By Alex Gordon
Basketball is the most predictable of all sports. In the last 35 years, only ten different teams have won the championship. The best team usually comes out on top, especially in a seven game series. Maybe that’s what makes this season so intriguing. We’ll start with the east, or the few teams that have a snowball’s chance in a Nevada parking lot of beating a healthy Cavaliers squad. It comes down to will Derick Rose ever look anything like the MVP he once was. The Bulls, when healthy, are the only team that has anywhere near the depth or defensive ability to contend with the Cavaliers. They have Jimmy Butler, as close a LeBron foil as you can find, and the size, when healthy, to compete on the boards. That’s a CAPSLOCK “if” though. With the mileage on this group, seeing a full strength Bulls team trading haymakers in the eastern finals would make me believe in miracles. An injury riddled Cavaliers swept the Hawks in the Eastern finals last year, and nothing predicts a different result. The Raptors and the Wizards have nobody to deal with LeBron, not to mention Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving. In a nutshell, the east is the Cavs to lose.
The West is a much different story. Six teams could easily find themselves in the Western finals. The Warriors, Thunder, Clippers, Spurs, Grizzlies, and Rockets will all jockey for position in that top six till April rolls around. Then we only know the fans will be winners for certain. Here’s a quick rundown on their chances.
Warriors: The reigning champs bring back basically all the key pieces from last season. David Lee was traded away to free up cap space (all the best to him), but they can play still play any style and always find a way to shut you down and score just the same. They showed us a selfless and beautiful style of basketball that captivated diehard fans and casual observers alike, and yet, some experts don’t have them as the favorite.
Rockets: This is the sleeper that many see awakening this year. Assuming Ty Lawson can find his near all-star from after arrests and lost years in Denver. This team is expected to make noise. General Manager Daryl Morey’s asset swapping seems to have finally panned out as they are as deep as they come. A healthy Warriors-Rockets conference finals rematch would probably provide one of the best series that we’ve seen in the last decade. With all these other competitors, however, hope is all you can do in the western conference.
Thunder: A storm is brewing in Oklahoma City (wow a bad pun and a potentially insensitive tornado country joke. I’ll show myself out.) After two lost seasons since their finals appearance in 2012, the hourglass is slowly running out. As long as they have a healthy Durant and Westbrook they will be in the conversation, but they’re in their primes, and could leave if they don’t see more success soon. The supporting cast won’t blow you away (oh goodness there’s another), and round out the weakest team in the top six on paper. When you have two of the best 15 basketball players on the planet, though, that’s all it is. A piece of paper.
Spurs: With the acquisition of Lamarcus Aldridge the Spurs have somehow keyed up for another assault on the playoff ladder. I’ve learned two things about professional basketball: never bet against the Spurs, and injuries define success. These two theories will test each other this year as one has to wonder if the team that’s been “too old.” For the past four seasons will finally show its years.
Clippers: After somehow signing Deandre Jordan after he signed with another team, the Clippers kept their core intact and surrounded it with some go-for-broke gambles. They brought in Josh Smith and Lance Stevenson, along with other veteran pieces that need to pan out if they’re going to be competitive. They have to have someone else lean on for offense besides Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, and the occasional Jamal Crawford heat check.
Grizzlies: Always overlooked, but always there in the second round, the Grizzlies have been a playoff mainstay for the last five years. Based on a talented and old school big man pairing in Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph they beat you on the glass, on defense, and with sharp passing. Their only significant additions were Matt Barnes and Brandon Wright. Though good players, neither have the skill to remedy their long time Achilles heel of outside shooting.
Wow. This is awful. I think.
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