Post by jailblazer2352 on Mar 1, 2008 0:05:43 GMT -5
This past February may have been the most exciting deadline approach ever. The NBA generated excitement in February, definitly a positive sign. With all the recent trades, acquisitions, un-retirements, monthly settlements (Jerry Stackhouse), and rising , or falling in the Suns case, of title contenders, the NBA has seen a previously unheard of level of excitement heading towards the postseason. As the teams settle in and start to gel with their newly acquired personnel, the league has settled in for an uber-competitive second half. Call it the calm before the playoff storm. Here's my power rankings of the league's top 10 title threats.
10. Denver Nuggets-The Nuggets are a threat to explode at any point considering they have two of the game's elite scoring threats in Iverson and Anthony. Plus, they have one important tangible in their favor. Iverson may be the most title hungry player in the game.
9. Cleveland Cavaliers-A rejuvenated Ben Wallace gives Cleveland a shot to come out of the East. They also feature the Conference's top player, Lebron James. As James proved a year ago, he can win the East by himself, the Finals are the issue.
8. Utah Jazz-Stockton to Malone has seen a rebirth in the form of Williams to Boozer. Utah may be the most underappreciated team in the game. Players like Paul Millsap and Kyle Korver add solid dimensions of shooting and toughness. It will be important not too overlook this team come April.
7. New Orleans Hornets-Perhaps the top young team in the game has been a nice surprise this season. Byron Scott never gets his proper due. Reaching the Conference Semis would qualify as a success.
6. Phoenix Suns-My how the Suns have slipped. This team is slower, uglier, and easier to beat as a result of the lovable lug, previously known as Shaq. Phoenix can't seem to utlize their up-tempo attack on diesel fuel. But hey, that was their goal for the playoffs anyway. Way to fix a system that works.
5. Boston Celtics-Boston may have the top trio in the league. I still can't envision them winning the title because to win a championship, you need intangibles. Intangibles often relate to depth, which Boston has none.
4. Dallas Mavericks-The Mavs sold their future for the present. Rising players such as Desagana Diop and Devin Harris provided the costly price of Jason Kidd. The addition of Kidd gives the Mavs the hard nosed leader that Dirk will never be. Kidd will want the ball come crunch time. He also has the ability to distribute at his leisure. One thing's for sure, Dallas will get past round one.
3. Detroit Pistons-The great Piston nucleus, with the exception of Ben Wallace, is still intact and as good as ever. Chauncey Billups is the clutchest player this side of Tim Duncan. Rasheed is the most versatile power forward in the league. This team always flows nicely. Plus they'll be highly motivated based on the disapointments of their last two finishes (Eastern Finals losses to Miami and Cleveland).
2. Los Angeles Lakers-Kobe has no issues now. He's a Laker for life again. LA has progressed more than any team in the league this season. Kobe is at the peak of his talents, a scary thought for rivals considering he's been compared to Jordan. This may be the most talented team he's ever been surrounded by. Pau Gasol has fit perfectly, Lamar Odom is back to his natural small forward spot, and Andrew Bynum is one the best young bigs in the league. Let's not forget, Phil Jackson is still a genius. After a slight hiatus, he once again has title-talent to work with. Look for a deep Laker run.
1. San Antonio Spurs-Ah, the Spurs. It's the same routine every year. Hardly in sports history has there been a team so consistent, so routine oriented. No one even notices the Spurs until the end of the season anyway. With their recent win over Dallas, it appears the Spurs are once again coming on strong in the second half. My advice to title-hopefuls: don't overlook a 4 time champion.
10. Denver Nuggets-The Nuggets are a threat to explode at any point considering they have two of the game's elite scoring threats in Iverson and Anthony. Plus, they have one important tangible in their favor. Iverson may be the most title hungry player in the game.
9. Cleveland Cavaliers-A rejuvenated Ben Wallace gives Cleveland a shot to come out of the East. They also feature the Conference's top player, Lebron James. As James proved a year ago, he can win the East by himself, the Finals are the issue.
8. Utah Jazz-Stockton to Malone has seen a rebirth in the form of Williams to Boozer. Utah may be the most underappreciated team in the game. Players like Paul Millsap and Kyle Korver add solid dimensions of shooting and toughness. It will be important not too overlook this team come April.
7. New Orleans Hornets-Perhaps the top young team in the game has been a nice surprise this season. Byron Scott never gets his proper due. Reaching the Conference Semis would qualify as a success.
6. Phoenix Suns-My how the Suns have slipped. This team is slower, uglier, and easier to beat as a result of the lovable lug, previously known as Shaq. Phoenix can't seem to utlize their up-tempo attack on diesel fuel. But hey, that was their goal for the playoffs anyway. Way to fix a system that works.
5. Boston Celtics-Boston may have the top trio in the league. I still can't envision them winning the title because to win a championship, you need intangibles. Intangibles often relate to depth, which Boston has none.
4. Dallas Mavericks-The Mavs sold their future for the present. Rising players such as Desagana Diop and Devin Harris provided the costly price of Jason Kidd. The addition of Kidd gives the Mavs the hard nosed leader that Dirk will never be. Kidd will want the ball come crunch time. He also has the ability to distribute at his leisure. One thing's for sure, Dallas will get past round one.
3. Detroit Pistons-The great Piston nucleus, with the exception of Ben Wallace, is still intact and as good as ever. Chauncey Billups is the clutchest player this side of Tim Duncan. Rasheed is the most versatile power forward in the league. This team always flows nicely. Plus they'll be highly motivated based on the disapointments of their last two finishes (Eastern Finals losses to Miami and Cleveland).
2. Los Angeles Lakers-Kobe has no issues now. He's a Laker for life again. LA has progressed more than any team in the league this season. Kobe is at the peak of his talents, a scary thought for rivals considering he's been compared to Jordan. This may be the most talented team he's ever been surrounded by. Pau Gasol has fit perfectly, Lamar Odom is back to his natural small forward spot, and Andrew Bynum is one the best young bigs in the league. Let's not forget, Phil Jackson is still a genius. After a slight hiatus, he once again has title-talent to work with. Look for a deep Laker run.
1. San Antonio Spurs-Ah, the Spurs. It's the same routine every year. Hardly in sports history has there been a team so consistent, so routine oriented. No one even notices the Spurs until the end of the season anyway. With their recent win over Dallas, it appears the Spurs are once again coming on strong in the second half. My advice to title-hopefuls: don't overlook a 4 time champion.