The NBA season is back in full swing. Despite an impressive array of star power throughout the league, when it comes to championship contenders, most prognosticators have a very short list. A quick survey of analysts’ preseason predictions shows that most people expect the defending champion San Antonio Spurs, LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers or Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder to hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy at season’s end. While those three teams certainly make sense as favorites, they are all far from assured a spot in the NBA Finals, much less a shiny new ring.
The way I see it, each of these teams has a long road ahead to live up to the enormous expectations. Yes, the Spurs are the defending champions, but Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker are getting long in the tooth. Sure we’ve been saying that for the last four or five years, but Father Time has got to win a battle at some point right? Who do these guys think they are, Bernard Hopkins? Coach Gregg Popovich has done a masterful job managing minutes and developing young players like Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green, but at some point Duncan, 38, and Ginobili, 37, are just going to fall apart. Plus the Spurs excel as underdogs, not favorites.
James is back home in Cleveland and part of the Big Three 3.0. Now the Cavs are a nearly unanimous pick to waltz through the East like the Miami Heat. Paul George’s sideline seat due to a gruesome injury suffered in international play seemingly clears a path for Cleveland. Remember  though, James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh got off to a somewhat rocky start in Miami as the stars struggled to gel together and was soundly defeated by the superior teamwork of the Dallas Mavericks in the Finals. Also, keep in mind that neither Kyrie Irving nor Kevin Love are considered defensive stalwarts. The Cavs will have some spectacular and exciting offensive nights, but can James anchor the team on defense through the playoffs?
The Thunder is one of the most exciting teams in the NBA with Durant, Russell Westbrook and a very balanced and talented surrounding cast. The knock on the Thunder the past few years has been health. This season is no different. On the bright side, the backups will be forced into action, which could prove beneficial during the playoffs. Still a broken foot (Durant) and a broken hand (Westbrook) are pretty worrisome injuries in a sport where running, jumping, shooting and dribbling is 90% of the game. Who says that both superstars will return at full strength?
So if all the favs have vulnerabilities, who are the lowkey contenders who could creep up into contention?
First off, the Dallas Mavericks are in a prime position to make noise this season. The return of Tyson Chandler is a big deal. The former Defensive Player of the Year has proven that he can be disruptive enough on the defensive end to lead a team to a title. He was the difference in the 2011 championship team. Mark Cuban’s silliest move to date was to let Chandler walk to go on a wild goose chase for Dwight Howard or Deron Williams. Speaking of Chandler, Dallas pried Chandler Parsons away from the Houston Rockets. Chandler, Dirk Nowitzki and Monte Ellis make up a triple threat on offense that will give any defense nightmares. J.J. Barea is also back. Is Dallas?
The Los Angeles Clippers organization has completed its meteoric rise from the floor mat to the top floor. Owner Steve Ballmer takes over the reins to a team that has finally escaped the massive shadow of the Los Angeles Lakers. While Kobe Bryant steams in the locker room, wondering what happened to his Lakers dynasty, the Clippers franchise is busy trying to build its own. Blake Griffin has developed his game beyond just dunking on everybody. Chris Paul is the best point guard talent in the league. He just needs a ring to solidify his legacy. Jamal Crawford is a beast off the bench. DeAndre Jordan and Matt Barnes provide the gritty defense that championship contenders need.
The Chicago Bulls are back in the mix with the addition of Pau Gasol and the return of Derrick Rose. Rose missed the bulk of the past two seasons with knee injuries but is now perfectly healthy. Oh wait, Rose has already go down with an injury again. No way he makes it through the season healthy. Without Rose at full strength, the Bulls will fail. That leaves the Washington Wizards as the key threat for the Cavs in the East.
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