The best player in the world is ready to do it again.

[305Baller]

Lol OP mentioned Mason like he's gonna do something for this team.

[poido123]

The one's in the east are the best chances to upset the Heat, but who will be a surprise to upset them ? Maybe I'm wording the question weird...

From what I've seen, the Pacers (biggest threat in the east) followed by the Nets (very deep, age and health are in question) and then Bulls (deep, best coach of the 3, but injury riddled too) are the main 3 teams to knock them off from the east, but who would upset them outside of that ? New York ? Detroit ? Cleveland ?

My pick would be Detroit, but what holds them back is that their still relatively young and inexperienced squad, but have a lot of talent and athleticism. Might have the best front court in the game if Andre Drummond makes major strides this year.

Out West, I think all those team could do it too. Not really much of surprise team there.

If Clippers or Golden State make the Western conference finals, they certainly matchup well against the Heat.

Golden State;

Curry vs Chalmers/Cole = Embarassment
Thompson vs Wade = Wade, but not by a long way
Iggy vs Lebron = Lebron should come out on top, but Iggy will give him fits on defense
Lee vs Bosh = Almost a wash
Bogut vs Out of condition Oden? or Birdman? = Demolition

GS bench vs Heat bench = pretty even, although Barnes is the best bench player out of the two.

Clippers;

Paul vs Chlamers/Cole = Embarassment
JJ Reddick/Crawford vs Wade = Edge to wade
Dudley/Barnes = Lebron easy
Griffin vs Bosh = Pretty close
Jordan vs Out of condition Oden/Birdman = Jordan easy

Clippers bench >> Heat bench

[305Baller]

If Clippers or Golden State make the Western conference finals, they certainly matchup well against the Heat.

Golden State;

Curry vs Chalmers/Cole = Embarassment
Thompson vs Wade = Wade, but not by a long way
Iggy vs Lebron = Lebron should come out on top, but Iggy will give him fits on defense
Lee vs Bosh = Almost a wash
Bogut vs Out of condition Oden? or Birdman? = Demolition

GS bench vs Heat bench = pretty even, although Barnes is the best bench player out of the two.

Clippers;

Paul vs Chlamers/Cole = Embarassment
JJ Reddick/Crawford vs Wade = Edge to wade
Dudley/Barnes = Lebron easy
Griffin vs Bosh = Pretty close
Jordan vs Out of condition Oden/Birdman = Jordan easy

Clippers bench >> Heat bench

Hmm.. individually sure. But collectively perhaps not.

[DaSeba5]

If Clippers or Golden State make the Western conference finals, they certainly matchup well against the Heat.

Golden State;

Curry vs Chalmers/Cole = Embarassment
Thompson vs Wade = Wade, but not by a long way
Iggy vs Lebron = Lebron should come out on top, but Iggy will give him fits on defense
Lee vs Bosh = Almost a wash
Bogut vs Out of condition Oden? or Birdman? = Demolition

GS bench vs Heat bench = pretty even, although Barnes is the best bench player out of the two.

Clippers;

Paul vs Chlamers/Cole = Embarassment
JJ Reddick/Crawford vs Wade = Edge to wade
Dudley/Barnes = Lebron easy
Griffin vs Bosh = Pretty close
Jordan vs Out of condition Oden/Birdman = Jordan easy

Clippers bench >> Heat bench

I would love to play the Warriors because they are perimeter oriented team and Miami's D feasts on that; plus they are a very young team with no experience. Of all the teams in the West, Warriors would be my #1 choice to play in the Finals.

Miami also has the experience advantage over the Clippers. Their starting lineup is better and the Clippers having a better bench doesn't mean as much because you play smaller rotations in the playoffs anyways. CP3 would be really tough to guard, but I can't see the Clippers beating Miami in a series.

[poido123]

Hmm.. individually sure. But collectively perhaps not.

As it's hard to argue points based on a team collectively, I decided to go individual.

Collectively, it's hard to guage that way too because we don't know what impact Doc Rivers and the change of personnel will have with Clippers, or how much impact Iggy will have for the dubs.

Or if Oden will be actually playing?

[russwest0]

How is LeBron better than Durant?

[305Baller]

How is LeBron better than Durant?

see: 2012 finals.

[russwest0]

see: 2012 finals.

Huh?

The best individual series from a player in recent memory is what KD did vs the Spurs in 2012.

Just look at what 23 year old KD did vs the Spurs and compare that to what LeBron did vs them last year at age 28...

[russwest0]

Huh?

The best individual series from a player in recent memory is what KD did vs the Spurs in 2012.

Just look at what 23 year old KD did vs the Spurs and compare that to what LeBron did vs them last year at age 28...

I like how this shut all of the LeBron dickriders up

Oh whats that, another player with a level of play equal to or greater than LeBron? Now lets just claim "rings" now that he's on one of the most stacked supporting casts ever

[wfb]

Was that written on a roll of toilet paper?

If Lebron wrote that down, he seriously has an insecurity complex.

It happens.

[wfb]

I like how this shut all of the LeBron dickriders up

Oh whats that, another player with a level of play equal to or greater than LeBron? Now lets just claim "rings" now that he's on one of the most stacked supporting casts ever

You need a new material man, you're redundant. Its sleep inducing.

[plowking]

I'd love for the Heat to get the Warriors in the finals. We'd demolish them in 4 games. Wade and Bron could both probably average 30+ that series.

[russwest0]

You need a new material man, you're redundant. Its sleep inducing.

Oh what do you know, no actual comeback whatsoever.

Just the typical ad hominem you'd expect when bringing logic to a debate vs LeBron stans

[HoopsFanNumero1]

Oh what do you know, no actual comeback whatsoever.

Just the typical ad hominem you'd expect when bringing logic to a debate vs LeBron stans

Don't you have something to do, like tipping cows?

[poido123]

I'd love for the Heat to get the Warriors in the finals. We'd demolish them in 4 games. Wade and Bron could both probably average 30+ that series.

So Chalmers will be able to stop Curry's wet jumper? A guy who can launch a shot wherever and whenever he wants?

Lee and Bogut would also make mince meat of the offensive and defensive rebounds, just like Chicago does. Iggy is a great man defender and can minimise Lebron's effectiveness.

Who's defending Golden States lineup? They create a lot of mismatches for Miami, viceversa not so much.