Cohen: A Look at Potential First Round Opponents
By Josh Cohen
March 23, 2010
Milwaukee Bucks
There may not be a hotter, more cohesive, team in the NBA right now than the Bucks. Since acquiring John Salmons at the trade deadline in February, Milwaukee is 15-2 and on the verge of qualifying for the playoffs for the first time since 2006.
Strengths:
Team Defense: In their last 17 games, only four times have opponents scored more than 100 points. Andrew Bogut is second in the league behind Dwight Howard in blocks per game.
Backcourt Offense: Brandon Jennings and Salmons are playing at an extremely high level. Salmons, for one, has scored in double figures in every game since joining Milwaukee, while Jennings, although somewhat inconsistent, has had breakout performances every now and then. Recently, he erupted for 35 points against fellow Rookie of the Year candidate Tyreke Evans.
Weaknesses:
Michael Redd Injury: It’s been a frustrating last few years for the former All-Star and Olympic gold medalist. Earlier this season, Redd re-tore his ACL and MCL in the same knee that he had injured almost a year earlier. He will miss the rest of the season.
Inexperience: Only Bogut and Dan Gadzuric (not including Redd) were on the team the last time the Bucks advanced to the postseason. Milwaukee is a very young team without a great deal of veteran leadership.
Miami Heat
When you have Dwyane Wade on your team you always have a chance. Despite not having a load of talent around him, the 2010 NBA All-Star Game MVP has the Heat on the threshold of reaching the playoffs for the second consecutive season.
Strengths:
Late-Game Poise: Twice this season against Orlando and also against other first-rate opponents including the Lakers and Celtics, the Heat have overcome adversity late in the fourth quarter to either steal wins or force overtime.
Defining Purpose: There are many rumors around the league that if Wade does not get help this summer, he may sign somewhere else. As a result, Miami would love to win a First Round playoff series this year to give its superstar another reason to stay.
Weaknesses:
Lacking Size: It will be a tall order for a vacillating Jermaine O’Neal, undersized and inexperienced Joel Anthony and marred Jamaal Magloire to stop Howard or any other relatively top center for a full seven-game series.
Indecision: It still seems a little unclear who Miami’s starting point guard will be in the playoffs. Mario Chalmers and Carlos Arroyo will compete for the rest of the regular season to determine that answer, especially since Rafer Alston doesn’t appear likely to return to the team.
Charlotte Bobcats
Some NBA analysis and critics will suggest that the acquisition of Stephen Jackson in November was the NBA’s most impactful trade this season. Sure, Cleveland acquiring Antawn Jamison and Dallas receiving Caron Butler are also at the top of the list, but Charlotte’s masterful trade has put it in position to advance to the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.
Strengths:
Depth: Among all of the teams battling for seeds outside of the top four, only the Bobcats truly have a strong cast of reserves. Charlotte possesses three former NBA starters on its bench, including Tyson Chandler, Tyrus Thomas and Larry Hughes.
Team Defense: Any time your head coach is Larry Brown, you are likely going to have a staunch defense. Throughout his storied coaching career, Brown has engineered some of the best defensive squads of all-time. It’s no different this season with the Bobcats, who are No. 1 in the league in limiting opponent’s scoring.
Weaknesses:
Chemistry: This is nearly a completely different roster from a year ago and it’s going to take time for them all to become cohesive with one another.
Offensive Outburst: The Bobcats have a tendency to go through long, dismal droughts in games. After Jackson, there really aren’t too many offensive options.
Toronto Raptors
At one point this season, it appeared the Raptors were going to join the elite group of teams in the Eastern Conference. In two different stretches earlier this campaign, Toronto won eight of nine and appeared to be a lock to be at least the No. 5 seed. But, a Chris Bosh injury and inconsistent play from Hedo Turkoglu and Jose Calderon has transformed into a sudden collapse.
Strengths:
3-Point Shooting: Over the last few seasons, the Raptors have been among the best in the league from beyond the arc. They are currently fourth in the NBA this season in that category.
Defining Purpose: Similar to the situation in Miami, Toronto must be concerned about what Bosh will do this offseason. As a result, there will be extra motivation for the Raptors to advance past the First Round to give their All-Star some incentive to re-sign.
Weaknesses:
Team Defense: The Raptors are allowing opponents to score 105 points per game, fourth worst in the NBA. They are also last in the league in steals.
Fouls: Toronto has a tendency to commit an exorbitant number of fouls. Currently, it is allowing opponents to attempt nearly 23 free throws a game.
Chicago Bulls
It appeared obvious when they dealt John Salmons and Tyrus Thomas at the trade deadline in two separate packages that the Bulls were already planning for the future. Chicago, which will be under the salary cap this summer, is hoping to land one (or two) of the marquee free agents. However, the Bulls are still in playoff contention and hope their All-Star, Derrick Rose, can lead them there.
Strengths:
Nothing to Lose: Since they traded a pair of their top players, there really aren’t too many expectations for the Bulls. In effect, advancing to the postseason would be a notable accomplishment.
Backcourt: It may be fair to say that among the five teams in this article, the Bulls possess the best combo of starting guards. Rose and Kirk Hinrich are proven players who helped Chicago push the Boston Celtics to seven games in last year’s playoffs.
Weaknessess:
Injuries: Luol Deng’s season may be over with a calf injury and Joakim Noah is still recovering from plantar fasciitis which caused him to miss 22 games.
Size: It has been Chicago’s main issue the last few seasons. There were so many rumors the last few years about the Bulls acquiring Kevin Garnett (before the Celtics trade), Pau Gasol (before the Lakers trade) and Amar’e Stoudemire, but nothing ever got done.
By Josh Cohen
March 23, 2010
Milwaukee Bucks
There may not be a hotter, more cohesive, team in the NBA right now than the Bucks. Since acquiring John Salmons at the trade deadline in February, Milwaukee is 15-2 and on the verge of qualifying for the playoffs for the first time since 2006.
Strengths:
Team Defense: In their last 17 games, only four times have opponents scored more than 100 points. Andrew Bogut is second in the league behind Dwight Howard in blocks per game.
Backcourt Offense: Brandon Jennings and Salmons are playing at an extremely high level. Salmons, for one, has scored in double figures in every game since joining Milwaukee, while Jennings, although somewhat inconsistent, has had breakout performances every now and then. Recently, he erupted for 35 points against fellow Rookie of the Year candidate Tyreke Evans.
Weaknesses:
Michael Redd Injury: It’s been a frustrating last few years for the former All-Star and Olympic gold medalist. Earlier this season, Redd re-tore his ACL and MCL in the same knee that he had injured almost a year earlier. He will miss the rest of the season.
Inexperience: Only Bogut and Dan Gadzuric (not including Redd) were on the team the last time the Bucks advanced to the postseason. Milwaukee is a very young team without a great deal of veteran leadership.
Miami Heat
When you have Dwyane Wade on your team you always have a chance. Despite not having a load of talent around him, the 2010 NBA All-Star Game MVP has the Heat on the threshold of reaching the playoffs for the second consecutive season.
Strengths:
Late-Game Poise: Twice this season against Orlando and also against other first-rate opponents including the Lakers and Celtics, the Heat have overcome adversity late in the fourth quarter to either steal wins or force overtime.
Defining Purpose: There are many rumors around the league that if Wade does not get help this summer, he may sign somewhere else. As a result, Miami would love to win a First Round playoff series this year to give its superstar another reason to stay.
Weaknesses:
Lacking Size: It will be a tall order for a vacillating Jermaine O’Neal, undersized and inexperienced Joel Anthony and marred Jamaal Magloire to stop Howard or any other relatively top center for a full seven-game series.
Indecision: It still seems a little unclear who Miami’s starting point guard will be in the playoffs. Mario Chalmers and Carlos Arroyo will compete for the rest of the regular season to determine that answer, especially since Rafer Alston doesn’t appear likely to return to the team.
Charlotte Bobcats
Some NBA analysis and critics will suggest that the acquisition of Stephen Jackson in November was the NBA’s most impactful trade this season. Sure, Cleveland acquiring Antawn Jamison and Dallas receiving Caron Butler are also at the top of the list, but Charlotte’s masterful trade has put it in position to advance to the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.
Strengths:
Depth: Among all of the teams battling for seeds outside of the top four, only the Bobcats truly have a strong cast of reserves. Charlotte possesses three former NBA starters on its bench, including Tyson Chandler, Tyrus Thomas and Larry Hughes.
Team Defense: Any time your head coach is Larry Brown, you are likely going to have a staunch defense. Throughout his storied coaching career, Brown has engineered some of the best defensive squads of all-time. It’s no different this season with the Bobcats, who are No. 1 in the league in limiting opponent’s scoring.
Weaknesses:
Chemistry: This is nearly a completely different roster from a year ago and it’s going to take time for them all to become cohesive with one another.
Offensive Outburst: The Bobcats have a tendency to go through long, dismal droughts in games. After Jackson, there really aren’t too many offensive options.
Toronto Raptors
At one point this season, it appeared the Raptors were going to join the elite group of teams in the Eastern Conference. In two different stretches earlier this campaign, Toronto won eight of nine and appeared to be a lock to be at least the No. 5 seed. But, a Chris Bosh injury and inconsistent play from Hedo Turkoglu and Jose Calderon has transformed into a sudden collapse.
Strengths:
3-Point Shooting: Over the last few seasons, the Raptors have been among the best in the league from beyond the arc. They are currently fourth in the NBA this season in that category.
Defining Purpose: Similar to the situation in Miami, Toronto must be concerned about what Bosh will do this offseason. As a result, there will be extra motivation for the Raptors to advance past the First Round to give their All-Star some incentive to re-sign.
Weaknesses:
Team Defense: The Raptors are allowing opponents to score 105 points per game, fourth worst in the NBA. They are also last in the league in steals.
Fouls: Toronto has a tendency to commit an exorbitant number of fouls. Currently, it is allowing opponents to attempt nearly 23 free throws a game.
Chicago Bulls
It appeared obvious when they dealt John Salmons and Tyrus Thomas at the trade deadline in two separate packages that the Bulls were already planning for the future. Chicago, which will be under the salary cap this summer, is hoping to land one (or two) of the marquee free agents. However, the Bulls are still in playoff contention and hope their All-Star, Derrick Rose, can lead them there.
Strengths:
Nothing to Lose: Since they traded a pair of their top players, there really aren’t too many expectations for the Bulls. In effect, advancing to the postseason would be a notable accomplishment.
Backcourt: It may be fair to say that among the five teams in this article, the Bulls possess the best combo of starting guards. Rose and Kirk Hinrich are proven players who helped Chicago push the Boston Celtics to seven games in last year’s playoffs.
Weaknessess:
Injuries: Luol Deng’s season may be over with a calf injury and Joakim Noah is still recovering from plantar fasciitis which caused him to miss 22 games.
Size: It has been Chicago’s main issue the last few seasons. There were so many rumors the last few years about the Bulls acquiring Kevin Garnett (before the Celtics trade), Pau Gasol (before the Lakers trade) and Amar’e Stoudemire, but nothing ever got done.
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