Portland Trail Blazers are a team that is poised to move up significantly in the ranks.

LaMarcus Aldridge played his way into MVP chatter last year, averaging 21.8 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game. He is a terrific low-post scorer and rebounder, and plays the type of physical defense that would impress even Dwight Howard.

And then there is Wesley Matthews, a pleasant surprise for Portland last season. He averaged 15.9 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game. He will be entering his third year in the league and seems poised to improve even further.

The Blazers now also boast the ever-undervalued Raymond Felton, who—splitting time between the New York Knicks and Denver Nuggets last season—averaged 15.5 points, 8.3 assists and 1.7 steals per game. He is a terrific defender and passer, and one of the more elusive guards in the league.

Felton could prove to be the key to the Blazers moving up in the West. He plays the type of physical game that most point guards do not, and he has a formidable pick-and-roll partner once again in Aldridge.

Additionally, youngsters like Brandon Roy—should Portland hold onto him—Nicolas Batum and veteran Gerald Wallace add further depth to the outside. Simply put, when it comes to wing players, the Blazers have options.

Veteran Marcus Camby is also still capable of impressing down low along with Aldridge. And if the team winds up bringing back Greg Oden, and he stays healthy, there is a possibility he could make a major contribution as well.

Furthermore, Nolan Smith may prove to be the type of talent capable of backing up Felton immediately.

The Blazers turned some heads last season, but they are going to turn many more next year. Portland has the depth that many teams in the league can only dream about, and it may prove to be the deciding factor that puts them among the top in the Western Conference.

Last year was a nice surprise, but next year may prove to be an even bigger one.