It almost seemed like the Lakers couldn’t catch a break from the beginning. Both Pau Gasol and Steve Nash missed over 20 games, Dwight Howard’s inconsistencies, and now Kobe Bryant’s Achilles injury have made this a season from hell. On the flip side, the New York Knicks have been the team that seemed to defy all odds. Amar’e Stoudemire missed over half the season, and Tyson Chandler has missed time due to injury. Carmelo Anthony has picked up this team and put them on his back, with a little help from J.R Smith of course.
The Knicks just recently had their 12-game winning-streak snapped in which Melo was averaging over 30 points per game. Currently averaging 28.7 points per game, Melo is two games away from capturing his first ever scoring title. Though there won’t be much competition in the East, the Knicks will be the Heat’s biggest threat if they get the opportunity to meet.
The West is wild; it’s anybody’s game. The Denver Nuggets are always a team that is good, but never good enough to do much damage in the playoffs. They could end up being the No. 3 team in the West, and after a 15-game win-streak late in the season, they are also going into the playoffs on a hot note. However, Danilo Gallinari and his 16.2 points per game won’t be making it to the playoffs, as the Italian will miss the rest of the season due to a torn ACL.
The Clippers and Grizzlies have shown that they are the real deal, showing that last season wasn’t just a fluke, and Golden State went from a 23-43 last season to a 45-35 record currently, and are a formidable six seed. The West is literally up for grabs, as all these teams are extremely talented and competitive, but the favorites have to be the Thunder. Regardless of trading James Harden to Houston, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook have the Thunder looking to win the Western Conference for the second year in a row.
The biggest threat to the Thunder will be the Spurs, who have shown that despite their age, they are a serious contender. What makes them a possible favorite, is all the playoff and championship experience their players have. One of these two teams should end up in the championship, but like I said the West is wild.
The East won’t be as competitive as the West, but still have Indiana and Brooklyn who are very solid basketball teams. Brooklyn probably won’t fare too well in the playoffs this year, but in years to come they should be a team to watch. Indiana is a dynamic team who have an excellent display of talent out on the floor. I would see them getting past the first round, but not making it any further. The East also boasts the streak-killing Bulls, a team who has handled the top two teams in their conference easily this year, even without their star Derrick Rose. My pick for the East is the Heat, as they are the best team in the league plain and simple.
When June rolls around, so will the NBA finals. I would predict a rematch of last years championship, with the Thunder and the Heat both winning their conferences and meeting yet again. The Thunder are a more mature team and have a lot to prove, but an absence of James Harden could prove to be their Achilles heel. The Heat are the best team in the league, but with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade suffering injuries this year their biggest factor will be to keep their “big three” healthy all through the high intensity that the playoffs brings. When it is all said and done, King James and company will be raising their second championship trophy over the Thunder after the seventh game.
Connor Anthony can be reached at connor.anthony@spartans.ut.edu.