Boston performed very well this year, and was a deserving champion.
But what about the runners-up, the Los Angeles Lakers?
The Lakers played outstanding throughout the year, and quietly made one the most powerful trades in history:
To Lakers: Pau Gasol
2nd round pick in 2010
To Grizzlies: Kwame Brown
Javaris Crittenton
Aaron McKie
and 2 first round picks (2008 and 2010)
Furthermore, because of the large shadow the Boston Celtics created, the Lakers also had a great season (57-25).
Now the question is will the Laker be able to make another basketball championship in the era or Kobe Bryant. Kobe is now said to be "past his prime" at the age of thirty. Kobe Bryant may never have the chance to compete for the "Larry O'Brien Trophy".
I also believe that the Boston Celtics will not be able to repeat their championship winning season.
Next Year's final:
Hornets/Nuggets vs. Washington/Cleveland
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3 comments:
I disagree. I believe the Spurs will be in the mix once again and the Pistons will be back. What can I say? I like maintaining the status quo
Nuggets? You mean Nuggets in the western conference final? Not a chance.
They are in desperate need of a quality Point Guard, Anthony Carter will not cut it for them and if it's going to be Atkins starting at PG it won't be good enough either.
The team does not play any defense, and the health of Camby is always a concern, I see another first round exit for them.
Hornets, Chris Paul single handedly took them to 2nd place in the western conference and a 2nd round playoff birth. Yes a great player can single handedly take a team all the way to finals, but chances of them actually winning it all riding on one player's shoulder probably has never happened before (i.e. Lebron James)
The Hornets need a much better bench, and they are one or two star talent players away from being called true contenders. I say in terms of positional need that they are going to need a quality starting SG, because Mo Pete is not cutting it.
My western conference final prediction is going to be Lakers vs Hornets.
As for your eastern final prediction. Lebron... I mean the Cavs could probably make it to the Eastern final if they avoid the powerhouse teams like The Celtics... and the Celtics. The eastern conference I still consider very weak compared to the west and a top player like Lebron can single handedly take his team to the Eastern Final at least.
The Wizards, ok I admit they have the worst luck out of any of the teams in the east. They have at least had one of their stars hurt when going into the playoffs (Arenas and Butler in the 2006-2007 playoffs and Arenas for pretty much all of 2008) However I still don't see them beating the Cavs, Pistons, Orlando or the Celtics.
Washington will not be as strong next year. Jamison may be leaving, and that just means more chucking for Gilbert Arenas. The Nuggets are nowhere close to contending at the moment, they really are a mess. Don't be surprised to hear about George Karl going to the hospital for alcohol poisoning.
The Lakers are the favourites at the moment for next season. With Bynum returning, Kobe still unquestionably at his prime, Gasol and Fisher still in the mix, there really isn't anybody stronger than them. Of course, in the wild, wild West, you can never count out Phoenix, San Antonio or Utah, and next year should be just as exciting a season as this season out west as at least 9 teams look poised to win 50 or more games again.
The East is a different mess. Detroit, Cleveland and Boston are still the favourites with young teams Orlando, Toronto and Philadelphia ready to dethrone them. It should take another year before any team makes it to the finals past Detroit, Cleveland and Boston.
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