NBA's TOP 10 TEAMS IN 2006-2007
1. Dallas -- Within 2 Win's (and some poor officiating) from being the Champions. They are unbelievably talented and with their offseason acquistions are even deeper than last year. They let Miami's physicality get the best of them(Haslem pushed Dirk around, thanks to the officials) and they let Miami's momentum get the best of them. However, they are the best team. Dirk is a legitimate star now. Jason Terry is following in his footsteps as a big time player who wants the ball in clutch situations. Josh Howard is Mr. Versatility with his slashing skills and his jump shot is coming along quite niciely. They're forming a new Big Three between them and are surrounded by talent on their deep bench. Diop and Damp do what they need. Stack is Mr. Pure Offense/Please Stop Taking Bad Shots. Devin Harris is shaping into a very nice player who plays big against good teams. The thing that will have this team back in the Finals is Avery. He's an excellent coach who learns from his mistakes and corrects them. Next time around, he'll be better prepared and Dallas will be celebrating at the end of the June.
2. San Antonio -- Just a smart team that plays together, moves the ball well and plays solid defense. Everyone knows their role. You know what you get from TP/Duncan/Manu trio, but contributions from Bowen, Finley, Horry, Barry, Oberto, Udrih really make them a great T-E-A-M. Losing Mohammed hurts. How good Elson/Butler perform at C is key for them.
3. Phoenix -- Run and gun, high octane offense. Team is characterized by great ball movement, deadeye shooters and a plethora of athletic, offensive players. Basically the old Dallas Mavericks, will outscore you but refuse to conform and play defense. Will do well if Amare's returns as good or better and doesnt let his injury become a distraction and disrupt team chemistry (see Webber in Sacramento). Nash is still great but aching, but Diaw and Barbosa are really blossoming. Still not as good Spurs and Mavs.
4. Miami -- The CHAMPS, but not this year. Give them their credit, Wade was Jordanesque in the Finals, but they rely on him way too much. Had it not been for Wade's out of body experience (and a terrible Game 5 call), they wouldn't be champions. But they won (I'm still a little bitter as you can tell).
Coaches watched the Finals and noticed how reliant they are on one player. Come the playoffs, teams will be ready to swarm Wade and although they won't stop him, they'll make him utilize his teammates more and I don't think the supporting cast is good enough to come through twice. Walker, Williams, Payton are streaky and Shaq was mediocre for the NBA Finals. Heat aren't a "GREAT TEAM", teams will be ready for them. Notice the Mavericks offseason acquisitions (Buckner, George, Ager, Johnson -- all guys acquired for purpose of slowing down the only reason the Heat won, D-Wade).
5. Chicago -- Could go either way. They could establish themselves as a top tier team, or just stay in the land of mediocrity. The talent is there. They are loaded with young, talented and capable players who are only getting better and gaining valuable experience (Hinrich, Nocioni, Deng, Gordon, Duhon). They're rookies are solid, but probably won't have a major impact right away. Their big men will. Adding PJ Brown and Ben Wallace solidifies their frontcourt. Their rebounding and defensive prowess will only compliment their young offensive talent. Look out for this team, they are capable of de-throning the Champs in the East.
6. Detroit -- Those who think that losing Ben Wallace won't hurt are dead wrong. It will. But adding Mohammed was a good of a job replacing him as they could have done. Still lack a solid bench, but Rip and Chauncey are still as good of a backcourt as there is, and Tayshaun is establishing himself as a very-good(not GREAT) player who plays at both ends of the court. Rasheed is solid, but getting older and if he gets disgruntled look for problems with this team. But the East is still weak and they will do well.
7. Houston -- Health, health, health. If this team isn't plagued by injuries, they will be a very good team. Of course there is no guarantee that they will, but then again there is no guarantee for any team. A healthy T-Mac will be the star we know him to be, but adding Battier was huge for this team. You know what you'll get from Yao and Howard. I think their still lacking a solid true PG, but between Alston and Sura, they do have potential. Luther Head is also getting a lot better and will be a major contributor for this team.
8. LA Clippers -- This is a very good basketball team. The tools are there, but unfortunately they are not a GREAT basketball team. They'll do well during the regular season, but I don't consider them a threat to get out of the West. They're bringing back basically the same team. Adding Tim Thomas will not be as big of an addition as people think. This is not the Run and Gun offense that was geared for him in Phoenix. He'll probably return to the Tim Thomas of old in due time. Solid team, won't contend with Dallas/SA/Phx.
9. NJ -- I can't stand them. I have a difficult time watching them. They bore me. But they are a good team. Kidd/Carter/Jeff play extremely well together. Unfortunately, they don't have what it takes. I think that L-Frank's inexperience will continue to hurt them(never should have fired Scott). Kristic is really improving his game. They drafted good rookies but I don't how much their immediate impact will be felt. Same with their offseason acquisitions (House and Moore). They're so-so. The Nets could contend for the crown in the East, but would stand no chance against the best in the West.
10. Cleveland -- King James is insane. He makes other players around him better and does everything(and more) that the Cavs ask him to do. This team shows flashes of being a top team, but then at times they do the opposite. They have a very deep team and that will be extremely beneficial during the rigorous 82 game season and 2 month playoffs. If Larry Hughes returns to his Washington form, look out for this team in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Borderline teams: Sacramento, New Orleans, Memphis, Denver, LA Lakers