With most of the summer’s transactional smoke having wafted into distant corners, the NBA is left with three perceived monster teams: the defending-champion Miami Heat, the 2012 runner-up Oklahoma City Thunder and the heavily fortified Los Angeles Lakers.
What we’re attempting to figure out is which squad provokes the most respect from those who work in the league. So, with the assistance of a few NBA coaches, scouts and personnel executives, here’s a look at how – on the vulnerable medium of paper – the Big Three are judged.
We also took advantage of these respondents by seeking input regarding some other questions leading into training camp in October.
Anyway, rather than list the opinion of everyone contacted, we’ve distilled these insights through the eyes of one assistant coach, one advance scout and one general manager.
So, with that on the table, we now can reveal the Thunder as the betting favorite of the majority of our respondents. But the compelling nature of the coming season is defined by three differing opinions rendered by our coach, scout and GM.
THE COACH: “I think you have to go with Miami, because they now know what it takes to win, they have the best player in basketball (he’s referring to LeBron James), (Dwyane) Wade should be healthier and they add two potentially dangerous weapons.”
Those weapons, in case you were busy not paying attention this summer, are snipers Ray Allen and amnesty casualty Rashard Lewis. All they represent is even better marksmanship for the drive-and-kick machinations of James and Wade than Miami enjoyed last season.
And – in an effort to bolster his case – the coach also took time to explain why the crown won’t travel back to LA or into OKC.
“I just think the Lakers will have a difficult time figuring out how Kobe (Bryant) and (Steve) Nash can be utilized to take advantage of what they do best.”
In other words, he’s wondering how in the world Kobe can cool his jets while watching Nash work pick-and-roll with Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard.
“I do think ball screens with Nash can serve as a tremendous diversion to free Kobe on down-screens from the weak side. But even though the Lakers could be really nasty with the ball, I just think Miami’s defense and continuity will win out.”
And why won’t OKC win it all?
“They can’t handle LeBron, and I don’t think they know what their best closing lineup should be.”
THE SCOUT: “I think OKC will take the next step and emerge as champions next June. When you look at how far they went last season, then look at how young their core players are, it’s easy to see how another year of experience and confidence can put them over the top.
“(Kevin) Durant is already great, but he’s becoming more efficient, more streamlined in how he gets things done. If he continues to improve on the defensive end, it’ll send a big message to his teammates. A lot of people still doubt that they can win with (Russell) Westbrook at point guard, but when you look at offensive production and efficiency, they are way up there. Westbrook isn’t conventional, but he can be unstoppable. As he matures and his decision-making improves, the Thunder will become even more dangerous.”
But is our scout convinced that OKC’s maturation will be enough to hold off the Lakers?
“OKC has enough fouls to give to compete in the paint,” the scout said, “and their speed and quickness is too much for L.A. to match over the course of a series.”
THE GM: “This is a really hard question to answer, because cases can be made for all three. I’m going with L.A. because I think Nash will figure out how to maximize the talent around him, and Kobe wants to win badly enough that he’ll take a step back and allow Nash to make the game easier for him.
“That doesn’t mean Kobe will be less aggressive; I just think he’ll figure out he can be just as effective without burning as much energy ... playing off of Nash.”
Why not choose a repeat in Miami or a successful ascension in OKC?
“Well, those are two great teams,” the GM said. “I just think the Lakers have more inside-outside balance. I know the Heat score inside with LeBron and D-Wade, but the Laker offense can really be versatile, and they have enough defense stoppers to get the job done.”
Please be reminded that, by a slight majority, Oklahoma City was judged to be the 2013 Finals favorite after more than a dozen NBA voices checked in.
We also have some interesting results on the following topics:
SECOND-BEST TEAM IN THE EASTERN CONFERENCE: Boston Celtics (although there was considerable support for the Philadelphia 76ers following their acquisition of Andrew Bynum)
WILL LEBRON HAVE ANOTHER SPLENDID PLAYOFF RUN?: Yes
BEST POINT GUARD IN THE NBA: Rajon Rondo (didn’t see that one coming, eh?)
LEAGUE’S MOST UNDERRATED PLAYER: Ty Lawson
LEAGUE’S MOST OVERRATED PLAYER: Amar’e Stoudemire (not sure who’s overrating him, but OK)
