5 Teams Flying Under the NBA Radar
T.O. Whenham of TrevRogers.com

The NBA season has started and people are jumping on all the usual bandwagons. San Antonio is everyone’s pick to in it all and Phoenix, Detroit and Indiana are expected to be there until the end. But last year we saw Seattle come from nowhere and post a huge season. Ignoring the big teams, let’s take a look at 5 teams who could fill the role of the upstart this year.

1. Golden State Warriors – The last time this team was any good the other Bush was President, but that could be due to change. When Baron Davis joined the team at the end of last season they finished out the year 18-8. If, and it is a big if, Davis can stay healthy they will continue to improve. Mike Dunleavy Jr. has a new contract and is ready to really show his stuff and Jason Richardson is one of the most underrated stars in the game. They are stuck in the West, which does them no favors, but this team will score a whole lot of points and they appear ready to make it to the playoffs.

2. Utah Jazz – It makes me nervous when the fate of a team rests on a rookie at point guard, but if Deron Williams can play like we know he can then this team will be good. Matt Harpring is no longer unsung, Kirilenko is great when he is healthy and Boozer’s game is much better than his word. The Delta Center is not a fun place for teams to visit and Jerry Sloan is, well, Jerry Sloan. They were stung with injuries last year, but if they can stay healthy, they will make the playoffs and make it hard for whoever they face in the first round.

3. Milwaukee Bucks – If the first two games of the season are any indicator then Andrew Bogut can play. Not only can he play, but the late addition of Jamaal Magloire means Bogut doesn’t have to carry the load in the middle himself. T.J. Ford is back. The energy and confidence he brings to the court can’t be underestimated. Michael Redd has a long new contract and a shot which just keeps getting better. He is ready to ascend to the first level of stars in the league. Bobby Simmons was a great addition and a perfect foil for Redd. This team has a lot of changes and new faces to get used to, but if they can get comfortable quickly they could surprise.

4. Atlanta Hawks – Let’s be clear, a surprise team is relative. The Hawks would surprise if they aren’t the worst team in the league yet again. We like their chances. It depends on the ability of Joe Johnson to adjust to the point and lead a very young team, but this team finally has some talent. Marvin Williams has all the tools to be very special and Salim Stoudemire was a college hero. Al Harrington gets better every year and fellow high schooler Josh Smith is as athletic as anyone in the league. Josh Childress had a decent rookie season and he will only get better as he gets more comfortable and loses the nervousness which has challenged his consistency. The untimely death of the very popular Jason Collier could be an emotional rallying point for the team. This team may be better suited to star at a college all-star tournament because they are so young, but they are stacked with potential. It will be a rough road, but look for the Hawks to get better this year and really start to compete over the next couple of seasons.

5. Orlando Magic – The fact that Grant Hill is out for 3-6 weeks yet again is pathetically unsurprising, but this team will still be improved over last year in his absence. Dwight Howard is a year older and a year freakier. This year should be the first of many All-Star appearances for the young big man. Hedo Turkoglu has more than just a cool name and he will fill in for Hill quite well. Stevey Franchise is a sound court general and sentimental favourite Jameer Nelson is more experienced and more than adequate as a backup at the point. And of course, they will get Hill back at some point, if only for a game or two before he gets hurt again. The team has some holes and they won’t win it all this year by any means, but I look for them to be improved over last year

About the Author

T.O. Whenham writes for TrevRogers Sports, which can be found at www.TrevRogers.com.