Post by Los Angeles Lakers on Jul 21, 2007 23:29:44 GMT -5
Championship Contenders
The who's who out of this year's field of championship hopefuls.
Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks have been a perrenial contender in this league. Fans can always expect General Manager Aron Roark to display one of the most exciting products this league has to offer. In terms of overall depth, Atlanta is lacking compared to previous years. Nazr Mohammed appears to be on the tail end of his career and LaMarcus Aldridge hasn't progressed as quickly as team officials have liked. The Hawks remain strong in the swing man position where they boast Boris Diaw and Andre Iguodala as their starters. Iguodala has turned himself into one of the premier defenders in the league while Diaw looks to continue his versatile ways at the three. The Hawks love the dramatic improvement Martell Webster has made in his game. He could be either a great bargaining chip on the trade block or key reserve off this Hawk bench. Deron Williams is still one of the elite point guards in the league but is lacking a solid backup.
Overall, Atlanta will continue to reign supreme due to overall talent in the east. They'll need to obviously trade some of their swingman depth to strengthen their frontline and backcourt if they want to make a serious push for the title.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Last year's Eastern Conference champions are a young team that is still the favorite to repeat. Dwight Howard has progressed each year as a big man. This year his offense looks to make him the dominant force down low that everyone touted he could possess. Howard's progress is what could take the Cavs over the top. OJ Mayo has been the real deal since coming out of USC a few years ago. Mayo has become a sharpshooter and will benefit from more open looks with Howard's improved offense. The emergence of Alexis Ajinca has caught the attention of many around the league. The 7'1 small forward appears to be the Cavs go to guy off the bench this season.
Although there weren't drastic improvements across the board to OJ Mayo and Rodney Jones, the Cavs still have the talent necessary to win the east. Their frontline is stronger than the Hawks and their bench is a bit more well rounded. The Cavs have proven that they will be a force not just now but in future years as well.
Dallas Mavericks
The reigning champs bring back a roster that is not hugely turned over. The missing link from last year's team is Chris Webber, who retired last season. Roy Hibbert, a lottery selection a few years back, has worked on his inside game and will be exactly what the Mavs need off the bench. Their defense at the small forward is not as strong as it was last year with both Szczerbiak and Jamison both taking a hit in training camp. But they still have essentially the core group that won them a title last year. They already know what it takes to win it all and it should be of no surprise to anyone if they repeat again this year.
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves have never really looked like a serious championship contender. They've been able to sneak into the playoffs here and there with squads that have overachieved beyond the talent present. But the team that they have assembled this year is worthy of high regard. New additions to the T-Wolves bench include Tim Duncan, Eddy Curry, Al Horford, Paul Pierce and Johan Petro. With a starting lineup of Ray Felton, DeAngelo Alexander, Brandan Wright, Eddy Curry, and Tim Duncan, the Timberwolves have one of the best defensive units in the league. Duncan maybe on his farewell tour but the way he carried the Nuggets last year to the playoffs is a testament to his greatness as a player. Eddy Curry now no longer plays in the shadow of Carmelo Anthony. He is the premier player and go to guy for the Timberwolves.
Minnesota could be this year's Dallas and sneak up on the league when no one is looking.
Los Angeles Lakers
It's been three seasons since the Lakers had what was their best shot at winning a championship. People remember the choke job that Los Angeles displayed in Game Seven on their home floor. It was a painful experience for GM Hibachi to see Jason Kidd lift up the championship trophy for a second time since being traded from Los Angeles. After following that disappointment of the 2007-2008 season, the Lakers shelved out teams that were playoff teams but not championship teams. This year, the Lakers look to have assembled their best team since the 2007-2008 season.
Bosh was not the number one option during the Lakers last title run. But this time around - he is. The Lakers power forward is now the unquestionable leader of a lineup that boasts youth, talent, and veteran savvy. DeSagana Diop is the perfect center for this team with his defense and rebounding ability. Ray Allen, though in the twilight of his career, still one of the league's best defenders and sharpshooters. He will have plenty of open looks now that he is no longer one of the team's first options. The reigning rookie of the year, Mike Conley Jr, didn't improve as much as many expected but is still undoubtedly the best player from last year's draft class by far. And lastly, Lebron James adds the versatility and size at small forward this team has missed since trading away Ron Artest.
With one of the deepest benches and most talented starting fives in the league, the Lakers are unquestionably back in the business of winning Retro ABCA'S elusive championship.
The who's who out of this year's field of championship hopefuls.
Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks have been a perrenial contender in this league. Fans can always expect General Manager Aron Roark to display one of the most exciting products this league has to offer. In terms of overall depth, Atlanta is lacking compared to previous years. Nazr Mohammed appears to be on the tail end of his career and LaMarcus Aldridge hasn't progressed as quickly as team officials have liked. The Hawks remain strong in the swing man position where they boast Boris Diaw and Andre Iguodala as their starters. Iguodala has turned himself into one of the premier defenders in the league while Diaw looks to continue his versatile ways at the three. The Hawks love the dramatic improvement Martell Webster has made in his game. He could be either a great bargaining chip on the trade block or key reserve off this Hawk bench. Deron Williams is still one of the elite point guards in the league but is lacking a solid backup.
Overall, Atlanta will continue to reign supreme due to overall talent in the east. They'll need to obviously trade some of their swingman depth to strengthen their frontline and backcourt if they want to make a serious push for the title.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Last year's Eastern Conference champions are a young team that is still the favorite to repeat. Dwight Howard has progressed each year as a big man. This year his offense looks to make him the dominant force down low that everyone touted he could possess. Howard's progress is what could take the Cavs over the top. OJ Mayo has been the real deal since coming out of USC a few years ago. Mayo has become a sharpshooter and will benefit from more open looks with Howard's improved offense. The emergence of Alexis Ajinca has caught the attention of many around the league. The 7'1 small forward appears to be the Cavs go to guy off the bench this season.
Although there weren't drastic improvements across the board to OJ Mayo and Rodney Jones, the Cavs still have the talent necessary to win the east. Their frontline is stronger than the Hawks and their bench is a bit more well rounded. The Cavs have proven that they will be a force not just now but in future years as well.
Dallas Mavericks
The reigning champs bring back a roster that is not hugely turned over. The missing link from last year's team is Chris Webber, who retired last season. Roy Hibbert, a lottery selection a few years back, has worked on his inside game and will be exactly what the Mavs need off the bench. Their defense at the small forward is not as strong as it was last year with both Szczerbiak and Jamison both taking a hit in training camp. But they still have essentially the core group that won them a title last year. They already know what it takes to win it all and it should be of no surprise to anyone if they repeat again this year.
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves have never really looked like a serious championship contender. They've been able to sneak into the playoffs here and there with squads that have overachieved beyond the talent present. But the team that they have assembled this year is worthy of high regard. New additions to the T-Wolves bench include Tim Duncan, Eddy Curry, Al Horford, Paul Pierce and Johan Petro. With a starting lineup of Ray Felton, DeAngelo Alexander, Brandan Wright, Eddy Curry, and Tim Duncan, the Timberwolves have one of the best defensive units in the league. Duncan maybe on his farewell tour but the way he carried the Nuggets last year to the playoffs is a testament to his greatness as a player. Eddy Curry now no longer plays in the shadow of Carmelo Anthony. He is the premier player and go to guy for the Timberwolves.
Minnesota could be this year's Dallas and sneak up on the league when no one is looking.
Los Angeles Lakers
It's been three seasons since the Lakers had what was their best shot at winning a championship. People remember the choke job that Los Angeles displayed in Game Seven on their home floor. It was a painful experience for GM Hibachi to see Jason Kidd lift up the championship trophy for a second time since being traded from Los Angeles. After following that disappointment of the 2007-2008 season, the Lakers shelved out teams that were playoff teams but not championship teams. This year, the Lakers look to have assembled their best team since the 2007-2008 season.
Bosh was not the number one option during the Lakers last title run. But this time around - he is. The Lakers power forward is now the unquestionable leader of a lineup that boasts youth, talent, and veteran savvy. DeSagana Diop is the perfect center for this team with his defense and rebounding ability. Ray Allen, though in the twilight of his career, still one of the league's best defenders and sharpshooters. He will have plenty of open looks now that he is no longer one of the team's first options. The reigning rookie of the year, Mike Conley Jr, didn't improve as much as many expected but is still undoubtedly the best player from last year's draft class by far. And lastly, Lebron James adds the versatility and size at small forward this team has missed since trading away Ron Artest.
With one of the deepest benches and most talented starting fives in the league, the Lakers are unquestionably back in the business of winning Retro ABCA'S elusive championship.
