The 2010-11 NBA Finals matchup will be the Miami Heat against the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers. What’s this you tell me? It’s only September? That doesn’t matter, these teams are locks to face each other. Just cut the regular season short and get to the inevitable. Kobe vs. Lebron will finally happen this year!

This is what the consensus seems to be from experts and fans alike for the upcoming NBA season. The super trio of James, Wade, and Bosh will face off against Kobe and the defending champs. Put it in the books. Let’s take a step back and consider the alternatives.

Despite the assumption of there being two teams in this league (Lakers and Heat), there are 28 others. There will be 14 other playoff teams that will be vying for a chance to represent their conference. Although there will be 16 teams in the playoffs, only a handful are considered of championship caliber, or in many people’s opinions, there are only two. I know it sounds like I’m beating a dead horse, but every year there are knuckleheads who pronounce a team the champs only to fall flat on their face once the time comes to prove themselves. Let’s take a look at some specific instances:

The 2004 Los Angeles Lakers had added two hall of famers in Karl Malone and Gary Payton to an already formidable squad with two surefire future hall of famers in Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal. Four straight titles was surely in the cards. The rest is history. The Lakers made the finals, but were absolutely overpowered and demolished by a more cohesive, focused team in the Pistons. The Lakers were embarrassed, losing in five games.

The 2007 Dallas Mavericks were coming off of an NBA Finals defeat against the Miami Heat in which they lost four straight games after winning the first two. They started out the season 0-4. People were wondering what was wrong with them. Suddenly, they finished the season with 67 wins, losing only 11 more times. The Mavs were poised to make a run for another Finals appearance, then the Warriors happened. Baron Davis led an inspired, young bunch to upset the Mavs in the first round 4-2. To this day I have a hard time believing the Warriors actually pulled it off. I liken it to seeing Superman flying in the sky as I walk down the street. I asked myself: “Did that just happen?” Sure enough, it did.

The 2009 Cleveland Cavaliers breezed through the regular season with the best record in the league at 66-16. Lebron James had won his first MVP award. The Cavs had a second All-Star in Mo Williams because the team had played so well (How else did Mo make the roster?). Everyone was certain Lebron vs. Kobe would happen. The Magic had other ideas. Dwight Howard and Co. taught Lebron and Co. a thing or two about teamwork. They simply outplayed the Cavs, winning the series 4-2, which set up a Lakers vs. Magic Finals matchup.

The 2010 Cleveland Cavaliers zipped through the regular season with the best record in the NBA once more, finishing 61-21. Lebron had won his second consecutive MVP, putting him in elite company. The Cavs looked poised to atone for their shortcomings a year prior. People were saying that Lebron would not let last year happen again. But it did. The upstart Boston Celtics, a team everyone left for dead, took them out in six games in the second round.

These are just some of the modern examples of teams expected to win it all but failed miserably. Let’s flip it now. There have been countless examples of teams that were dead in the water rise up and annihilate everyone around them. Let me point out a few examples:

The 1999 New York Knicks finished a lockout shortened year as the eighth and final seed in the Eastern Conference. The NBA’s first and only eighth seed to reach the Finals knocked off two rivals and favorites to win the East in the Heat and Pacers.

The 2007 Cleveland Cavaliers, with a young and still developing Lebron James, defeated Eastern Conference Finals mainstays in the Pistons and Nets to reach the NBA Finals. The Pistons were believed to make the Finals as they had in two straight seasons (04-05). They returned with the same roster in tact, but the Cavaliers upended them.

The 2010 Boston Celtics started the regular season at a blazing 23-5. They were considered by many to be back among the East elites with a relatively healthy Kevin Garnett back in the lineup. Then they finished the last 54 games at an utterly mediocre 27-27. People were wondering what they had left. Then came the playoffs. They defeated the top 2 teams in the Cavaliers and Magic successively and came within a second half spurt in Game 7 of the Finals of nabbing their second title in three years.

Of course, the team worth mentioning, and the reason I am writing this article, is the San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs were considered to be too old in 2007 to make another run at their fourth title. Lo and behold, number four came to fruition to everyone’s disbelief, including mine. Don’t forget about 2008 when the Spurs upended their rival Suns, followed by a gritty seven game series against the Hornets to get to the Western Conference Finals. No one thought they had it in them.

In short, what I am trying to prove in all of this is that nothing is set in stone. I’ll throw a cliche in as well: That’s why they play the game. In a league that is considered rather top heavy, there is still parity. I’m looking forward to the parity that will occur this year. So go ahead and put the Lakers and Heat in the Finals in September, but make sure that’s written in pencil and not pen. Just saying…

By Josh Delp of the Sports Fan Blog Network

This year’s MVP race is said to be narrowly focused than in years past. With James and Wade teaming up in Miami, it seems last year’s runner-ups in Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant can nab it this year.

At this point in his career you would think Kobe would start to show some signs of slowing down. Well if he is, I don’t see it. 27 points per game with a bum finger and ailing legs beg to differ. Like most years, Kobe will be in the discussion, but I don’t think he’ll walk away with it.

Have expectations ever been higher for one team, let alone one player? Kevin Durant is coming off of a huge year in which he was the youngest player to capture the NBA scoring title, averaging 30.1 points per game. Many experts are picking him as the runaway favorite to win the MVP this year due to the expected spike in the Thunder’s success. I think this infatuation with the Thunder seems a bit premature. After all, you never know what will happen in the wild west. Keep that in mind. KD is definitely in the runnings for this award, but in the end I believe he’ll fall short.

Carmelo Anthony is another mainstay in this discussion. Distant, but he’s right up there. He may be jumping Denver’s ship before the start of the season. Depending on the impact he has on his potentially new squad, he could have a legitimate shot to win it. If he elevated the Nets to 50-55 wins, his presence in the debate is very real.

When all is said and done, I believe Dwyane Wade wins his first regular season MVP award. There’s no denying the impact of playing with two-time MVP Lebron James. I wouldn’t be surprised if Lebron won it for the third straight year. I just think with all of the hype and expectations for this team, Wade gets one. His assist total will surely increase with Chris Bosh and James as teammates. It came down to Wade or Durant, and in the end I’m picking the guy on the team that will be the most explosive and is a sure thing to compete for the NBA title in the immediate future.

By Josh Delp of the Sports Fan Blog Network

This year’s sixth man of the year award will be a good race. Jamal Crawford took home the award last year with the Hawks in averaging 18 points a game. There are a couple of mainstays in this department that could win this year with an especially successful season both for the team and individually.

Manu Ginobili is always a candidate for this award every year. He won the award during the 2007-08 season and is a constant favorite to win. He spurred (no pun intended) the Spurs second half rally last year after a sluggish start to the season. Look for him to provide a spark off the bench with Tony Parker and George Hill being the likely starters.

Jason Terry is another sharpshooter for the Mavericks who has won the award before. His shooting can get the Mavs back into a game. He is a focal asset off their bench and can catch fire quickly.

With Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap likely starting for the Utah Jazz frontcourt, Mehmet Okur has an opportunity to shine off the bench. The 6’11 Turk can light it up from three. He shot 38.5% from behind the arc last year in averaging 13.5 points per game. I think he can be very effective in his new role off the bench.

I am tempted to put Al-Farouq Amino of the Clippers in the conversation for the sole purpose of being a homer. I’m a Wake Forest fan and I think he will be a serviceable pro. Maybe he won’t win it this year, but down the road, he has a shot to be a solid piece to this team’s puzzle.

Ben Gordon of the Pistons is another interesting pick. Coming off of an injury-plagued season, Gordon says he’s coming back healthy and with a renewed focus on attacking the basket more. He scored 13.8 points per game last year after averaging 20 for Chicago, so don’t be surprised if he as a bounce back year.

My winner for this award is Anthony Randolph of the Knicks. He is the perfect guy for Mike D’Antoni’s run and gun system in New York. He will be a key cog next to Amare Stoudemire and has the potential to actually live up to his potential in this new opportunity.

Up next, my prediction for the winner of the most valuable player award.

By Josh Delp of the Sports Fan Blog Network

There are a few candidates this year that could be heavily considered for the most improved player award. I’m going with Kevin Durant. Just kidding! He would have to put up 40 a game! Little man for the Houston Rockets Aaron Brooks did it last year on a gritty and smaller squad. This award is also tough to predict because there are so many variables that go into a players’ success on a team.

Darren Collison is a good candidate for this award. He thrived last year in New Orleans when Chris Paul sat out with injuries. Getting a new home in Indiana provides a fresh start where he will be the clear cut starting point guard for a young and improving Pacers team that even has the ability to squeeze in to the playoffs this year.

Someone that not many people are going to consider is JaVale McGee for the Wizards. McGee averaged a lowly 6.4 points per game last year. This year John Wall will be running the team. He can score as well as distribute. Some of those dishes will be to young athletes in McGee and Andray Blatche.

If the Knicks do well this year and make the playoffs, you might see some votes fro Danilo Gallinari and Raymond Felton.

Rodrique Beaubois looks to be guy who will be getting more playing time for the Mavericks as well.

There are countless others you could include in the conversation. It was a close one, but I am going to go with Russell Westbrook getting the award this year. I picked him slightly over Collison. Westbrook showed he could lead a team to a gold medal during the FIBA Championships, not I think it will translate over with the Thunder. In addition, the Thunder are one of the favorites in the West with their young core. Westbrook averaged 16 points last year. I think that number can increase to 20. Couple that with a budding and thriving Kevin Durant and a much improved Thunder squad and you have your MIP candidate.

By Josh Delp of the Sports Fan Blog Network

I read a satirically written article on Bleacher Report the other day about Kobe Bryant that pointed to all of the reasons people hated on Kobe Bryant. One of the many insults the author runs through includes the fact that if Kobe didn’t have Pau Gasol or Shaquille O’Neal, he would not have had five rings right now. His inability to coexist with Shaq led to the team’s separation and the end of something that could have been much bigger.

Kobe Bryant is the poster boy for the “alpha dog” moniker in the NBA. At least, he was. With time, he has learned that success in basketball cannot be had by an individual player. It takes a TEAM effort to win, a theory some people don’t seem to subscribe to with all of this “who’s the best player” talk.

Kobe’s worst years in the league came after Shaq left the Lakers. Kobe was a mess. Yes, he was the proverbial alpha dog during that period. But what happened? He had no supporting cast. A guy as proud and talented as Kobe wasn’t very accepting of the team because they weren’t clicking and they weren’t winning. He didn’t think his team could win. Those are the ingredients of an 81-point game. Those are also the ingredients of ill-advised and hasty trade demands. He almost became a Bull for those of you who forgot.

Once the Lakers were gift-wrapped Paul Gasol from the Grizzlies, they were considered instant championship contenders. Why? One, because they have Kobe, and two because they received a second top-tier talent to HELP the TEAM win. And the rest is history. Kobe will be the first one to point to the reason why he has had recent success.

As everyone is well aware, Lebron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh are all on the same team now after being the number one option on their previous teams. One of the many questions that they have received is “who will get the ball in crunch time” or “how will your egos coexist with each other?” Look, these guys are buddies. They will have no problem stepping aside and letting the other have the limelight. In the end, who cares if James, Wade, Bosh, or even Mike Miller gets the ball in crunch time? As Coach Herm Edwards uttered the infamous phrase: “You play to win the game.” It’s as simple as that. If you don’t go into it with that kind of mindset, then you won’t get much accomplished. These guys joined forces to win. That’s what they care about most. I’m pretty sure they aren’t that torn apart about leaving their teams for greener pastures. Did James and Bosh give up and bail on their teams? Yes. Do they have a greater opportunity to win now as opposed to where they were? Absolutely. And it’s all because they want to win and they went after the greatest chance to do so. James had a great team in Cleveland. By all accounts, he could have won there had he stuck around in my opinion. Bosh had a mediocre team in Toronto. He couldn’t have won there, so he left.

Amare Stoudemire was in a great situation with a Hall of Fame point guard in Steve Nash, but he fled to the Knicks, partly because he wanted to be the alpha dog. There’s that pesky phrase again. When three guys forfeit their position as the featured guy on a team and join together (i.e. James, Wade, and Bosh), they form a force to be reckoned with. When one guy leaves a successful team to join another not so successful one to get more money and to be a go-to guy (i.e. Stoudemire), then you get a team in flux that won’t win many games. I applaud James and Bosh’s decision to play with one another. They will be sacrificing point production, but they will be gaining so much more. It’s a no-brainer.

I struggle to understand the people who criticize Bosh and especially James for not staying loyal to their teams and trying to win a title by themselves. I’m all for the loyalty part, but these guys aren’t trying to “win one by themselves.” It’s a team game!

How many elite talents in the NBA have won a title without another elite talent? None! Not one! Let’s look at the past champions: the Lakers (Bryant and Gasol; Bryant and Shaq), Celtics (Garnett, Pierce, and Allen), Heat (Wade and Shaq), Spurs (Duncan, Ginobili, and Parker), Pistons (…their whole starting lineup!), Bulls (Jordan and Pippen), Rockets (Olajuwon, Smith, and Drexler). Do you see what I’m getting at? Not only do you need more than one elite athlete, but you need a cohesive unit that complements each other’s game. That’s one of the main reasons why “Miami Thrice” came to fruition. Shortly after Lebron made is ill-conceived “Decision,” people were already asking if the Heat were now favorites to win it all. Well, at that point there were only four guys committed and under contract for the team (James, Wade, Bosh, and Mario Chalmers)! I don’t think they had much of a shot with players on the roster, but that’s just me.

Next time you question Lebron’s or Kobe’s motives, understand what they are striving towards. Understand their competitive drive. Understand their hunger for success. Understand, ultimately, their desire to put to death the “alpha dog.”

By Josh Delp of the Sports Fan Blog Network

Dallas Mavericks (Last Year’s Record: 55-27)
Throughout this decade the Mavericks will be considered as the team that could’ve been. The if only’s are seemingly never-ending. A devastating Finals loss in 2006 at the hands of a young kid and a diesel when they were about to go up 3-0, only to lose four straight to choke away the series; An absolutely stunning first round exit in 2007 to the Golden State Warriors, who barely sneaked in the playoffs with a 42-40 record; And most recently, another quality roster full of talent and potential ousted in the first round yet again by their Texas-rival Spurs, who were the seventh seed.

This year doesn’t present any foreseen differences. The Mavs are high on Rodrique Beaubois right now, but he has a foot injury and could miss a couple games to start the season. In addition, he is a tweener guard. He’s not quite a point guard but often plays the two. It’s possible he could see some time at the point when Jason Kidd gets a rest.

New additions to the team include Tyson Chandler, acquired from the Bobcats in a trade involving Erick Dampier. I could see Kidd and Chandler hooking up on a couple of nice lob plays, similar to Chandler’s stint with Chris Paul and the Hornets. The Mavs also reacquired Tim Thomas and signed free agent Ian Mahinmi away from the Spurs.

The Mavs have the same core returning. They have their rock in Dirk Nowitzki, an aging yet still capable Jason Kidd, the sharpshooting ace in Jason Terry, the defensively minded Shawn Marion, and tough-minded scorer in Caron Butler. I’m afraid they are headed for similar results unless Dirk shows us all something we’ve never seen out of him, or if Mark Cuban can land Carmelo Anthony (ha, long shot). Dirk just hasn’t shown that he can be a featured player on a championship team.

Different year, same results. I think they finish 54-28, good for one of the top four seeds, but lose in the second round.

By Josh Delp of the Sports Fan Blog Network