Super... What!?!

First off I need to apologize for my lack of posts on the blog. I recently traveled back to college and have definitely been slacking in my first few days back. But who cares, I'm gonna put some work in finally! During my slouching J.J. has hit up the Super Bowl and the Arizona Cardinals so I'm going to try and stick to some good ol' NBA analysis. (Mr. Cheapshot Hines Ward will play in the Super Bowl... That means look out Cardinals, just ask Keith Rivers).

 

Is it just me or is the top of the Eastern Conference looking a little crowded this year? The Celtics are being matched and in some places outperformed by the Cavs and Magic). Even I have to admit that Cleveland (regardless of the last couple losses) are really looking like the team to beat. I'm not a huge LeBron fan but with him finally realizing that he has a good cast of players around him that know how to play defense and more importantly, make shots when he gets trapped. After the moves last season, the Cavs look like they could have a top tier team for years to come as long as LeBron stays(more on that in a bit) and they find the eventual replacement to aging Ilgauskas.

 

But mainstay Boston is still tough with their veteran cast and the Magic are looking scary as well. The Celtics had an awful four game losing streak but they've recovered with five straight wins. The old three looked a little outmatched in their losing streak but everyone know they will turn it on when it matters. The Fantastic Four (Rondo, Allen, Pierce, Garnett) have the experience and winning last year definitely gives them the much needed past that teams have to draw upon when it comes playoff time. I think the loss of Posey may end up being their achilles heel if it comes down to a showdown with LeBron (38 pts in their last match).

 

The dark horse of the group, Orlando, is shaping up to be a huge force. The inside game of Howard mixed with all of the outside shooters throughout the roster (leading the league in 3 ptrs and setting the single game record this season for 3 ptrs made) could be nasty during the playoffs. Four out of the five starters are averaging between 17 and 20 points per game. Numbers like that make matchup problems and make it almost impossible to gameplan against one individual player.

 

Now I know I'm jumping the gun but ESPN and every other sports media outlet keeps letting us all know about what may happen if(and when) LeBron leaves Cleveland for Brooklyn... I mean New York. When the free agency hoopla finally begins in the summer of  2010, LeBron will be eyeing the Big Apple but my bet is with New Jersey/Brooklyn. Partial owner Jay-Z has spoken about moving the team and he is also good friends with Mr. James. 

Could you imagine the Nets sporting a possible starting five of:

PG Devin Harris

SG *Vince Carter

SF LeBron James

PF Does It Matter?

C Brook Lopez

* (Carter, for monetary reasons may be released but there will be a grab bag of stars like LeBron, Bosh, Wade, etc...)

If they can make it happen with the salary cap, the Nets would be holding one of the best players in the league along with an All-Pro point guard and a young but extremely high potential C in Brook Lopez. Attention all NBA teams (especially the Celtics and Lakers/Kobe): Get your rings while you can because after the summer of 2010... a dynasty may well be purchased instead of created the ol fashioned way.

- D-Rae