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NBA Playoffs 2010!
While the elite of the league is fighting for the NBA championship, the rest of the teams have headed into the off-season. The early season exit was a big setback for a number of numbers. Why? Because the following teams will play in the post-season next year. And here we tell you why that will happen.
Washington Wizards
No team – save for perhaps the Rockets – can completely overcome the total loss of their top superstar. And in Washington, the Wizards dealt with the long-time absence of Gilbert Arenas after knee surgery as well as a torn wrist ligament for starting center Brendan Haywood, leading the team to a nightmare season. Both starters returned by March and their performances built hopes for a full recovery for the 2009-10 season.
In the absence of Arenas and Haywood, a number of talented young players received a lot of playing time, including Andray Blatche (power forward, 24.1 minutes per game), rookie Javale McGee (center, 15.1), Nick Young (shooting guard, 22.2) and Dominic McGuire (shooting guard, 25.9). That quartet playing behind the trio of stars Arenas, Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison along with a Top-Five draft pick will give the Wizards a long and versatile bench.
Additional Notes:
Wizards owner Abe Pollin is – unlike in the past – ready to pay the luxury tax in the coming season for the chance to win the championship.
Oklahoma City Thunder
It may be a slap in the face of all ex-Sonics fans, but the Thunder have tremendous chances of reaching the 2010 Playoffs. With Russell Westbrook, Thabo Sefolosha, Kevin Durant, Jeff Green and Nenad Krstic, Oklahoma City has a young, hungry first five with loads of talent. Westbrook, Durant and Green make up one of the most exciting trios in the NBA. And once the Swissman Sefolosha came on board with his lock-down defense, the Thunder won eight of their next 20 games, including victories over San Antonio, Dallas and Philadelphia.
Oklahoma have two high picks in the 2009 Draft as well as plenty of space under the salary cap which can be used to bring in a veteran to help the young talent. And coach Scott Brooks completely changed the team’s playing style after his promotion from an assistant. The Thunder were able to re-discover themselves without the help of a training camp. Next season they will be very prepared.
Additional Notes:
In the last 20 years, only seven other rookies grabbed more offensive rebounds (calculated over an average of 36 minutes) than the 6-foot-3 Russell Westbrook. And all the other youngsters in the top ten are big men.
L.A. Clippers
The Clippers have put behind them an absolute nightmare season. Injuries ravaged the entire roster with Eric Gordon (78), Al Thorton (71) and Steve Novak (71) as the only Clippers to play 70 games this season. Fully healthy, Los Angeles could line up the following starting formation: Baron Davis, Eric Gordon, Al Thornton, Zach Randolph, Marcus Camby. Chris Kaman could come off the bench and a high draft pick and a lot of room under the salary cap will help the rotation. In addition, Camby’s contract runs out in the summer 2010, meaning the shot blocker could bring more depth to the roster.
But a new General Manger would need to pull such a deal. But who will that be? For sure not Mike Dunleavy, who kept his spot after the exit of Elgin Baylor. But that’s a step forward. If only he could be taken out of the coaching chair …
Additional Notes:
Steve Novak is a killer from downtown. In March, the 6-foot-10 forward hit 54.7 percent of his three-pointers (4.6 attempts per game).
