Staff Writer
The Miami Heat will reign as
back-to-back champions
LeBron
James finally earned his first, elusive championship ring last season, and the
sky is now truly the limit for his Miami Heat. New offseason acquisitions Ray
Allen and Rashard Lewis will help spread the floor with their precise
sharpshooting, and many of the pieces from last year’s championship squad are
returning as well. James has won three of the last four MVP titles, Dwyane Wade
is still among the most explosive shooting guards, and Chris Bosh embraced his
role as a low post presence during last year’s playoffs. This team may very
well get on a roll and win two or three more championships before the “Big 3”
is broken up.
Steve Nash will have the most success on
a new team
The
two-time MVP signed with the Los Angeles Lakers this July and will be paired up
with fellow new Laker, Dwight Howard. Nash has led the league in assists in
five of the last eight seasons and he will have great finishers around the rim
in Howard and Pau Gasol. Although the chemistry and cohesiveness may not be present
at first, a player of Nash’s caliber will naturally fit in and find his role.
With a lineup stacked with big names like Kobe Bryant, Howard, Gasol, and Nash,
their biggest problem may be to spread the ball around enough, but with Nash
running the show, that lurking conundrum should be put to rest.
The most improved team will be the
Minnesota Timberwolves
Three-time
all star Brandon Roy is back from retirement and is finally feeling healthy. Power
forward Kevin Love finished sixth in MVP voting last year and may have finished
higher if not for a late season injury. Upstart point guard Ricky Rubio will be
returning as well and the big Montenegrin center Nikola Pekovic is due for a
breakout season. The Timberwolves haven’t won more than 26 games since
2006-2007, so it would be fairly difficult not to improve.
Avery Johnson will win Coach of the Year as Brooklyn finishes third in East
Avery Johnson will win Coach of the Year as Brooklyn finishes third in East
The
Brooklyn Nets have made some great moves this offseason after moving to their
new city. They brought in former Atlanta star Joe Johnson, as well as veteran
Jerry Stackhouse and resigned big man Brook Lopez. Johnson, in his third year
with the team, has all the pieces in place for a deep playoff run and he has
already coached teams through adverse situations, exemplified in a 2006 run
with the Dallas Mavericks that resulted in a Finals appearance. The only aspect
that may be lacking is their depth; however, their starting five may be as good
as any in the league.
Jrue Holiday will move into the top
class of point guards
There has always been Chris Paul, Steve
Nash, Deron Williams, and Rajon Rondo for the last four or five seasons. These
point guards have been automatic when it comes to production. This year, young
Philadelphia phenom Jrue Holiday will move his way into the elite crop of point
guards for seasons to come. He has all the skills: the vision, the passing
accuracy, the leadership, and the one on one scoring ability. Holiday, already
in a good position, will be surrounded by able shooters and one of the top big
men in the league, Andrew Bynum. A breakout season is not just a possibility,
but a probability.
