Don’t Crown the Heat Just Yet

As of now, I still think the Lakers are the best team in the NBA, but the hype the Heat have been getting (for good reason) is definitely warranted. The new Big Three parties in Miami. The Heat are my pick to come out of the East, but I would be much less surprised if they failed to than most people. There are a bundle of teams in each conference that I think could give them a run for their money.

Pacific Division: As previously stated, the Lakers are my pick to win it all for their second three-peat of the 2000s. They can match up one-on-one with Miami, and the Lakers have the best closer of this generation, Mr. Bryant. Gasol has out scored and rebounded Bosh in 8 of their 12 meetings. Artest is still one of the best on-ball defenders in the league and will be a big help in slowing down LeBron. Kobe can handle Wade just fine. IF Bynum can stay healthy he will be a key factor in the Lakers’ success this upcoming season. The number one reason that the Lakers will beat the Heat if they are matched up in the Finals is Kobe Bryant. When he is one, and he usually is, there is no one in the league that can stop him. He has bad shooting games occasionally, but when the game is on the line, there is no player I would rather have with the ball in his hands.

Northwest Division: Only complete teams will have a chance to knock out the Heat, and for this reason, the Portland Trail Blazers have the best chance of the Northwest teams. Roy on Wade, Batum on LeBron, and Aldridge on Bosh. Miami’s Big Three are definitely flashier than Portland’s, but Portland still has the players to match up one-on-one. The Lakers do not NEED Bynum to be healthy to beat Miami, but the Blazers will NEED Oden to be healthy to. Oden will be the X factor if the season comes down to Miami vs. Portland. Plus, out of the players on Miami and Portland, I would want Brandon Roy closing out my team’s games.

Southwest Division: San Antonio does not match up one-on-one as well as the Lakers or Blazers, but as a team they match up really well. Assuming their roster does not go through any drastic, cap-saving changes between now and the end of the season, Parker, Ginobili, Jefferson, Blair and Duncan have the experience and the skill to play great, shut down defense on any team. And I like San Antonio’s depth is much more than Miami’s.

Central Division: No team has as good of a chance as the top teams in the West, but the Milwaukee Bucks have the best chance in the Central. They do not have any one player that can slow down LeBron. Doubling him would hurt the Milwaukee’s team defense, and that cannot happen when facing an offense as good as Miami’s.

Atlantic Division: The Boston Celtics are still the team to beat in the Atlantic. Despite being another year older, Rondo, Davis, and Perkins are all another year better. Pierce isn’t quite over the hill yet, while Garnett and Allen might be. They still have the leadership and the talent to beat any team on any night.

Southeast Division: This may come as a shock, but the Orlando Magic have the best chance of the Southeast teams of beating the Heat in the playoffs. If Rashard Lewis wants to show up and make his $19,000,000 next season, then the Magic will be right there with the Heat for the best team in the East. With Howard down low, if the Magic don’t shoot horribly, they have a good chance against anyone, including Miami.