NBA Power Rankings – Ranking the top ten teams for the next NBA season (Part 4)
4. San Antonio Spurs
No matter what, you just cannot rule out the San Antonio Spurs from the title race. This was the team to beat late last season and in the playoffs, until Oklahoma City Thunder pulled off a turnaround of historic proportions to
enter the NBA Finals.
Yes they might be old now, but they are still the best coached side in the NBA, and the way they play truly justifies every sense of the word ‘team’. Plus they have a reserve unit that can pretty much form a separate team and can
go onto beat some of the strongest teams in the league.
The Spurs excelled last season despite off the transition phase which has seen Tony Parker take over the reins from Tim Duncan. Parker was exceptional last season and finished it at the number 5th spot in the MVP ladder.
Duncan was not far behind either, and was a consistent double-double threat when the season got to its business end. Manu Ginobili was the only one who struggled to stay consistent. The Argentinean sniper however has still a lot left in him, and if he stays
fit, rest assured the Spurs are coming again.
3. Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers might have made all the headlines this off season, but even with their star acquisitions, they are still not the team to beat in the league. According to us, they are not even the second best.
Los Angeles Lakers got their hands on Steve Nash to kick off the summer and then in what was a surprise trade they got an upgrade for Andrew Bynum in the form of Dwight Howard, the best centre in NBA by far.
The quadruple of Kobe Bryant, Nash, Howard and Pau Gasol looks intimidating on paper, but this combo is old, and as indicated by the pre season games results, it does not possess the level of chemistry required to win games on
a consistent basis. That chemistry will develop with time, no doubt, but what cannot is the athleticism, a trait in which their rivals Miami Heat and Oklahoma City Thunder have a major advantage.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not represent Bettor.com’s editorial policy.
Tags: