Welcome Everyone!
This summer has been filled with wild trades, and the solidification of a couple of teams vying as legit contenders. The Lakers, Spurs, Cleveland, and Orlando have raised the stakes considerably. However, remember when everyone was convinced that this years playoffs were bound to be Lakers vs. Cavaliers? Well here are a couple of teams that are going to challenge those perceptions this season.
Boston Celtics
Although the Celtics fought the hard fight (ask the Bulls) and provided the playoffs with some lasting memories, they could not close out the Magicin the playoffs. Injuries and inconsistencies plagued a team that still busted out 50+ wins during the regular season. The off-season started off very rocky with what looked like an almost certain departure of star guard Rajon Rondo, and there is yet to be any movement with regards to Glen ‘baby’ Davis, even in light of his playoff performance. So how can the Celtics honestly be considered a real threat? Easy, Rasheed Wallace. Sheed’ adds more grit and drive to this heart fueled team already amped up by the warrior spirit in KG, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen. At issue is both age and injuries, but if they can maneuver through the season in relative health, this is a team that will go deep in the playoffs…book it.
Toronto Raptors
With an unhappy all-star power forward, a losing season, and a whole lot of question marks surrounding the Raptors, all seemed to be suggesting a ‘rebuilding’ stage was on the horizon. Enter Bryan Colangelo and the next thing you know you have a team that went from basement dweller to potential threat in the playoffs. Substitute Shawn Marion, Jason Kapono, Anthony Parker, and Joey Graham, for Hedo Turkoglu, Reggie Evans, Jarrett Jack, Rasho Nesterovic, and newcomer DeMar DeRozan and you have a completely revamped team that has addressed the needs for both defense and offence. Jay Triano was starting to put together wins at the end of the season, and with the addition of Marc Iavaroni as defensive coach things are starting to look up. Not only that, but it seems that Bryan Colangelo has shown Chris Bosh that he is serious about keeping him in a Raptors uniform, and CB4 is listening. If Turkoglu can perform like he did during the playoffs, and Andrea Bargnani can continue to shine, this team could be a big obstacle for the ‘apparent’ contenders.
Dallas Mavericks
I absolutely love what the Mavericks have done in the off-season, and I’m completely serious too! While I have concerns about the aging Mavericks, I also think they have the best depth in the league. I think a lot of armchair critics have overlooked a starting line-up of Kidd, Marion, and Dirk…not to mention Jason Terry, Josh Howard, and the much-improved José Juan Barea. I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that I believe the Mavs have picked up a great dark horse draft pick in Rodrigue Beaubois, especially after lighting up the summer league for 34pts. against Houston. They have the very experienced and able Rick Carlisle coaching, high flyers in Marion and Howard, the leadership of one time MVP Dirk Nowitzki, and one of the games best point guards of all time (Kidd). If that isn’t enough to convince you that they could take on any team in the league any day of the week, then you must be a Lakers fan. At the very least they’re going to be a fun team to follow.
Honorable Mention
Portland Trailblazers (did the Blazers dodge a bullet by not signing Turkoglu to a hefty contract? Time will tell)
Oklahoma Thunder (If only the league had most Sam Presti’s)
Who do you think has a shot at the crown? Let me know!