NBA Special Report: Preview of the teams and some unanswered questions in the 2010-11 season (Part 3)
One of the most important and interesting questions that have been raised is that Oklahoma City Thunder are now an elite team in the Western Conference or not? The Thunders have one of the best youth in the league, coupled with this is a fantastic coach and arguably the best staff around.
Oklahoma also has one of the MVP candidates in the squad that shows the level of diversity, depth and talent. All this leads to the fact that the Thunders without a doubt have the brightest future in the league. The question that has been raised is that whether or not they have reached the place as yet?
Experts say that in the Western Conference, the Los Angeles Lakers are the most dominating unit without a doubt. Along with this is the fact that the Spurs have fallen behind in the race for the title with their aging squad while the Suns totally depending on Steve Nash don’t look in a good shape either. The Rockets are one team that doesn’t face the aging problem but there are too many questions about the Rockets future performances that would be depending on the 300 pound centre.
The Thunders are a top four team only if they can manage to win and be an undefeated side when it comes to the home court matches. Westbrook is another player in the Thunders squad who is very talented and according to many developing into the best point guards of the league as is the very talented captain of the USA team, Kevin Durant.
Many think that the Thunders overachieved after managing to qualify for the playoffs last season. They are one of the top teams in the league with the young and talented squad that they have. It is said that if the Thunders can manage a good home record and avoid the Lakers in the first round then they are well in for a shot at the Conference Finals appearance.
Another one of the interesting stories or questions that have been raised are that can the Washington Wizards have a good comeback season? .On this, experts say that it is quite possible looking at the fact that this year’s No.1 draft pick Manning is returning. Coupled with this is the other fact that players like John Wall and Arenas are both healthy and fit forming one of the best backcourts in the NBA. As history has shown, it should be a success season as previously injured players returning for the Wizards have resulted in relative success.
Last season saw Arenas being suspended for the remainder of the 2009-10 season and that meant that they were on a descend road from that moment onwards. This was not helped by the fact that the ageing squad of the Wizards’ office was also under fire. The Arenas act resulted in many low profile players in the Wizards squad being traded away to other teams. But the draft pick that the Wizards came up with not only left many teams shocked but also urged and assured the fact the Wall would not be going anywhere for the 2010-11 season.
The question that arises now is that can the two ball hungry players play together and most probably parallel to each other? Although history is against this fact but the Wizards are confident that both players would work out and come up with a plan that would allow them to be involved in the play. Both the players are gifted passers and with the combination of Wall, Arenas and the newly acquired Kirk Hinrich, experts say that this season might be a high one for the Washington Wizards.
Tags: