The 2010-2011 NBA season; can you say instant classic? Kobe Bryant and the Lakers want to win their third consecutive championship, while LeBron is trying to win his first ring with Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and the Miami Heat. I hope basketball fans are as excited as I am, because this is going to be one heck of a season.
Miami Heat
>> The Heat stole the NBA spotlight after signing LeBron James, Chris Bosh, and re-signing Dwyane Wade. Three superstars who each averaged over 25 points per game last year on one team? Expectations are sky high for this season’s Miami Heat squad.
>> The Heat received a lot of hatred and criticism throughout the off-season, especially directed toward the team’s new star forward, LeBron. Many individuals called him out, saying he is a “quitter” or a “coward” for leaving Cleveland and “taking his talents to South Beach.” Even Michael Jordan called out LeBron for his decision. Maybe Jordan forgot the respect LeBron showed him in June when LeBron changed his number from 23, Jordan’s number when he played, to six.
Los Angeles Lakers
>> The Los Angeles Lakers, the reigning NBA champions for the past two seasons, want to add a twelfth ring to coach Phil Jackson’s hands this season.
>> During the off-season, the Lakers also made moves by letting point guard Jordan Farmar go and picking up point guard Steve Blake and shooting guard/small forward Matt Barnes. Let’s not forget that they still have, in my opinion, the best player in the league on their roster: Kobe Bryant.
>> The Lakers bleed purple and gold and breathe winning air. Over the last 11 seasons, the Lakers have won five championships in six appearances, easily the most in the league within the time span.
NBA Finals Predictions
>> There are 30 teams in the NBA and I only covered the Heat and Lakers because those are my picks for the Finals. Do not get me wrong; the Eastern and Western Conferences have other powerful teams: the Boston Celtics (East), the Orlando Magic (East), the Oklahoma City Thunder (West) and the Phoenix Suns (West). But to me, the Heat have too many weapons to not reach the Finals and LA is LA. The Finals will go up to game 6, with the Heat winning it all.
