It's a simple formula to have a chance to win an NBA championship

We can talk about head coaching, or stats, or the whole "we need a third superstar theory", but it's much more simple than that.

In the end, the 2004 Pistons, 2008 Celtics, and the 2011 Mavs are the only teams to win championships in the last 30 plus years, that didn't have an undisputed top 3-5 player in the NBA when they won. And none of those teams repeated. They were veterans that were stars, and once were superstars. And other than the 04 Pistons, the other 3 teams had a player that was once an undisputed top 5 players in the NBA. (Dirk and Garnett)

The best players lead their teams to championships period. This year the Heat, Thunder, and Clippers fall in that category of having a legitimate chance. While the Spurs fall in the other category of the exception to the rule.

The Blazers with Lilard may fall in this category soon if Lilard continues to improve. Many of us on the board may have thought Harden fell in this category, but many of us would dispute the hell out of that before, and maybe more so after this series.

Dwight becoming the best defensive player in the NBA again, along with being able to shoot 55% plus from the ft line, a top rebounder, and averaging 22 plus per game is really the only hope for us to contend. If he can do that, and be a reasonably good leader, we can contend. Morey will put enough pieces in place for a potential Dwight Howard (who everyone knows is a top 3-5 player).

And don't get me wrong, he is still no where near there yet. But I think that's our best hope. Harden can be a top 5 scorer, but there is no way unless he drastically improves his defense and leadership skills, along with his shot selection will he be a solidified top 3-5 player in the league. It really just boils down to Dwight being dominant defensively and efficient offensively.

 

The Heat's success has alot more to do with Lebron improving his game to a level that has put him in an elite group of players all time, more than anything else. Bosh could have easily been replaced by 2 really great players and they would be fine imo. Ex. Parsons and Asik replacing Bosh's max would be great for the Heat. Lowry and say Wesley Mathews replacing Wade and Chalmers would work too.

That is because I feel strongly about Lebron. This current Lebron may have been able to lead the 2007 Cavs past the Spurs for a championship. He is that much better now, and those games were much closer than people remember even though it was a sweep.

 

I agree with Larry Brown, best bball coach of all-time in my opionin. And the 2004 and 2005 Pistons were a unique team because of him. But that's a rarity.

I love Carlisle as a coach alot, but I still think that was more Dirk having an exceptional run and Chandler playing huge on D more than anything.

I think in 2008 Doc was still an average coach. TT built that defense, and Doc built his experience and resume after his success in 2008. He is a great coach now, but that happened over time. He was an atrocious coach back in Orlando.