NBA Basketball Sports Fan Blog

Late in the season Steve Nash finally decided Marcin Gortat being the second best player on his team was unacceptable.

“Hopefully the opportunity falls upon me to play with a team that contends,” Nash told USA Today Sports as the 2011-2012 NBA regular season neared its end.

The Suns certainly won’t be contenders next year so Nash will almost certainly be leaving to play somewhere else. But where?

The most likely destination could be Orlando where the Magic have desperately looked for a partner to pair with Dwight Howard. If they’re smart they’ll do anything they can to avoid the circus of last season and that most likely means landing a big name player this summer.

There have been rumors that Nash would consider the Heat, but that would involve a large pay cut and make people hate the Heat more then they’re already hated. This scenario seems unlikely.

The best situation for Nash that I haven’t heard mentioned yet is (drumroll please…) the Atlanta Hawks. The Hawks crave a leader like a fat kid craves cake. Again, this would involve Nash taking a large pay cut, but he’d be surrounded with loads of talent. The Hawks could finally make amends for passing on Chris Paul and Deron Williams for Marvin Williams in the 2005 draft and Nash to Josh Smith would become the second best alley-oop combo in the league (behind CP3 and Blake). A starting line up of Nash, Joe Johnson, Marvin Williams, Josh Smith and Al Horford would be among the best in the East.

We are now three weeks into the NBA season. Already there have been some players and teams that are stepping up their game and outperforming expectations. So let’s take a look.

Chris Paul and the New Orleans Hornets
I picked Nawlins to squeak into the playoffs in the preseason. Who would’ve thought they would come out firing like this? Chris Paul is once again at the top of his game after missing extended time last year. Everyone pegged Deron Williams as the best point guard in the game, but they seemed to have forgotten just how good Paul is. The Hornets started out winning their first eight games with quality wins over the Bucks twice, Spurs, Nuggets, Heat, and Blazers. At 8-1, the Hornets are rolling along. The question is, can they keep it up? They’ve answered the dinner bell so far.

Richard Jefferson and the San Antonio Spurs
The silver and black stumbled out of the gate last year with a 4-6 start. At 8-1, this year is a completely different story. The Spurs offense is explosive, currently ranked second in the league behind the Lakers at 108.9 points per game. Richard Jefferson has looked markedly better and more comfortable than last year. Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili have been one of the best backcourt tandems in the league once again, all while Tim Duncan rests and has scored in single digits in each of the last three games. All that’s left to do is show what they’ve got against the elites. The only quality wins so far were against the Suns and Thunder.

Chris Bosh and the Miami Heat
So I guess that 72-10 mark isn’t going to be contested this year? First it was the Heat who had the chance to do this, then it was the Lakers once they started 8-0. Kids these days… We are so eager to demolish records before teams even play the games. But I digress. I included Chris Bosh because he has been unbelievably mediocre. He is averaging just 14.5 points per game at this point with only 6 rebounds. That’s no good with the label of the Big Three and the remarkably high expectations. This team is still figuring out the kinks. They might not figure it all out until the playoffs arrive. Could it be possible this team isn’t as good as advertised?

Cleveland Cavaliers
A lot of people said the Cavs would be dead in the water this season. One analyst said they would only win 12 games this year. Through 10 games they sit at 5-5 and are playing tremendous team basketball. The highest scoring guy is J.J. Hickson with 15.2. Granted, the only team they’ve beaten with a winning record are the Celtics, but let’s not take anything away from them. They’ve endured so much already. Cleveland should be ecstatic and optimistic for the future. Maybe this team wasn’t just LeBron James and a bunch of bums…

Monta Ellis and the Golden State Warriors
A 7-4 record to start the season with a new coach and a hobbling Stephen Curry ain’t too shabby. Their only marquee win was against the Jazz, but with their style of play, they can beat anybody on any given night. The trio of Curry, Ellis, and David Lee looks stellar. Ellis has been lights out since game one when he dropped 46 on the Rockets, averaging 26.5 points per game. Their play style and lack of defense probably won’t take them far in the long run, but one thing’s for sure, when these guys take the court, you better get your popcorn ready (in the famous words of Terrell Owens).

Michael Beasley
B-Easy, as some call him, has reemerged as the player everyone thought he would be as the number two pick. He is averaging 21.2 points per game, including 42 and 35 point performances against the Kings and Knicks respectively. Problem is, the Timberwolves still suck. They sit at 3-9 and have played a rough schedule to start out. Losses include games against the Hawks twice, Magic, Heat, and Lakers. The good news is there is renewed optimism with this franchise starting with Kevin Love and Michael Beasley.

By Josh Delp of the Sports Fan Blog Network

The NBA’s season opening night has come and gone. The Celtics, Blazers, and Lakers all picked up wins. Yesterday I predicted the winners of these three games and was right on each account. I even suggested the Lakers would win by one to three points in a close one, which they did (112-110 was the final). This makes me wonder how good I would do if I took up sports betting. That’s a slippery slope, so I’ll pass. But I digress. Let’s get to the matter at hand.

So, what did we learn about the most highly anticipated debut in NBA history? Well, quite honestly, nothing new.

The Celtics started their defense of the Eastern Conference crown with a 88-80 win over the super duper teammates and the Heat. Boston came out running from the start. Their defense was suffocating most of the night except when LeBron James declared the third quarter his own. The nine points by the Heat in the first quarter was painful to watch. I’m amazed they scored that little with players like James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh on the court. I know Boston’s defense is stellar, but come on man. Last night’s game serves as a testament to the Celtic defense which is the best in the league.

Last night’s game also serves as a realization that this team still needs to play with each other to maximize their effectiveness. Wade missed all but three minutes of the preseason and it clearly showed. He wasn’t on the same page as the rest of the team as evidenced by the six turnovers.

How about James’ eight turnovers? With all of the good things he did, his eight turnovers and Wade’s six are clear signs that these guys don’t have it figured out yet. He did almost will the Heat in a comeback bid in the third quarter after being down by as many as 19. But we all knew he could do that, didn’t we?

Bosh looked uncomfortable and indecisive throughout the game, scoring only eight points on three of 11 shooting. The one play that was impressive was the face up blow by move on Kevin Garnett which he finished at the rim.

If one thing is for sure, the Miami Heat are a shooting team. Wade and James serve as the slashers, the rest of the guys spot up for jumpers. That’s about it. Bosh can create his own shot as well. He is the closest thing to a post presence they have. Last night’s Heat looked a lot like the Cavaliers and Heat of last year, where everybody stood around waiting for something to happen.

We know whoever plays the Heat will have difficulties matching up with the Big Three, but what about the matchup problems for the Heat on defense? Rajon Rondo had his way last night as he dished out 17 assists. What do the Heat do on defense to matchup with the Rondo’s, Chris Paul’s, and Deron Williams’ of the league? Eddie House and Carlos Arroyo were often seen chasing Ray Allen around, leaving Wade to guard Rondo. That’s a tough defensive assignment if you ask me.

At the end of the day, the results were what I expected. Shaq got dunks and layups at the rim (two of which he missed) due to the lack of size and mobility down low, the Celtics defense lived up to their billing, and the Heat were rusty and discombobulated. I did, however, expect the Heat to score more than 80.

It’s clear the Heat need more work and exposure with each other. It’s also clear this team will not beat the Bulls’ 72 win record. Now is definitely not the time to overreact with preposterous claims that this team is a failure. It’s Game 1. There’s 82 more to go. Your hat has to go off to the Celtics though. They proved why they are the reigning champions of the East and why they will remain so until they are beaten.

By Josh Delp of the Sports Fan Blog Network

The 2010-2011 NBA season is finally upon us. After what seemed like the longest summer in recent memory with “The Decision” and everything else that transpired, it’s time to kick this thing off and see what’s what. There are three good games on the slate tonight. And yes, there is more than one game on tonight.

Let’s start with the highly anticipated regular season debut of the revamped Miami Heat facing off against the reigning Eastern Conference Champion Boston Celtics. Frankly, I’m tired of hearing about LeBron James and the Heat in general. It sickens me that ESPN has dedicated an entire section of their site to this team called the Heat Index. Oh well. The media is the media.

Heat vs. Celtics
I like the Celtics to win at home tonight. Dwyane Wade hasn’t played with this team yet. Plus Mike Miller’s absence will be evident. It will definitely be tough for the Celtics to contain the Big Three, but no one else on the team is a major threat. The Celtics look even better than last year with the additions of Shaquille and Jermaine O’Neal as well as the return of Delonte West. Word is Shaq will be getting the start with Kendrick Perkins likely to be out until the All-Star break. Kevin Garnett and the crew are looking to stay healthy this year, something they struggled with last year at the tail end of the season.

Suns vs. Blazers
Aside from the two games on TNT tonight, we have Steve Nash and his crew against Brandon Roy and his medical staff. I felt bad for the Blazers last year with all of the injuries they had to endure. They can be a legitimate contender in the West this year IF they can stay healthy. Suspect number is and has been one Greg Oden. He’s played 82 total games in three years. When healthy, he can contribute significantly to this team. They put up a fight in the playoffs last year against the team they are facing tonight. The Suns Western Conference playoff days are certainly behind them with the departure of Amare Stoudemire. They will need Nash to play out of his mind and beyond his age (again) as well as a career resurrection out of Hedo Turkoglu to compete again in the cluttered West. I like the Blazers to win this one at home. Their size (assuming nobody gets hurt in the game) will be too much for the undersized run and gun Suns.

Rockets vs. Lakers
Opening night closes with the champion Lakers hosting the Houston Rockets. The Lakers will get their rings (well, except for Ron Artest) and banner to start the night, then will take the court to begin their title defense against a Rockets squad that is getting back a healthy Yao Ming. I haven’t seen Yao play in so long, I kind of forget his playing style. It will be fun to see him back on the hardwood once more. I’m also interested in seeing how new pieces Matt Barnes, Steve Blake, Theo Ratliff, and even Derrick Caracter fair in their first game as a Laker. I’m also looking forward to seeing how Kobe Bryant plays on achy knees. He said he’s only at about 60-70 percent to start the year. Tonight will be a hard fought, close game in which I think the Lakers win by one to three points. The Rockets have a chance to make noise in the West as well with a healthy squad.

The season is finally upon us. I’m excited to get it going. I’m excited to hear more words of wisdom from Charles Barkley. He’s such a nut-job. My Spurs don’t play until tomorrow, so tonight’s games will have to suffice for now. Who do you think wins tonight? What are you excited for the most this season? And please, keep the Heat and Laker championship comments to a minimum please!

Posted by Josh Delp of the Sports Fan Blog Network

Look at everybody’s NBA season forecast and you will be hit with a barrage of repetition. The Finals match-up is widely projected to be a two-team race, despite a number of teams making improvements. I don’t have to say the two squads, because you all more than likely know who they are. I’m here to provide an alternative opinion, and it’s an opinion I feel confident in. Here it is: neither the Heat nor the Lakers will make the NBA Finals this season.

Due to that last sentence, I imagine I have lost all of the Heat and Laker fan readers. Call me delirious, delusional, demented, I don’t care. It’s what I sincerely believe. Let me tell you why before I delve into the teams I expect to play for the title.

Why the Heat won’t play for Larry O’Brien Trophy
Ever since Dwyane Wade, Lebron James, and Chris Bosh have joined forces, people have been saying they are winning the championship. This was being said even when the Heat had four players under contract, including Mario Chalmers.

Outside of the big three, this team is unproven and inexperienced. Wade, Udonis Haslem, and Eddie House are the lone players on this team with rings. James, Big Z, and Mike Miller have playoff experience. That’s about it. Bosh hasn’t gotten out of the first round of the playoffs.

This team has yet to play together at full strength. The pre-season is a time where teams are fine-tuning their roster to figure out what pieces fit and how the team’s chemistry is coming along. That is being halted by James and Wade’s leg problems. And don’t forget about Wade’s injury-proneness. Who knows if he could miss significant time during the season? Nonetheless, this is playing time that is valuable to the future success of this team.

Basketball is a team sport. A lot of people seem to forget this. The bottom line remains for this squad: how far can the big three take us? That is what they have to fall back on. There is very little talent that will make a large impact outside of the big three. They are slow and undersized down low. That will be a problem against the Celtics and Magic. People seem to brush that aside. Mike Miller will get some open shots as a result of defenses collapsing on the big three, but that’s the limit of his effectiveness. And what about their point guard play? Neither Mario Chalmers or Carlos Arroyo are starting point guards in this league. In the end, will it matter with a team that has James and Wade?

I’m not discounting the possibility of the Heat making the Finals, I just don’t think they will. You can call me a hater if you want, but I’m voicing my honest and educated opinion. The East has improved. Don’t expect these other teams to lie down.

Why the Lakers won’t play for the Larry O’Brien Trophy
The Lakers are looking to three-peat for the second time in just over a decade. The fact that they are this position is a testament to the ownership and tough-mindedness of its players. So those of you thinking I’m a Laker hater, you could not be farther from the truth. I have nothing but respect for the organization.

Many believe a three-peat is inevitable. The same roster is returning sans Jordan Farmar. They have picked up Steve Blake to back up an aging Derek Fisher, Matt Barnes to aid in perimeter shooting and defense, and Theo Ratliff to contribute interior defense while Andrew Bynum misses more time. Those additions are all well and good, but are they enough to keep up with the ever changing landscape of the West?

The Lakers have a much better shot than the Heat do at making the Finals, simply because they are proven winners. However, things often do and can go wrong during the course of a season. Let’s look at a couple of things that could alter the Lakers trajectory.

First and foremost is injuries. Bynum will be out until December yet again and Kobe Bryant’s knees are not getting any better. Kobe is still a top-tier talent in this league, there’s no doubt about it. However, I think this is the year where his injuries finally catch up to him. He most likely won’t miss many games, but it could show in his performance.

Another factor that needs to be considered is the rest of the West. Many teams can and will challenge the Lakers for the West crown. Last year they got some balls to bounce their way. This year, those could easily bounce in the other direction.

Their once intimidating frontcourt will be less of a threat this year with so many teams stacking up in that regard. Bynum won’t be around most of the time to deal with them as well. The Spurs added Tiago Splitter for interior defense. The Blazers are hoping Greg Oden and Joel Przybilla can stay healthy to pair with Marcus Camby and LeMarcus Aldridge. The Rockets are getting Yao Ming back, for the moment anyway. The Mavericks have Tyson Chandler and Brendan Haywood. The chips are still stacked in the Lakers’ favor, but they might not get as lucky this time around.

As much as I don’t want to believe it, the Lakers are the favorites to represent the West for the fourth straight year, but anything is possible. I’m just not ready to hand it to them right now given their current state. I think the Lakers are in for a rude awakening.

My 2010-2011 NBA Finals Match-Up
Brace yourselves, because what you are about to read is considered outlandish and boneheaded by many. I believe the NBA Finals will be a between the Boston Celtics and the San Antonio Spurs.

Now I know what you are thinking: “How could you possibly pick two of the oldest teams in the game to go all the way?” Simple! Because both of these teams are given no respect and love being in the positions they find themselves in.

Honestly, who in their right mind picked the Celtics to go to the Finals last year, especially after the train wreck that was their 54-game ending to their season. But sure enough, they made a run with their gritty defense and multiple weapons on offense. After all, this was supposed to be the year we get to see Kobe vs. Lebron! (Phooey!!!)

This year, they have added some big bodies to the frontcourt. And when I say big, I mean Shaquille O’Neal and Jermaine O’Neal. I know, they’re old. But you give these guys spot minutes to spell Kevin Garnett, Kendrick Perkins, and Glen Davis and you’ve got a pretty formidable bench. You can also throw them at the Dwight Howard’s of the league. Their size advantage trumps any other team in the league. You better believe it will be an advantage against the undermanned Heat. As far as defending the Heat, they can play their normal tenacious team defense to try and limit at least one or two of the big three’s effectiveness.

Another underrated addition is the Delonte West signing. He will provide some great backup minutes to Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. And don’t forget about Nate Robinson, who had a tremendous impact in the playoffs last year.

The Spurs are no strangers to proving everybody wrong. They are never the favorites to win. They have been dubbed as a boring team. They have had one of the best defenses in league history, let alone the last decade. They are too old to go far… On and on it goes.

Unlike their previous years after winning the 2007 title, the Spurs’ “old” big three have some much needed help. The Spanish League MVP Tiago Splitter has finally arrived to help Duncan down low with pick and roll defense, something that killed them against the Suns in last year’s sweep. Judging from his pre-season performances, DeJaun Blair has lived up to his nickname of the beast. He could win the most improved award. George Hill is another year wiser and has the opportunity to learn from Tony Parker. Richard Jefferson is poised to improve after last year’s dud. And, might I reiterate, nobody expects this team to be a player come May and June.

I expect a career year from Tony Parker. He spent most of last year hobbled by injuries. The previous year he averaged 22 points per game, the highest of his career. I believe he can supplant that number in a year where he is playing for a contract. He will surprise many.

The Spurs can be last year’s Celtics. A team no one expected to be relevant, but then, out of nowhere, they make a run and are playing for the championship. Who’s to say that can’t happen again with this improved team?

By now every reader probably thinks I’m an idiot. That’s okay. Maybe by June I will be proven wrong, or maybe even proven right! But for now, I like my picks, believe it or not. And believe it or not, the expected norm just might be thwarted by a bunch of grandpas with their leather belts bending over the kids to teach them a lesson.

By Josh Delp of the Sports Fan Blog Network

The grueling 82-game season from the end of October to the middle of April is only the beginning to the NBA season for 16 teams. What follows is a two month long battle royal to the top of the NBA mountaintop. It certainly will be fun to watch this year with so many key players shifting uniforms. The top teams are evident, but you can’t count out the sleeping giants or the cinderellas. The following is a breakdown of my top eight seeds in the Eastern Conference.

#8 New Jersey Nets
I believe the Nets have what it takes to make the playoffs this year. As detailed in my surprise teams post, the Nets are primed and ready to drastically improve from last year’s poor showing. A new coach (Avery Johnson), the number three draft pick (Derrick Favors), a deeper and more talented sharpshooting and bench contributors (Troy Murphy, Anthony Morrow, Travis Outlaw, Jordan Farmar, etc.), and the continued improvement from the young franchise benchmarks in Devin Harris and Brook Lopez, and it looks like this team could very well sneak in the postseason with 40 wins, maybe even fewer.

#7 Philadelphia 76ers
Philly was one of my three teams that could surprise this year. They, like the Nets, have a new coach in Doug Collins and a promising young talent in the second overall draft pick Evan Turner. He should be a solid rotation piece. It will be interesting to see how he and Andre Iguodala will mesh together. As has been the case for some time, Elton Brand is still a question mark in Philly. Spencer Hawes was brought in to pretty much offset the exit of Sam Dalembert. Lou Williams, Thaddeus Young, and Jrue Holiday are three young studs in a promising back court rotation. Let’s not forget, the Sixers were a playoff team in 2009. I believe they can get back to that level this year in a top-heavy East with around 38-44 wins.

#6 Atlanta Hawks
Joe Johnson is resigned to a ridiculous six year, $124 million contract. So there’s that. That’s about the only good thing the Hawks have going for them this year, although they severely overpaid for him. The Hawks failed to add frontcourt size in Shaquille O’Neal. They have failed to offer the reigning sixth man of the year in Jamal Crawford a new contract. Their major offseason acquisitions were Xavier rookie Jordan Crawford and center Etan Thomas. Once considered (albeit arguably) a contender, due to their inactivity, they are no longer near that level. They still have Josh Smith, Al Horford, Marvin Williams, etc. There’s just not much else going for this squad. I think they’ll get about 45 wins this year, good enough for no better than the 6th seed.

#5 Milwaukee Bucks
This year, teams might want to really consider fearing the deer. This team surprised last year with the emergence of Brandon Jennings and improved play from Andrew Bogut. They took the Hawks to seven games and almost beat them. They resigned John Salmons to a new deal, who was a key piece in the Bucks success last year. They signed two guys that figure to be big contributors in Corey Maggette and Drew Gooden. Michael Redd is always a question mark with his injury history, but if he stays healthy, it puts this team in an even better situation. Scott Skiles has this bunch playing tight and tough defense and they have the offense needed to stay relevant. I flirted with putting this team as the number 4 seed. These guys are looking good and can make some noise. I think they’ll get around 46-49 wins.

#4 Chicago Bulls
The Bulls are in the conversation as a contender in the East due to their pickup of Carlos Boozer. His scoring and rebounding coupled with Joakim Noah’s toughness and rebounding could be the best frontcourt tandem in the league. Noah will be energized with the organization putting faith in the big man with a $60 million contract extension. They’ve also added the sharpshooting Kyle Korver, the versatile and lanky Ronnie Brewer, a backup point guard in C.J. Watson, and old man river Kurt Thomas. Add to that Derrick Rose’s drive to win the MVP this year and you’ve got quite the determined bunch. And don’t forget about their new defensive-minded coach in Tom Thibodeau. Boozer’s early injury could mean tough sledding in the early going, but once he comes back, they have a legitimate shot at competing. However, I think they were at the level the Hawks were last year: on the cusp of contender, but not quite. Too bad they didn’t trade for Carmelo Anthony. That would have put them in that company. 50-52 wins for this squad.

#3 Boston Celtics
The reigning Eastern Conference champs are determined to not let last year happen again. The slow finish to the regular season, I mean. An injury mired second half of the season was a contributing factor to the Celts going 27-27 to finish the year. It lead to a lot of tinkering with lineups. Doc Rivers is hoping he doesn’t have to do that again because he wants home court advantage, something they lacked throughout the playoffs last year. The O’Neal brothers are in town this year (Shaquille and Jermaine), adding even more size to an already beefy frontcourt. Delonte West is back with the team after a hiatus in Cleveland. So is Nate Robinson with the signing of a new contract after his stellar performance off the bench last year. This team should compete for the title once more. Their window (boy that phrase is getting old) is not closed yet. They win 51-53 games this year.

#2 Orlando Magic
Frankly, I’m not quite sure what to expect from the Magic this year. You know Dwight Howard will be his regular beastly self. Jameer Nelson will be their steady and trusty point guard. But question marks abound after that. This team has the talent to compete, but on any given night a guy who they need to win under-performs. Case in point with Vince Carter and Rashard Lewis in their playoff loss to the Celtics last year. J.J. Redik might even start. That doesn’t bode well for them in my eyes. Brandon Bass was underused last year. Hopefully Stan Van Gundy can realize what a talent he is and use him more. Their offseason was relatively quiet. They let Matt Barnes bolt for the Lakers. They signed former Knick Chris Duhon, and they drafted the unproven big man from Kentucky in Daniel Orton. The more I look at the Magic the more I am tempted to put the Celtics at the #2 spot. Then I look at what they have in Howard and am tempted to put them at #1. It will certainly be an interesting season for the other team from Florida. I think they’ll win 54-56 games this year.

#1 Miami Heat
Who would’ve guessed? Any team with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, regardless of the talent surrounding them, will be a surefire lock to contend for a title. Thing is, I believe that’s as far as they will go, for now. They aren’t going to win it all just yet in my opinion. There’s too many question marks. Mike Miller is a brilliant find, but outside of that, you’ve got to wonder. Carlos Arroyo and Mario Chalmers are their options at point guard. Neither are serviceable starters. Take a glance at their frontcourt: Joel Anthony, Udonis Haslem, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Juwan Howard, and Dexter Pittman. Yikes. None of these guys can begin to even think they can cover the multiple skilled bigs the Celtics have as well as Howard in Orlando. One thing’s for sure, the Magic-Heat rivalry is back with all the smack talk Van Gundy and Co. are doing. I can’t wait to see how the Heat deal with their shortcomings against the elite in the east. They will win anywhere from 59-67 games, but certainly not 73. Let’s get real here. And don’t forget about the injury bug, which has already bitten Wade. Anything can happen.

Stay tuned for my eight playoff teams in the Western Conference.

By Josh Delp of the Sports Fan Blog Network

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

The Heat enters Wednesday’s season finale against the visiting Nets in control of where it is headed in the standings.

Less certain is where it is headed in the playoffs.

With a victory at AmericanAirlines Arena, the Heat would finish as the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference, the same position it finished last season. The difference is the Heat enters the game at 46-35, after finishing last season 43-39.

The Heat also would secure the No. 5 seed should Milwaukee lose its season finale in Boston.

Less certain is the Heat’s playoff opponent, with Boston and Atlanta each looming as a potential first-round foe, with that best-of-7 series to open on the road either Saturday or Sunday.

Click here to read the full article – By Ira Winderman of Boston Herald

Rafer Alston’s absence from the Miami Heat took another turn Wednesday, with the team denying that the embattled point guard was told shortly before his sudden departure he would no longer get playing time.

On Wednesday, Spoelstra — who, like the rest of the Heat organization, said he still has not heard from Alston since a text-message exchange last week — denied Alston was told that his minutes were gone, saying only that the 11th-year guard was informed before Miami’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers last Thursday that Carlos Arroyo was taking over the starting job.

“Actually, he probably still would have been in the rotation,” Spoelstra said. “Probably not with the minutes he would have liked, and I also told him that the way the year’s been going, that it’s still up for grabs. I’ve had those conversations with everybody in the locker room. It’s about production right now.”

The Heat hosted the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night. Alston remains listed on the roster, but his image did not appear in the team’s pregame introductory video.

Click here to read the full article – By Associated Press of ESPN.com

Of the 119 players on the NBA’s 3-point accuracy chart this season, the Indiana Pacers might be surprised to learn who ranked next-to-last.


Dwyane Wade might not stay there much longer.

Only a 27 percent shooter from long range, Wade made his first four attempts from beyond the arc — including one that counted after goaltending, of all things — and scored a game-high 32 points as the Heat easily beat the Pacers 113-83 on Tuesday night.

“I’ve been feeling good about my shot lately,” said Wade, who topped the 11,000-point mark for his career on a second-quarter layup. “I think my first shot was a 3, which I normally try not to do. But I was in rhythm, shot it, hit it and after that the confidence was up.”

Click here to read the full article – By Associated Press of ESPN.com