This NBA season will be remembered as one of best ever, without question. We’ve witnessed literally hundred of great games and almost as many Blake Griffin dunks.
We saw the creation of a new NBA superpower in the Miami Heat, only to be usurped by the rise of the Derrick Rose and his Chicago Bulls.
Some NBA Superstars left traditional homes for greener pastures, whilst others were traded out to new surroundings.
It really was a season for the history books. Yet the fun stuff hasn’t even started yet.
The 2011 NBA Playoffs tip-off this weekend. After battling through a grueling 82-game schedule, the top sixteen teams sit just sixteen wins away from getting their hands on the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy.
Before the race to the championship gets underway, let’s break down the top five teams and their realistic championship aspirations.
5. THE BOSTON CELTICS
The Boston Celtics have been here before.
As they prepare to mount another tilt at NBA glory, the entire organization knows what it takes to get to the NBA summit. The Celtics have made the NBA finals in two of the last three seasons, and were victorious against the Los Angeles Lakers, in 2008.
With that being said, the Boston Celtics have endured somewhat of a slide this season.
The ‘Big 3’ – Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen – are all that extra year older, and have battled injuries all season. The nucleus of this Boston Celtics team, was put together prior to the 2007 season, and it’s clear that time is finally catching up to these Celtics.
Rajon Rondo has continued to improve for Boston, yet his subpar shooting ability and lack of clutch confidence makes him a liability for the Celtics late in games.
Rondo is one of the best players in the NBA during the first 45 minutes of any game, but his late game struggles have the potential to derail championship dreams in Boston.
Yet perhaps the biggest ‘X-Factor’ for this Boston Celtics side is the departure of Kendrick Perkins to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Many – especially those within the playing squad – saw Kendrick Perkins to be the heart and soul of the Celtics line-up. His tough play and commitment to the cause epitomized everything that the Boston Celtics pride themselves on.
Head Coach Doc Rivers even said that if Kendrick Perkins wouldn’t have been injured in Game Seven of last year’s NBA Finals, it would’ve been the Celtics who were victorious, not the Los Angeles Lakers.
His loss also hurts from a match-up standpoint, because if the Celtics come up against the Orlando Magic or the Los Angeles Lakers, they lack an inside presence to control Dwight Howard and Andrew Bynum respectively. It’s a big loss to overcome.
This Boston Celtics side cannot be written off however. The experience mentioned earlier is the intangible for the Celtics. If they can stave of Father Time for another month, and get some favorable match-ups, they still very much have a shot at winning another title.
4. THE SAN ANTONIO SPURS
The San Antonio Spurs are in a very similar situation to the Boston Celtics. They’re a team with a wealth of experience, and have achieved the ultimate success four times in the last twelve seasons.
They were brilliant throughout the first three-quarters of the season, storming to the league’s best record. However they have started to tail off in the last month or so as injuries finally caught up with the Spurs.
San Antonio boast a line-up that features three career All-Stars – Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker – which fits perfectly into the theory that a team needs at least two superstars to win a NBA Championship.
However, the All-Star credibility of their leader – Tim Duncan – is very much in question this year.
Tim Duncan has established himself as a first-ballot Hall-of-Famer, ever since he left Wake Forest and graduated to the NBA thirteen years ago.
Over that span, Tim Duncan has a plus 20/10 average, a feat that not many players can boast over a career of that span. He has led the San Antonio Spurs to each of their four NBA Championships since the 1999 season.
Yet this year, Tim Duncan is not an All-Star, he’s not even close. His average has fallen to just 13 points and 9 rebounds. They’re still impressive numbers, but they represent just how quickly age has caught up with Duncan.
If the San Antonio Spurs were to win another title in June, they need the Tim Duncan of years gone by; unfortunately that Tim Duncan may be gone.
Although in the absence left by Tim Duncan’s decline, Argentinian Manu Ginobili has turned in another impressive season. Ginobili has been the catalyst for this San Antonio Spurs team and has improved upon his career averages, across the board.
His season has been nothing short of sensational.
It’s incredibly rare that the team which finishes the season with the best record is not one of the favourites for the championship. But that’s the fate of this San Antonio Spurs team.
Like the Boston Celtics, their experience means that they cannot be counted out by any means, but I just cannot see the Spurs beating any of the next three teams.
3. THE MIAMI HEAT
This Miami Heat team was created to win championships.
Ever since LeBron James famously announced he would be “taking his talents to South Beach”, championship glory has not only been the goal, but the expectation.
Whilst at times this season the Miami Heat have looked every bit a championship contender, there has been many occasions when they haven’t looked anywhere near the mark. It has been the most expensive Jekyll and Hyde routine in history.
The irony in this Miami Heat side is that after establishing a core trio that was supposed to make Miami an NBA Superpower, the lack of any support will be their downfall.
The trio of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh has been huge for the Heat, averaging over 70 points, 22 rebounds and 13 assists per contest. The production of those three cannot be questioned. But the rest of the Miami Heat squad has barely shown up at all this season.
Winning an NBA Championship is a total team effort.
Michael Jordan had a great supporting cast throughout his championship years with the Chicago Bulls; Magic Johnson played alongside a host of Hall-of-Famers with his ‘Showtime’ Lakers. Even Kobe Bryant and the current Los Angeles Lakers have a team stacked with great talent.
LeBron James should know that it takes a total team performance to win a NBA Championship, the lack of such a performance is what cost his Cleveland Cavaliers squad over the past two seasons. On each occasions, LeBron James was the best player in the league, yet his team failed to reach the NBA finals.
The Miami Heat still manage to reach third on my list of Championship favorites, purely because of the sublime skills of LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, and those two have the ability to carry the Heat in the early round of the playoffs.
But to win, or even reach the NBA Finals, Miami will need the rest of their team to step-up. If not, they’ll quickly be bounced out against either of the next two squads.
2. THE CHICAGO BULLS
The Chicago Bulls have been the biggest surprise story of the 2010 NBA Season.
A win against Deron Williams, and the lowly New Jersey Nets, would ensure the Chicago Bulls finish the season with the league’s best record (62-20). That is a 22 win improvement on last year.
At the beginning of the season, no-one was predicting this from the Chicago Bulls.
Derrick Rose has emerged, as not only the leader for his Chicago Bulls team, but as an elite player in the NBA. He should without doubt be named the league’s MVP. His output this season – 25 points, 8 assists and four rebounds per game – has been well above his career average.
In the last two seasons Derrick Rose showed flashes of brilliance. This season however, Rose has brought that brilliance every night. He has been one of the main reasons that this Chicago Bulls team, has gone from tough opponents in the playoffs, to title contenders.
However, as amazing as Derrick Rose has been, the overall team play for Chicago is the reason for their stellar season.
The same argument that casts doubt over the Miami Heat’s title credentials strengthens Chicago’s.
The Chicago Bulls are the hardest working team in the NBA this season. They play lock-down team defense, and crash the boards in every contest, as shown by being ranked second in the league in both Rebounds and Points Allowed per game.
The play of Luol Deng, Keith Bogans, Joakim Noah, Kurt Thomas and Ronnie Brewer is just as important to this Chicago Bulls team as the play of Derrick Rose and fellow All-Star, Carlos Boozer.
This makes Chicago a lethal team to meet in the playoffs, and a deserved favourite. There is no such thing as an easy game against the Chicago Bulls. Over a seven-game playoff series, that makes defeating them a monumental challenge for their opposition.
The only thing that has stopped me from putting this Chicago Bulls as the outright favorite is the pedigree of the next squad on the list. But they should meet in an NBA Final, it will be a spectacle to behold for all basketball fans.
1.THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS
As the saying goes, “to be the man, you’ve got to beat the man”, something that no team in the NBA has been able to do over the last two seasons. Until someone steps up and beats the Los Angeles Lakers, they’re the favourites.
The Los Angeles Lakers have had their share of troubles and forms slumps this year; yet they still appear set to claim the Number Two seed in the Western Conference.
A win against the Sacramento Kings, in the final game of the season will see them finish the season 57 wins and 25 losses. They would also have a comfortable first-round matchup with the New Orleans Hornets.
They appear destined for a historic three-peat.
Kobe Bryant and his Los Angeles Lakers have been the measuring stick in the NBA for the better part of the last decade.
Another championship this season would give the Lakers their sixth title since the year 2000. That means that they will have won over half of the NBA titles this millennium. Only Bill Russell’s Boston Celtics squad of the 1950-60s, and Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls of the 1990s can claim to have enjoyed a period of similar dominance.
It is almost impossible to see how any team will stop the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers not only have such an immense advantage through their playoff pedigree, but they still have the burning hunger to win.
With Kobe Bryant on the cusp of leading Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, Andrew Bynum, Ron Artest and Derrick Fisher into another post-season campaign, it appears certain that another Championship will be headed to Staples Centre.
tony
Guest
MIAMI WILL WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Liam Quinn
Roar Pro
The big thing with Perkins is his importance to the team, not just his playing time. 100% agree though about the regular season, the Celtics cruised last year, just like the Lakers have done at times this year. The Celtics are definitely a side that has to be respected and will be tough to beat, but it just seems past them. I like you're comparison with the Pistons, hadn't thought of it in that way, but very similar situations.
Liam Quinn
Roar Pro
Hard-nosed defense, a team that believes in what their coaches preach to them, and have great chemistry and play for each. Isn't that what the Celtics preached from 2008 onwards, and those are the same accolades many people have given the Bulls this year. Look at there roster and there are plenty of "veteran players and character guys." The Lakers are going to win, but it's premature to right of the Bulls, a team that has the best record in the league, even though they played without Boozer and Noah for almost a third of the season. Laugh at Arenas if you want, but don't forget that before he completely blew out his knee, he was a 25+ppg player and was a serious MVP candidate with the WASHINGTON WIZARDS! Serious injuries that take away mobility take a long time for anyone to get over, especially explosive players like Arenas. Just look at Chris Paul this year. Can't wait though, should be a great playoffs.
Connor Kret
Roar Rookie
LOLS. Arenas is never going to be 100%, anyway the Celtics are the exception not the rule, they brought three veteren leaders and surrounded them with character guys. The Bulls are nothing like those Celtics. Thibs is a first year head coach, although hes done great all year it would be unreasonable to ask for a finals run from them. I think we see a Celtics Lakers finals again.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
Perkins barely played for the Celtics this season. The regular season is simply too long for a veteran team that lost a Game 7 in the finals. It's worth noting that all their playoff success last year came on the road. In fact, this year's slump wasn't anywhere near as bad as last season's post All-Star game slump. They remind me of the Pistons team that won in 2004 and lost in 7 in 2005. They were upset by the Heat in 2006 and were never the same afterwards. Boston to lose in the semis, IMO.
Liam Quinn
Roar Pro
Shaq isn't even a factor for the Celtics, he has barely played all year, he's a potential add-on for the Celts, you can't use him as an expected impact. Don't forget that the Knicks have beaten Chicago, Oklahoma City, San Antonio, Miami (who they held under 90 points TWICE) and Orlando this year...that's pretty good for a Sixth Seed. And they have they're the second highest scoring team in the league, I'm not saying they're going to win the championship, or even against the Celtics, but they have a good shot at an upset. The Heat, sure Riley is an amazing coach, but Thibodeau isn't too bad either. Coach of the Year, and he was the guy who masterminded the Celtics defensive play the last few seasons. All those players you mentioned have massive similarities with the Bulls. Jason Williams - Kyle Korver, Gary Payton - Ronnie Brewer, Big Zo - Kurt Thomas, Antoine Walker - Luol Deng. Oh, and the 2008 Champions Celtics, they had the second worst record in the league before winning the next season, and they didn't make the playoffs the year before that, so teams can win even without recent playoff success. The Magic are an interesting team, they've been thereabouts for the past few seasons, and have improved this year, it just hasn't had any hype. You're right about Hedo, J-Rich has developed into a consistent player on both ends of the floor, and Dwight is probably going to be runner up in the MVP. For me, the play of Jameer Nelson will determine how the Magic go. Arenas isn't anywhere near 100% again yet, so if Nelson doesn't come up big, then the Magic won't go far.
Connor Kret
Roar Rookie
I don't care if Shaq is healthy or not. There's no way im picking this Celtics team to lose in the first round to a team with no defense. Not going to happen. BTW with the Heat it wasn't just Shaq. Your ignoring a seasoned coach in Pat Riley, veterans like Jason Williams, Gary Payton, Alonzo Mourning and Antoine Walker, not to mention the fact that the refs gave Miami that whole series against Dallas. History proves that a team that's never won a series cant be a serious title threat. The Magic could pull a second round upset if Turkoglu returns to 2009 form and Richardson can play well. Oh and that big guy Dwight Howard, they need him to do good too.
Liam Quinn
Roar Pro
Complete agree about the Knicks, they could spring an upset, but they'd play the Heat in the Second Round. That would surely be too big an ask for them to get by the Heat, even though they did beat them during the season. And you're absolutely right about the "seven seconds or less" Suns. But just winning a series would be huge for the Knicks this year. Again, completely agree about Caron Butler, it's amazing how his injury seems to have almost been forgotten, he was in career best form before getting hurt. He would've given the Mavs that X-Factor, and a legitimate 30 point threat every game other than Dirk. The only other team that gives a little bit of precedence to the Bulls, would probably be the Heat of 2006? Led by a young superstar guard (D-Wade) and then had strong mix of youth and experienced role players. Obviously they had Shaq and all his experience, which does blow it out of the water a little bit. What do you think about the Magic? They're going pretty much unnoticed at the moment.
thesportsguy
Guest
there is a good reason you dont get to many surprise champions in the NBA, the structure is set out for only supreme teams to win. There is no way knicks get through 2nd round or even through to the finals. show me one single team without an elite defense that ever won a championship and il retract my comments. same goes for the nuggets. OKC has beaten them up all season, good combination of elite scorers, inside presence & team defense. They will man handle them in the first round. both those teams got no chance. Knicks defense is atrocious and non existent. its playoffs, the pace of the game slows way down, more half court sets, more structured play, less seven seconds or less. there is a reason MVP Nashs led suns never got to far, they were FAR superior to these knicks, better players better depth, more fun to watch but didnt have playoff defense. They may beat the celts, but they wont get past elite teams. Agree about portlands chances though - they touched them up last 2 games, and the 2 games they lost were by no more then 5 points. caron butlers injury changed that team. i can see a 7 game series occuring. Agree with connor; young first time entries rarely do well in the finals. you need seasoned campaigners in the team that have been that deep. the celts in 2008 had veteran leadership with a in form KG, a well seasoned vet in peirce and allen, and a solid crew of role players. The bulls should be favorite, but they got a young guard, noah, and boozer who have never been to the ECF let alone the finals! its not going to be easy as everyone thinks.
JVGO
Guest
Rose and the Bulls have never won a playoff series. Winning four in a row would seem highly unlikely. Same with OKC. Seriously the Knicks have no chance against the Celtics, none. Does D'Antoni have any defensive strategy. The C's won't even need Shaq. Ddin't the C's scrubs give them a buttkicking the other night? The crucial series will be Miami/Celtics in the second round and if Shaq plays C's will win that. Lakers will win the west despite Kobe bricking 20 shots a night. The finals will be close, 7 games and the refs will decide..again.
Liam Quinn
Roar Pro
Both the Bulls and the Thunder have already been in big playoff spots before. The Bulls pushed the Celtics to seven games, and the Thunder got the closest to the Lakers out of anyone last year. They've been here before, also you can't forget the fact that Rose, Durant and Westbrook led the US team at the last World Championships. That's a huge thing to do at a young age, and they've all spoke about the experience gained from that. Can't see the Celtics winning it, they have finished the season 10-11, hardly the sort of form you want to carry into the playoffs. Dumping Perkins has really hurt the chemistry of the squad, which has been openly touted as the reason for their recent success.The Knicks are very much capable of knocking off the Celtics in the first round. The Spurs should get by the Grizzles, but that wont be anywhere near as easy as most people think. The Grizz are young, athletic and can make the Spurs speed up the play, something that San Antonio hate doing. Portland just seem to be the perfect fit for Dallas. Aldridge can counter Nowitzki, same goes for Miller and Kidd, Camby and Chandler. Brandon Roy, Gerald Wallace, Nic Batum and Wes Mathews really give the Blazers that extra step, the Mavs can't match the same depth. Miami will definitely be a tough out, the worst that could happen for them would be to face Orlando, Dwight Howard has killed the Heat all year. If they can make the Finals, their best is definitely enough to win a title. LeBron has years of playoff experience against the 'big teams' and obviously Wade has won it before. Watch out for the Nuggets and the Knicks though, definitely the dark-horses.
Connor Kret
Roar Rookie
History in the NBA shows that young teams like the Bulls and the Thunder just can't win it this early. Teams need to make the playoffs and get eliminated in a deep run before they can win it. Because of that i think the Celtics, Lakers and Spurs are the only ones with a real shot. Maybe Miami if the focus is switched to the more experienced D-Wade. As much as I hate to say it, if Bynum is healthy and Kobe has a decent run then the Lake show is unstoppable. BTW I'd worry more about the Lakers facing Portland than facing the Mavs.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
I can only see three teams winning it. It's a brave person who would bet against Kobe and the Lakers at this time of year. Forget the regular season, it's over and done. The Lakers coasted through the season, knowing the only thing that counts is how you play in late April onwards. They're championship experienced and I think they will make it through the West again. Them winning the championship will depend on how much getting there takes out of them. I think they need to advance to the conference finals only losing one or two games, because in the Finals they'll need their legs against Miami and Chicago - both of whom are younger and more athletic. The Celtics are too banged up to make the Finals again. I think the Knicks will give them a scare in the first round, let alone getting out of the East.
mcsimmo
Roar Rookie
ok, total dark horse but I would add Oklahoma to the list of contenders. Since they've got Perkins in the middle they're tough team to play, they've got the size now and with Durant and Westbrook, they've got the scorers. Will be a tough matchup for the Spurs and Lakers that's for sure.
Liam Quinn
Roar Pro
It's definitely shaping up to be a great playoffs, you're right, there's no one who is head and shoulders better than the rest. Completely agree about the #1 seed, I think this year, especially out West, it was vital to get a good matchup. The Lakers would be much happier playing the Hornets instead of the Blazers. Orlando and Denver are darkhorses this year, no one has been able to stop Howard the last couple of months, and Denver have played awesome since trading Melo. Plus they play about 9 deep on the bench. Should be great.
thesportsguy
Guest
I am a LA fan through and through, but i still count our chances at best 50/50. same with the bulls and same with the spurs. there is no clear cut favorite this year at all. do not get carried away with regular season standings it goes out the window starting today. 2010 -2009 - Last 2 seasons cleveland had the best player, the best record, and #1 seed and still didnt win. 2008 - boston best regular & postseason, but a freak of a team. in 2007 dallas was by far the best regular season team with a whopping 67 games, but coudnt get it done past the first round. spurs win despite being 3rd seed. in 2006 spurs best record and defending champs, cannot make finals. heat win instead and beat dallas in the finals. detroit were by far the best team that couldnt win in the final. in 2005 phoenix were the best regular season team! SA 2nd, yet spurs went on to win. my point is #1 seed does not guarantee championship. even with boston in 2008 they were heavily favored, but some thought lakers had a good chance of winning. this year bulls are super dangerous, but so are the spurs, Lakers, OKC, miami & boston. its why this year is so captivating, so many legit contenders and all brilliant ball clubs.
Liam
Guest
haha John no I am not, I'm actually a Knicks fan, so it hurts to be saying the Lakers could become a truly great team this year. But i just find it hard to go past them, the only teams the Lakers would struggle with in the West are the Thunder and the Nuggets, but they play each other first. The Mavs could maybe give them some headaches, but they'll have a tough job getting by the Blazers. Bulls Lakers should be a great Finals - if thats how it goes - the Lakers got my nod because of experience, and because of Kobe.
John
Guest
Let me guess Mr Quinn you are from California? Sorry but you're wrong about LA winning the championship. It will be the Spurs or the Bulls