Tough at the Top

This year the association has three clear cut contenders (four if we give the Spurs the benefit of the doubt) and it's not even close. The Cav's, Celtics and Lakers are a standing on a pedestal with a good look at everybody else.

If one of these three don't win the title I'll be shocked. Even more surprising than the time Seth choose Anna over Summer in the OC's first season.

The Celtics have the "Big 3" and their role players are only getting better. Rondo's emerging as a legit point (even being ranked the best in the East by a number of different scouts this week) and Powe is the prototype scoring big every coach loves to bring off the bench. Everyone knows their roles and the success they can have by doing them well. Nobody gets out of line because the threat of being the target of KG's wrath is worse than being beaten with a baseball bat (did you see him make Big Baby cry!? And that was with a 17 point lead in the 4th quarter!!).

Plus, they're the champs. They know this is their time. There is an overwhelming sense of urgency with this team. They know they have a window to dominate and repeat as champs. Another title would do wonders for the reputations of Garnett, Pierce and Allen, you know they're not going to let anybody slip.

The Cavs have the best player in the world and that matters a whole lot come playoff time. Lets face it, Lebron is Karl Malone with range, handles and Isiah Thomas' quickness. He is an absolute freak. In Friday's game, I watched him take 4 steps after half court and finish with a dunk from just outside the free throw line!

With him at the helm and having his best supporting cast (and the assets to improve) to date, he might just drag his team to the finals like 2006.


The Lakers have the deepest roster in league. Every night it can be someone else and to this point it has. They beat teams by exploiting their weaknesses.

There unbelievably gifted and skilled front line hammers people down low. Bynum and Gasol look like they're figuring out how to play with each other and have been complementing one another nicely these last few weeks.

Odom's given a huge lift to the bench. When he's in, he's the alpha dog. He has the ball in his hands, something he's always been comfortable with and sought, and runs the show. He's making plays for the other guys and seemed to taken the reduction of minutes in stride.

Ariza and Farmar are light years ahead of where they were this time last year. Farmar's showing the balls that made him so special in college and Ariza does one thing every game that makes you stand up and shake your head. Ariza is like Tayshaun Prince before all the hype.

Oh and they still have that number 24 guy. So whenever they do fall in a crunch or freeze up Kobe's there to bail them out.