Despite slow starts and major
inconsistency, teams like Philadelphia, Miami and New York have emerged as some
of the best, hot-streak capable powerhouses in the NBA. Lebron James and Kevin
Durant have continued to dominate statistical leader-boards as they guide their
teams into the postseason stronger than ever. Cleveland has, most unsurprisingly,
fallen to deep last as one of the worst teams in the league. Meanwhile, Blake
Griffen’s dunks have studded highlight reels and raised questions about how
much longer he can remain on the deplorable Los Angeles Clippers. The San
Antonio Spurs, with the best record in the NBA, have proven they are capable of
competing with the Lakers, Mavs and reformed Denver Nuggets.
Other teams with hot starts have
fallen to a host of turnovers and injuries, out of contention as the playoffs
kick off. Cities like Houston and Phoenix are particularly devastated by trades
and hurt players, already looking to rebuild for 2012 as they sit idly by as
spectators. It’s a strange and unique situation when both the Rockets and Suns
simply aren’t good enough to make a playoffs where the majority of teams get
in.
So, where does the NBA stand
entering the 2011 playoffs?
It all comes down to three teams-
the Chicago Bulls, the Boston Celtics and the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Perhaps the most consistent team in
basketball, the Bulls have won more home games than any other team with the
best attendance in basketball to show for it. Their record in Chicago- 35-5.
Meanwhile, the Thunder have the best free-throw shooting percentage in
basketball with Kevin Durant scoring more points per game than any man in the
sport. As there stellar offense
keeps them atop their division, they look to continue beating up on teams like
the 56-25 Lakers. And the Celtics
have both playoff experience and a team perhaps best formulated to work
together. Centered around Paul Pierce’s jump shot, Kevin Garnett’s power in the
paint, Ray Allen’s 3-pointers, Rajon Rondo’s speed and Shaq’s dunks- the
Celtics have one of the most dangerous starting 5 in basketball. Sure, the
Spurs have the better record- but the Celtics have a fan base so powerful,
beating them at home in the playoffs is nearly impossible.
And then there are the Heat. With
the hype of the Lebron-to-Miami trade entering the season, the Heat had high
expectations they have simply failed to live up to. Sure, they live in
basketball’s unpredictable Top 5, but with Chris Bosh, Dwayne Wade and Lebron
James front-and-center, the Heat haven’t lived up to the dominance many
expected them to have right off the bat. They at times look unable to play as a
team, too concerned with star-power and removed from the simplicity of ball
movement and unselfish play.
Lets of course not forget about our
boys in Denver. The Nuggets buzz is alive and well. After losing Carmelo
Anthony in a multi-player trade, many fans thought the team would sink. But the
heroics of Nene Hilario, Raymond Felton and Ty Lawson have given fans reason to
believe.
The Cinderella story this year
would come from no other place than the world’s most famous arena- New York
City’s Madison Square Garden. NYC hasn’t been in the playoffs since the 9/11
attacks and while half the city celebrated a World Series ring in 2009, New
York is a basketball city at heart, desperate to unite around the Knicks in
glorious celebration. As four massive towers rise out of downtown Manhattan’s
new skyline, there would be no better way to commemorate the upcoming 10-year
anniversary of the 9/11 attacks than with a championship title- showing the
nation that New York is stronger than ever.
No
matter the outcome, it’s time to get pumped. The 2011 NBA Playoffs are here!
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