San Antonio Spurs are the Team to Beat
Posted by: Javesh
Gandhi | January 27, 2011
The
San Antonio Spurs are a powerful dynasty with 4 championships, 17
division titles, and 19 playoff appearances in the last 20 seasons. The
Spurs currently stand first in the whole league, with 39 wins and 7
losses, an 84.8% win record. A big part of the team’s success can be
credited to “The Big Three,” as the trio of Emanuel Ginobili, Tony
Parker, and Tim Duncan are often called.
Manu Ginbobili joined the Spurs in 2002, previously playing in the
Argentine basketball league. Ginobili’s importance to the team has been
proven – whenever he is injured, the Spurs start to lose. In fact, the
Spurs were knocked out of the2008 playoffs in the first round, largely
because Ginobili was out due to injury. In the 2010-2011 season,
Ginobili averages 18.7 points per game, 4.9 assists per game, and 3.9
rebounds per game.
3-time all-star Tony Parker has changed the Spurs’
overall game play. Once Parker became a starter, the team had to
immediately increase the tempo and pace at which they played to keep up
with their swift and agile point guard. Parker’s statistics have been
improving over the past 7 or 8 years now. In fact, Parker’s persistence
on improving is what kept the Spurs from acquiring all-star point guard
Jason Kidd. This season, Parker averages 6.9 assists per game and 17.5
points per game.
6-foot 11-inch, 260 pound forward Tim Duncan is the captain of the
Spurs. He is a 12 time all-star and leads the team in rebounds with an
average of 9.5 per game. He dominates defensively while still posting
good numbers for points, an average of 13.6 per game this season. Tim
Duncan is the main cause for turning the Spurs dynasty around. Before
Duncan became a part of the team, the Spurs had no championship rings
to show. Since then, the team has won 4 championships, most recently in
2007.
The Spurs rely on The Big Three. If even one member
of the trio is injured or not playing up to par, the whole team falls.
If Ginobili, Parker, and Duncan manage to stay healthy during the
season and perform consistently, the Spurs have a good chance of
keeping their position with the best record in the league and could
possibly win their 5th championship.
Can the Lakers Pull
Out Another 3-Peat?
Posted by: Javesh
Gandhi | January 23, 2011
To
start, let’s list the Lakers top players:
Kobe Bryant – Team captain and longtime NBA all-star, this shooting
guard leads his team in points and assists. He is undoubtedly the key
to many of the Lakers’ past success and is the center point of the
whole team; the game revolves around him.
Derek Fisher – This point guard just doesn’t slow down…well maybe a
little. At the age of 36, Fisher is still a dominant force with the
Lakers and continues to contribute to the team’s triumphs. Derek
Fisher’s outstanding 5 Championships and has the experience needed to
push the Lakers through the playoffs.
Ron Artest – With a reputation for outstanding defense, Artest is a
valuable asset. Although a strong defender, this forward no longer
comes up with strong offensive results.
Andrew Bynum – BIG MAN. Bynum leads the team in
rebounds and always looks for the easy bucket at the end of the paint.
Bynum serves as the Lakers’ center.
Pau Gasol – Recent NBA all-star, Gasol heavily aids the team in boards
and points. He takes much credit for the Lakers’ championship in 2009,
giving Bryant a dominant force to pass to.
Lamar Odom – Arguably the best 6th man in the NBA, Odom is an all
around player: he can score, defend, rebound, and do anything else he
has to.
The Lakers stand as the second seed in the Western Conference, just
behind the San Antonio Spurs. Their record is 32-13. The team does have
chemistry, but the players are starting to age. With a stellar lineup
and decent bench, the Lakers are still dominant in the NBA. But can
they win championship this year and continue to bring honor to the
franchise? It’s possible, but not probable.
The Lakers should be able to make the conference
finals. However, from there, a tough road will be upon them. Many of
the players may tire out by the postseason. Additionally, getting past
the other conference finalist is obviously a difficult achievement.
Even if the Lakers do make the NBA finals, they stand a very small
chance to the possible Eastern Conference finalist, assuming one of the
top teams from the East makes it. The Lakers will probably not win this
year’s NBA finals, let alone make it that far; but if they do, the
dynasty will only further their list of achievements.
