The NBA season is now at the halfway point. Every week we get closer and closer to finding out who the real competitors are and who is destined to the lottery. With that in mind, it’s never too early for a little mid-season prediction. While the finals are still months away, teams are starting to show if they have what it takes to make the push necessary. The trade deadline is approaching, and assuming there are no major moves, the teams will likely stay as they are. So let’s find out who I have winning it all.
Western Conference
The West is packed full of talent. There are currently 10 teams with winning records, and all are deserving of a playoff spot. While there are many talented teams in the West, there are only a few who have the potential to make it out of the West.
The Portland Trail Blazers have been one of the biggest surprises this season as the currently sit third in the West with a record of 32-11. The Blazers have the best offense in the NBA. They have two dynamic 20 point scorers in Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge. The biggest issue with the Blazers is their streaky shooting and poor defense. The Blazers are currently allowing 103 points per game. This is a major issue, especially when you play in the West. The West is full of dynamic scorers, and the lack of a stout defense could really hurt the Blazers down the line.
San Antonio continues to defy age. No matter how few minutes their stars play, they continue to win games. The scariest part about the Spurs is their ability to win in the playoffs. These players excel in the postseason and their years of experience benefit them greatly. While the Spurs don’t have any glaring weaknesses, the West is chock full of young, explosive teams. I simply question if the Spurs will have enough left in the tank to battle through the West.
Two words; Kevin Durant. The Oklahoma City Thunder are the favorites in the West for one major reason. They have Kevin Durant on their team. When Russell Westbrook went under the knife, many people felt that the Thunder would slip in the West. They have done no such thing. Kevin Durant has been playing out of his mind and the Thunder have kept winning. Even without both Durant and Westbrook, the Thunder manage to win games. The injuries to Westbrook in particular could be a blessing in disguise. It allows Westbrook to make sure he’s healthy for the postseason and it also provide some of the Thunder’s younger role players valuable. By the time the postseason comes around the Thunder will be healthy and have valuable experience.
Eastern Conference
While the West is packed full of talented teams, the East is extremely top heavy. The only real teams that have any chance of competing are the Pacers and the Heat.
Don’t let the Heat’s recent struggles fool you; they are still a very good team. LeBron James alone can carry this team through the playoffs. If Dwayne Wade can stay healthy, the Heat would have a good chance make it all the way. However, the Heat have a very menacing road block in the way. Roy Hibbert is the Miami Heat kryptonite. The Heat simply don’t have a way to stop him. If you add on a much improved Lance Stephenson and Paul George, the Heat will see their hopes of a three-peat crushed.
And that leaves us with one, the Pacers are the kings of the East, or at least they will be when it’s all said and down. They are one of the best defensive teams in the NBA and they possess one of the more balanced offenses. Paul George has elevated his play to another level, and he will lead the Pacers to the Finals.
The Finals
Who wouldn’t want to see Paul George versus Kevin Durant for seven games? Two of the NBA’s brightest young stars battling it out, it would be spectacular. The matchups are all there. First, you’d have the stars, Durant and George going head to head. Second, you’d have the dynamic Westbrook versus the stellar perimeter defense of the Pacers.
Once again the X factor of this game will be Roy Hibbert. It’s very hard to matchup with Hibbert, on either end of the court. The Thunder have a collection of centers to matchup with him, although the likes of Steven Adams and Kendrick Perkins can’t bring Thunder fans much comfort. Both teams have very solid benches, however; the Thunder have a much more explosive group.
Reggie Jackson and Jeremy Lamb have both improved greatly and should continue to improve by playoff time. The Thunder have great depth in the backcourt, where the Pacers have a much deeper and talented frontcourt. I would imagine the Pacers would attack the paint and attempt to slow down the pace of the game. I have no doubt the series would go to seven games, these teams are just too equal to have anything else. In the end, I believe the Pacers take advantage of the home court advantage and seal the deal in game seven. The Pacers are a more balanced team, and that in the end, will win them the NBA Championship.