We all know that the two-time defending NBA champions Miami Heat and their superstar LeBron James are poised to continue their dominance over pro basketball, but where the San Antonio Spurs took the 2013 NBA Championship to 7 full games, maybe there is a team that could beat the Heat. Here are 5 of those teams that could give him a real shot this year and potentially win the title, aside from the Heat:
1. The Indiana Pacers – With the best record in basketball, the Pacers are a potentially dangerous team for the Heat. They play very well on defense and have a balanced attack, with 5 players averaging over 10 points per game. Paul George is a rising star and would love to lead the Pacers to success. They took Miami to 7 games last season and will be desperately looking to usurp them in 2014. This is definitely a team to watch having successfully thwarted the Heat in last year’s Eastern Conference Finals. Could they beat Miami this year?
2. Oklahoma City Thunder – This team is ranked in the top 10 in both offense and defense and is led by sensational star Kevin Durant, who had a 12 game streak scoring over 30 points per game. At 25 years old, he is ready to take the next step and win a championship. It seems the question is quickly becoming when, rather than if he will win it all. When Russell Westbrook returns, this team should be a contender again.
3. San Antonio Spurs: The team that just can’t get old is at it again, and almost won it all last year, except for a dramatic 3-pointer by Ray Allen late in Game 6. The Spurs are led by the maturity of Manu Ginobili. . , Tim Duncan and Tony Parker, who would just love another chance to push LeBron back. They could definitely contend for a title again and would love to get another championship together, and they haven’t won it all since 2007.
4. Houston Rockets – This team is an offensive force, as Dwight Howard, James Harden, Jeremy Lin and Chandler Parsons are effective scorers. As a team, though, they’re average defensively and I just can’t see them going up against James, Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade. They will be outmatched in a firefight against superior opposition. However, the future is bright in Houston and they could become a long-term force in the Western Conference.
5. Los Angeles Clippers: Without a doubt one of the most fun teams to watch this season, the Clippers finally took control of the City of Angels (thanks in large part to Kobe Bryant’s injuries). Behind Blake Griffin, Jamal Crawford and Chris Paul, the Clippers will be a dangerous team in this year’s playoffs, even though things haven’t gone well for this team in the last few NBA playoffs. Another offensive powerhouse, the Clippers may be stunted by a tough defense, but there’s a definite chance the team can make some greatness happen!