TEAMS THAT WILL SUPRISE YOU THIS POST-SEASON
Its almost that time of year, when each possesion matters, each foul, free throw and decision is crucial to your team climbing to the mountain top, better known as the NBA playoffs. We all have our favorites that we believe that will win it from the beginning of the season such as the Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls, OKC Thunder, and some believe the Lakers and Kobe "The Black Mamba" Bryant still has one left in them. Though we believe the story to the NBA championship game is already written, the past has showed us we know nothing. Last year we saw the Dallas Mavericks take the playoffs by storm.The Memphis Grizzles also defeat the number one seed San Antonio Spurs, they even went seven games with OKC Thunder.
This year we have the same contenders but always guaranteed a few sleepers to shake things up. We are going to discuss those teams not to be "Slept on".
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Celtics- (30-24) The Celtics are currently 7-3 in their last ten games and playing with great intensity. The new found life in the Celtics has helped them to pass the Philadelphia Sixers for first place in the Atlantic division. The old veterans are 23-13 in the conference. With experience and a top five point gaurd this team will be a force. While Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and KG might have lost a step, they never fear the moment to step it up. The Celtics still play top defense and with the new found play of the young gaurd Avery Bradley; a strong physical ball hander it just adds another weapon to a savy team. When Rajon Rondo plays focused, he's a top ten player in the league, able to shut down who ever he covers while setting the tone for his team. The Celtics will go as far as Rondo's mind takes them. Maybe the Celtics will run out of gas but "Dont Sleep" the veterans never go out without a fight.
Pacers-(33-21) If I ask who was the third best team in the east who would you say? Guess what, the answer would be the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers are ranked 3rd overall in the eastern conference and are 7-3 over their last 10 games. Espn power rankings rate them the 8th on the list. The Indiana Pacers are a young team thats evolved over the years. A all-star big man in Roy Hibbert, a very good wingman in Danny Granger, a good point gaurd in Darren Collison and Paul George on the rise and a deep bench to match, the Pacers will be a problem in the playoffs. "Dont Sleep" we have been waiting for Danny granger to take that next step and be the go to guy. If he ever does watch out.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Grizzles- (30-23) The Memphis Grizzles were last years playoff love and will be back this year but trust me they won't be surprising anybody. The Grizzles were without Rudy Gay last time this year, but they will have the whole band together even though Zach Randolph is coming back from injury, if he can get back to mid season form they will be a nightmare for any west match up. Zach Randolph was unstoppable last year and Marc Gasol won't be classified as a bum either. The Grizzles have some thing only a handful of teams have: two big men that can dominate. The Grizzles have already shown that the top three western conference teams (Thunder, Spurs, Lakers) have trouble matching up. This team can go toe to toe with any one "Dont Sleep".
LA CLIPPERS- (33-24) The Los Angeles Clippers also known as "Lob City" will be in the playoff for the first time since 2006. The Clippers have been one of the worst teams in any sport for years but have been showing growth since drafting Blake Griffin, but the trade of Chris Paul is the real reason there is relevance to a team with only 7 franchise playoff appearances. While the franchise history has been terrible, Chris Paul's history is far from mediocore. The best point gaurd in the league, many believe, has taken over the series on his own, and plays like a man on a mission every playoff game, so dont be surprised if this team goes on a run. The LA Clippers currently rank 5th on the power rankings, 4th in the conference, and playing with heart each game. A hungry team is a dangerous one and Chris Paul is ready to make that question of whos the best point guard? A unanimous answer of CP3 with key additions to the bench they are a nightmare match up, when playing focus and smart "Dont Sleep".
by
Phillip "Stats" Rodney
Sources- ( http://espn.go.com/nba/powerrankings)
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