Early Favorite for Next Season (2012-2013)?
By thrwbckjay67
@thrwbckjay67 (2870)
United States
June 23, 2012 7:02pm CST
With the end of the current season upon us and the Miami Heat on top of the NBA as the champions for the lockout-shortened 2011-2012 season, it is not too early to think about next season, is it?
Without seeing what may come in free agency, the draft, and other improvements, can we here at myLot come up with a list of early (stress: VERY EARLY) list of contenders for the NBA title next year? Can the Miami Heat repeat? Will the Oklahoma City Thunder return to the Finals and finish the job? Will another upstart team like the Los Angeles Clippers or the Chicago Bulls throw their names into the fray? Can veteran teams like the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, or the San Antonio Spurs return to their glory as champions? Will someone surprise the league and come out of nowhere?
I gotta say that I think that LeBron James and the Miami Heat have to be among the favorites. This team will see little change to their rotation (save for maybe Mike Miller retiring), so this team could repeat. LeBron and Co. will not have nearly as much pressure to win and they still have 3 of the top 20 players in the NBA with James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh. Mario Chalmers is maturing into a solid PG, Norris Cole and Udonis Haslem are solid off the bench, and Shane Battier is a great roleplayer to have.
OKC is also going to be there; they are too young and too good not to be among the favorites as well. The Lakers, if they can improve in some key spots (consistency at SF and PG) can get back into the mix, too.
What do yo think?
8 responses
@clearwater18 (695)
• Philippines
26 Jun 12
I'm excited for the next season. I can't wait. My bet of course will still be with the Heat. I feel that if they just continue to do what they did in the Finals then surely they'll win another championship next year. A list of contenders? If D. Rose could make it to the Finals without injury then maybe the Bulls would have a chance. The players in OKC are really good so maybe they'll also make it. The Lakers, yeah, they could also win if they would just show some consistency. But the team that I really want to win next year is still the Heat.
1 person likes this
@JakeFinn (21)
• Philippines
23 Aug 12
It's going to be the Lakers with the best record in the NBA and the Orlando Magic with the worst. The Brooklyn Nets will have the most improvement from the previous season, with the Washinton Wizards not far behind.
I'd like to see a Jeremy Lin led Houston Rockets make the playoff. Anthony Davis will be ROY with the Hornets making the playoffs. The Knicks will be a disappointment together with the Kings and the Clippers.
But in the end, I vote for Miami to repeat, just because.
@zoean_arch_27 (297)
• Philippines
13 Jul 12
After Ray Alen and Rashard Lewis joined to depending champion miami heat this season I am thinking that Miami heat are more confident to depend as a depending champion. This too guy are still in their good looks as a veterans, and hungry for another ring like the big three Lebron James, Dwane Wade and Cris Bosh.
@sinnedsejatnom (1311)
• Philippines
12 Jul 12
The team to beat going next season is still the defending champ, Miami Heat. But top contenders are Bulls, Lakers and OKC. The Lakers will have greater chance in getting to the finals if they keep Gasol. Nash is very effective in pick and roll plays and only Gasol is the best option for this since he knows European plays very well. Bryant wants Iso plays and Bynum does not know how to roll. SAS can be a contender but they are silent on the pre-season trades that is going on. If they keep their rooster intact, I don't think they can OKC.
@realbusinesswithyou (226)
• Philippines
14 Jul 12
I'll bet my last dollar on the Heat. but other teams are improving too so it really is hard to call which team will be it. Lakers add nash which is still a tier-1 Pg in the NBA, and if they can nab dwight, they will become an instant powerhouse. The only concern that I have with the Heat is Wade's health. if Wade can become the vintage Flash and regain the explosiveness, then the Heat are my favorites.
@Beaver114 (73)
• Philippines
13 Jul 12
I believe it all depends where Dwight Howard end up with. If the Lakers then it is all but settled but if He remains in Orlando or goes to a team not as deep or talented like the Lakers then It would would either be Miami or La Lakers with OKC not far behind.
@Gesusdid (1676)
• United States
11 Jul 12
I think OKC will get it , ill be rooting for them this upcoming season , im glad they didnt change up their roster like majority of the NBA lol like jezz Nash , Camby , and all this Howard talk isnt that serious lol , The Lakers idk what to say about them in a positive way , Thats Kobes team and if Kobe doesnt win then the roster gets seriously changed , im hoping he boots Paul because hes really been half ( u know what i mean ) 'n these past 2 season acting as if hes affriad to get some elbows in the lane? ! That Franchise has fallen rapidly and if they cant make any good changes by this season its a WRAP.
@Beaver114 (73)
• Philippines
11 Jul 12
This early, In the East, It has to be the defending champions. They added perimeter scoring in Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis. The only lost would be Mike Miller, who was reportedly retiring. ( not confirmed ) An intact team with Lebron, Wade and a healthy Bosh plus Shane and Chalmers plus the two additional former all stars makes the Heat a formidable and are predicted to win it all again. In the West, The Lakers with Nash would be the hands on favorites to contend for the championship. Close behind them is the Thunder. The 2012-13 season is still 3 months away and anything can still happen. A big trade could shift the balance of power again. Right Mr. Howard?
