The NBA's Wild Ride

League poster-children all have shots at winning the title

We are all witnessing one of the greatest championship races the NBA has ever seen, and it’s not even the playoffs yet! Minus injured stars Dwayne Wade and Yao, we have the absolute best players basketball has to offer, all of whom think that their team is a championship team, poised to win the NBA Finals this season.

We have been able to see how the blockbuster trades have begun to pan out, and watched teams tweak final roster spots with additions of solid veteran contributors off the waiver wire. With the playoffs are nearing closer and closer, the Western Conference race gets tighter and tighter, while Boston and Detroit try and flex their muscle over the East, with Orlando and Cleveland nipping at their heels. This season, the race for a championship is so tight because there are so many teams with motives that reach way below the surface.

For he defending NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs, quietly still the best team in the league, their motive is easy: defend the title. But the Spurs’ doubters will still say they have to win back-to-back championships to be considered one of the greatest dynasties. I would put my money on San Antonio silencing the critics once again.

The Lakers saved their butts by landing Pau Gasol, and Kobe is on a serious mission this year, still trying to win that championship in the post-Shaq era. The Lakers are a serious contender with the addition of Gasol, and hopefully the successful return of Andrew Bynum. Look for Los Angeles to make some waves in the playoffs.

The Suns have been on the cusp of getting to the Finals for the past few years, and thought that trading for Shaq would be their best bet. It gives the team new confidence, swagger, and a big defensive body, but was that worth a Shawn Marion? If you ask me, I would have rather shipped out Stoudemire than Marion, who is one of, if not the most versatile player in the Association. But after they pulled a big win against San Antonio, if the Suns can keep their defense up, I will give them a chance at the Finals.

The Dallas Mavericks have exited the playoffs the past two years in memorable fashion. Still shocked they didn’t win the 2006 championship, the Mavs traded for a veteran floor general in Jason Kidd to try and get back to the Finals this year. However, the trade for Kidd excited the favorite Spurs, seeing how Devin Harris used to frustrate the heck out of Tony Parker. The Mavs are going to have to fight hard to get back to the Finals this year.

The Hornets are not a playoff-tested team, are currently a contender in the West, and should prove menacing for whomever they draw in the first round. This isn’t the Hornets’ year, but then again, I would never bet against Chris Paul.

The Rockets have lost Yao Ming for the rest of the season after Yao had surgery on his injured left foot. However, the Rockets have not thrown in the towel just yet. In fact, they haven’t even lost a game since Yao’s injury, clamping down on opposing offenses, and getting everyone to raise their level of play. The Rockets are currently riding a franchise record-winning streak, and T-Mac is playing out of his mind. If the Rockets don’t tire come playoff time, they look like a solid challenger.

The Jazz were in the Western Conference finals last year, and nobody has told them they aren’t supposed to be there again this season. We all know how Jerry Sloan’s teams perform in the playoffs, so I wouldn’t be surprised if Utah grinds its way deep into the playoffs again.

The Nuggets and the Warriors are fighting for the eighth seed in the West, and could also be playoff factors, but both teams have too many mental lapses. However, we saw what Golden State did to Dallas last year, and you should never look past a team with Iverson and Anthony.

In the East, Boston solidified any questions at the point guard, by signing Sam Cassell off the waiver wire. Remember the last time Cassell and Garnett played together? The T-Wolves were a contender. With all of that star power, and no rings on the fingers of the Big 3, the Celtics look primed to win the championship.

The Pistons are still considered the team to beat in the East; even Boston agrees. Detroit is the most playoff-tested team, and still have a bitter taste from last year’s loss to Lebron James, I mean Cleveland, in the Eastern finals. I would have given the Pistons my nod to make it out of the East, but with the addition of Cassell in Boston, the Billups factor comes down a few notches. With that being said though, I still would not bet against the Pistons.

The Orlando Magic are making a noticeable run into the playoffs. Currently the third seed, the Magic have a team goal to catch Detroit for the number two seed in the East. Orlando didn’t make any trades at the deadline for a big, in hopes injured PF Tony Battie can make a return for the playoffs. Orlando has not been able to win a playoff series since the Shaq days. Look for a solid Magic team to finally make it out of the first round this year.

Last year, Lebron James led the Cavaliers to the NBA Finals; this season, he will probably need some help. Cleveland made a trade for guys with some key experience in Ben Wallace, Wally Szcerbiak, and Joe Smith to help James. Trading away Gooden doesn’t help. Making it back to the Finals will be a long shot for the Cavs, but when you have Lebron James, never say never.

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The Raptors are the only other team in the East that might have a chance at beating the Celtics or Pistons in a series. You may laugh, but the Raptors are a very good team that will not roll over and let you beat them. Toronto could make it into the second round; Chris Bosh is good enough to do that himself.

Not in a long time have so many teams been trying to seriously win the NBA Finals in one season. The two best teams (record-wise) are in the East, but the West has got a jam-packed race for the playoffs, full of contenders, including the defending champs. We are all currently bearing witness to what might be the greatest NBA season ever. Everyone strap in for what is sure to be a great race for the 2008 NBA Championship.

by Rob Bickerstaff
Pro Basketball Fans Staff Writer
rjbickerstaff @ gmail.com

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