By GM and Anonymous Co-Editor of NBA Blog Weekly
So it has finally come to this; four title hungry teams battling each other until there are just 13 left standing. It is finally the time of year basketball fans around the U.S. have been waiting for, the finale for one of the most entertaining playoffs yet.There have been many surprises in the playoffs this far: the suspension of Zach Randolph, the magnificent upsets the Blazers and the Wizards have managed to pull off, and the fact that neither, the Celtics, the Knicks, and the Lakers have not made the playoffs for the first time since the NBA became the primary basketball association in the U.S.. The following lists every team's chance of becoming the NBA's to-beat team.
OKC Thunder
Kevin Durant amazed many this season, achieving historical stats and breaking a record set by Michael Jordan himself. Russel Westbrook has helped as well, contributing 21.8 points a night, 5.7 rebounds, and an impressive 6.9 assists. The thunder's second unit has also showed bursts of depth and talent , Reggie Jackson leading the way while recording the stats of 13.1 point per game 3.1 rebounds, and a decent assisting stat of 4.1 assists.Yet, down 2-0 in a series against one of the most consistent team's in NBA history with their top rim protector, it does not seem like the Thunder could make it out of this one.
Chance of wining the championship: 5%
Indiana Pacers
Dark times have come to the city of Indianapolis, where,just a few days ago, the team's most valuable player suffered a concussion. Although George has gotten the approval he needed to play in game 3, there is no guarantee he will be the player he was before the injury. In addition, the Pacers are facing their long time rivals and the winners of the last two championships-The Miami Heat.This creates matchup problems for the Pacers, because there isn't a single player in the Indiana lineup that is both quick and athletic enough to keep Lebron and Dwyane Wade from having a great game.Lastly, the Pacers are not an offensively gifted team and do not have a proven superstar outside of George, lowering their chances of truly wining a championship. Yet Indiana's defense is still exceptional, and Roy Hibbert once again looks like the man who wrecked the Miami Heat last year. Even with all the problems ahead, this squad seems to be championship ready: at least while Hibbert remains consistent.
Chance of winning a championship: 20%
So it has finally come to this; four title hungry teams battling each other until there are just 13 left standing. It is finally the time of year basketball fans around the U.S. have been waiting for, the finale for one of the most entertaining playoffs yet.There have been many surprises in the playoffs this far: the suspension of Zach Randolph, the magnificent upsets the Blazers and the Wizards have managed to pull off, and the fact that neither, the Celtics, the Knicks, and the Lakers have not made the playoffs for the first time since the NBA became the primary basketball association in the U.S.. The following lists every team's chance of becoming the NBA's to-beat team.
OKC Thunder
Kevin Durant amazed many this season, achieving historical stats and breaking a record set by Michael Jordan himself. Russel Westbrook has helped as well, contributing 21.8 points a night, 5.7 rebounds, and an impressive 6.9 assists. The thunder's second unit has also showed bursts of depth and talent , Reggie Jackson leading the way while recording the stats of 13.1 point per game 3.1 rebounds, and a decent assisting stat of 4.1 assists.Yet, down 2-0 in a series against one of the most consistent team's in NBA history with their top rim protector, it does not seem like the Thunder could make it out of this one.
Chance of wining the championship: 5%
Indiana Pacers
Dark times have come to the city of Indianapolis, where,just a few days ago, the team's most valuable player suffered a concussion. Although George has gotten the approval he needed to play in game 3, there is no guarantee he will be the player he was before the injury. In addition, the Pacers are facing their long time rivals and the winners of the last two championships-The Miami Heat.This creates matchup problems for the Pacers, because there isn't a single player in the Indiana lineup that is both quick and athletic enough to keep Lebron and Dwyane Wade from having a great game.Lastly, the Pacers are not an offensively gifted team and do not have a proven superstar outside of George, lowering their chances of truly wining a championship. Yet Indiana's defense is still exceptional, and Roy Hibbert once again looks like the man who wrecked the Miami Heat last year. Even with all the problems ahead, this squad seems to be championship ready: at least while Hibbert remains consistent.
Chance of winning a championship: 20%