Earlier today, Kyle Baillargeon made his preseason predictions for the Eastern Conference. Now it's time to take a team-by-team look at the Western Conference.
Here is how Kyle sees the Western Conference playing out:
1. Los Angeles Lakers - 61-21
The triangle offense is just a distant memory with Steve Nash at the helm, and this team should expect to score in spades. When Dwight Howard comes back, assuming he is his normal self, watch out.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder - 60-22
The Thunder will be at or near the top for years to come, with only the retooled Lakers poised to stand in their way. The Thunder should take last year's loss in the NBA Finals as a learning experience and expect to come into this season with something to prove. It's also amazing to consider that KD35 just turned 24.
3. San Antonio Spurs - 59-23
Tempted to give the Spurs a lower record, simply because they know it's all about the playoffs and not the regular season. But that's just silly. This team will continue to be good until they prove otherwise.
4. Los Angeles Clippers - 54-28
Chemistry is a concern for the bench, where Matt Barnes and Jamal Crawford are not necessarily known for being quiet role players. CP3 combined with the talented and athletic front court should make for a four seed in the tight west.
5. Denver Nuggets - 53-29
This should be an exciting team to watch. Denver will be running all year, and Iguodola gives them a defensive anchor. With the right matchups, this team could surprise many and go deep into the playoffs.
6. Memphis Grizzlies - 51-31
Memphis opened some eyes two seasons ago in the playoffs, and they showed last season that they're no fluke. We've seen in this league, however, that you need a star to be one of the elite teams. Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol and Rudy Gay are all very good, but it's tough to imagine them in the championship with this squad as constituted.
7. Dallas Mavericks - 50-32
At this stage, Darren Collison is likely preferable to Jason Kidd, so that's an upgrade. Though it isn't the same as Deron Williams, whom they tried hard to get. Assuming there aren't any chemistry issues with all the new faces, don't put it past Dallas to make another run.
8. Utah Jazz - 46-36
The Jazz proved you can still be a solid team after trading away your best player. They just aren't ready yet to move up in this tough conference. Thankfully, they're very young and in a few years we could be talking about them as championship contenders.
9. Minnesota Timberwolves - 45-37
If Rubio comes back quickly, this team could end up higher than this. Minnesota has the best power forward in the league in Kevin Love, and they're somehow a very fun and potentially dangerous team. Brandon Roy is a wild card, and if he can play anything like we've seen in the past, he's a fantastic addition.
10. Phoenix Suns - 41-41
The Suns are finally in the post-Steve Nash era, and things don't look quite so bad. They won't contend this year or next, but patience and a little bit of luck in the lottery could help them out sooner rather than later. Losing Channing Frye hurts, with no idea of when he'll return. Kendall Marshall was a great pickup in the draft this year and should be a solid building block for the future.
11. Golden State Warriors - 39-43
This team is too much of an injury risk to put any higher. If Curry and Bogut are healthy though, they could very well contend for the eighth seed. Klay Thompson is ready to take another step and will hopefully avoid a sophomore slump.
12. New Orleans Hornets - 35-47
It's probably too much to expect this many wins out of such a young squad, but the talent is there. Anthony Davis is a stud and Eric Gordon is ready to put a frustrating season behind him. The rebuild could be quick for the Hornets.
13. Portland Trail Blazers - 34-48
The Blazers don't quite have an identity, but Aldridge is still young and a solid piece to build around. Batum made headlines with his actions at the Olympic games, and he is hoping to make headlines with his play this season.
14. Sacramento Kings - 30-52
Jimmer Fredette was a big miss, and Tyreke Evans and DeMarcus Cousins are both talented but not of the right mindset to be leaders. This team is a mess and the chemistry, or lack thereof, will certainly hurt them.
15. Houston Rockets - 28-54
The Rockets shot high in trying to get Dwight Howard, but all they did was shoot themselves in the foot, at least for this season. It's well known that Daryl Morey believes you need to either be elite, or in the basement, and not somewhere in the middle. The Rockets will most certainly be contending for the 1st overall pick this year.
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Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Eastern Conference Preseason Predictions for the 2012-13 NBA Season
With NBA training camps opening up, it's time for preseason predictions. Kyle Baillargeon takes a team-by-team look into his crystal ball of all 30 NBA teams.
Here is how Kyle sees the Eastern Conference playing out:
1. Miami Heat - 64-18
The champs are back and they brought Ray Allen with them for this round. Allen will find himself open far more often than he did last year, and he'll make the most of it. Miami may even make a run for 70.
2. Boston Celtics - 61-21
Retooled and reloaded, the Celtics have been seemingly at the end of their run for the last three years. But they keeping coming back, ready to contend. This squad is bigger up front and could have the best four-guard rotation in the league.
3. Philadelphia 76ers - 50-32
Adding Bynum is huge for Philly, so long as he stays healthy. Will the team miss Iguodala, though? If Evan Turner plays to his potential, then the answer to that question is no.
4. Indiana Pacers - 48-34
With more teams going small at the center position, Roy Hibbert is somewhat of an anomaly. The Pacers were built to succeed in a short season, but how will this team fare over 82 games?
5. Milwaukee Bucks - 44-38
The dropoff is steep in the Eastern Conference, and this number of wins says more about how bad the rest of the conference is as opposed to how good the Bucks are. Jennings, Ellis and crew should have no problem making the playoffs, where they'll hope to make some noise.
6. Brooklyn Nets - 41-41
A tough team to determine, considering the general overhaul. Deron Williams and Joe Johnson is one of the strongest backcourts in the game. And don't underestimate how the move to Brooklyn could positively effect the team's psyche.
7. Chicago Bulls - 40-42
It's going to be a long year for the Bulls, though they did play decently for stretches without Rose last year. The team is not completely devoid of talent, but they just can't expect to contend without their star. Rose may be ready sometime after the All-Star break, but the Bulls may be better off tanking the season and hoping for a high pick.
8. Atlanta Hawks - 40-42
The Hawks are in a quasi-rebuilding mode, as they still have enough talent to sneak into the playoffs. However, if they start to slide downhill in the middle of the season, don't be surprised to see Josh Smith on his way out sooner rather than later.
9. Cleveland Cavaliers - 36-46
Irving is the real deal, and this team could surprise people in the east. They'll definitely be an exciting team, which is all you can ask for right now in Cleveland.
10. Toronto Raptors - 35-47
Valanciunas was considered by many as one of the top prospects out of his draft, and now he gets to show Toronto what they waited for. There's not a whole lot else to be excited for in Toronto, as it seems as though they based their entire offseason on trying to get, and subsequently failing to get, Steve Nash.
11. New York Knicks - 35-47
It's tough to make heads or tails of what the Knicks are trying to accomplish. Carmelo and Amare don't seem to work entirely well together. Jason Kidd would have been a great addition if he were five years younger. Meanwhile, Rasheed Wallace should be a wonderful influence on whatever young players the Knicks have.
12. Detroit Pistons - 33-49
Detroit may have themselves a bright future, but they'll have to make sure they don't waste their cap space after this season like they did a few years ago. In a perfect world, everyone will stay healthy, they'll show some signs of real potential, and they'll get a high pick.
13. Washington Wizards - 33-49
John Wall is not Derrick Rose or Kyrie Irving, but he is still ultra talented. This is his team, and he needs to raise his game. If he does, then he and Bradley Beal could make for a great young backcourt.
14. Charlotte Bobcats - 25-57
The Bobcats did a great job of not screwing up their pick this year, and MKG is a great talent. Kemba Walker has the keys to the squad now, and he can definitely make things happen on occasion. This team is still a ways away, but hopefully their front office will make it a streak of good draft picks next year.
15. Orlando Magic - 13-69
Not many good things to say about Orlando. They didn't get much for the best center in the league. They would have been smart to stick with Van Gundy, however.
Later today, we will post Kyle's predictions for the Western Conference.
Follow our basketball tweets and/or like us Facebook to keep track of our updates.
Here is how Kyle sees the Eastern Conference playing out:
1. Miami Heat - 64-18
The champs are back and they brought Ray Allen with them for this round. Allen will find himself open far more often than he did last year, and he'll make the most of it. Miami may even make a run for 70.
2. Boston Celtics - 61-21
Retooled and reloaded, the Celtics have been seemingly at the end of their run for the last three years. But they keeping coming back, ready to contend. This squad is bigger up front and could have the best four-guard rotation in the league.
3. Philadelphia 76ers - 50-32
Adding Bynum is huge for Philly, so long as he stays healthy. Will the team miss Iguodala, though? If Evan Turner plays to his potential, then the answer to that question is no.
4. Indiana Pacers - 48-34
With more teams going small at the center position, Roy Hibbert is somewhat of an anomaly. The Pacers were built to succeed in a short season, but how will this team fare over 82 games?
5. Milwaukee Bucks - 44-38
The dropoff is steep in the Eastern Conference, and this number of wins says more about how bad the rest of the conference is as opposed to how good the Bucks are. Jennings, Ellis and crew should have no problem making the playoffs, where they'll hope to make some noise.
6. Brooklyn Nets - 41-41
A tough team to determine, considering the general overhaul. Deron Williams and Joe Johnson is one of the strongest backcourts in the game. And don't underestimate how the move to Brooklyn could positively effect the team's psyche.
7. Chicago Bulls - 40-42
It's going to be a long year for the Bulls, though they did play decently for stretches without Rose last year. The team is not completely devoid of talent, but they just can't expect to contend without their star. Rose may be ready sometime after the All-Star break, but the Bulls may be better off tanking the season and hoping for a high pick.
8. Atlanta Hawks - 40-42
The Hawks are in a quasi-rebuilding mode, as they still have enough talent to sneak into the playoffs. However, if they start to slide downhill in the middle of the season, don't be surprised to see Josh Smith on his way out sooner rather than later.
9. Cleveland Cavaliers - 36-46
Irving is the real deal, and this team could surprise people in the east. They'll definitely be an exciting team, which is all you can ask for right now in Cleveland.
10. Toronto Raptors - 35-47
Valanciunas was considered by many as one of the top prospects out of his draft, and now he gets to show Toronto what they waited for. There's not a whole lot else to be excited for in Toronto, as it seems as though they based their entire offseason on trying to get, and subsequently failing to get, Steve Nash.
11. New York Knicks - 35-47
It's tough to make heads or tails of what the Knicks are trying to accomplish. Carmelo and Amare don't seem to work entirely well together. Jason Kidd would have been a great addition if he were five years younger. Meanwhile, Rasheed Wallace should be a wonderful influence on whatever young players the Knicks have.
12. Detroit Pistons - 33-49
Detroit may have themselves a bright future, but they'll have to make sure they don't waste their cap space after this season like they did a few years ago. In a perfect world, everyone will stay healthy, they'll show some signs of real potential, and they'll get a high pick.
13. Washington Wizards - 33-49
John Wall is not Derrick Rose or Kyrie Irving, but he is still ultra talented. This is his team, and he needs to raise his game. If he does, then he and Bradley Beal could make for a great young backcourt.
14. Charlotte Bobcats - 25-57
The Bobcats did a great job of not screwing up their pick this year, and MKG is a great talent. Kemba Walker has the keys to the squad now, and he can definitely make things happen on occasion. This team is still a ways away, but hopefully their front office will make it a streak of good draft picks next year.
15. Orlando Magic - 13-69
Not many good things to say about Orlando. They didn't get much for the best center in the league. They would have been smart to stick with Van Gundy, however.
Later today, we will post Kyle's predictions for the Western Conference.
Follow our basketball tweets and/or like us Facebook to keep track of our updates.
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Trifone: 2012 NBA Finals Prediction - Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Miami Heat
After an incredible Game 6 performance from King James, the Miami Heat were able to defend home court in Game 7 and advance to the Finals. After a very competitive series, one that turned out to be far closer than I thought it would be, the Heat showed flashes of greatness. However, they also showed some glaring weaknesses.
Miami is easily the most criticized and scrutinized team in the NBA, and while it's pretty clear why, it creates a very interesting dynamic. Every time the Heat appear to be down (falling behind 2-1 to the Pacers, or falling behind 3-2 to the Celtics after taking a 2-0 lead), everyone, including myself at times, wants to pile on the Heat. And the reason seems to be that our expectations for them are so high. We think to ourselves that this team came together, three of the best players in the league, and yet we see them struggle the way any other team might. It appears that the reality of the situation is that regardless of how they came together, the Big 3 of Miami are simply NOT substantially better than a handful of other teams in the league.
In the prime of his career, Michael Jordan and the Bulls were not challenged. It was clear who the best team was, and Jordan's Bulls would usually have the series in hand before there was ever even talk of a Game 7. We lived through this, and wonder why LeBron can't seem to yield the same results, in spite of joining forces with Wade and Bosh.
And the truth of the matter is that the league is just more competitive today; not as a whole, but at the top. In the Jordan era, we didn't think there were five or six teams at the top, any of which could realistically win it. I used to be a die-hard Knicks fan, and they were a playoff team year after year. But I knew in my heart that Ewing and Starks and Oakley simply were not going to beat Jordan and Pippen. And they never did. Before free agency became as prevalent, teams simply did not change enough. And Jordan and Pippen were simply better than Malone/Stockton, Olajuwon, Ewing, Barkley, etc. The question was not which of a handful of teams will win it all. It was will any other team rise up and really challenge the Bulls?
Today, we feel that Miami should be that team because of the way that they came together, and the incredibly high expectations we have for those three players. But as we've seen, Miami is a very good team; often a great team. But they simply are not head and shoulders above the rest of the league. And when they struggle, we come down on them as if they should be Jordan's Bulls, rather than simply acknowledge that maybe they're not.
With all of that said, for the second straight year, Miami is headed back to the NBA Finals. It wasn't always a pretty road and it wasn't always apparent that they would emerge, but once again they have, setting up the NBA's dream matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Celtics and Spurs put forth valiant efforts to make what appears to be one final run for each team, but in the end, we are witnessing the changing of the guard. It's the two faces of the NBA, the three-time MVP versus the three-time scoring champion. It's good versus evil in a series that will have just about everyone outside of Miami (and Seattle) rooting for the Thunder.
Oklahoma City was incredibly impressive against San Antonio. All year, I have felt that the Thunder were a good team, certainly one of the best in the league. But I definitely thought that they were still a bit young, and with the way the Spurs had been playing, I was more than a bit surprised that they were able to overcome a 2-0 deficit to win four straight. It's ironic the way we judge Miami's Big 3, as OKC's Big 3 is every bit as good. James Harden has been playing like the unquestioned best "third option" in the league, if we can still call him that. And Oklahoma City seems to be winning by not only pouring on the points, but on the defensive end as well.
The Thunder are the favorite to win the title, and deservedly so.
They were more impressive overall than Miami was, and went through a more difficult road, knocking off three championship-caliber teams. Still, I can't help but feel like LeBron isn't going to let anything stop him this time. I felt the same way last year, and I still feel that Miami was better than Dallas was last year. Just not at that moment in time. Dirk Nowitzki had one of the top-five greatest playoff performances in history. If Durant can mimic that kind of effort, it could spell the same kind of trouble for Miami this time around.
However, LeBron is just as capable as Durant of having that kind of a series, and while the Heat have some weaknesses, James has been taking it to another level in the playoffs. He appears to be less concerned about being criticized and is more focused on taking games over. He looks like Cleveland Lebron, except he finally might have enough of a supporting cast.
I am as excited for this series as I have been for any series I can remember, and I look forward to watching the two best players on the planet go at each other. When Dwyane Wade and Russell Westbrook aren't the headliners, you know you're in store for a pretty great matchup. This series could go either way, but I've felt that in a seven-game series, Miami has been the best team all year. And I still feel that way today.
Miami in seven.
[Editor's note: This post is by John Trifone (@JohnnyT0122). Get tickets to the NBA Finals from TicketCity.]
Miami is easily the most criticized and scrutinized team in the NBA, and while it's pretty clear why, it creates a very interesting dynamic. Every time the Heat appear to be down (falling behind 2-1 to the Pacers, or falling behind 3-2 to the Celtics after taking a 2-0 lead), everyone, including myself at times, wants to pile on the Heat. And the reason seems to be that our expectations for them are so high. We think to ourselves that this team came together, three of the best players in the league, and yet we see them struggle the way any other team might. It appears that the reality of the situation is that regardless of how they came together, the Big 3 of Miami are simply NOT substantially better than a handful of other teams in the league.
In the prime of his career, Michael Jordan and the Bulls were not challenged. It was clear who the best team was, and Jordan's Bulls would usually have the series in hand before there was ever even talk of a Game 7. We lived through this, and wonder why LeBron can't seem to yield the same results, in spite of joining forces with Wade and Bosh.
And the truth of the matter is that the league is just more competitive today; not as a whole, but at the top. In the Jordan era, we didn't think there were five or six teams at the top, any of which could realistically win it. I used to be a die-hard Knicks fan, and they were a playoff team year after year. But I knew in my heart that Ewing and Starks and Oakley simply were not going to beat Jordan and Pippen. And they never did. Before free agency became as prevalent, teams simply did not change enough. And Jordan and Pippen were simply better than Malone/Stockton, Olajuwon, Ewing, Barkley, etc. The question was not which of a handful of teams will win it all. It was will any other team rise up and really challenge the Bulls?
Today, we feel that Miami should be that team because of the way that they came together, and the incredibly high expectations we have for those three players. But as we've seen, Miami is a very good team; often a great team. But they simply are not head and shoulders above the rest of the league. And when they struggle, we come down on them as if they should be Jordan's Bulls, rather than simply acknowledge that maybe they're not.
With all of that said, for the second straight year, Miami is headed back to the NBA Finals. It wasn't always a pretty road and it wasn't always apparent that they would emerge, but once again they have, setting up the NBA's dream matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Celtics and Spurs put forth valiant efforts to make what appears to be one final run for each team, but in the end, we are witnessing the changing of the guard. It's the two faces of the NBA, the three-time MVP versus the three-time scoring champion. It's good versus evil in a series that will have just about everyone outside of Miami (and Seattle) rooting for the Thunder.
Oklahoma City was incredibly impressive against San Antonio. All year, I have felt that the Thunder were a good team, certainly one of the best in the league. But I definitely thought that they were still a bit young, and with the way the Spurs had been playing, I was more than a bit surprised that they were able to overcome a 2-0 deficit to win four straight. It's ironic the way we judge Miami's Big 3, as OKC's Big 3 is every bit as good. James Harden has been playing like the unquestioned best "third option" in the league, if we can still call him that. And Oklahoma City seems to be winning by not only pouring on the points, but on the defensive end as well.
The Thunder are the favorite to win the title, and deservedly so.
They were more impressive overall than Miami was, and went through a more difficult road, knocking off three championship-caliber teams. Still, I can't help but feel like LeBron isn't going to let anything stop him this time. I felt the same way last year, and I still feel that Miami was better than Dallas was last year. Just not at that moment in time. Dirk Nowitzki had one of the top-five greatest playoff performances in history. If Durant can mimic that kind of effort, it could spell the same kind of trouble for Miami this time around.
However, LeBron is just as capable as Durant of having that kind of a series, and while the Heat have some weaknesses, James has been taking it to another level in the playoffs. He appears to be less concerned about being criticized and is more focused on taking games over. He looks like Cleveland Lebron, except he finally might have enough of a supporting cast.
I am as excited for this series as I have been for any series I can remember, and I look forward to watching the two best players on the planet go at each other. When Dwyane Wade and Russell Westbrook aren't the headliners, you know you're in store for a pretty great matchup. This series could go either way, but I've felt that in a seven-game series, Miami has been the best team all year. And I still feel that way today.
Miami in seven.
[Editor's note: This post is by John Trifone (@JohnnyT0122). Get tickets to the NBA Finals from TicketCity.]
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Hornets win the 2012 NBA Draft Lottery
The 2012 NBA Draft is less than a month and tonight was the NBA Draft Lottery to determine the exact order of picks 1 to 14. Although the Charlotte Bobcats had the best odds to secure the No. 1 pick for the right to draft Kentucky's Anthony Davis, they came in second.
For playoff teams, their record determined their order in the draft from 15 to 30.
Here are results of the NBA lottery:
1. New Orleans Hornets
2. Charlotte Bobcats
3. Washington Wizards
4. Cleveland Cavaliers
5. Sacramento Kings
6. Brooklyn Nets (Portland Trail Blazers will make this pick)
7. Golden State Warriors
8. Toronto Raptors
9. Detroit Pistons
10. New Orleans Hornets
11. Portland Trail Blazers
12. Milwaukee Bucks
13. Phoenix Suns
14. Houston Rockets
I will update my NBA mock draft within the next few hours.
For playoff teams, their record determined their order in the draft from 15 to 30.
Here are results of the NBA lottery:
1. New Orleans Hornets
2. Charlotte Bobcats
3. Washington Wizards
4. Cleveland Cavaliers
5. Sacramento Kings
6. Brooklyn Nets (Portland Trail Blazers will make this pick)
7. Golden State Warriors
8. Toronto Raptors
9. Detroit Pistons
10. New Orleans Hornets
11. Portland Trail Blazers
12. Milwaukee Bucks
13. Phoenix Suns
14. Houston Rockets
I will update my NBA mock draft within the next few hours.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Eastern Conference Finals Prediction: Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics
Philadelphia had a nice run, but it will be the Celtics that will fly to Miami to face the Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals. Fortunately for Boston, Miami will be without Dexter Pittman for the first two games of the series, so the Heat will have to rely more on LeBron James and D-Wade to carry the load.
In all seriousness, the status of Chris Bosh could potentially be a factor in the series. Without him, many thought the Heat would struggle to get by Indiana.
As it turns out, just when many were ready to pronounce Miami dead, LeBron and Wade stepped up their game, and showed why they have been the favorite to win the NBA Championship all year. The third quarter of Game Four was about as flawless as a duo can play. It may as well have been two on five out there, and that still wasn't enough to stop them. The key to their success was that they were not just playing isolation basketball, they were playing together and they were taking it to the basket, rather than settling for a contested mid-range jumper or a deep three with the shot clock winding down.
Boston has played like typical Boston this year.
When it matters, they still have it in them to turn it on, and they know what it takes to win a championship. Still, they are getting too old to play that kind of ball night after night. They struggled mightily on offensive against Philadelphia, and it's not going to get any easier against Miami, whose athleticism is a tremendous asset in helping them play real lockdown defense. The biggest question for Boston will be if they can score enough to stay in games this series.
Historically, LeBron James has struggled with the Celtics, but recent history (last year's playoff series), tells a different story than a few years ago. LeBron was awesome and played outstanding in the fourth quarter of those games, helping his team to get by Boston pretty easily in five games.
This year, I believe it will be more of the same. Boston has showed resiliency to get back to the Conference Finals, and it's clear that this group wants to make another run at a title, but they are simply overmatched. In a seven-game series, the better team is usually going to win, and Miami is simply the better team.
It's easy to lose sight of how good the Heat are because the expectations are so high. They haven't challenged Jordan's Bulls' 70-win season, they fell behind two games to one in the second round of the playoffs against Indiana, a team with no real stars. But at the end of the day, the first year they got together, they made the NBA Finals (knocking off the Celtics and MVP-led Bulls) and came up just short. In this, their second year, they're back in the conference finals, and pretty heavy favorites to reach the NBA Finals once again.
LeBron is the best player on the planet, and regardless of who surrounds him, and whether you like him or not, his team is going to be among the contenders to win it all for years to come. They made the Finals last year, and I believe they're going back again this year. I don't expect the Eastern Conference Finals to be as close as the Western Finals. I like Miami to jump out to a 2-0 series lead, then likely split in Boston, and close it out at home.
So I'm picking the Heat to win in 5 and set up a highly anticipated matchup with either the Spurs or Thunder (see my pick in that series).
Prediction: Miami in five games
[Editor's note: This post is by John Trifone (@JohnnyT0122), who also contributes at our NFL site: Eat, Drink and Sleep Football (see John's archives).]
In all seriousness, the status of Chris Bosh could potentially be a factor in the series. Without him, many thought the Heat would struggle to get by Indiana.
As it turns out, just when many were ready to pronounce Miami dead, LeBron and Wade stepped up their game, and showed why they have been the favorite to win the NBA Championship all year. The third quarter of Game Four was about as flawless as a duo can play. It may as well have been two on five out there, and that still wasn't enough to stop them. The key to their success was that they were not just playing isolation basketball, they were playing together and they were taking it to the basket, rather than settling for a contested mid-range jumper or a deep three with the shot clock winding down.
Boston has played like typical Boston this year.
When it matters, they still have it in them to turn it on, and they know what it takes to win a championship. Still, they are getting too old to play that kind of ball night after night. They struggled mightily on offensive against Philadelphia, and it's not going to get any easier against Miami, whose athleticism is a tremendous asset in helping them play real lockdown defense. The biggest question for Boston will be if they can score enough to stay in games this series.
Historically, LeBron James has struggled with the Celtics, but recent history (last year's playoff series), tells a different story than a few years ago. LeBron was awesome and played outstanding in the fourth quarter of those games, helping his team to get by Boston pretty easily in five games.
This year, I believe it will be more of the same. Boston has showed resiliency to get back to the Conference Finals, and it's clear that this group wants to make another run at a title, but they are simply overmatched. In a seven-game series, the better team is usually going to win, and Miami is simply the better team.
It's easy to lose sight of how good the Heat are because the expectations are so high. They haven't challenged Jordan's Bulls' 70-win season, they fell behind two games to one in the second round of the playoffs against Indiana, a team with no real stars. But at the end of the day, the first year they got together, they made the NBA Finals (knocking off the Celtics and MVP-led Bulls) and came up just short. In this, their second year, they're back in the conference finals, and pretty heavy favorites to reach the NBA Finals once again.
LeBron is the best player on the planet, and regardless of who surrounds him, and whether you like him or not, his team is going to be among the contenders to win it all for years to come. They made the Finals last year, and I believe they're going back again this year. I don't expect the Eastern Conference Finals to be as close as the Western Finals. I like Miami to jump out to a 2-0 series lead, then likely split in Boston, and close it out at home.
So I'm picking the Heat to win in 5 and set up a highly anticipated matchup with either the Spurs or Thunder (see my pick in that series).
Prediction: Miami in five games
[Editor's note: This post is by John Trifone (@JohnnyT0122), who also contributes at our NFL site: Eat, Drink and Sleep Football (see John's archives).]
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Hanson: 2012 NBA Mock Draft, 2.0
With just slightly more than a month before the 2012 NBA Draft, I updated the first round of my mock draft.
The NBA lottery will be held on May 30th, which means the order will (likely) change and I will update my mock at that point to reflect that change and then at least weekly until the NBA Draft.
Here is how I see things shaking out:
1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky
This is such a no-brainer pick that, as Kyle Baillargeon points out in his mock, GM Michael Jordan "can't mess this up."
2. Washington Wizards: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky
Aside from his outside shooting, there are virtually no holes in Kidd-Gilchrist's game. MKG is a tough-minded, versatile defender with good size and strength on the wing. With intangibles, leadership and a great feel for the game, MKG will make his teammates better.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers: Andre Drummond, PF/C, UConn
Drummond has the ability and physical tools to dominate yet the propensity to disappear at times as well. With plenty of upside, Drummond has the size, strength and athleticism to contribute right away on the defensive end but is a work-in-progress on the offensive end.
4. New Orleans Hornets: Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas
Like Drummond, Robinson has good strength, size and athleticism. Unlike Drummond, there is no questioning Robinson's motor and his offensive game is much more advanced.
5. Sacramento Kings: Bradley Beal, SG, Florida
Both of my counterparts -- Kyle Baillargeon (view mock) and Brendan Donahue (view mock) -- have Beal going within the top three picks as do many other sites. If he is still on the board at this spot, Beal gives the Kings a shooter with great range and a good all-around offensive game.
6. Portland Trail Blazers: Austin Rivers, SG, Duke
Rivers, the son of Celtics coach Doc Rivers, can provide the Blazers with instant offense. Many of Portland's guards become free agents or can opt out this year: Nicolas Batum, Jamal Crawford, Raymond Felton and Johnny Flynn.
7. Golden State Warriors: Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina
Barnes did himself no favors in the tournament, but I don't have him slipping as far as Kyle has in his mock. Barnes has plenty of offensive skill, but often settles for jumpers and does not get to the line as much as you would expect for a wing player with his size and strength.
8. Toronto Raptors: John Henson, PF, North Carolina
Although he needs to add strength and bulk to his frame, Henson is an NBA-ready defensive player with the wingspan (7-foot-4) and athleticism to alter, affect and block plenty of shots. He will need to continue to improve his game offensively, however, but he has continued to improve on the offensive end at Carolina.
9. Detroit Pistons: Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State
Returning for his sophomore season means Sullinger will likely be selected (much) lower than he would have been in 2011. While he is not the most athletic player (or tallest for his position), Sullinger has great strength, polished moves in the post and was a dominant rebounder in college.
10. New Orleans Hornets: Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn
Lamb has all the physical tools to be successful at the next level and he led the Huskies in scoring with the departure of Kemba Walker. That said, Lamb disappeared at times for a team that was a major disappointment given its talent and expectations.
11. Portland Trail Blazers: Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina
A skilled seven-footer, Zeller improved his game in all four seasons in Chapel Hill posting career highs across the board last year: 16.3 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 0.9 steals per game with 55.3 percent from the field and 80.8 percent from the line.
12. Milwaukee Bucks: Perry Jones, PF, Baylor
One of the more naturally-gifted players in the draft, Jones has the length and athleticism you can't coach. On the other hand, Jones has been often criticized, and rightfully so, for his inconsistent motor.
13. Phoenix Suns: Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina
With Steve Nash, the former "MP3," about become a free agent, the Suns may need to find his replacement. Marshall is arguably the best point guard in this year's draft class.
14. Houston Rockets: Terrence Jones, PF, Kentucky
Jones, who was a point guard early in high school, has the versatility to play and defend a variety of positions due to his length and athleticism.
15. Philadelphia 76ers: Arnett Moultrie, PF/C, Mississippi State
After sitting out a year since he transferred from UTEP, Moultrie averaged a double-double (16.4 points and 10.5 rebounds per game) for the Bulldogs last year. Athletic with a high motor, Moultrie would fit well with the athletic Sixers squad.
Click here to see picks 16-30.
For more mock drafts, check out our mock draft database.
The NBA lottery will be held on May 30th, which means the order will (likely) change and I will update my mock at that point to reflect that change and then at least weekly until the NBA Draft.
Here is how I see things shaking out:
1. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Davis, PF, Kentucky
This is such a no-brainer pick that, as Kyle Baillargeon points out in his mock, GM Michael Jordan "can't mess this up."
2. Washington Wizards: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, Kentucky
Aside from his outside shooting, there are virtually no holes in Kidd-Gilchrist's game. MKG is a tough-minded, versatile defender with good size and strength on the wing. With intangibles, leadership and a great feel for the game, MKG will make his teammates better.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers: Andre Drummond, PF/C, UConn
Drummond has the ability and physical tools to dominate yet the propensity to disappear at times as well. With plenty of upside, Drummond has the size, strength and athleticism to contribute right away on the defensive end but is a work-in-progress on the offensive end.
4. New Orleans Hornets: Thomas Robinson, PF, Kansas
Like Drummond, Robinson has good strength, size and athleticism. Unlike Drummond, there is no questioning Robinson's motor and his offensive game is much more advanced.
5. Sacramento Kings: Bradley Beal, SG, Florida
Both of my counterparts -- Kyle Baillargeon (view mock) and Brendan Donahue (view mock) -- have Beal going within the top three picks as do many other sites. If he is still on the board at this spot, Beal gives the Kings a shooter with great range and a good all-around offensive game.
6. Portland Trail Blazers: Austin Rivers, SG, Duke
Rivers, the son of Celtics coach Doc Rivers, can provide the Blazers with instant offense. Many of Portland's guards become free agents or can opt out this year: Nicolas Batum, Jamal Crawford, Raymond Felton and Johnny Flynn.
7. Golden State Warriors: Harrison Barnes, SF, North Carolina
Barnes did himself no favors in the tournament, but I don't have him slipping as far as Kyle has in his mock. Barnes has plenty of offensive skill, but often settles for jumpers and does not get to the line as much as you would expect for a wing player with his size and strength.
8. Toronto Raptors: John Henson, PF, North Carolina
Although he needs to add strength and bulk to his frame, Henson is an NBA-ready defensive player with the wingspan (7-foot-4) and athleticism to alter, affect and block plenty of shots. He will need to continue to improve his game offensively, however, but he has continued to improve on the offensive end at Carolina.
9. Detroit Pistons: Jared Sullinger, PF, Ohio State
Returning for his sophomore season means Sullinger will likely be selected (much) lower than he would have been in 2011. While he is not the most athletic player (or tallest for his position), Sullinger has great strength, polished moves in the post and was a dominant rebounder in college.
10. New Orleans Hornets: Jeremy Lamb, SG, UConn
Lamb has all the physical tools to be successful at the next level and he led the Huskies in scoring with the departure of Kemba Walker. That said, Lamb disappeared at times for a team that was a major disappointment given its talent and expectations.
11. Portland Trail Blazers: Tyler Zeller, C, North Carolina
A skilled seven-footer, Zeller improved his game in all four seasons in Chapel Hill posting career highs across the board last year: 16.3 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 0.9 steals per game with 55.3 percent from the field and 80.8 percent from the line.
12. Milwaukee Bucks: Perry Jones, PF, Baylor
One of the more naturally-gifted players in the draft, Jones has the length and athleticism you can't coach. On the other hand, Jones has been often criticized, and rightfully so, for his inconsistent motor.
13. Phoenix Suns: Kendall Marshall, PG, North Carolina
With Steve Nash, the former "MP3," about become a free agent, the Suns may need to find his replacement. Marshall is arguably the best point guard in this year's draft class.
14. Houston Rockets: Terrence Jones, PF, Kentucky
Jones, who was a point guard early in high school, has the versatility to play and defend a variety of positions due to his length and athleticism.
15. Philadelphia 76ers: Arnett Moultrie, PF/C, Mississippi State
After sitting out a year since he transferred from UTEP, Moultrie averaged a double-double (16.4 points and 10.5 rebounds per game) for the Bulldogs last year. Athletic with a high motor, Moultrie would fit well with the athletic Sixers squad.
Click here to see picks 16-30.
For more mock drafts, check out our mock draft database.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Western Conference Finals Prediction: San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
[Editor's note: This post is by John Trifone (@JohnnyT0122), who also contributes at our NFL site: Eat, Drink and Sleep Football (see John's archives). John was a believer in the Spurs back in February; read below to see if that's still the case.]
This looks to be the best match up of the entire playoffs. The Spurs have not lost a game since April 11, and more than that, haven't been challenged in many of their wins. So far in the playoffs, they easily disbursed of the Jazz in the first round, and just kept rolling against the Clippers, who played very well in the first round to oust Memphis. Even after falling behind by 24 points into the 2nd quarter of game 3, they went on to destroy LA for the remainder of the game, and won by double digits.
The Spurs look like the perfect team. Tim Duncan is playing like he's 28 again, Tony Parker is having an outstanding season at the point, and they have few, if any, weaknesses. They have a great coach, a deep bench, and play unbelievable team basketball. They always seem to find the open man, and everyone on the floor is a reliable shooter.
The Thunder, on the other hand, have been pretty impressive in their own right. I do think they have looked more vulnerable, as they have been in several very close games that could have gone either way. In the first round of the playoffs, they swept Dallas, but realistically, could have easily gone down 0-2 at home. In the second round, they blew the doors off against the Lakers in Game 1, but the next three contests could have, and maybe should have, gone to the Lakers. Game 2, for example, had the Lakers leading by seven with just two minutes to go. The flip side of the argument, of course, is that they keep finding ways to win these close games, which, of course, they have.
Clearly, Oklahoma City knows how to play well down the stretch and has several guys that can close. While Durant is the biggest star on the team, Russell Westbrook and James Harden are perfectly capable of taking a game over when necessary, which makes it more difficult for defenses. If you double up on Durant, you're looking at potentially leaving another stud with an open look.
While the Spurs and Thunder are a combined 16-1 in the playoffs thus far, this one certainly doesn't look like it's going to be a short series. I'd guess that most people will be calling for a seven-game series and virtually flipping a coin on the winner.
Durant and Westbrook are the youthful superstars and future of the NBA, while the Spurs, though much less sexy, have pretty clearly been the best team in basketball for the last two months. I think that the Thunder are a formidable opponent, but I just can't see them beating San Antonio. In fact, I believe the Spurs will win in 5.
OKC has been a little inconsistent at times, and sometimes just start throwing up three-pointers in an attempt to make a quick run. I don't think that's going to fly against the Spurs, and if the Thunder fall behind after three quarters, I don't expect them to be able to make the kind of runs they've made in the past in this series against San Antonio. Don't get me wrong, OKC is incredibly athletic, they're fairly deep, they have some size, and they have multiple threats to score. But Poppovich always seems to come up with a good scheme and I definitely give the Spurs the coaching advantage. I also feel that the Spurs are so consistent that if OKC gets sloppy from time to time during the game, the Spurs will take advantage. Ultimately, I like the Spurs to continue the amazing run they're on and advance to the NBA Finals over Oklahoma City.
Prediction: San Antonio in 5
This looks to be the best match up of the entire playoffs. The Spurs have not lost a game since April 11, and more than that, haven't been challenged in many of their wins. So far in the playoffs, they easily disbursed of the Jazz in the first round, and just kept rolling against the Clippers, who played very well in the first round to oust Memphis. Even after falling behind by 24 points into the 2nd quarter of game 3, they went on to destroy LA for the remainder of the game, and won by double digits.
The Spurs look like the perfect team. Tim Duncan is playing like he's 28 again, Tony Parker is having an outstanding season at the point, and they have few, if any, weaknesses. They have a great coach, a deep bench, and play unbelievable team basketball. They always seem to find the open man, and everyone on the floor is a reliable shooter.
The Thunder, on the other hand, have been pretty impressive in their own right. I do think they have looked more vulnerable, as they have been in several very close games that could have gone either way. In the first round of the playoffs, they swept Dallas, but realistically, could have easily gone down 0-2 at home. In the second round, they blew the doors off against the Lakers in Game 1, but the next three contests could have, and maybe should have, gone to the Lakers. Game 2, for example, had the Lakers leading by seven with just two minutes to go. The flip side of the argument, of course, is that they keep finding ways to win these close games, which, of course, they have.
Clearly, Oklahoma City knows how to play well down the stretch and has several guys that can close. While Durant is the biggest star on the team, Russell Westbrook and James Harden are perfectly capable of taking a game over when necessary, which makes it more difficult for defenses. If you double up on Durant, you're looking at potentially leaving another stud with an open look.
While the Spurs and Thunder are a combined 16-1 in the playoffs thus far, this one certainly doesn't look like it's going to be a short series. I'd guess that most people will be calling for a seven-game series and virtually flipping a coin on the winner.
Durant and Westbrook are the youthful superstars and future of the NBA, while the Spurs, though much less sexy, have pretty clearly been the best team in basketball for the last two months. I think that the Thunder are a formidable opponent, but I just can't see them beating San Antonio. In fact, I believe the Spurs will win in 5.
OKC has been a little inconsistent at times, and sometimes just start throwing up three-pointers in an attempt to make a quick run. I don't think that's going to fly against the Spurs, and if the Thunder fall behind after three quarters, I don't expect them to be able to make the kind of runs they've made in the past in this series against San Antonio. Don't get me wrong, OKC is incredibly athletic, they're fairly deep, they have some size, and they have multiple threats to score. But Poppovich always seems to come up with a good scheme and I definitely give the Spurs the coaching advantage. I also feel that the Spurs are so consistent that if OKC gets sloppy from time to time during the game, the Spurs will take advantage. Ultimately, I like the Spurs to continue the amazing run they're on and advance to the NBA Finals over Oklahoma City.
Prediction: San Antonio in 5
Monday, May 21, 2012
VIDEO: Parody of Stephen A. Smith on SNL
If you missed the parody of ESPN's Stephen A. Smith on Saturday Night Live this weekend, it was pretty funny.
Here is the video:
Here is the video:
Saturday, April 28, 2012
NBA Consensus Power Rankings, End of Regular Season Version
Each week, we respond to one roundtable question and here's this week's question as the NBA playoffs begin this afternoon: If the Miami Heat get to the NBA Finals (and lose), should their season be viewed as a "failure"?
John (follow on Twitter):
I have felt that the Heat have been the best team all year. Toward the end of the season, they failed to come up big in some key matchups, and my confidence in them has certainly waned. I do, however, feel that playoff basketball is a whole different animal, and I believe that Miami will be ready. Considering all of the mounting pressure on LeBron to win a championship, combined with the fact that the first year of the Miami experiment resulted in a trip to the Finals (only coming up short to a Mavericks team that got incredibly hot behind one of the greatest playoff performances of all time), and I'm very comfortable calling anything short of a championship a failure. There are some teams that just have different standards than the rest of the league. After enough time passes, 95 percent of teams would look back at a trip to the Championship as a successful year, even if they came up a bit short. But all-time greats like LeBron are not measured by the number of times they finish as the runner-up. And this season, more than any before this, is about LeBron James and his place in history. I think the Spurs are playing like the best team in basketball, and have been for the last half of the season. A part of me thinks that they are just playing too well, and will win it all this year. But ultimately, I'm just not ready to bet against LeBron (even though it would have been right to do so for the last seven years.) I think Miami has a complete championship-or-bust mentality, and there's no doubt in my mind that the entire team will view anything but as a failure.
Kevin (follow on Twitter):
As a fan of the game, my opinion changed of LeBron James after the whole "taking-my-talents-to-South-Beach" train wreck of an ESPN special. In other words, he went from being a player I liked (despite being a Sixers' fan) to the player I despised the most in the NBA. And having the whole welcome party with the predictions of countless championships the next day made strengthened those feelings. My feelings are more neutral now, but I am definitely not rooting for LeBron. With all that said, I would consider a trip to the NBA Finals and a loss to either the Thunder or Spurs to be neutral -- neither a success nor failure. For the season to be viewed as a success, however, it requires a championship. If they don't get to the NBA Finals, their season would be a failure.
Sean (follow on Twitter):
I don't know how anyone can argue the other way on this. If the Heat don't win it all, then they failed period. This team was assembled to win championships, not falling short. If they fail this year then they should really look into breaking up this team, and I'd start with Chris Bosh who is as soft as they come. The Bulls are the team to beat in the East, and they win by playing defense. D. Rose will also take the big shot at the end of the game where LeBron won't.
Dan (follow on Twitter):
The answer is unequivocally and emphatically yes that the Miami Heat's season will be a failure if they do not win the NBA title this year. After all, it was LeBron that said "... not 4, not 5, not 6, but 7," and how he was taking notes from all of the haters this summer on Twitter. If your goal is to join forces with Dwyane Wade, and become the most dominant team in the league, it's title or bust.
Here are some stats about this week's NBA Consensus Power Rankings:
- Biggest jump from last week: Utah Jazz (+3.33)
- Biggest drop from last week: Houston Rockets (-3.67)
- Team with widest difference between high and low ranker: Knicks, Grizzlies, Clippers and Magic (tied, 4)
To see where all 30 teams fall in our power rankings going through the end of the regular season, click here.
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John (follow on Twitter):
I have felt that the Heat have been the best team all year. Toward the end of the season, they failed to come up big in some key matchups, and my confidence in them has certainly waned. I do, however, feel that playoff basketball is a whole different animal, and I believe that Miami will be ready. Considering all of the mounting pressure on LeBron to win a championship, combined with the fact that the first year of the Miami experiment resulted in a trip to the Finals (only coming up short to a Mavericks team that got incredibly hot behind one of the greatest playoff performances of all time), and I'm very comfortable calling anything short of a championship a failure. There are some teams that just have different standards than the rest of the league. After enough time passes, 95 percent of teams would look back at a trip to the Championship as a successful year, even if they came up a bit short. But all-time greats like LeBron are not measured by the number of times they finish as the runner-up. And this season, more than any before this, is about LeBron James and his place in history. I think the Spurs are playing like the best team in basketball, and have been for the last half of the season. A part of me thinks that they are just playing too well, and will win it all this year. But ultimately, I'm just not ready to bet against LeBron (even though it would have been right to do so for the last seven years.) I think Miami has a complete championship-or-bust mentality, and there's no doubt in my mind that the entire team will view anything but as a failure.
Kevin (follow on Twitter):
As a fan of the game, my opinion changed of LeBron James after the whole "taking-my-talents-to-South-Beach" train wreck of an ESPN special. In other words, he went from being a player I liked (despite being a Sixers' fan) to the player I despised the most in the NBA. And having the whole welcome party with the predictions of countless championships the next day made strengthened those feelings. My feelings are more neutral now, but I am definitely not rooting for LeBron. With all that said, I would consider a trip to the NBA Finals and a loss to either the Thunder or Spurs to be neutral -- neither a success nor failure. For the season to be viewed as a success, however, it requires a championship. If they don't get to the NBA Finals, their season would be a failure.
Sean (follow on Twitter):
I don't know how anyone can argue the other way on this. If the Heat don't win it all, then they failed period. This team was assembled to win championships, not falling short. If they fail this year then they should really look into breaking up this team, and I'd start with Chris Bosh who is as soft as they come. The Bulls are the team to beat in the East, and they win by playing defense. D. Rose will also take the big shot at the end of the game where LeBron won't.
Dan (follow on Twitter):
The answer is unequivocally and emphatically yes that the Miami Heat's season will be a failure if they do not win the NBA title this year. After all, it was LeBron that said "... not 4, not 5, not 6, but 7," and how he was taking notes from all of the haters this summer on Twitter. If your goal is to join forces with Dwyane Wade, and become the most dominant team in the league, it's title or bust.
Here are some stats about this week's NBA Consensus Power Rankings:
- Biggest jump from last week: Utah Jazz (+3.33)
- Biggest drop from last week: Houston Rockets (-3.67)
- Team with widest difference between high and low ranker: Knicks, Grizzlies, Clippers and Magic (tied, 4)
To see where all 30 teams fall in our power rankings going through the end of the regular season, click here.
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Monday, April 2, 2012
NBA Consensus Power Rankings, Week 14
No other player has done it more than once this season and Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo did it for a fifth time Sunday.
In their 19-point beatdown of the Miami Heat, Rondo finished with a triple-double: 16 points, 14 assists and 11 rebounds.
In addition, he had double-digit assists for the 13th straight game. That's the longest streak since Steve Nash had 14 straight games with double-digit assists back in 2005.
And who knows? Maybe Nash will be the Heat point guard in 2012.
Nash said on the Dan Patrick Show (via the L.A. Times) that he would be interested in, um, taking his talents to South Beach: "I would listen. He's phenomenal. I love what they're doing there. A lot of people don't like them because they put all that talent there. But they're professional, they play hard, they play together."
Both Nash and Rondo are the only two players to average double-digit assists this season.
Winners of five straight games, the Celtics are now in first place in the Atlantic Division and are the biggest mover up our Power Rankings board this week.
Here are some stats about this week's NBA Consensus Power Rankings:
- Biggest jump from last week: Boston Celtics (+4.92)
- Biggest drop from last week: Utah Jazz (-2.67)
- Team with widest difference between high and low ranker: Indiana Pacers (6) [See our full NBA Consensus Power Rankings.]
Each week, we respond to one roundtable question and here's this week's question: Excluding the top four seeds in each conference, which team will be the toughest out in the postseason?
John (follow on Twitter): Memphis Grizzlies
This one is easy for me, as I think that the Memphis Grizzlies are going to be a tougher out than some of the top four seeds in each conference. Because they are in the same division as San Antonio, who at this point has a pretty firm grip on the division, Memphis is unlikely to crack the top four by season's end, and will likely finish with either the 5 or 6 seed. The Grizzlies went on a run in last year's playoffs, and I was initially reluctant to assume that they had another run like that in them. I felt comparable about the Mavericks, who clearly have a team capable of being in contention, but are certainly not the favorite. Last year, Dallas surprised virtually everyone, getting extremely hot at the right time, and riding out one of the best playoff performances of all time by Dirk Nowitzki (a performance that for a short time, vaulted him into the conversation as a top 10 player of all time.) I feel a secondary run is extremely unlikely, even though they have the bulk of last year's championship roster. I felt similar about Memphis, but after watching them play the last few weeks, they are really built for the playoffs. They have a great mix of youth and experience, and have a team that is athletic enough to hang with the Oklahoma City's of the world. I think behind OKC and San Antonio, Memphis is the next team most likely to make a deep run, and it wouldn't shock me at all to see them in the Conference Finals.
Kevin (follow on Twitter): Philadelphia 76ers
My initial thought was to go with the Grizzlies, and while I think they will make some noise in the West, I'm going to go with the "homer" pick (Sixers). They are currently only one game out of first in the Atlantic so it's very possible that they end up with a top-four seed. Although they have been a mediocre .500 (9-9) since the break, they have plenty of attributes that make them dangerous in the East. The Sixers rank first in the NBA in team defense (87.8 points allowed per game) and first in the league in fewest turnovers (10.5 per game). They are unselfish and deep (Lou Williams leads the team in scoring off the bench) and they have elite perimeter defenders in Andre Iguodala and Jrue Holiday.
Dan (follow on Twitter): Memphis Grizzlies
I am going to go with the Memphis Grizzlies as the toughest non-top-four seed out in this year's postseason (much like last year). They have an awesome rotation of bigs with Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph, and Rudy Gay, and solid scoring from both Mike Conley and O.J. Mayo. Memphis is also 17-7 at home, and have the pedigree from last year as a lower seed to spring an upset in this year's playoffs.
Sean (follow on Twitter): Memphis Grizzlies
The defending champ Mavs currently hold the No. 5 seed in the West, and would be the logical choice, but after watching them play over the past two weeks, I just don't think they can make a run. I'm going with the No. 6 seed in the West and that is the Memphis Grizzlies. Zach Randolph is back in the lineup, and they are going to be a very dangerous team in the playoffs. I think they would beat the Lakers right now in a series.
To see where all 30 teams fall in our power rankings going through Week 14, click here.
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In their 19-point beatdown of the Miami Heat, Rondo finished with a triple-double: 16 points, 14 assists and 11 rebounds.
In addition, he had double-digit assists for the 13th straight game. That's the longest streak since Steve Nash had 14 straight games with double-digit assists back in 2005.
And who knows? Maybe Nash will be the Heat point guard in 2012.
Nash said on the Dan Patrick Show (via the L.A. Times) that he would be interested in, um, taking his talents to South Beach: "I would listen. He's phenomenal. I love what they're doing there. A lot of people don't like them because they put all that talent there. But they're professional, they play hard, they play together."
Both Nash and Rondo are the only two players to average double-digit assists this season.
Winners of five straight games, the Celtics are now in first place in the Atlantic Division and are the biggest mover up our Power Rankings board this week.
Here are some stats about this week's NBA Consensus Power Rankings:
- Biggest jump from last week: Boston Celtics (+4.92)
- Biggest drop from last week: Utah Jazz (-2.67)
- Team with widest difference between high and low ranker: Indiana Pacers (6) [See our full NBA Consensus Power Rankings.]
Each week, we respond to one roundtable question and here's this week's question: Excluding the top four seeds in each conference, which team will be the toughest out in the postseason?
John (follow on Twitter): Memphis Grizzlies
This one is easy for me, as I think that the Memphis Grizzlies are going to be a tougher out than some of the top four seeds in each conference. Because they are in the same division as San Antonio, who at this point has a pretty firm grip on the division, Memphis is unlikely to crack the top four by season's end, and will likely finish with either the 5 or 6 seed. The Grizzlies went on a run in last year's playoffs, and I was initially reluctant to assume that they had another run like that in them. I felt comparable about the Mavericks, who clearly have a team capable of being in contention, but are certainly not the favorite. Last year, Dallas surprised virtually everyone, getting extremely hot at the right time, and riding out one of the best playoff performances of all time by Dirk Nowitzki (a performance that for a short time, vaulted him into the conversation as a top 10 player of all time.) I feel a secondary run is extremely unlikely, even though they have the bulk of last year's championship roster. I felt similar about Memphis, but after watching them play the last few weeks, they are really built for the playoffs. They have a great mix of youth and experience, and have a team that is athletic enough to hang with the Oklahoma City's of the world. I think behind OKC and San Antonio, Memphis is the next team most likely to make a deep run, and it wouldn't shock me at all to see them in the Conference Finals.
Kevin (follow on Twitter): Philadelphia 76ers
My initial thought was to go with the Grizzlies, and while I think they will make some noise in the West, I'm going to go with the "homer" pick (Sixers). They are currently only one game out of first in the Atlantic so it's very possible that they end up with a top-four seed. Although they have been a mediocre .500 (9-9) since the break, they have plenty of attributes that make them dangerous in the East. The Sixers rank first in the NBA in team defense (87.8 points allowed per game) and first in the league in fewest turnovers (10.5 per game). They are unselfish and deep (Lou Williams leads the team in scoring off the bench) and they have elite perimeter defenders in Andre Iguodala and Jrue Holiday.
Dan (follow on Twitter): Memphis Grizzlies
I am going to go with the Memphis Grizzlies as the toughest non-top-four seed out in this year's postseason (much like last year). They have an awesome rotation of bigs with Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph, and Rudy Gay, and solid scoring from both Mike Conley and O.J. Mayo. Memphis is also 17-7 at home, and have the pedigree from last year as a lower seed to spring an upset in this year's playoffs.
Sean (follow on Twitter): Memphis Grizzlies
The defending champ Mavs currently hold the No. 5 seed in the West, and would be the logical choice, but after watching them play over the past two weeks, I just don't think they can make a run. I'm going with the No. 6 seed in the West and that is the Memphis Grizzlies. Zach Randolph is back in the lineup, and they are going to be a very dangerous team in the playoffs. I think they would beat the Lakers right now in a series.
To see where all 30 teams fall in our power rankings going through Week 14, click here.
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