How the 2011-2012 playoffs’ picture will be different from the last NBA season? (Part-3)
Los Angeles Lakers:
The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the most competitive teams in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and has always impressed with its tremendous consistence performance. Last season, they were in great form when they qualified
for the playoffs. Though, the Lakers started very well in the post season, but could not do well in the later stages of the competition. The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Lakers in style and eventually proved their valour in the NBA finals against the favourites
Miami Heat.
Qualifying for the conference semi-finals was no doubt a great achievement for the Los Angeles Lakers but the Lakers’ legendry head coach Phil Jackson would have more pleased if his team had played in the finals. Last season was
his last season as head coach of the Lakers.
Despite the poor performance in the last season’s playoffs, the Lakers are still out of danger from to not to enter in the post season next year. Kobe Bryant along with Lamar Odom, Andrew Bynum, and Pau Gasol has still enough fire
power to lead the Lakers in the playoffs.
San Antonio Spurs:
The San Antonio Spurs were the leading team in 2010-2011 regular NBA season but could not impress much in the playoffs. They were defeated by the Memphis Grizzlies in the very first round that left them with nothing but humiliation.
Despite the defeat from the Grizzlies, the Spurs played the regular season with huge energy. They won total 61 and only lost 21 games in the regular season and finished as Western Conference leaders. Last season, the Spurs roster
had also a great run and proved wonderful for their team.
The Spurs’ two veterans, Tony Parker and Richard Jefferson along with Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili played consistently throughout the competition and eventually helped the Spurs to reach the playoffs. Suddenly, the Spurs’ entire
roster lost the valour in the post season and defeated by the Memphis Grizzlies.
However, the Spurs were beaten by the Grizzlies in the post season last year, but now its entire roster is trying its best in this offseason to compete in the next season with full thrust.
Denver Nuggets:
Losing Carmelo Anthony was the biggest setback for the Denver Nuggets in 2011. He was traded to the New York Knicks and the Nuggets potential chances of progressing into the post season remained limited. Though, the rest of the
Nuggets roster did well in the last season’s competition but they felt the absence of Carmelo Anthony in the later stages of the season where they could not perform well.
Apart from Anthony, Ty Lawson, Wilson Chandler and J.R. Smith was there to play hard for their team, but eventually could not sustain long in the post season.
The Nuggets are also facing some great problems in this offseason as their several potential players have become free agents and planning to leave their current team. The Nuggets’ management is also trying hard to give these players
another contract to retain them for future seasons.
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