Contenders / Pretenders

With the NBA season coming to a close, I thought I would size up those teams trying to make the push for the chip. Mind you some teams are still feeling out their rosters before the playoffs. I'll do top5 for each category!

Contenders:


1. Los Angeles Lakers: I will continue to ride the Lakers as far as they'll take me. They had a brief slip with a loss to the Sixers, but this squad is just lookin scary. They clicked right off the bat. They're deep and Kobe's playing out of his mind. People thought Pau would be a good fit for this squad, but did they think it would take such little time to get to where they are today? With Andrew Bynum inching closer to a return, the Lakers are in for a dramatic battle with the Spurs for the #1 seed. I think that will be a major factor come playoff time, though the Spurs have historically been the better road team.


2. San Antonio Spurs: How can I not have this team first you might say? They are the defending champs, they are getting healthier by the day and they've won 9 straight. Well mi amigo, they don't have Kobe Bryant and I think that makes all the difference in the world. However, Manu is playing unbelievable in the starting spot. Tony Parker is also back and healthy, and Timmy D is being the same old on the block. Don't get me wrong, the Spurs are very thorough and if anyone is halting the Lakers quest I think it's them.


3. Boston Celtics: I keep having a suspicion that the Celts won't make it to the Finals. I even have $50 on them not winning it all. The additions of two veterans; Sam and P.J. is certainly a stellar move. After a brief skid, the Celts are looking in championship form, but I don't think they're rompin with the Spurs of the Lakers. They are literally neck and neck with the Pistons at this time. KG was the early MVP candidate, but I think this team will go as far as Paul Pierce takes them. After watching a couple of their games this pas week, he is true leader of this team. The Celts with more talent and the Pistons with more chemistry. The Pistons D might be the undoing of the Celts run this year!


4. Detroit Pistons: The consistancy continues with this squad. A sure shot for first or second in the east, the Pistons hope they can return to the finals for the first time in 3 years. The starting five is playing well and the bench is also contributing. The Pistons are in every game they play it seems. They want that #1 seed. Interestingly enough, whoever finishes first will likely get the undesirable task of the Cavs in the second round.


5. Utah Jazz: The Jazz are lookin scary right now. They seemingly have all the pieces to the puzzle and they are only 3 games out of first in the West. Other teams should be alarmed because if the Jazz get homecourt it could be a wrap (26-3 at home vs 13-19 on road). Deron Williams is playing out of his mind and Boozer is unguardable on the block. Korver gave them some range and the role players are filling in big. Do people forget they made the Western Conference Finals the last year (special thanks to the Warriors'). The Jazz play the hard nosed defense (2nd in league) and team basketball that gets ya to the Finals.


Pretenders:


1. Houston Rockets: They've won 15 in a row and I chose them to make the playoffs. So whats the catch? Well my friends, I think the issue lies with Tracy McGrady. His playoff dissapointments seem to have a certain assumed predictability. The Rockets are hot; playing great defense, getting good minutes out of Dikembe and getting contribution out of several playoffs, but I don't think this will translate into playoff success. I feel they will fall short with their scoring, and subsequently their winning. Who is really going to be the second scorer with Yao Bling on the pine? You expect me to break the bank on Scola or Shane Battier? Nah paw.


2. New Orleans Hornets: As I write this, the Hornets are 40-19. Unreal! No one expected this. Chris Paul is right there with Kobe and Lebron in MVP discussion. The team rises and falls with the little guy. Tyson and David West are puttin in serious work, and the addition of Bonzi/Mike James makes the squad a bit deeper. The problem lies in their experience. Peja and Mo Pete are your veterans. Getting rid of Bobby Jackson may sting when they seek leadership come playoff time. Don't get me wrong, the Hornets are great this year, but I don't think they can make a deep run against other great teams who have already been there. Their road to the finals will simply be too difficult. Plus, they are one of Chris Paul's ankles away from missing the playoffs.


3. Orlando Magic: The Magic are 38-23 at the moment and are steadily improving. The problem lies in their consistancy. As good as he is, Dwight needs to work on puttin in those big games, night in and night out. He doesn't need to score to be effective out there. Plus, when you are relying on Hedo and Rashard Lewis to carry the majority of the load, I don't think there will be overly favorable outcomes for the Magic this year. A team that is certainly on the rise, will fall short as part of their learning curve.


4. Dallas Mavericks: The 3rd pretender from the Southwest division! People are starting to ask questions. Why aren't be seeing instant results from adding JKidd? Well kids, it's just as your ol' Uncle Streezy said - the point guard position wasn't their most glaring need. The Mavs put a serious thorn in their team chemistry's side when they got rid of two of the teams' staples; Devin Harris and Desagna Diop. Josh Howard hasn't reacted very well to the trade, averaging under 15ppg since the trade. The Mavs are 4-4 since they got Kidd, but I don't think they are playing all that well. I watched them play the Lakers on TV when I was in the states and it was Kidd's poor shooting from the field and the foul line that eventually cost them the game. Think about this for a second, Kidd is going to be a Hall of famer and not even shoot 40% for his career. It isn't the Mavs year, nuff said.


5. Phoenix Suns: I know it may be very rash to say, considering they are only a couple games out of first, but in the West thats as close to the bottom as it is the top! Also, why they are my last pretender and possess the biggest up-side. I understand it takes time to find what works and what doesn't with Shaq in the middle, but I am seeing some undesirable consequences of this trade. The Suns defense is horrid and they aren't getting as many easy buckets as they did when they had Marion. He was the guy finishing breaks and locking down the stars. Now the Suns are stuck in limbo being able to partially run and gun, and partially run the efficient half court offense. I hope the squad gets it all together in time for a strong playoff run. At this point, if Amare gets locked down the Suns are fucked. Plus, Steve Nash won't be young forever? Haha

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'Claimin Legit': - Cleveland Cavaliers: The Cavs are on the outside looking in come playoff time. Somewhere between finding their rhythm and Lebron physically shitting on teams, the Cavs are still the reigning Eastern Conference Champs. A threat come playoff time, the Cavs are on the upslope but still struggling to play consistent ball.