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| The Battle of the Trio: Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics on opening night |
Does Miami win its second championship this year? The triumvirate of LeBron, Wade and Bosh is one of the greatest NBA combinations of all time based on their individual talents and skills brought to the Heat. But the big question is whether the Heat will make it this year. These three NBA superstars are undoubtedly the best in their class. However, will they be able to play together since Wade and LeBron wants to have the ball in their hands during crunch time. Bosh is a great complement for the team since his position is very much needed in the Heat's interior. However, he is not a post up player but rather a face-up kind of player that loves to shoot around the perimeter or drive to the basket. This is also the kind of game both his other superstar teammates play.
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| Miami's Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh and LeBron James out to silence critics |
The Heat creates lots of match up problems specifically with LBJ in the backcourt. This will give some of his teammates opportunities to look for open spaces in the court for some open jumpers. The question is how efficient their shooters for that jumper or long threes. This is where Miller will be missed by the team. In my opinion, the Heat is not an NBA team but rather an NFL team with very athletic wide receivers and running backs.
One drawback I see with the team is its ability to distribute the ball. Lots of kickouts, precision passes, screens and picks to create fluidity and scoring in the court. Their big men should also hold their ground against the opposing big men of other teams. All-Star Dwight Howard was busy playing against Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon in the off season and developed his post-up moves. It was evident in most of his exhibition games as he toyed around with other teams big men. This will be a gargantuan challenge for Big Z, Anthony and Magloire to hold their fort against Superman. Injuries to their superstars also pose a great problem. Wade was injured in his first exhibition game but the tandem of LBJ and Bosh carried the load for the Heat in a lopsided win.
Lakers with another 3-peat? Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers overachieved their performances in last season's title run. He was nursing an injury with his thumb and coping up with a sexual harassment case. Center Andrew Bynum was not 100% playing his game with a knee injury. The signing of Ron Artest was also another concern for the Lakers before the 2009 season started because of his on and off the court antics. Derek Fisher was already in his prime. However, with all of these distractions the Lakers were able to notch their fifth title in this decade against the Boston Celtics in a Game 7 epic win.
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| Kobe Bryant and the LA Lakers gunning for a second 3-peat NBA championship |
During the offseason, Kobe and the Lakers made some drastic roster changes by adding another defensive, no-holds barred player Matt Barnes and veteran Theo Ratliff to man its frontline. Barnes is a defensive specialist that can guard the point, the two guard, and the three position. However, his offensive skill is questionable because of his limited production with the Orlando Magic. Theo Ratliff is an excellent veteran defensive player with a long wingspan with the knack of rejecting shots. On the offensive end, he will earn some points on putbacks. The addition of Steve Blake in the backcourt gives the Lakers more scoring options and a hybrid replacement for the departure of Jordan Farmar to the Timberwolves. Blake is more of the passing type of point guard as compared with Farmar. He can also play at the two guard position alongside Fisher that will give them a balanced tandem on both defense and offense. He will also be a great complement to Kobe setting up plays for him or knocking down some threes.
The Lakers have championship character emanating from Coach Jackson and Kobe. They know how to play the game either down-the-wire or blown-out games and bring out the best from their team. Odom, who played for Team USA in the FIBA championship, won the gold in men's basketball and a major stalwart in USA's gold title run at FIBA. The experience playing alongside some of the talented and skilled NBA players in a world stage gives Odom the maturity to handle the same situations in the Laker's dugout. Coach Jackson was able to hold Artest head in its proper place and let him play his antics on the court without disrupting their team's harmony. Injuries to the Lakers roster makes them very vulnerable to losing. The Lakers are not a very young team and needs to pace their starters for another long title run to the championships.
Kobe Bryant is the final piece of the Laker's championship. He has already, I think, matured in some way to know his true worth as a player - a superstar and a teammate. The game is not all about scoring tons of points but involving teammates to play hard. His passion for the game rubs off to his teammate. In some instances, he is seen giving instructions on defensive alignments from the bench. That's how passionate he is with the game and winning. Bryant's ability to share some scoring loads with his teammates made Gasol realized his true worth as a big man. Gasol was able to show some of offensive repertoire, thanks to Kobe.
Celtics to annex their 18th NBA title. Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen are the older version of Miami's young trio of LBJ, Wade, and Bosh. What sets them apart? Championship ring, maturity and age. Yes, age is one of the concerns of Boston Celtics. Age and injuries I should say. Talent-wise, the Celtics are one of the most talented teams in both offensive and defensive ends of the court. However, Father Time has already caught them. Despite of their age and injuries, the Celtics were able to scare the Kobe and the Lakers in an epic NBA Finals Game 7 duel last season.
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| The Ageless Warriors of the Boston Celtics |
The Celtics backcourt was augmented with the signing of Delonte West. But, his personal problems will be a major factor in his efficiency to play Boston's basketball. Rajon Rondo will still be at the helm of Boston's offense setting up the pace for his teammates. His All-Star performance last year will still be the gauge on his game this upcoming season. Ray Allen will still be a dead shot from long-range but consistency will be his concern. He was held to limited points in the NBA Finals Game 7.
Paul Pierce was given another 4-year contract extension. He will still be the cornerstone of the Celtics offense. Pierce will have his hands full again in carrying the scoring cudgels for the Celtics. Kevin 'The Big Ticket' Garnett will be the heart and soul of Boston Celtics. Coming from a leg injury, the Big Ticket will be the gauge of Boston's success in this NBA season. A healthy Garnett will give the team its needed points, defensive presence, and character. Even if his scoring average dipped below, Garnett's passion and leadership gives the Boston Celtics the intensity and zeal that made them silence their critics in winning their 2008 NBA title.
Fearless NBA Forecast:
NBA Eastern Conference Finals: Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat Boston in 7
NBA Western Conference Finals: Los Angeles Lakers vs Dallas Mavericks Lakers in 5
NBA 2011 Finals: Los Angeles Lakers vs Boston Celtics Boston in 7
NBA MVP Regular Season: Kevin Durant, Oklahoma Thunder
NBA MVP Finals: Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics
Coach of the Year: Tom Thibodeau, Chicago Bulls
Rookie of the Year: Blake Griffin, LA Clippers
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