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| The Brooklyn Nets went way over the luxury tax line to compete for a title and possibly beat the Heat |
Their path to another championship just got a lot harder and tougher with multiple teams improving and upgrading their rosters. So, which teams can realistically Beat the Heat?
THE ELITE CONTENDERS
Brooklyn Nets
The Nets made the playoffs as a 4th seed last year but lost in the first round. They have significantly improved their lineup, especially their starting five with Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett. On the bench, they have Jason Terry, Shaun Livingston, Andrei Kirilenko, Andray Blatche and Reggie Evans. This team is better and deeper than last year's version. They match up well with the Heat and they have multiple defenders who can guard LeBron. Now, can they all stay healthy and develop chemistry under rookie head coach Jason Kidd who recently retired this past summer. Kidd has zero experience in coaching but his floor vision and leadership as a former player could make his transition into a bench tactician smoother and faster. Overall, this team should be better on offense and defense... but are they good enough to beat the Heat? Maybe.
Indiana Pacers
The Pacers were 1 game away from reaching the Finals. They pushed the Heat to the limit and if Roy Hibbert stayed in the game during overtime of Game 1, maybe the Pacers win that series. Indy improved their much maligned bench with the additions of Luis Scola, CJ Watson and Chris Copeland. Their biggest acquisition is the return of Danny Granger from injury. Granger used to be their best player but he has been eclipsed by Paul George whose growth as a player from last season moved him closer to superstar levels. The Pacers have a bruising front-line with Hibbert and David West who gave the Heat problems and the arrival of Scola makes their lineup bigger and stronger. If Paul George takes his game to another level and Roy Hibbert cements himself as the best two-way center in the East, the Pacers can definitely beat the Heat on their third try.
San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs were seconds away from winning their 5th title before things went awry and the Heat escaped with the title. They can make another run this year for the nth time. Most of their rotation players are back (except Gary Neal who was replaced by Marco Belinelli) and their Big 3 will be back for another year. Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green became better players as the season went along. Extra credit goes to Kawhi who was outstanding in the Finals. Leonard defended LeBron as good as anyone can and he still managed to contribute double-doubles too. The Spurs will make the playoffs again and they will be among the best in the West. If the Spurs can avoid the Thunder again like last year, then Duncan, Parker and Manu might be in the Finals for the 2nd straight year.
Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers are undoubtedly the best team in Los Angeles. They managed to keep their prized free agent (Chris Paul) and they improved an already excellent bench by getting Jared Dudley, Darren Collison, JJ Redick and Byron Mullens. The Clips added a lot of offensive firepower especially from the perimeter. Defending the three-point line was one of Miami's weaknesses and the Clips can certainly take advantage of that. Chris Paul is still arguably the best PG in the NBA and he can make everybody around him better. The Clippers are exciting and entertaining on offense but can they play better defense? Only Matt Barnes and Chris Paul are considered above average defenders. Their new coach Doc Rivers can bring a new defensive plan that can make the Clips even better than last year.
Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies have Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol who are among the best front-lines in the league. The Grizzlies also added Kosta Koufos (who can be a decent starting center for most teams) as their first bigman of the bench. They also have Tony Allen who is an excellent perimeter defender who can guard either Wade or James. Tayshaun Prince can also guard LBJ in short stretches. The Grizz struggled getting perimeter baskets from their wings until Quincy Pondexter and Jerryd Bayless started making occasional shots in the playoffs. The addition of Mike Miller solves that problem and he boosts their outside shooting immensely which can open up more driving lanes for Mike Conley. Miller could potentially offer some strategies on how to prepare for Miami.
Oklahoma City Thunder
If Russell Westbrook did not get injured, it was highly possible that the Thunder met the Heat in the Finals again. Sadly, that did not happen since Kevin Durant could not carry his team alone. OKC did not improve too much in the summer when they added Ryan Gomes (last played in the NBA during 2011-12) and rookie Steven Adams while they lost Kevin Martin who was traded for James Harden. The Thunder are hoping that Reggie Jackson continues to get better (he was very good in the playoffs when Westbrook went down) and sophomore Jeremy Lamb makes strides in his game that was evident during the NBA Summer League. Overall, they need Kevin Durant and Westbrook to remain the best duo in the league while Serge Ibaka, Nick Collison and Adams play more and more while Kendrick Perkins stays on the bench.
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| Dwight Howard and the Rockets are just a tad below the elite teams but they can certainly make some noise |
WILDCARDS/SLEEPERS
Chicago Bulls
The Bulls can compete with the Heat IF Derrick Rose is healthy, confident and back to his 2011 MVP form. They need Joakim Noah to be healed from his foot injury while Jimmy Butler gradually improves his scoring as a starter. Mike Dunleavy is an upgraded version of Marco Belinelli who can play defense and rebound. Meanwhile, Boozer has to play better defense if he wants to stay on the floor during crunchtime.
Houston Rockets
The Rockets have Dwight Howard and James Harden. That is a scary tandem. They also have Parsons, Brooks, Garcia and Lin to provide additional scoring on the perimeter. Defensively, they were at the bottom fifth on points allowed but the arrival of Howard should change that. Management thinks that they can play Omer Asik and Howard at the same time. Im not sure that can work when both guys dont have jumpers and are horrible on the foul line. They could end up just clogging the lanes for the perimeter players.
Golden State Warriors
The Warriors have the best shooting backcourt with Steph Curry and Klay Thompson. They have a decent front-line with David Lee and Andrew Bogut (if healthy). Andre Iguodala gives them a superb defender who can guard 3 positions. Iggy also eases the pressure on Harrison Barnes to defend and score. They have a decent bench with the likes of Festus Ezeli, Draymond Green, Jermaine O'Neal and Marresse Speights
New York Knicks
The Knicks added Andrea Bargnani to a potent offense but he brings nothing to the defensive table. The former #1 pick will be fighting minutes with Amare, Kenyon Martin and Tyson Chandler especially if the Knicks play Carmelo at PF. Metta World Peace is still a solid defender and he can make threes from time to time. Melo needs to elevate his game to another level (play better defense, pass the ball, choose better shots) and make everybody around him better for the Knicks to compete.
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