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5 Teams Flying Under the
NBA Radar
T.O. Whenham of TrevRogers.com
The NBA season has started and people are jumping
on all the usual bandwagons. San Antonio is
everyone’s pick to in it all and Phoenix, Detroit
and Indiana are expected to be there until the
end. But last year we saw Seattle come from
nowhere and post a huge season. Ignoring the big
teams, let’s take a look at 5 teams who could fill
the role of the upstart this year.
1. Golden State Warriors – The last time this team
was any good the other Bush was President, but
that could be due to change. When Baron Davis
joined the team at the end of last season they
finished out the year 18-8. If, and it is a big
if, Davis can stay healthy they will continue to
improve. Mike Dunleavy Jr. has a new contract and
is ready to really show his stuff and Jason
Richardson is one of the most underrated stars in
the game. They are stuck in the West, which does
them no favors, but this team will score a whole
lot of points and they appear ready to make it to
the playoffs.
2. Utah Jazz – It makes me nervous when the fate
of a team rests on a rookie at point guard, but if
Deron Williams can play like we know he can then
this team will be good. Matt Harpring is no longer
unsung, Kirilenko is great when he is healthy and
Boozer’s game is much better than his word. The
Delta Center is not a fun place for teams to visit
and Jerry Sloan is, well, Jerry Sloan. They were
stung with injuries last year, but if they can
stay healthy, they will make the playoffs and make
it hard for whoever they face in the first round.
3. Milwaukee Bucks – If the first two games of the
season are any indicator then Andrew Bogut can
play. Not only can he play, but the late addition
of Jamaal Magloire means Bogut doesn’t have to
carry the load in the middle himself. T.J. Ford is
back. The energy and confidence he brings to the
court can’t be underestimated. Michael Redd has a
long new contract and a shot which just keeps
getting better. He is ready to ascend to the first
level of stars in the league. Bobby Simmons was a
great addition and a perfect foil for Redd. This
team has a lot of changes and new faces to get
used to, but if they can get comfortable quickly
they could surprise.
4. Atlanta Hawks – Let’s be clear, a surprise team
is relative. The Hawks would surprise if they
aren’t the worst team in the league yet again. We
like their chances. It depends on the ability of
Joe Johnson to adjust to the point and lead a very
young team, but this team finally has some talent.
Marvin Williams has all the tools to be very
special and Salim Stoudemire was a college hero.
Al Harrington gets better every year and fellow
high schooler Josh Smith is as athletic as anyone
in the league. Josh Childress had a decent rookie
season and he will only get better as he gets more
comfortable and loses the nervousness which has
challenged his consistency. The untimely death of
the very popular Jason Collier could be an
emotional rallying point for the team. This team
may be better suited to star at a college all-star
tournament because they are so young, but they are
stacked with potential. It will be a rough road,
but look for the Hawks to get better this year and
really start to compete over the next couple of
seasons.
5. Orlando Magic – The fact that Grant Hill is out
for 3-6 weeks yet again is pathetically
unsurprising, but this team will still be improved
over last year in his absence. Dwight Howard is a
year older and a year freakier. This year should
be the first of many All-Star appearances for the
young big man. Hedo Turkoglu has more than just a
cool name and he will fill in for Hill quite well.
Stevey Franchise is a sound court general and
sentimental favourite Jameer Nelson is more
experienced and more than adequate as a backup at
the point. And of course, they will get Hill back
at some point, if only for a game or two before he
gets hurt again. The team has some holes and they
won’t win it all this year by any means, but I
look for them to be improved over last year.
T.O. Whenham writes for TrevRogers Sports, which
can be found at www.TrevRogers.com.
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