With only a couple of weeks left in the NBA season, we are starting to see some teams separate themselves; some are finalizing rotations; and there are some who are really starting to make some noise and could potentially spell doom to your favorite team. Below are the top 5 teams you don't want to see in the playoffs.
#5- The Utah Jazz: It's been two decades since you have seen this Utah Jazz team not be coached by Jerry Sloan; it's been about a good 5 years since you have seen them not be led by one of the best point guards in the league right now in Deron Williams. But I am hear to tell you, if you think this Utah Jazz team will be the same one round and done Jazz...you may want to think again. They have found a renewed strength in their low post scoring with Big Al and Milsap; Harris and Kirilenko play their roles well and now C.J. Miles is in the starting lineup. This team may not make the playoffs, but if they do...they will be a handful.
#4- Denver Nuggets: You lose your best scorer, your favorite son running the point and you get better? It's hard to believe but Denver has been playing lights out since the mega trade and their new faces have come right in and found a role with this team. They have true balance with offense and defense, both Lawson and Felton are getting comfortable playing along side each other, and there seems to be a weight lifted now that they no longer have to deal with the Melo Drama. I don't think this team will get out of the first round, but i definitely don't think they will make it easy on whomever they face.
#3- New York Knicks: They have two guys who could be considered the purest scorers at their position in Carmelo and Amare. They have the veteran point guard who can navigate the ship and hit big shots. They have a solid bench that fits in with Dantoni's offensive philosophy...so what's the problem? NO DEFENSE. If the Knicks could do more than have flashes of defensive brilliance, they would really be scary, but as it is...they are only going to beat you if you can't stop their offense. But if you think you are getting off easy if you pull them as a draw in the first round...you can forget it (Heat fans I'm talking to you).
#2- Portland Trailblazers: I want you to keep in mind that Brandon Roy and Marcus Camby are now coming off the bench for this team. Understand that they have wings now who can dish and knock down several three point shots. Please believe that Andre Miller is still a pretty good point guard, newly acquired Gerald Wallace is bringing another defensive athletic body, and oh yeah...LaMarcus Aldridge has carried this team all year and he is playing with a chip on his shoulder because he didn't make the All-Star team. As a Laker fan, looking at the standings as they are right now, this is not the match up I want to see. They are defensive mind, young, athletic, and they can put the ball in the hoop. SCARY!
#1-Oklahoma City Thunder: During the off-season people who love basketball were clamoring that Chris Bosh should go there; they need to go after Carlos Boozer. They got neither. But what they did get probably will end up being the best thing for them...a tough, hard nosed, defensive minded big man in Kendrick Perkins. The Thunder have one of the top 5 players in the league right now; one of the top tier point guards in the league right now; and the rest of their starters play tough, shut down defense. If you thought the Thunder were scary before.. understand that they are a little bit older, a lot tougher, and they are playing with an edge. They kind of remind you of a young San Antonio Spurs...BUYER BEWARE if you have to meet this team in the playoffs at all...especially as you get in deeper.
That's five. No more, no less. I won't say that they will win a title or even a series, but would you want to be the one team to find out...?
No comments:
Post a Comment