Dan The Man?s Elite Eight in the NBA
By Dan the Man Leach
Host of ?The Sports Edge? Radio Show
The All Star break has come and gone and now 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. 44-9 record is absurd and the Pistons looked prime for another long win streak.
2-DALLAS MAVERICKS - Mavs have hit the ground running after the All Star break and want to get that number one overall seed in the West. Look for the Mavs to go on another long win streak as well and while they try to show the NBA who is best in the West.
3-SAN ANTONIO SPURS - Last year?s 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.
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.
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. Cavs have looked solid after the All Star break and want to make sure they are the 4 seed in the East at the least heading into the postseason.
6-LA CLIPPERS- The Clip joint is actually for real and with a roster loaded with young and talented 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. Crushing win over the Knicks shows that the Nets are the kings of New Jersey and New York.
8-MIAMI HEAT - I just don?t believe in this team at all, but any team with Shaq and Dwayne Wade is going to have a shot to do some damage. * Wade is going to have to keep stepping up if the Heat are going to stay atop their division and lock up the number two seed in the East.
Click here to view the latest NBA Betting odds at http://www.wagerweb.com
By Dan the Man Leach
Host of ?The Sports Edge? Radio Show
The All Star break has come and gone and now 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. 44-9 record is absurd and the Pistons looked prime for another long win streak.
2-DALLAS MAVERICKS - Mavs have hit the ground running after the All Star break and want to get that number one overall seed in the West. Look for the Mavs to go on another long win streak as well and while they try to show the NBA who is best in the West.
3-SAN ANTONIO SPURS - Last year?s 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.
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.
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. Cavs have looked solid after the All Star break and want to make sure they are the 4 seed in the East at the least heading into the postseason.
6-LA CLIPPERS- The Clip joint is actually for real and with a roster loaded with young and talented 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. Crushing win over the Knicks shows that the Nets are the kings of New Jersey and New York.
8-MIAMI HEAT - I just don?t believe in this team at all, but any team with Shaq and Dwayne Wade is going to have a shot to do some damage. * Wade is going to have to keep stepping up if the Heat are going to stay atop their division and lock up the number two seed in the East.
Click here to view the latest NBA Betting odds at http://www.wagerweb.com
