Post Classifieds
New-look teams aim to unseat LeBron, Wade and the Heat
By Aubrey Gibert
On November 7, 2012
After a lockout last season and the Olympics this past summer, the NBA is finally back to its
regular self. Back are preseason games and a full 82-game schedule, along with a bevy of teams
that are looking to show off their new toys this season. With the season upon us and games
already being played, let's take a look at the top five teams in each conference.
Eastern Conference
1. Miami Heat
Two years together and one championship later, the Miami Heat are the presumed favorites to
repeat as NBA champions. After refining his game last post-season (more posting up, less jump
shots), LeBron James leads his Heat teammates into the season looking to be the first back-to-
back champions since the Lakers won in 2009 and 2010.
The Heat improved over the offseason by adding Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis to bolster their
three-point shooting.
2. Boston Celtics
One game from the NBA Finals and the Celtics are still at the top of the East despite the loss of
Allen. The Celtics improved in the offseason, adding guards Jason Terry and Courtney Lee while
drafting forward Jared Sullinger and center Fab Melo.
With the starting five set with Lee replacing Allen and Terry leading a potent bench, the Celtics
seem destined to take one last shot at the Heat, even with the aging Kevin Garnett and Paul
Pierce.
3. New York Knicks
After losing to the Heat in five games in the playoffs last season, the Knicks decided to get
older this offseason. After lighting New York up, the Knicks decided to let Jeremy Lin and
his "ridiculous" contract go to Houston, replacing him with veteran guards Raymond Felton and
Jason Kidd. The Knicks also brought in Marcus Camby via a sign-and-trade and signed Ronnie
Brewer to bolster a bench that suddenly looks deep.
Questions still linger in New York as to whether Amar'e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony can
actually click. In any case, look for experience and a deep roster to carry the Knicks to a top-four
seed in the East and their first playoff series win since 2000.
4. Brooklyn Nets
Moving from New Jersey to Brooklyn, the Nets boast what is arguably the best backcourt in the
NBA with the acquisition of Joe Johnson and the re-signing of Deron Williams. The Nets also
re-signed Gerald Wallace, Kris Humphries and Brook Lopez, which makes for a good-but-not-
great starting five.
Marshon Brooks will move to the sixth-man role for the Nets, who also brought in C.J. Watson,
Reggie Evans, Andray Blatche and Mirza Teletovic and have what has the looks of a very good
team.
5. Indiana Pacers
After locking up their key players (Danny Granger, Paul George, Roy Hibbert), the Pacers will
look to make the playoffs for the third consecutive season. The starting five will carry a Pacers
team that has a weak bench and will therefore need to stay healthy this season. With Granger out
with a knee injury, they're off to a bad start already in that regard.
Best of the rest: Philadelphia 76ers, Chicago Bulls, Atlanta Hawks.
Western Conference
1. San Antonio Spurs
Surprise, surprise. The Spurs are back at the top of the Western Conference as they boast
essentially the same team from last season. Yes, Tim Duncan is still playing and yes, Greg
Popovich is still the best coach in the NBA. So look for the Spurs to remain the best in the West.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder were the Western Conference favorites throughout the preseason but fell to this
spot when they shipped reigning Sixth Man of the Year James Harden to the Houston Rockets
for Jeremy Lamb, Kevin Martin and draft picks. Look for the Thunder to struggle as they fight
through early chemistry issues with the newcomers. Oklahoma City still lacks a big man who can
score down low and a true point guard, but still have the best scorer in the game, Kevin Durant,
and all-world athlete Russell Westbrook.
3. Denver Nuggets
As usual, the Nuggets will be fun to watch offensively. But they also got more defensive this
offseason with the acquisition of Andre Iguodala in the Andrew Bynum-Dwight Howard trade.
While the Nuggets don't boast one single star, they have one of the deepest teams in the NBA.
Look for the Nuggets to make a name for themselves this season. The question still remains,
though - can you win without one bona fide star?
4. Los Angeles Clippers
You read that right. This is the Los Angeles team that will rule the city this season. The Clippers
are in year two of Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and "Lob City." After adding Lamar Odom, Jamal
Crawford and Grant Hill, the Clippers have a deeper bench, but their season will ultimately come
down to the progression of Griffin and their defense.
5. Los Angeles Lakers
Finally, we look to the other team in Los Angeles, the Lakers. After bringing in Steve Nash and
Dwight Howard, the Lakers arguably have the "best starting five" in the NBA. The Lakers have
struggled to a 1-3 start, though. Kobe Bryant has flourished (26.8 points on 59% shooting), but
other starters have struggled in Mike Brown's Princeton offense.
Look for the Lakers to continue to struggle early with chemistry and figuring their offense with
so many stars, much like the Heat two seasons ago. They will be a serious contender if they can
all adjust to Brown's style of offense.
Best of the rest: Memphis Grizzlies, Dallas Mavericks, Minnesota Timberwolves.
Aubrey Gibert can be reached by email at gibert.record@live.com.
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