In light of the NBA finals and with the success of DMV hoopers in the NBA, I think it’s time to wonder about the ultimate team question: Which of them will be the first to win a championship?
Right now, ‘Melo seems to be way out in front. He is the best of all the DMV players; and his team is the best, with enough young talent to be really good for awhile. Melo’s success is depending on how long Chauncey Billups can keep the chaotic Nuggets stable and lead at a high level. “The Bully,” as Kenny Smith calls him, appears to be the forgotten superstar, lost in the shuffle among the Wade’s, Lebron’s, and Kobe’s of the NBA world. But to me, Anthony scores the easiest (not the most) of all of them. He mainly operates from the free throw line extended, and has flawless footwork between his jab step and post moves. So his game allows him to pile up garbage points when the jumper is slightly off. The problem with the Nuggets has been their lack of focus, so hopefully Mr. Big Shot can keep them on track long enough to really vie for a title.
Let’s move on to the baller in my blog banner, Mr. Kevin Durant. Durant is on the brink of superstardom, a future MVP to me. Teamed with fellow DMVer Jeff Green, the OKC Thunder are further along than most fans think, and will be winning sooner than later. Regardless of what position Russell Westbrook settles into, they have three outstanding players; with the potential of adding a fourth in this year’s draft. Their only drawback may be believing that they’re really good enough to contend in the same conference as The Mamba, CP3, and ‘Melo; with Portland on the come-up and already ahead of them. We’ll see if Durant’s moxie can push them to greater heights.
Michael Beasley has the tremendous benefit of playing with a superhero. Being with a healthy, motivated D-Wade will allow Miami to be favorites in the East. Beasley compliments Wade by being a good spot-up shooter off Flash’s drives; and can create his own shot with little difficulty when Wade is off the ball. It has yet to be seen if he can play NBA defense; but then again, 91.3% of the Association doesn’t play defense, so I guess he fits right in. Their biggest obstacle is a Godhammer-wielding titan named Lebron James. Heat-Cavs should meet a few times in Eastern Conference Finals in the future, and it’ll be interesting to see if Beasley and Wade can overcome a nearly invincible basketball player.
Sorry, Rudy Gay, but you play for the Grizzlies. Some teams just aren’t meant for winning.
While I’m finished with the true purpose of this post, I feel I must spend a few words on the best DMV player of our generation, one Allen Iverson. Before Beasley and Durant, the Beltway area embraced AI like a son. He was the mascot for us, and proof that this area could cultivate amazing hoops talent. But it’s become obvious to me that Iverson will not win a ring. He’ll fall into the category of Hall of Famers like Charles Barkley, Stockton and Malone, and Patrick Ewing that couldn’t seem to reach the top of the mountain. Now for them, Jordan was at the top of said mountain waiting to kick them down year after year. AI has only had one championship-caliber team, and couldn’t manage to will them to victory. As I said over on my blog, AI’s rebelliousness is his greatest strength and biggest weakness; and it has hurt him in the latter stages of his career. It hurts me to say it, but I don’t think he wins a title as an all-star level player. He may win one going the Michael Finley route, but I don’t think it’s in him to be that “role player.” It’d be a shame that a player with that much magnetic influence and dynamic will to win won’t achieve ultimate winning.
But anyway, which current DMV player will be the first to capture that Larry O’Brien Trophy? Who will have bragging rights around the Beltway? Personally, I believe it’ll be Beasley, because I don’t think Wade is finished winning titles; and an ever-improving B-Easy may be enough to get the Heat past the Lebrons (whether in Cleveland or New York).
Peace.
by Johnathan Tillman of Fundamentally Sound
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