Lakers huge favorites for championship

[Gutter92]

http://www.nba.com/2010/news/features/10/02/survey-predictions/index.html

63% according to GM predictions. If the Heat somehow overcome these enormous odds and win the Championship, they deserve all the praise they get. I'd probably call it a huge chokejob to lose with almost 2/3 of the GMs saying you're by far the favorite. And yes, GMs know more than the fans so you really can't argue with those odds. Shouldn't be considered a failure if the Heat do not win this year, specially with these odds against them ;)

[j-money24]

The season hasn't started so those odds will change.. Just like the Spurs last year were the favourites to win it all in 2010 at this time last year.

[Gutter92]

The season hasn't started so those odds will change.. Just like the Spurs last year were the favourites to win it all in 2010 at this time last year.


Uh, no, in fact, the Lakers were the favorites last year as well, with 60.7% vote (as you can see in the link I posted). In fact, their odds have gotten even better, which is why, IMO, it would be a chokejob to lose.

[Jelloisjigglin]

Uh, no, in fact, the Lakers were the favorites last year as well, with 60.7% vote (as you can see in the link I posted). In fact, their odds have gotten even better, which is why, IMO, it would be a chokejob to lose.


Doesn't make sense. If the Lakers lose it can only be because they choked? What kind of logic is that? So i guess the Spurs choked when they failed to repeat. They were also favorites so i guess they "choked" too..

[SanAntonioHeat]

Doesn't make sense. If the Lakers lose it can only be because they choked? What kind of logic is that? So i guess the Spurs choked when they failed to repeat. They were also favorites so i guess they "choked" too..


Know your history son. Not only did we repeat, we three-peated. GTFO. :ihit

[Jelloisjigglin]

Know your history son. Not only did we repeat, we three-peated. GTFO. :ihit


I'm talking about reality not fantasy league.

[ohmwrecker]

The season hasn't started so those odds will change.. Just like the Spurs last year were the favourites to win it all in 2010 at this time last year.

When did that happen?!

[Ashy Larry]

lol @ SAN ANTONIO HEAT ... so when the Heat and Spurs play, it's going to be a win-win ???

[Venti Quattro]

lol @ SAN ANTONIO HEAT ... so when the Heat and Spurs play, it's going to be a win-win ???

Spurs in heat!

[Gutter92]

Doesn't make sense. If the Lakers lose it can only be because they choked? What kind of logic is that? So i guess the Spurs choked when they failed to repeat. They were also favorites so i guess they "choked" too..


Uh yea, according to the NBA forum, every time we failed to repeat it was a chokejob so yea, it would be a massive chokejob to lose with almost 2/3 of the GMs believing you should win.

[Ashy Larry]

I wonder will this survey appear on the Heat Index......

[Ashy Larry]

Which team will win The 2011 NBA Finals?
1. Los Angeles Lakers 63.0%
2. Miami 33.3%
3. Boston 3.7%
Last year: Los Angeles Lakers 60.7%



http://www.nba.com/2010/news/features/10/02/survey-predictions/miami-heat-1-100210.jpg
Miami Heat
Which team will win the Eastern Conference?
1. Miami 70.4%
2. Boston 18.5%
3. Orlando 11.1%
Last year: Boston 50.0%





http://www.nba.com/2010/news/features/10/02/survey-predictions/lakers-2-100210.jpg
Los Angeles Lakers
Which team will win the Western Conference?
1. Los Angeles Lakers 96.4%
2. Dallas 3.6%
Last year: Los Angeles Lakers 75.6%





http://www.nba.com/2010/news/features/10/02/survey-predictions/boston-celtics-1-100210.jpg
Boston Celtics
Which team will win the Atlantic Division?
1. Boston Celtics 100%
Last year: Boston Celtics 85.2%





http://www.nba.com/2010/news/features/10/02/survey-predictions/chicago-bulls-1-100210.jpg
Chicago Bulls
Which team will win the Central Division?
1. Chicago 82.1%
2. Milwaukee 17.9%
Last year: Cleveland 96.6%





http://www.nba.com/2010/news/features/10/02/survey-predictions/miami-heat-2-100210.jpg
Miami Heat
Which team will win the Southeast Division?
1. Miami 74.1%
2. Orlando 25.9%
Last year: Orlando 92.6%





http://www.nba.com/2010/news/features/10/02/survey-predictions/dallas-mavs-1-100210.jpg
Dallas Mavericks
Which team will win the Southwest Division?
1. Dallas 71.4%
2. San Antonio 28.6%
Last year: San Antonio 89.7%





http://www.nba.com/2010/news/features/10/02/survey-predictions/okc-thunder-1-100210.jpg
Oklahoma City Thunder
Which team will win the Northwest Division?
1. Oklahoma City 63.0%
2. Portland 22.2%
3. Utah 11.1%
4. Denver 3.7%
Last year: Portland 42.9%





http://www.nba.com/2010/news/features/10/02/survey-predictions/lakers-3-100210.jpg
Los Angeles Lakers
Which team will win the Pacific Division?
1. Los Angeles Lakers 96.4%
2. Phoenix Suns 3.6%
Last year: Los Angeles Lakers 96.6%

[DPG21920]

Lakers are clearly still the favorites. The Heat are going to be damn good, but the Lakers have the talent to match and they don't have any huge or concerning question marks. They are one of the 3-4 teams that present a serious match up problem up front for the Heat and they have a guy in Kobe who can cancel out some of what Lebron/Wade bring.

Lakers are going to be great again.

[Ashy Larry]

I think so ...... if the Lakers roll players can outplay Miami's, it should be a three-peat. Because I can't see Bosh, James and Wade scoring 25-30 apiece.

[DPG21920]

It's not really about the scoring imo, it is about the match ups. If Bynum/Pau/Odom are healthy, as things stand now, I don't see how MIA can overcome that.

Unless Wade/Bron just play ridiculous, which is possible.

[Ashy Larry]

I can see them getting the Lakers' bigs in foul trouble because no two players go to the rack like they do ...... and hopefully the perimeter players can keep them in front so that won't happen. And you're right. I do think it will come down to defense though because the Lakers have no problems scoring.

[DPG21920]

MIA is going to be great on defense as well, but it really helps having 2 7 footers to cover up any lapses.

[ElNono]

Bunch of frontrunners... :lol

[DPG21920]

Well no Bynum certainly changes the equation. He is a big reason (at least in terms of size and ability if healthy) that LA would have an edge.

[Giuseppe]

..........Howard & Perkins---dead in the ground---Exhibit A & B.

[SplitterHook]

I think we won't even see Lakers vs. Heat in the finals... Celtics going to beat the Heat in the conference semi-final.

[Giuseppe]

That'll go over like ants on a picnic in NY.

[Rummpd]

I agree with the GMs on this one but in reality what makes these GMs such experts? Many of them year in and year out make sublime decisions on retreads for coaches and take the safe route out, i.e., like passing up on Blair or taking Oden and passing on a potential all-time great in Durant.

[SomeCallMeTim]

lol @ SAN ANTONIO HEAT ... so when the Heat and Spurs play, it's going to be a win-win ???

Every time they play, it's a tie. By definition.

[SomeCallMeTim]

I agree with the GMs on this one but in reality what makes these GMs such experts? Many of them year in and year out make sublime decisions on retreads for coaches and take the safe route out, i.e., like passing up on Blair or taking Oden and passing on a potential all-time great in Durant.

That word, I do not think it means what you think it means.

[DeadlyDynasty]

That word, I do not think it means what you think it means.

Inconceivable!

http://byejustin.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/vizzini-copy.jpg

[Chillen]

Of course they are they just won back2back NBA championships and have made the NBA finals 3 years straight losing once to Boston. Miami hasn't accomplished nothing yet and Boston lost to the Lakers in 7 games so they still deserve props. I do believe the Lakers will be beatable this season but nobody in the NBA except for Boston has been able to do it the past 3 NBA seasons. So of course they are the favorites until some team in the NBA unseats them.

[lefty]

Of course they are faves, they are the defending Stern champs

[duncan228]

Stern hyping the Heat.


Stern: This NBA season may be 1 ‘of the greatest’ (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-heat-stern)

NBA Commissioner David Stern says anticipation surrounding the Miami Heat is one reason why he expects fans may see “some of the greatest basketball ever played” this season.

Speaking Thursday before the reigning NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers played Euroleague champion Regal FC Barcelona, Stern was asked if Miami getting LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh to play together on what’s expected to be a title contender would make the Heat “bad guys” in the league.

Stern says, “We’re going to have, really, our most successful season. I don’t think it’s good guys and bad guys. I think you’re going to be getting to see some of the greatest basketball ever played.”

He added that it’s “very interesting and exciting” to see how James, Wade and Bosh teamed up.

[lefty]

Stern hyping the Heat.
That reminds me of 2008 : " Yeah, I would like Lakers vs Celtics in the Finals "

:lmao