Kendall’s Fastball
It’s a new season for the NBA, which means a new champion will be crowned. Or will there be? The reigning champs Miami Heat could win back-to-back championships. You can say that’s good for Miami and its fans, but I rather think there are teams in the league that threaten to crush the hopes of all Heat fans.
One team that can give the Heat a run for their money is the New York Knicks. If the Knicks can sustain their great three point shooting throughout the season and into the playoffs, they have a shot to beat the Heat. First off, you have the pure scorer Carmelo Anthony. He will be matched up against Lebron James, going tit for tat in points. Lets not forget the height difference in the front court with Tyson Chandler who stands at seven-foot-one. He stands as a big body in the paint when Dwyane Wade or James drives to the basket.
My first choice would have been the Oklahoma City Thunder, however, I can not get over their collapse in the 2012 Finals. Yet, they have the three-time scoring title winner Kevin Durant who will put the team on his shoulders. The dynamic backcourt of Russell Westbrook and Kevin Martin, along with Durant will keep them close enough in games as long as they play fundamental basketball.
The third team is my Chicago Bulls.They are a great threat against the Heat because they play team basketball. The Bulls rebound as a team, they are third in the league for points allowed with their stingy defense and they share the ball. But lets face it, the Bulls aren’t the team that made it to the Eastern Conference finals two years ago. However, they recently beat Miami without Derrick Rose on the floor and the Heat’s big three played. Once Chicago gets Rose back from his torn ACL the Bulls will be an even more of a threat.
The one team that is up and coming are the L.A. Clippers. Clipper fans may believe they could make it to the finals and win. But they haven’t proven themselves. Even though they had a perfect record in December, they must get past the San Antonio Spurs, the team that knocked them out of the playoffs last year and win in the playoffs.
So to all the Heat haters, may luck be on your side and the Heat get knocked out of the playoffs. Personally, I think the Thunder will be the team that ends the Heat’s reign.
http://www.thebasketballworld.com/nba/scoring_titles.htm
