Who can challenge Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Los Angeles Lakers in playoffs?

December 22 08

Each week HoopsVibe drops a basketball related list for fans to weigh-in on. We call it ‘Listed’ …

There are three. Then there is everybody else.

Right now, the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Los Angeles Lakers are the class of the NBA.

The green-and-white has an eighteen game winning streak and 26-2 record. Sticking with the Eastern Conference, the franchise formerly known as Jordan-over-Ehlo sits at an equally impressive 23-4. And Hollywood, after back-to-back losses, has dropped to a ‘disappointing’ 21-5 mark.

Here is the question: can any team challenge Boston, Cleveland, and Los Angeles in a seven game playoff series?

In this edition of ‘Listed’, HoopsVibe The Blog lists five, best-of-the rest teams, who, under the right circumstances, could push the Celtics, Cavaliers, and Lakers in the Eastern and Western Conference playoffs respectively. As always, read the post, form an opinion, and get at us with thoughts.

Atlanta …

Some things never change. For example, Atlanta still plays before a deathly, quiet crowd. And the Josh Childress fiasco showed ownership/management is as dysfunctional as ever.

At least, the NBA’s version of Siberia has changed on court. After years of losing, the Hawks are good. Real good. Joe Johnson is a legit superstar, capable of scoring and defending. Al Horford, Josh Smith, and Marvin Williams form a young, ultra-athletic frontcourt. New comers Mo Evans and Flip Murray have strengthened a once shaky bench.

A rejuvenated Mike Bibby is the key. Remember, the veteran point guard was the go-to-guy for some terrifically entertaining Sacramento sides. And his stroke off pick-and-rolls and back cuts can’t be stopped.

Last year Atlanta pushed Boston to seven games in the opening round of the playoffs. Not short on confidence, this emerging group likes their chances in a rematch against the Celtics.

New Orleans …

After an up-and-down November, the Hornets have their buzz back and boast an imposing 16-7 record. Best of all, they overcame early season adversity playing through injuries to starters Peja Stojakovic and Tyson Chandler.

Two additions make New Orleans scary. Of course, there is the big-ticket free agent in James Posey. ’Pose’ is a prime-time player, the second coming of Robert Horry. Don’t sleep on the recent acquisition of Antonio Daniels, either. The veteran has a championship from his run in San Antonio and valuable post-season experience with Seattle and Washington.

Oh yeah, there is also some guy called Chris Paul and his partner in crime on the low block David West.

Orlando …

Dwight Howard can physically dominate a playoff round. Orlando can’t beat a top team like Boston or Cleveland, but it’s a good idea to avoid a seven-footer who, when hot, can easily average 35 points and 20 rebounds in a series.

San Antonio …

No team wants ‘The Big Three’ come playoff time. Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker have shown they are still dangerous by jumping out to a 16-10 record.

San Antonio’s secret: airtight defence. Gregg Popovich’s crew gets stops, which means they can win road playoff games and steal home court advantage. The Spurs, if they upgrade their complementary pieces, can absolutely contend in the formidable Western Conference.

Utah …

The Jazz, at 17-12, is having another solid season. In a short series, they compete against most NBA teams.

Utah’s greatest strength is discipline. Their half court sets are a thing of beauty; players use screens perfectly, cut into open space, and share the ball unselfishly. On defense, they compete and bang each night.

Don’t forget they have a top coach, deep bench, and two Olympians in Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer.

Can any team challenge Boston, Cleveland, and Los Angeles come playoff time? Let us know in the comment box below and come back to HoopsVibe the blog for more NBA tidbits. Photo courtesy of j visser.

12 Comments: Who can challenge Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Los (...)

Posted by
Jack
on 12.29.2008

Oly, I think Denver may be more deserving of contention than Utah and maybe even San Antonio. They are loving the Billups-Iverson trade, and their frontcourt has been healthier than expected, and is producing. Not to mention the completely new defensive mindset we are seeing. .

Posted by
The Truth
on 12.26.2008

Apparently the Warriors can handle the Celtics. I don’t want to hear anything else about Rondo being an all-star, how can you be an all star PG and shoot 60% from the line. KG, I don’t want to hear anything else period, you lost to the damn Warriors and stop showing no cla-------on the court by getting on your knees in front of a rookie who never plays in garbage time, talking trash to garbage players, and the rest of your nonsense. One last thing, KG, start lifting some damn weights you are too skinny, Turiaf owned, abused, and moved you out of the paint whenever he wanted tonight. Cavs will beat the Celtics in the East finals in 6 .

Posted by
dandunk
on 12.25.2008

i think that if the finals are boston lakers the celtics would win again but maybe in 7 games, but really i think the cavs will win it all this year . they are playing very well they have good out side threats in gibson west and of course mo williams, they also have ilgauskas who is still a pretty good center and good hustle players like varejao and wallace and of course lebron who is even more of a beast in playoffs than usual,this year he is playing better than ever and sometimes he evens sits out in the 4th quarter. I think they will be able to beat the celtics in a seven games series. how far do you predict them to go? .

Posted by
andy
on 12.24.2008

I’m a Cavs fan, and am loving this season, but I think this "big three" talk has become overblown. Because now that the Lakers have lost five, their record is only marginally better than Orlando’s. And other than the utterly ridiculous (and infuriating) streak that the Celtics are running, the Magic have, at five games, a longer streak going than any team in the NBA including Cleveland. And of course, Dwight Howard is an absolute beast. So I think you have to start calling it the "big four" at this point in the season. .

Posted by
O.Sandor
on 12.23.2008

Hi there, thanks for re-responding Detroit fan. No need to apologize on your past post. As for my essay, I was responding to three comments … I agree. If Stuckey is the untouchable and future franchise face, why not start him and give him huge minutes! Iverson isn’t coming back, so get him to buy-in as a sixth man. In fact, I have written in the past on how he’d be perfect as a super-sub. It would be interesting to see if the Piston try moving AI at the deadline after the sixty-day window is up, a possibility, indeed. One last thought: why isn’t Amir Johnson getting more of a run. Recently, he has been DNP-CD. He is raw, but athletic. I don’t get a chance to see too many Piston games, so if you know then get at me with thoughts. Thanks for your commenting, sorry for writing another essay! .

Posted by

on 12.23.2008

sorry bout the last post i wrote it before looking at your essay right underneath.no detroit did not throw in the towel whatsoever. stuckey is essentially as useful, if not more so, than billups was. he is billups without the "me first" that spoiled us countless times (although it has saved us also on occasion). therefore with stuckey at the 1, and iverson as 6th man, we could be very good. too bad no one (coach curry) has enough balls to take this hall of famer and sit his a-------on the bench so we can build up a rhythm, then bring him in and feed on that rhythm and dominate. remember, detroit started 2004 16-13, and we all know what happened when we controversially brought in that one great player... remember where u heard this first .

Posted by
O.Sandor
on 12.22.2008

Hi there, Thanks for reading and commenting ... The Rockets (France) are not on my list because the McGrady-Yao combo haven’t won anything come playoff time. This could be the year, however, with Artest ... time will tell. As for Kenny, thanks for responding. The Suns could come together. There is time, I guess However, I am not feeling this bunch. They are old, Their are rumours of frustration with Terry Porter’s style and approach. Personally, I would love to see it work and on-paper the pieces are there, but something seems to be missing. As for another poster ... The Pistons aren’t here because they have no identity after the Iverson-Billups trade ... in fact, they are worse off with Iverson. Check their record And I support The Answer. Yesterday, I watched Bibby school Iverson from the three-point line. The Answer is very much clashing with new coach Mike Curry. In fact, Curry called him out after yesterday’s loss to the Hawks. Finally, how can I put the Pistons on this list to contend and challenge Boston and Cleveland when their GM Joe Dumars essentially threw in the towel with the Iverson trade? Dumars by moving Billups is eyeing the 2010 free agent cla-------as his chance to rebuild. He didn’t believe in his bunch, so why should others? .

Posted by
kenny
on 12.22.2008

I do agree with you oly that they are still trying to find there identity but I dont think nash is to upset with how the J-rich trade is turning out they are 3-1 so far with him. you could even go as far as saying the suns finally have a legit fab four. and yea i do agree it will take some time for them to be a challenge for the leagues best and there not even to the half season mark yet so there is still time to get it together. .

Posted by

on 12.22.2008

the winner of cleveland vs. boston will be the real champ. LA’s defense is suspect. .

Posted by
France(Philippines)
on 12.22.2008

Why are the rockets not included in your list? .

Posted by
O.Sandor
on 12.22.2008

Hi Kenny, thanks for reading and commenting. I do not see the Suns as a threat because they are a team without an identity and in transition with some controversy. They do not seem to know how to balance being a running team or pounding the ball inside. Also, several players, Nash included, seem unhappy. There is still time for them to get it together. However, right now, the Spurs, the Jazz, and the Hornets are in a better position than the Suns to challenge the league best. Thanks for your time. Get at me with thoughts on this ... Thank you .

Posted by
kenny
on 12.22.2008

Oly why didnt you mention the sun’s in your article? I belive the suns have way more offencive fire power then most of the teams you metioned the only team I think they would have trouble with is the celtics but then again I dont think they have a player to d-up shaq or amare. kg would take on of them but who would take the other......perkins????? great article though .

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	About Oly Sandor
Daily take on NBA Oly Sandor is an NBA analyst and sports journalist based out of Vancouver, Canada.After years of the free-lance game, Oly Sandor is bringing his unique brand of NBA analysis exclusively to (...) More