Top 5 Seeds in Western Conference for 2012-2013 NBA Season (Part 1) – NBA Feature
With the NBA season is about to commence, anticipation is high and fans are already geared up for what promises to be an exhilarating ride for the next 8 months. The 2011-12 season was shortened by the lockout, and instead of the regular 82 games, teams played 66 games each. Although the past season was sensational in its own regard, fans and players both are looking forward to playing a full season, which will be a test of the mettle and strength of every team.
As the season approaches, conversations about the top seeds for next season are also heating up, with everyone picking their favourites. The Western Conference particularly, is looking extremely tough and competitive, with a number of teams making big moves during the offseason to become playoff contenders instantaneously.
Below is a look at the top five teams that are expected to take the 1 to 5 seeding in the Western Conference next season.
Los Angeles Lakers: Seeded 1
Throughout the offseason, the Los Angeles Lakers have remained the most talked about team in the NBA. And to be honest, one can understand what the hype is all about. The Lakers had a mixed season last year, making it to the NBA playoffs rather easily, but then being tested by the Denver Nuggets in the first round, where they were pushed to 7 games. The Lakers big men Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum struggled in that series, and without an experienced point guard, Kobe Bryant just had too much to do by himself.
The next round saw the Lakers go against the Oklahoma City Thunder, and the Thunder finished the series in 5 games. After that loss, a number of questions were raised about the Lakers line-up, and whether they were good enough to compete against the upcoming talent. But what has made the Lakers a dynasty over the past two and a half decades in the NBA is the fact that their front office is extremely aggressive, and knows how to get the job done in the offseason.
And this summer, the Lakers front office outdid themselves and everybody else. They first traded with the Phoenix Suns for iconic point guard Steve Nash, and then made the blockbuster four team trade that they were working on for months, signing All Star centre and three time defensive player of the year Dwight Howard to the line-up, while sending Andrew Bynum to the Philadelphia 76ers. Acquiring Howard was a feat in itself, but having to only give up Andrew Bynum was a stroke of genius. So the Lakers essentially upgraded Andrew Bynum with Dwight Howard and gave nothing else away.
The offseason acquisitions have made the Lakers the most talked about franchise, and Miami would be breathing a sigh of relief. All the pressure that the Heat had to absorb the past two seasons, the Lakers will be facing this season. But at the same time, they have one of the best starting rosters of any team in recent time. Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard will form the core, with Metta World Peace performing defensive duties.
The Lakers now have a quality point guard in Nash, a quality scorer who does not need to set up plays anymore and can concentrate on finding easy looks, a dominant centre who can eat away rebounds all day as well as score, and one of the best forwards in the game.
It is difficult to argue why the Lakers are the top seed for the next season out of the Western Conference. However, with a team filled with stars who are used to running the show, Head Coach Mike Brown will have his hands full this season, and the Lakers will need to emphasize team work and adjust to their new role quickly if they want to defeat the more generic teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs.
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