Take, for instance, the predictability factor. I know hindsight is 20/20, but a lot of people saw a Spurs-Heat collision course, and that's exactly what we got. This year, the jury is still out, and I see a handful of teams with a reasonable chance to hoist the Larry O'Brien Trophy and etch their name in basketball immortality.
Here is a breakdown of story lines and contenders:
The Top Seeds
Who would have thought Golden State and Atlanta would be the top seeds? How about that for unpredictability?
Let's start with the team that is so easy to root for. Golden State went from a 51-win six seed to a 67-win juggernaut, topping the entire league. And, they did so through a coaching change. Seriously, who does that? But, while Steve Kerr has been just what the doctor ordered, credit must be given to his two top assistants, Alvin Gentry and Ron Adams. They are the unsung heroes of the staff, and maybe, the team.
That said, many of the players could also make the same claim. The Warriors are truly one of the deepest and most talented young teams I've seen in some time. They're led by the "splash brothers" duo of Curry and Thompson. Heck, remember in the offseason when some NBA fans thought they should deal Thompson for Kevin Love in a multi-player deal. I admit, I was one of them! But, boy was I wrong, as evidenced by Thompson's record-breaking 37-point quarter earlier this season, and his 26-point performance last night. Then, there's Draymond Green, who took over David Lee's starting spot due to injury, and hasn't looked back. Almost matching Green's versatility is big man Andrew Bogut, one of the best passing and defending big men in the game. Throw in a bench full of speed, shotmaking and size, and it's no wonder they are a fan favorite.
Then, there's Atlanta, who went from an under .500 8-seed a year ago to a 60-win one seed in the East. You may still not know the name of their coach, but you should. Mike Budenholzer just won coach of the year, and rightfully so. He served 17 years under the brilliant basketball mind of Gregg Popovich, and it seems to have paid off. Much like the Pacers of last season, the Hawks are a blue collar team that exceeds their talent through hard work and unselfishness. Time will tell if veteran big men Millsap and Horford can anchor them to the promised land, but it's definitely an intriguing story line.
The Spurs: Dynasty or Debilitation?
As the Spurs embark on their title defense and go for their first back-to-back championships in the Duncan era, the question keeps coming up as to when this team will be over the hill. While Duncan and Ginobili don't have many years left, it's been the disappearance of Parker's game that has held this team back. If they are going to keep the dynasty talk rolling, he will have to find his elite form, and find it fast! Or else their chase for a championship banner may be replaced with a retirement banner for Duncan.
Can CP3 Finally Do It?
There is no doubt that Chris Paul has been one of the elite points guards in the league for some time. But, his legacy remains empty without a championship ring. And, while the task is daunting in the West, if Paul and co. can beat the Spurs, they just may have the battle wounds needed to navigate through the conference and into the record books.
Can the Grizz Actually Win It All?
That's a good question! This team looked like an early co-favorite with Golden State to win the West. Since, they've taken a nosedive from the 2 seed to the 5. Yet, they still have the bigs and the defense to make a run. They also have their most offensive firepower since Rudy Gay left. It would be a remarkable feat for arguably the most blue collar team in basketball.
Can LeBron Bring It Home?
For some reason, there hasn't been too much hype lately surrounding LeBron bringing title to the desperate Ohio faithful. But, I have a feeling that if they make the finals, it will be all we hear about. They are definitely the favorite in the east, and it's a story line that will never get old.
Can the Bulls Finally Win One Without MJ?
As the greatness of MJ and all the rings keeps fading away, Bulls fans are left to wonder if they'll ever win it all again. Well, this just might be their best team since MJ's glory days. The addition of Pau Gasol, the meteoric rise of Jimmy Butler and the return of Derrick Rose has Chicago buzzing again. Can they pull it off? Time will tell, but to me, they're the only ones that can stop LeBron from reaching his 5th straight finals.
Wrap-Up
So, this first round may not be as scintillating as we had hoped, but the story lines are still out there. I expect to see some classic games next round, and as the playoffs move on. Enjoy the hoops folks!
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