2013-2014 NBA Title Contenders

2013- 2014 NBA Title Contenders

As most of us know, every year in the NBA, there is only handful of teams that even have a small glimmer of hope of winning an NBA championship in any perspective NBA season. This year is no different, although I think there are more teams then normal that will have at least a shot to win it all. The NBA is at its best when a third of the league is head over heels better than the rest. This year, I believe there are 11 teams that have contending aspirations. The season is right around the corner, and these are my pre season championship contenders from number 11 all the way down to the over whelming favorite!

11. New York Knicks- The Knicks have a plethora of scoring power lead by Carmello, JR Smith, newly acquired Bargani and Amare, they also have several decent defenders. This team could surprise some people this year and could win north of 50 games and make a deep playoff run if luck goes their way and if other stronger teams have season crippling injuries. I wouldn’t bet on seeing them in the finals, but they are the first team on the list that at least have a chance

10. Memphis Grizzlies- Memphis is bringing everyone back this year, they play great defense lead by DPOY Mark Gasol, and defensive specialist Tony Allen. This team is very balanced and play very hardnosed basketball! They will be a tough out for any team in the playoffs due to their half court tenacity. Their chance is very slim to win a title due to all of the power houses that reside in the west, but their half court style make them intriguing come playoff time.

9. Chicago Bulls- This team exceeded all expectations last year stopping the Heats record breaking winning streak, winning a playoff series and also giving Miami its first test in the playoffs. The Bulls bring everyone back INCLUDING former MVP Derrick Rose. They play wonderful team defense and have a top 10 player in the world bringing the ball up the court. Their chances of making a deep run and getting to the finals is almost as good as anyone in the East other then the Heat. I wouldn’t be surprised if this team wins 60 plus games.

8. Golden State Warriors- The Warriors bring in Andre Iguodala and now have a very strong cast led by Stephon Curry , the best shooter in the world. With Harrison Barnes, Clay Thompson, Curry and Iguodala, this team will be lighting teams up all year on the offensive end. For this team to take another step forward, Bogut must stay healthy and Curry must continue to push his game into the elite category. This squad is also a long shot to make it to the finals, but when you look at them on paper, this team is scary and very very fun to watch!

7. Brooklyn Nets-The Nets have sold the farm in every way possible to WIN NOW!! A starting 5 of Garnet, Lopez, Pierce, Johnson, and DWill is good enough to win a title if they can stay healthy. Their bench is deep thanks to making illegal deals with the likes of AK47. This is a team that has so much experience and depth, they will be a force if they can all make it in one piece to the playoffs. I think their biggest down fall will be their rookie coach……Time will tell but I think Brooklyn has just as much a chance to be a circus as they do as a contender. They will give the Heat problems with their size, and should be a tough out. This is a really great compilation of fading stars, for them to really have a chance this year, injuries have to be at a minimal.

6. LA Clippers- Everyone seems to be very high on this team due to the signing of Doc Rivers and role players Reddick and Dudley. This team will be able to run and gun with the best of them this year. Chris Paul is the best point guard in the land their young talented front court needs to make a more consistent progression for this team to win it all. They have the pieces and the coach to get it all done. This year will ride and die with the progression of Griffin and Jordan, if these two take another leap forward , the Clippers will be for real….I just have a hard time believing that Blake Griffin can get much better. He seems to be all flash in the pan…

5. Indian Pacers- This team is young, talented and loaded!!! Paul George turned into a superstar in the playoffs last year and this team came very close to beating the Heat. Adding Danny Granger and Louis Scola, this team is deeper and a year older. Paul George and Hibbert will make the all star team this year and if Granger comes back to his old self, this team is going to scare everyone in the NBA. Lebron pay attention!!!!

4. San Antonio Spurs- The most well ran basketball organization never ceases to amaze me. I thought this group of players was done a few years back and they continue to show the NBA that this dynasty will not end!!! The big three is not nearly as good as it used to be, but the supporting cast is wonderful and Kawhi Leonard is a future all star and might be the best player on this team moving forward. With the best coach in basketball, a power forward that refuses to let the age of time slow him down, and to the this day still the most UNDERATED point guard in the league in Tony Parker! This team is poised to make another run and win north of 60 games.

3. Houston Rockets- The Rockets won the offseason by signing the best center in basketball. This team was the youngest team ever to make the playoffs last year and bring everyone back that matters and add a 7 time all star to anchor the defense. With Harden and Howard, ( two of the top 8 players in the world) The Rockets are poised to make a deep run for the next 5 years or so. With Parsons, Asik, Lin and Beverly to round out the supporting cast, the Rockets look like the blueprint on how to run an organization. For this team to REALLY REALLY have a shot at knocking off the Thunder, Spurs and the Heat, they will need one of their young power forwards to step up and take their game to another level. If a few of the younger men on this team take big step forwards, the Rockets will surpass their team record of 58 wins and finally push into the 60’s….It is good to be a Rockets fan! The Howard/Hardin combo has just begun!!!


2. Oklahoma City Thunder – They have the 2nd best player in the world in Durant, Ibaka is a top 10 defensive player in the league and they have a plethora of players that know their role on the team. Westbrook is THE KEY to their success this year. When he comes back, if he is still the same top flight athlete that he has always been, The Thunder will make it out of the west. Many of you will disagree, but in my opinion, a healthy Westbrook is the 3RD best player in the world. He is that good, and when you have the 2nd and 3rd best players in the world in your starting 5, your chances are very good! In a league where star players dominate the game, the Thunder are smiling and licking their chops to get back to the finals. Look for the Thunder to start out slow and explode in the 2nd half of the season.

1. Miami Heat- The rich get richer…with zero cap space, they some how land Michael Beasley and former number one overall pick Greg Oden!! Lebron is hands down then best player in the world!! He also has the best supporting cast of stars with Wade, Bosh and Allen. This team has a chance to 3 peat and are the OVER WHELMING FAVERITE to win it all. If everything falls in place for this team this year, they could break the Bulls record and win close to 73-74 games!!!! They are really that good. All though the NBA has gotten much stronger this year, the Heat are still class of the NBA and will coast to an NBA championship


Sorry for the long read and the typos...this is my two cents

 

Not sure how you could argue that....he is a great defender, an improving scorer, has great size and is very young....did you watch the finals?

 

this dude is one of the most overly hyped athletes in sports....a dunk is only two points....I hope there comes a day where he learns to play D, gain a post game and really make a difference....flash in a pan...

 

hahahahaha, so true

 

I can see that

 

I used to be a huge fan when he was a rookie. He was one of the most electrifying dunkers I had ever seen. He just hasn't lived up to expectations that i thought he was bringing to the Clippers after his rookie season. He has not improved as much as you are implying. I am losing faith in is progressing potential. He is still young and can prove me wrong. But i used to think he was going to be a Super Star a difference maker and now i think he will be a border line all star.

 

Tim Duncan and Dirk are " Difference Makers" and both have been the finals MVP....Griffin will never accomplish that, yes he will sell tickets and he will help you stay relevant and competitive but he is not going to be a corner stone of an NBA Championship