Wow! Can you believe it? Only a few more weeks left in the regular season. The end of the season come with its positive and negatives. The most obvious negative is that the NBA is almost finished for this year. (NOOO!!!) On the other hand, the end of the season means the beginning of the playoffs. (YES!!) The playoffs bring more intensity, more rivalries, and more great basketball. So now that the season is drawing to a close, everyone is wondering who the NBA greatest team is? What team will win the NBA Championship? Well, that's why you reading this article isn't it?
So, now that we have a pretty good idea of what teams will be in the playoffs, it safe to start contemplating the outcome of games. Below you will see some views of different people and who they think will be champions.
My Pick: Cleveland Cavaliers
Okay, really? I know that last year, this team was expected to win the finals, or at least the Eastern Conference, but then in the second round of the playoffs, they were denied of their progress by the Orlando Magic, who beat the Cavaliers in 7 games. This year, there's a difference. Last year, the Cavaliers were stumped by the 7' Dwight Howard in the post. Last years NBA Champions, the Lakers, will be another obstace for the Cavaliers. And, the Lakers have not one, but two subperb post players in Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol. The Cavaliers realized this problem, and have resolved it by adding Shaquille O'neal, the 7' NBA legend, to their roster. True, Shaq is without a doubt past his prime, but he has led the Cavliers to victories through great defense against Lakers and Magic, both of whom the Cavs are undefeated agianst this season. As if Shaq wouldn't have been enough, the Cavaliers acquired another proficient scorer in Antawn Jamison via a trade from the Washington Wizards. Oh yea, did you really think that I would leave Lebron James out of this? The face of the Cavaliers since being drafted in 2003, Lebron has now, in my mind, became the NBA's best overall player. (Sorry Kobe fans, Lebron's time is now, Kobe's time was 5 years ago!) This season, no team in the NBA has been able to truly limit Lebron. The Cavs, who have the player, the big post player, and the second option are my pick to win the finals. Now we can finally have a Lebron vs. Kobe championship series.
Don't Count Out... The Celtics. A lot of people have given upon them now that Kevin Garnett is battling knee injuries, but make no mistake, any team with Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, Rasheed Wallace, and Paul Pierce can't be counted out. Kevin may have been once known as "The Kid," (For his endless enthusiasm when he was younger, and for coming straight from high school to the NBA.) but now he is in his 30s and the knee injury from earlier this year seems to be effecting his scoring. (At 14.3 points per game this year, he is at a career low in scoring.) But on a team like the Celtics, with three players worthy of the hall of fame, (Including Kevin Garnett.) KG isn't needed to score, he just needs to play defense. Unfortunately, his blocks and steals per game are also at career lows, and his rebounding average is his lowest since his first year in the league. That still shouldn't be a problem for the Celtics, who can switch Rasheed Wallace into starting lineup in place of Garnett. Bottom line: Any team with this many great players, even if they are getting old, can't be counted out.
The Lakers... Also could win the title. (Although I hope they don't; I am not a Lakers fan.) They won it last year, and then they added Ron Artest in the off season. Ron gives them the defense that all championship teams need. Andrew Bynum should finally be healthy for a whole palyoff season, and Pau Gasol would be steady. Oh yeah Kobe Bryant might be good too. (I hope not though!)
The Denver Nuggets... Also have a chance to win the championship. If I didn't want the Cavs to win, then I would probably have choosen this team. Part of the reason is pity. The history of the Denver Nuggets franchise is less then intimdating, and to this day, the team has yet to win a championship. Right now, they have a very good playoff seed and which means that they could have two easy first rounds before they face a good team for the rights to compete in the championship. Expect them to go far this year. Led by former NBA champion (With the Detroit Pistons) Chauncey Billups, and teams 2003 first round draft pick, Carmelo Anthony, (A three time NBA all star) this team has as good a chance as anybody in the Western Conference to win the finals. Yet, the Nuggets have a history of being defeated by te Los Angelos Lakers in the playoffs, and history might hold true this year.
The Atlanta Hawks... are young but they could make a deep playoff run, just like the Magic did last year. They have enough veteran leadership from Mike Bibby and Joe Johnson to guide the up and coming players like Josh Smith and Al Horford. This is the same team that pushed the Boston Celtics to 7 games in 2008 when the heavily favored Celtics went on to win the championship. I don't know if they are going to win the championship, but don't be surprised if we see a very competitive series between the Cavs and the Hawks for the campionship.
The Orlando Magic... May look good, but they miss Hedo Turkoglu, and even though Vince Carter is definietly an upgrade, Dwight Howard needs to be more aggresive in the paint. Then again, last year when they went all the way to the finals, nobody expected them to do much either. They could make a deep run, but it all depends on Dwight Howard.
I went around the school taking opinions of kids and teachers who had a legitimate opinion to offer. Here what I found:
Clayton Gross: "Cavs or Lakers"
Ryan Earls: "Cavs"
Maks Moses: "Cavaliers"
Noah Carmichal: "L.A. Lakers"
Simon Barbagast: "The Blazers won't make it."
Jacob Rawding: "The Cavs are pretty good, the Nuggets will do okay, and the Celtics are done."
Michael Hannigan: "I want the Nuggets; I'm going with my emotions."
Michael Kane: It's the Cavs' year, but the Lakers are hard to beat because they are deep, and their intensity rises as they go deeper into the playoffs. Alot of it hinges upon the Shaqtus. (Reffering to Cavaliers' center Shaquille O'neal.
So that's what they think. If you want to state your opinion on this, just leave a comment!
If a team get eliminated during the playoffs, check back here to why I think they did.
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