Top 10 NBA teams to watch in 2012

10. SAN ANTONIO SPURS

Last season the Spurs did what they always do, play great text book basketball and showed that of the 3 veteran filled teams with a chance at winning it all, they seemed to of had it figured out.  Duncan, Ginobili and Parker had the best record in the Western Conference and 2nd best record in the league at 61-21, earning them a 1st place seed in the playoffs.  Their opponent would be the Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph lead 8th seeded Memphis Grizzlies, a team that most people put little thought into when it came to the regular season much less the playoffs.  However, everyone was in for a surprise,  Memphis would go on to beat San Antonio 4-2 in the series leaving everyone scratching their heads.  This year we will see if the Spurs can still play at high a level, possibly with a chip on their shoulder saddled with a closing window of opportunity for a championship as their star players continue to get older.  It's also important to note that their slow paced style is probably best suited for aging players, and their defense remains top notch, which I’m sure will continue to frustrate young gunners as it always has.

9. BOSTON CELTICS

Another “big 3” core of aging star players did their best last year to stock pile veterans (or if you prefer, “ring chasers”) to the roster in hopes making it a “big 4”.  Honestly, they were not fooling or scaring anyone by adding an oft injured Jermain O’neal and a soon to be retired Shaquile O’neal to a team with likely the oldest roster in the NBA.  Two Centers who’s prime years had been long gone for some time were in no way going to replace Perkins, who they traded to Oklahoma.  Garnett can continue to yell, Allen can continue shooting the lights out and Pierce can keep playing his hear out, but with Miami, Chicago and New York all getting better, their time is likely up.  The Celtics veterans wherewithal will continue to serve them well against lower caliber teams, but they no longer intimidate the younger sharks in the water, and they smell blood.  I do expect them to do well as always, but watching them this season may result in the same feeling you had when you watched the Titanic.

8. LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS

Blake Griffin, Blake Griffin, Blake Griffin.  That is all you need to know about the Clippers.  One of the most fan friendly faces of last season and responsible for the best regular season highlights, last years rookie of the year will once again have all eyes on him.  As great as the dunks were, the Clippers had a terrible 32-50 record, which might surprise you considering all the attention the Clippers got last year.  Now that the dunks are all out of his system, it’s time to play basketball.  The fun part will be seeing if they can turn those highlights into wins through an offensive scheme that will accommodate the whole team and not just Griffin.

7. ORLANDO MAGIC

On paper, Orlando has one of the best well rounded teams.  A mix of capable veterans and younger players spear headed by back to back defensive player of the year Dwight Howard, had a record of 52-30 last year and made the playoffs.  Why outside of their Finals appearance against the Lakers in 2009, the Magic have failed to live up to expectations.  As the season gets underway, news of Dwight Howard’s desire to be traded is causing a uproar of joy and criticism, depending on what side of the Magic your on.  Howard’s name has been attached to Chris Paul’s in a trade that could land them both in L.A. or New York, both scenarios I feel is unlikely, however Dwight Howard to New Jersey is a bit more believable when considering the Derron Williams, Prokov, Jay-Z and Brooklyn situation up there.  Maybe #7 should read, Dwight Howard and not Orlando Magic, but watching how they play with such a huge distraction should be interesting and be very similar to the Carmelo Anthony situation last year in Denver.

6. NEW YORK KNICKS

No where is hypocrisy more rampant than in sports.  The Miami “big 3” were publicly crucified last season, although partially deserved, for taking part in what was seen as a conspiracy to create an All-Star team.  The Knicks are essentially trying to do the exact same thing and no one, not Jordan, Barkley or Bird, who were quick to shake their finger at Miami, has come out to criticize them.  True, Lebron’s TV special and the preseason celebratory concert painted a target on Miami’s back, but there seems to be no resentment towards Carmelo who left his Denver Nuggets high and dry late in the season.  And now with Chris Paul publicly demanding a trade to New York, the New Orleans are likely to share the same fate.  James and Bosh at least kept quiet throughout the season, where as Carmelo and Paul have been vocal.  Point is, Carmelo and Stoudamire will once again not be able to play a full season together, but should have enough time together to put on some great basketball and make it to the playoffs.  If Chris Paul joins the team, Miami have might have another “big 3”  in the East to deal with.

5. LOS ANGELES LAKERS

A lot can happen in one season.  From being favored to win a championship to being swept 4-0 in the 2nd round by the Dallas Mavericks, the Lakers are a perfect example of how easy it is to fall from the top.  Kobe’s injuries and age are no doubt getting to him, and besides Pau Gasol, I have a hard time believing Bynum or Odom are capable of carrying the load.  Phil Jackson has retired and former Cavaliers coach Mike Brown will try to earn the respect of one of the leagues elite team who are used to being coached by arguably the greatest coach in NBA history.  The Lakers, much like the Celtics, will be the team to watch, not because of how well they will do, but because we will all be able to see the slow decline of one of the best dynasties of the last decade.  I do not say that with spite in my heart, but it is the reality of sports, and the changing of the guards will take place over the next few seasons, and as a fan of the NBA, it is bitter sweet. 

4. CHICAGO BULLS

Home of the best record in the league, 62-20, and home to the NBA MVP Derrick Rose and Coach of the Year Tom Thibodeau, passing on watching this team play would be crazy.  The uphill journey the Bulls have taken was phenomenal.  From 8th seed in 2010 to Eastern Conference finals in 2011, what is there not to love.  Joakim Noah, Luol Deng, Carlos Boozer and Taj Gibson have helped in making this once iconic team relevant again and a legitimate contender.  Coming up short against the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals no doubt left the Bulls with a lot to think about over the summer, and with New York maybe forming their own “big 3”, the road to a championship could get a lot bumpier.  If you haven’t seen Derrick Rose play, you owe it to yourself to do so, when in rhythm, it is something you will not soon forget.  Now that this team has shown so much success with a great leader and a solid supporting cast, more players might start asking to be traded to Chicago, and not just New York, Miami and L.A.

3. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER

Much like Chicago, Oklahoma went from zeros to heroes in literally identical fashion.  In 2010 the Thunder were an 8th seed and gave the  1st seeded Lakers a scare in a playoff series they would go on to lose 4-2.  One year later the Thunder had a 57-25 record, earned a 4th seed in the playoffs and made it to the Western Conference Finals losing to the Dallas Mavericks 4-1.  All this success would not be possible without their leader Kevin Durant and his floor general Russell Westbrook.  These 2 All-Stars have the pleasure of being surrounded by an entire roster of players who know their roles and play them extremely well.  Sharing the court with Ibaka, Perkins, Sefolosha and with  Harden and Maynor coming off the bench, I don’t shy away from saying this is the most well rounded team in the West if not the entire NBA.  Last years Coach of the Year Scott Brooks has the Thunder playing outstanding defense which causes turnover after turnover resulting in fast breaks and a high scoring style of basketball.

2. MIAMI HEAT

What more can anyone say about the Heat that already hasn’t been said.  Wade, James and Bosh had a 58-24 record, they earned a 2nd seed in the playoffs, they beat Chicago and Boston on their way to the NBA finals where they lost 4-2 to the Dallas Mavericks.  As long as this “big 3” stay together they will always be contenders for the title and the love / hate team of the NBA.  Expectations will always be high and the pressure to win only grow every season, something they seemed to handle well mid-season last year.  They will continue to be the travelling circus that fans come to cheer or jeer, but either way, everyone will be watching.

1. DALLAS MAVERICKS

The Mavericks 57-25 record and 3rd place playoff seed was in no way the story of the NBA last year.  After getting through Portland in the 1st round, the match-up versus the Lakers is what had everyone tuned in.  However, after the Maverick swept the Lakers 4-0 by playing team basketball where at least 4 players scored in double digits every night, and with San Antonio already eliminated from the playoffs, all eyes were on Dallas.  Constantly labelled as soft, Dirk Nowitzki played at an unbelievably high level with help from veterans Jason Kidd and Shawn Marion, making it to the Finals to face the Miami Heat.  With no one giving the Mavericks a chance in hell, they convincingly beat the Heat 4-2 by sharing the ball and proving that no 3 players can ever beat an entire team.  Now that the Dallas Mavericks have won the franchise’s first ever Larry O’Brien trophy, they now have a giant target on their back, something they are not used to, and I along with a lot of NBA fans can’t wait to see how they handle it.