First off let's start out east where some people see it as a JV league outside of the Heat, I disagree. Team for team if it was like college basketball's early season conference versus conference weeks, some of the teams in the east could play with west coast teams, we'll debate that another time.
In the East and I hate I'm saying this so late because I’ve been thinking it for like 3 weeks now, but the Indiana Pacers have a team that's built to take down Miami. Everyone knows that the Heat's Achilles heel is there front court. Not the ability to get points from the front court, outside of the Power Forward position since Chris Bosh is playing Center, but on the glass and on defense.
Enters David West who's been an all star, is a bruiser and can score inside or out, post up or hit game winners from top of the circle. Oh and defensively he likes to bang in he post.
If he doesn't scare Miami enough then they better remember he's got big boy Roy Hibbert back there too along with Tyler Hansbrough. Though Hibbert isn't a big offensive threat he'll cause trouble for Miami on the defensive end. And Hansbrough is instant energy off the bench on offense or defense.
Now when Miami has to deal with a team that has a big front court then they usually start to speed up the pace and kill those teams on the wings using all their athleticism, but against Indiana the Heat will have to also deal with all star Paul George, as well as Danny Granger, who has been all star himself. The Pacers don't have an offensive attack right now with Granger out but if they can keep it as a low scoring affair then the opposing team is in trouble.
Raymond Felton has been very good when healthy and JR Smith has just been an assassin this season rather the Knicks were fully loaded or beat up by injuries. Smith was the answer for New York’s offense, and even though it was just the regular season they still put two very impressive ass whoopens on Miami at the Garden and in Southbeach.
In the West I had 3 teams that it thought would pose a threat to O City. I had the Spurs because, well hell they’re the Spurs. I had the Clippers based on the regular season matchups this season and last that they had against the Thunder, they pose a threat with all the depth they have on the bench.
Finally I had the Memphis Grizzlies who were suppose to be lead by Rudy Gay. However since my pre-season picks Gay’s been moved to Toronto. Gay in my opinion matches up with Kevin Durant better than anyone else, outside of Lebron James, and the way the Grizzlies were built they had enough other parts to cancel out the Gay Durant matchup. No answer for Big Z Bo and Marc Gasol in the front court which we know was an Achilles heal for the Thunder a couple of years ago. However no Rudy Gay no go to scorer for the Grizzlies now so look at Los Angeles, you know damn well which LA team I’m talking about, and the Spurs. However in a 7 game series I don’t think either team can beat O City but if anyone has a chance to do it it would be one of those two teams.
Jo Corey! I like your Early Predictions from the East. However, one must not forget the Bulls when they get their Ace back. If given enough time, they also will give the Heat a run for their money as well as Indiana. The West! I will always say watch the Spurs! Great coaching staff. Surprise team the Clippers. But after all is said & done. The THUNDER will roll. Poppa Lee!
ReplyDelete