2011-12 NBA Predictions: Overrated Title Contenders

2011-2012 NBA Title Predictions – Overrated NBA Title Contenders: Prior to the start of every season, there are certain NBA franchises that establish themselves as frontrunners for the title. Through performance last season to offseason moves, there are a number of factors that go into gauging how each team will perform. That being said, predicting the top contenders before a regular season game is played isn’t an exact science. Every season, there are highly-touted teams that fail to live up to expectations, and there are already a few candidates that could be overrated in the eyes of the oddsmakers.

Overrated 2012 NBA Title Contenders

1. Boston Celtics, 14/1 odds

In 2008, the Boston Celtics went out and assembled a trio of All-Stars and promptly won their first title since 1986. In 2010, they returned to the finals only to lose to the Los Angeles Lakers. Last season, Boston was ousted from the playoffs by the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Now, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen are on the verge of becoming too old to compete in a conference that features a Heat team a Chicago Bulls squad loaded with younger starts. Still, the Celtics have 14/1 odds to win the title this year.

Those odds seem awful kind to an aging squad that lost energy off the bench when forward Glen Davis signed with Orlando and lost a lot of athleticism when forward Jeff Green underwent season-ending heart surgery. Granted, Boston’s efficiency on offense and hard-nosed dedication to defense will put them in the playoffs. However, the Celtics couldn’t keep up with Miami when it counted, and the core of the team isn’t getting any younger. The window of opportunity may have already slammed shut in Boston.

2. Los Angeles Lakers, 5/1 odds

For a brief moment, it appeared that the Lakers were going to land point guard Chris Paul and center Dwight Howard, forming what would almost certainly have been the core of a dynasty. Instead, a trade for Paul was vetoed by the league office, dashing the Lakers’ plans and upsetting forward Lamar Odom and center Pau Gasol. The aftermath of the trade that wasn’t has left a Los Angeles team that had won titles in two of the last three seasons suddenly vulnerable. As a result, the Lakers’ 5/1 odds aren’t exactly inviting to potential bettors.

Even though the trade fell through, Odom’s psyche was damaged to the point that Lakers had to move the disgruntled big man to Dallas for next to nothing. Losing Odom takes away a lot of height and versatility from the Los Angeles lineup, and more importantly, it means that oft-injured center Andrew Bynum has to stay healthy. Not to mention the fact that the team still needs a point guard and that star Kobe Bryant isn’t getting any younger and is dealing with a divorce. If anything, the Lakers look like a veteran team that could be ready for a decline rather than one of the frontrunners for the title.

3. Los Angeles Clippers, 15/1 odds 

After landing point guard Chris Paul with a little help from the commissioner’s office, the Clippers quickly became a trendy pick to contend in the Western Conference. Granted, Paul and forward Blake Griffin should immediately become a highlight reel waiting to happen, but depth and experience are still an issue for a Clippers’ team that isn’t even used to making the playoffs, let alone contending for championships.

The addition of Paul, along with guard Chauncey Billups and forward Caron Butler, gives Los Angeles its best starting five in quite some time. A postseason appearance is a real possibility, but considering the Miami Heat couldn’t win a title in their first year of the LeBron James era, it seems even less likely the Clippers can just by adding Paul. If the core of this team stays together a few years, a title could become a reality. Until then, the Clippers’ hype probably exceeds the reality of what this year’s team can accomplish.

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