Dan the Man?s Elite Eight in the NBA
By Dan the Man Leach
Host of the Sports Edge Radio Show
With the All Star break just around the corner, NBA teams are solidifying themselves as contenders and pretenders. Each week I will break down the teams that I feel are the ones that will be playing for the NBA title this summer. All I can say right now is that there is only one team that really seems like there is no stopping them. I wonder what team that could be..............
1-DETROIT PISTONS-With four of their starting five in the All Star Game and the best record in the NBA, The Stones are head and shoulders above everyone else in the league. They might have the best starting five in the modern NBA. 42-9 mark at the break is absurd.
2-DALLAS MAVERICKS- The 13 game win streak was huge for Dallas, but the question will always remain till they prove differently....Can they get it done in the playoffs? The Mavs cruise into the All-Star break looking like the best in the west.
3-SAN ANTONIO SPURS-Last years champs have been up and down all season, but have the roster that could challenge for the title. More consistent play from the Spurs bench will be key if they want to repeat this year. Tough OT loss at Philly couldn?t have come at a worse time leading into the break.
4-PHOENIX SUNS-Who thought the Suns, would be this good with out Amare Stoudamire? They sure did and when he comes back if the chemistry doesn?t take a hit, The Suns could be back in the NBA Finals for the first time in over 14 years. The crushing win over Houston going into the break was huge for the Suns.
5-CLEVELAND CAVALIERS-One word.....LeBron. But will that be enough come playoff time. The Cavs have great pieces, but the question will be can they rise up in the postseason.
6-LA CLIPPERS- The Clipjoint is actually for real and with a roster loaded with young and talent stars, this team could give anyone in the NBA trouble in a seven game series if they get hot. This team gets much better with the Radmonovich trade and looks to have a huge second half.
7-NEW JERSEY NETS-Vin-Sanity has been huge for the nets, but the key will be Jason Kidd as it always has been. The Nets have flamed out towards the postseason in recent years so that will be a huge factor as well.
8-MIAMI HEAT- I just don?t believe in this team at all, but any team with Shaq ands Dwayne Wade is going to have a shot to do some damage. The big question is whether Pat Riley will be able to keep it all together if the Heat keeps getting blown out like they did against the Mavs last week.
Click here to view the latest NBA Betting Odds at http://www.wagerwenb.com
By Dan the Man Leach
Host of the Sports Edge Radio Show
With the All Star break just around the corner, NBA teams are solidifying themselves as contenders and pretenders. Each week I will break down the teams that I feel are the ones that will be playing for the NBA title this summer. All I can say right now is that there is only one team that really seems like there is no stopping them. I wonder what team that could be..............
1-DETROIT PISTONS-With four of their starting five in the All Star Game and the best record in the NBA, The Stones are head and shoulders above everyone else in the league. They might have the best starting five in the modern NBA. 42-9 mark at the break is absurd.
2-DALLAS MAVERICKS- The 13 game win streak was huge for Dallas, but the question will always remain till they prove differently....Can they get it done in the playoffs? The Mavs cruise into the All-Star break looking like the best in the west.
3-SAN ANTONIO SPURS-Last years champs have been up and down all season, but have the roster that could challenge for the title. More consistent play from the Spurs bench will be key if they want to repeat this year. Tough OT loss at Philly couldn?t have come at a worse time leading into the break.
4-PHOENIX SUNS-Who thought the Suns, would be this good with out Amare Stoudamire? They sure did and when he comes back if the chemistry doesn?t take a hit, The Suns could be back in the NBA Finals for the first time in over 14 years. The crushing win over Houston going into the break was huge for the Suns.
5-CLEVELAND CAVALIERS-One word.....LeBron. But will that be enough come playoff time. The Cavs have great pieces, but the question will be can they rise up in the postseason.
6-LA CLIPPERS- The Clipjoint is actually for real and with a roster loaded with young and talent stars, this team could give anyone in the NBA trouble in a seven game series if they get hot. This team gets much better with the Radmonovich trade and looks to have a huge second half.
7-NEW JERSEY NETS-Vin-Sanity has been huge for the nets, but the key will be Jason Kidd as it always has been. The Nets have flamed out towards the postseason in recent years so that will be a huge factor as well.
8-MIAMI HEAT- I just don?t believe in this team at all, but any team with Shaq ands Dwayne Wade is going to have a shot to do some damage. The big question is whether Pat Riley will be able to keep it all together if the Heat keeps getting blown out like they did against the Mavs last week.
Click here to view the latest NBA Betting Odds at http://www.wagerwenb.com
