In any NBA Playoffs there's three types of teams: The Contenders, The Threats and The Easy Ones.
The Contenders are those who will be fitting not only for a spot in the NBA Finals but the chance to lift the title. In my opinion, in the Western Conference, obviously the Lakers are one, Dallas and the multi-dimensional/ versatile squad and the Denver Nuggets. In the East, the only team I believe will have a chance of lifting the trophy is the Cavs. The Magic do not have the type of squad like last year, which will be able to defeat the Cavs, the Hawks are yet to reach the NBA Eastern Conference Finals and their inexperience could be costly in big time moments and the Boston Celtics are not the type of team they were back in 2008. Sure enough their experience is immense but will those "old legs" be able to keep up with the Cavs.
The Threats are those teams most likely to make an upset not only in the first round but possibly in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals. In the East, I believe that the Hawks if they finish 4th will be a definite "threat" as long as they take care of business in the 1st round. They have the athleticism and determination to finally bypass the Cavs and reach the Conference Finals. They have had the same coach for the past few seasons and have been eliminated by the "Big Boyz" of the East thus, they're determined and very, very hungry to finally crack the East. The other "Threat" is the Miami Heat because they have a special player who can rise up to the occasion and dominate a game by his versatility, athleticism, leadership and defense. In the West, there is one team that will definitely come to my mind of possibly shaking up the pecking order: San Antonio Spurs. Like Boston, they do have "old legs", RJ has not been the type of player that they had expected him to be, Tony P is injured and Timmy as well as the Argentinian Sensation both have had an inconsistent season and are not the same like they were back in their championship winning seasons. However, they have probably the second best coach currently in the NBA or one could say the best defensive coach in the NBA and on top of that they know how to play "playoff basketball". Their wealth of experience and guidance from one of the best coaches of all time could lead them to possibly winning in the 1st round and possibly doing some heavy damage to whoever they take on in the Western Conference Semi Finals.
Finally, "The Easy Ones" are those who are pretty much there to make up the numbers only to be brushed aside by one of the big boyz of their conference. Toronto, Charlotte and Memphis are the ones I believe would be considered "Easy Ones".
In summary,
Cleveland: Title Contenders
Orlando: Threats
Atlanta: Threats
Boston: Threats
Miami: Threats
Milwaukee: Was a Threat until Bogut got injured and now I would consider them Easy Ones
Charlotte: Easy Ones
Toronto: Easy Ones
Los Angeles: Title Contenders
Dallas: Title Contenders
Denver: Title Contenders
Utah: Threats
Phoenix: Threats
Oklahoma City: Threats
San Antonio: Threats
Portland: Easy Ones
The Contenders are those who will be fitting not only for a spot in the NBA Finals but the chance to lift the title. In my opinion, in the Western Conference, obviously the Lakers are one, Dallas and the multi-dimensional/ versatile squad and the Denver Nuggets. In the East, the only team I believe will have a chance of lifting the trophy is the Cavs. The Magic do not have the type of squad like last year, which will be able to defeat the Cavs, the Hawks are yet to reach the NBA Eastern Conference Finals and their inexperience could be costly in big time moments and the Boston Celtics are not the type of team they were back in 2008. Sure enough their experience is immense but will those "old legs" be able to keep up with the Cavs.
The Threats are those teams most likely to make an upset not only in the first round but possibly in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals. In the East, I believe that the Hawks if they finish 4th will be a definite "threat" as long as they take care of business in the 1st round. They have the athleticism and determination to finally bypass the Cavs and reach the Conference Finals. They have had the same coach for the past few seasons and have been eliminated by the "Big Boyz" of the East thus, they're determined and very, very hungry to finally crack the East. The other "Threat" is the Miami Heat because they have a special player who can rise up to the occasion and dominate a game by his versatility, athleticism, leadership and defense. In the West, there is one team that will definitely come to my mind of possibly shaking up the pecking order: San Antonio Spurs. Like Boston, they do have "old legs", RJ has not been the type of player that they had expected him to be, Tony P is injured and Timmy as well as the Argentinian Sensation both have had an inconsistent season and are not the same like they were back in their championship winning seasons. However, they have probably the second best coach currently in the NBA or one could say the best defensive coach in the NBA and on top of that they know how to play "playoff basketball". Their wealth of experience and guidance from one of the best coaches of all time could lead them to possibly winning in the 1st round and possibly doing some heavy damage to whoever they take on in the Western Conference Semi Finals.
Finally, "The Easy Ones" are those who are pretty much there to make up the numbers only to be brushed aside by one of the big boyz of their conference. Toronto, Charlotte and Memphis are the ones I believe would be considered "Easy Ones".
In summary,
Cleveland: Title Contenders
Orlando: Threats
Atlanta: Threats
Boston: Threats
Miami: Threats
Milwaukee: Was a Threat until Bogut got injured and now I would consider them Easy Ones
Charlotte: Easy Ones
Toronto: Easy Ones
Los Angeles: Title Contenders
Dallas: Title Contenders
Denver: Title Contenders
Utah: Threats
Phoenix: Threats
Oklahoma City: Threats
San Antonio: Threats
Portland: Easy Ones
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