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With the rate things are going, it appears that the Cleveland Cavalier (56-16) and the Orlando Magic (53-22) are competing for NBA supremacy this season.
And maybe you’re wondering, why ease out the defending champions Los Angeles Lakers (54-21) from the picture this late? Or the Dallas Mavericks who established a 13-game winning run last March? Or the Utah Jazz and the Denver Nuggets who are expected to crowd the Lakers in the West?
Well, at this point, it appears that the Lakers are not yet mentally and emotionally prepared for a serious defense of the NBA title they won against the Magic last year.
LA is returning to play Utah tomorrow from a dismal 2-3 road trip, that included emotionally flattening defeats against Oklahoma city, New Orleans and the fast-rising Atlanta Hawks.
With Utah and San Antonio as LA’s next two strong opponents, the job is now up to coach Phil Jackson and spiritual leader Kobe Bryant on how well they could help psyche up the rest of the Lakers going into the Playoffs, which start on April 18.
The Mavericks, were just sent down crashing to earth by the Magic today, behind Dwight Howard’s 17-point, 22-rebound effort against a string of Dallas big men, who had no answer against Orlando’s own version of “Superman”.
Meantime, this early, I pick the Cavs and the Magic to really make the biggest noise in the Playoffs because of their killer instinct, their consistency on both offense and defense plus their much-improved rosters.
The Cavs have been playing well with Antawn Jamison, whom they acquired just before the trade deadline. And he has fit well under coach Mike Brown’s system, without really affecting the offensive flow centered around Lebron James.
On the other hand, Vince Carter, the add-ons like Brandon Bass and Matt Barnes as well as the healthy Jameer Nelson have brought stability to Orlando this season, providing the much-needed help for Howard, who as usually, is leading the Magic team in he Playoffs.
Who wants it (the championship) more is what will determine this season’s NBA champion.