The 2010-2011 NBA season is a week away and we witnessed one of the most exciting offseasons in recent years. Lebron James and Chris Bosh went to Miami to build a dynasty with Dwayne Wade. Phil Jackson decided to put off retirement once more and attempt another three-peat as coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. Kevin Durant is only getting better and building his own franchise in Oklahoma City as the league’s youngest top talent. It all makes for a lucrative season of basketball betting opportunities.
It was kind of ridiculous that James got his own ESPN special to announce what team he would be playing for amidst all the speculation. He wants to win an NBA championship just like Bosh and Wade so the Miami Heat was the best choice with them at his side. But that’s the other side of the coin. Will they be at his side or will they have trouble sharing the ball? Personally, I don’t think they will. All three superstars are unselfish players in their own right, unlike that ballhog on the Lakers. When one goes down with an injury, the other two will step up. We’ve already witnessed that in the preseason with Wade’s hamstring injury. James, Bosh and Wade came into the league at the same time at the top of the draft. Back then, they said they would try to play together someday. That day is today and, barring any injuries or bloated egos, we have the makings of a championship team in Miami. Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett did it in Boston a few years ago. And, this threesome has loads more talent and youth.
The Lakers will have something to say about that with Jackson returning to try to coach them to his fourth career three-peat. LA is still the team to beat after topping the Celtics in a 7-game championship series last year. They didn’t make any notable offseason moves but they still own the Western Conference. Their biggest competition comes from Durant and the Thunder’s young squad with plenty of rising stock. Durant fills up the stat sheet and his lengthy frame is a matchup nightmare for opponents. He carried the Thunder on his back and caused problems for the Lakers in their 6-game playoff series. He won the NBA scoring title with an average of more than 30 points per game and recently led the USA to gold in the FIBA World Championships. He signed a contract extension with Oklahoma City until 2014 and the club is a year or two away from being a championship contender.
NBA Championship Odds (provided by Eurobet)
Los Angeles Lakers: 2/1
Miami Heat: 2/1
Boston Celtics: 8/1
Orlando Magic: 10/1
Dallas Mavericks: 16/1
Oklahoma City Thunder: 16/1
San Antonio Spurs: 18/1
Chicago Bulls: 25/1
Portland Trailblazers: 28/1
Denver Nuggets: 33/1
Milwaukee Bucks: 33/1
Houston Rockets: 40/1
Utah Jazz: 40/1
Atlanta Hawks: 50/1
Phoenix Suns: 75/1
Washington Wizards: 75/1
New York Knicks: 80/1
Charlotte Bobcats: 100/1
Memphis Grizzlies: 100/1
New Orleans Hornets: 100/1