[druneave3Participant]

With these two guys in the league, and the talented teams they are on, is seems to me that it is going to be very hard to win a title matching up against Miami or OKC. As a basketball junkie it is truly incredible watching LeBron and Durant play with such dominance. Crazy things happen but I don’t see anyone other than the two winning a championship for the next several years.

If another team does win a title, what team do you give the best chances of doing that?

Difficult to predict the future and where FA’s will be and how players will develop but again, it is going to be hard to put a team together that will beat either. So you could answer with what the better teams now would need to do in order to put that team together that could win a title. For instance, Paul George becomes next best thing, trade for Derrick Favors who also becomes great and Pacers do it. Chris Paul goes to NY and Melo finally plays defense. Or Clippers add the piece that puts them over the top. Portland, Detroit, Warriors, Cleveland or another young team adds Wiggins, Parker, or somehow hits in the draft. Or my favorite, Mirotic is equal to Dirk, D Rose continues his dominance and The Bulls win.

Good luck to all the GM’s in the league because this will be a difficult task. What team you got? You could have fun with it if you want.

[laarethekingsParticipant]

Well I do think OKC will be the ” Team to Beat ” in the west for the longer time than Miami in the east. With that said, yes these two teams are the Boston vs LA in the 80’s in my eyes and should meet each other at least two more times for the right to win it all.

The one team that I think can give Miami a run for its money is the Pacers with their size but they need to make a move for another big time player. Adding a Eric Gordon and having him stay healthy would be fun to watch for years to come in the playoffs. But that’s two big, big IF’s.

In the West the only team I see that can even try to keep up with OKC is the Clips. While the Clips are very deep, OKC is just as deep with younger players and has a top 10 pick on the way.

To me if OKC plays their cards right with Lamb and the top 10 pick on the way. They very well could have a Bulls 90’s type run for 6 years winning rings in back to back seasons.

[PHILA9Participant]

Man I just love rivalry, it is really good for the league.

Lebron and Durant are the new Magic and Bird and what Kobe and Tmac should have been.

[aamir543Participant]

Not necessarily, remember, the Pacers took the Heat to 6 games and that was lightyears ago as far Paul George’s development is concerned. Boston came a couple legendary performances away from beating them(albeit all of this without Bosh). I think San Antonio and OKC can beat them. New York can try, Melo is capable of a historic series but he’s going to need help. Granger needs to be productive for Indiana to have a shot. And obviously Rose needs to be at full strength for Chicago to have a chance at them. But as far as the next decade, Irving looks like a bonafide Superstar at 20 years old, Waiters and Thompson look like very quality starters, and you can add another top 5 pick to that cause. And if Lebron joins them as I predict, that really won’t be fair.

[ShekiruBoomParticipant]

Honestly though, I dont think Pacers is much of a threat to the Heat. If I really had to choose one from the East that will knock the Heat out, it would be them but even in last year’s series, yes it was 6 games but I think the presence of Bosh is more meaningful than an improved Paul George and a regressed Roy Hibbert. Also Dwade sucked in that series until the second half of game 4

[mcbaileyParticipant]

I wouldn’t pick Indy to beat Miami, but I still couldn’t disagree with you more. Hibbert’s offensive numbers are down, but he’s improved in his defense. Their bench is also improved in the areas Indy needs to be competitive–their bigs. Bosh isn’t a scrub, but let’s not pretend that they were missing Wade or James last year.

All in all, I think it’d be another 6 game series, if not seven. They have favorable matchups that will keep them in games against Miami, but the star power of LeBron and Wade will probably be too much to overcome.

[laarethekingsParticipant]

Just thinking about if OKC used Jeremy Lamb and lets say they get the 10th pick to move up and grab a player like Bennett. Would be a joke how good they would be.

[halfdecayedParticipant]

I would not write the spurs out so quickly, and I also think this is the only team that can beat the heat THIS year in a 7game series.

[PyronParticipant]

in recent years the spurs have always been a great regular season team.. but they can’t take it to another level in the playoffs

[Ny2daDeathOFmeParticipant]

Not nesercerily bro. Everything isn’t so clear cut and black and white. Anything could happen in the playoffs. The heat and thunders may have top talent but you never know how the chips fall. I say every team that makes the playoffs has a chance.

[ReekoParticipant]

If they are unable to “take it another level” in the playoffs, then how did they manage to win 4 championships in the last 14 years? Do not underestimate the Spurs because of their age, their Big 3 is second to none in terms of what they have been able to accomplish together. Add to that arguably the best coach in the NBA in Gregg Popovich, the Spurs should never be taken lightly.

[PyronParticipant]

bro.. i said recent years. they won in 07 and believe it or not… that’s 6 years already

i love the spurs and i love pop but they haven’t been able to make it to the finals since the last time they won (06-07).

they’re a sick well oiled machine with amazing scouts that constantly bring in talented players to fulfil a role with their big 3. i feel like when i watch them in the playoffs its like watching “regular season spurs” while other teams are in playoff mode.

its also not going to help when tony parker, who is having an amazing season is out for a month.

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