NBA's Elite Position Themselves For Title Run
Four Teams Are Serious NBA Championship Contenders
Mar 13, 2009
The Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, and San Antonio Spurs are the four best teams in the NBA. It is time to look at each team's outlook heading into the post-season.
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are the defending NBA Champions. They currently sit 2nd in the Eastern Conference, 2.5 games back of the Cleveland Cavaliers. They are led by the big three of Paul Pierce (20.3 PPG), Ray Allen (18.5 PPG), and Kevin Garnett (16.3 PPG). Garnett is currently out with an injury but they expect him back within a week. In his absence, fellow bigs Kendrick Perkins, Leon Powe, and Glen Davis have stepped up and played well. Boston made two significant additions with Mikki Moore and Stephon Marbury. These moves were questionable as Moore has been a journeyman his whole career, and Marbury had not played all season and has never been a winning player.. They have had very little impact to this point. They really miss James Posey and P.J. Brown, two unsung heroes from their Championship team last year.
Outlook: Home court was huge for Boston in the playoffs last year as the home team won every game in their first two playoff rounds. They likely will not have it this year against Cleveland in the Conference Finals and may not even have it in the 2nd round against Orlando, which will make it very unlikely that they will get back to the Finals.
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers came up just short against the Boston Celtics last year, but they have come back with a vengeance this year. MVP candidate Lebron James (28.2 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 7.1 APG) is a man on a mission. They currently have the best record in the Eastern Conference at 51-13. They are just 1/2 game back of the Lakers for the best record in the entire league. The Cavaliers traded for point guard Mo WIlliams in the off-season and he has been a great addition for them. He is averaging 18 PPG and made the all-star team this year. They recently reacquired forward Joe Smith, who gives them another big man, in the absence of Ben Wallace, who they hope to get back for the playoffs. They have a fairly easy schedule the rest of the way. They play Sacramento, who has the worst record in the league tonight, and then they play eight of the next nine at home, where they have only lost once all year. So, they have an excellent chance to overtake the Lakers for the best record in the NBA.
Outlook: The Cavaliers are a dominant home team, so if they can clinch the best record in the NBA, they have an excellent chance to go all the way and win an NBA Championship. If they don't have home court in the Finals, though, it will be tough to defeat the Lakers, if that is their opponent.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers have bounced back well from their disappointing loss in the finals last year. They own the best record in the NBA at 52-13. They are led by MVP candidate Kobe Bryant (28.1 PPG). Their 2nd option, Pau Gasol (18.5 PPG) has also had a very good year, making the all-star team. The third option, center Andrew Bynum, is currently out with an injury, though they hope to get him back for the playoffs. Forward Lamar Odom is a very talented, versatile player, but he has been inconsistent. The Lakers are one of the few contenders who didn't make a significant addition recently. The Lakers have a fairly tough schedule the rest of the way, including a seven game road trip later this month. With their schedule, it will be a tall order to hold off Cleveland for the best overall record.
Outlook: The Lakers are currently considered the favorites to win the NBA championship. If they are to accomplish that feat, it will behoove them to hold off Cleveland for the best overall record. It will be a tough task to defeat Cleveland in the Finals without home court. Cleveland has only lost one game at home all year, although ironically enough, that loss was to the Lakers. They should also not look past a dangerous Spurs team in the Conference Finals.
San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are the wild card in the whole equation. They currently have a record of 43-21, 2nd in the Western Conference. They are led by the big three of Tim Duncan (20.1 PPG), Tony Parker (21 PPG), and Manu Ginobli (16.1 PPG). This core has won three NBA Championships. This season, Roger Mason Jr. and Matt Bonner have stepped up as complimentary players. They are two of the best spot-up three-point shooters in the league. They recently acquired Drew Gooden who will give them some much needed size, rebounding, and athleticism. Manu Ginobli is out with an injury but they hope to get him back for the playoffs.
Outlook: The Spurs are a very dangerous team. They have a Championship pedigree and they know how to win big games in the playoffs. Even though they lost 4-1 to the Lakers in the playoffs last year, that series was a lot closer than that outcome would indicate and they were victimized by some poor officiating. The key is Ginobli, if he is healthy, they are capable of upsetting the Lakers and whoever comes out of the east to win another Championship.
It will be a huge suprise if this year's NBA Champion does not come out of the four teams mentioned above. It will also be big surprise if all four teams don't make the Conference Finals. It is shaping to be a fun late May and early June in the NBA. If you're a true basketball fan, you can't wait to see Celtics/Cavaliers and Lakers/Spurs in the Conference Finals. The only thing that can top that is seeing the two teams that are left standing battle it out in the NBA Finals. May the best team win.
