Teams to beat this year

[Cleveland wins]

I just saw on espn 2 they had some odds of teams to win it all this coming season and it went as follows:
Miami 2-1
Chicago 5-1
Oklahoma City 5-1
La Lakers 9-2

Dallas? Not on the list, why no love for the Mavericks? Who do you think are the teams to beat this year, and who do you think can contend for an nba title?

[deihatein]

It's ESPN. They are probably the same guys who "predicted" the Mavs will fall to the Blazers in the first round and doesn't stand a chance against the Lakers.

[The X]

They figure since the Mavs are going to lose half of their supporting cast that they won't be able to do it. I think Miami are rightly the favourites. Lakers probably 2nd favourite if they can pick up an amnesty victim. I'd rate Dallas slightly better than Bulls though. Bulls and OKC both have a chance.

[NovU]

I'd say the Mavericks will be fine as long as they re-sign Tyson Chandler. And given that Kidd still plays decent.

As for Barea and Butler, they're expandable. Beaubois perhaps will see more minutes and Butler sucked anyways. Barea was X-factor in a few games during last playoffs. They will just need to find an alternative.

[Andrew]

If the Mavs find a way to bring back most of their roster, they've got to be up there. The Heat are certainly still up there as well. I wouldn't rate the Lakers as the favourites but they're still in the mix, the Bulls and Thunder have an outside shot but I believe both are a few pieces away from really contending; I could see them making the Conference Finals, though.

Beyond those five, the Celtics might still have a shot, especially in a shortened season. I think the Spurs will have a respectable season, have one of the best records in the league but stumble in the Playoffs. The Grizzlies should be a playoff team again but I don't think they get any further than the second round. Orlando's time has probably passed.

[Kenny]

I wouldn't rate the Lakers that highly. Like the Spurs and Celtics, I think they're just holding onto their contender status. I'd rate Miami, Dallas, Chicago and OKC's chances better at this point. I think New York will be the potential bolter this year. Unfortunately, I also think the Super Best Friends are the favourites for this season too.

[Mandich]

The Heat. If Lequer doesn't go air Lebron in the 4th quarter.

[Nick]

It's hard to really say until the offseason starts on Dec 9.

I'd say most of the comments above have pretty much said all that can really be said as of yet though.

Nonetheless, the Heat are the favs in my mind. You'd think the 2011 finals loss will burn in those guys enough to ignite the flame of their dynasty.

[Lamrock]

The offseason will be huge. Right now though, it looks like Miami. They'll probably get half the amnestied players and they very nearly won it last year in their first season together.

The Lakers I see starting out mediocre, but making another big mid-season trade (Dwight?) and winning the West. Dallas's only important free agent is Tyson Chandler, but I'd be surprised to see them catch lightning in a bottle again. Their other guys are replaceable (expecially Caron Butler lol)

I'm just not sold on Chicago. Maybe if acquire a second offensive player... OKC I'm in denial about. Memphis is a potential dark horse if Rudy Gay can become less of a black hole (or if they trade him for a player they can actually use)

[Martti.]

Miami. I hope they'll get Dalembert, maybe some other veteran via amnesty, Baron Davis for example.

[RedPhazon8]

The Bulls season will be heavily influenced by how Carlos Boozer performs, he seemed to be the only one that didn't really carry the weight he was supposed carry last season. Although it would be nice to see Bogans and Korver get more reliable in their own roles (don't think the Bulls will be doing any signing for major players this season), the Bulls need all their pieces to show up to make it far in the playoffs.

[Mavs4Life]

Miami is still the team to beat, even after losing. Them and OKC are top, as well as the Mavs obviously, whether they get Chandler back or not, pray they do, they're the defending champs.

[JBoom_LALALAND]

I still favor the Lakers, if only Pau Gasol plays like a champ. They are unbeatable in that form, puls mettaworldpeace, on the watch, i think just needs to play well, they are definitely on the hunt. The second i think is the Orlando Magic, although eliminated immediately last season, I think they stand a chance... Other are Miami, Dallas,Portland, OKC, Memphis, Bulls, Boston.. maybe..

[The X]

The offseason will be huge. Right now though, it looks like Miami. They'll probably get half the amnestied players and they very nearly won it last year in their first season together.

I'm pretty sure all teams under the cap will get first chance to tender bids for amnesty victims. Only then if they no offers are tendered, that other teams like Heat will get a chance. I think this is great & will stop good players going to contenders. Obviously a player like B-Diddy could still end up in Miami considering everybody thinks he's a cancer, but guys like Roy wouldn't have that much luck.

[shadowgrin]

Miami is still the team to beat, even after losing. Them and OKC are top, as well as the Mavs obviously, whether they get Chandler back or not, pray they do, they're the defending champs.

[Cleveland wins]

Who do you think is going to read to take the next step, which young team; chicago bulls or oklahoma city thunder?

[Andrew]

I'm just not sold on Chicago. Maybe if acquire a second offensive player...

I agree. I think they'll be one of the top teams in the league and have a good shot at reaching the Conference Finals again, but will come up short to a team with a bit more firepower.