2011 NBA Power Rankings IN-DEPTH

2. The Miami Heat
Tri-ami
The 3 Heat will not ruin the 3 peat

"This fall I have decided to take my talents to South Beach." These words were heard all over the world as everyone either sighed a sighed of relief or cursed the world for days to come. Now the Heat have the greatest player in the league Lebron James and have the the Super Star D-Wade. Their the team to beat right?!
Not yet.

1. The Size
Chris Bosh is an undersized big man listed at 6'10 which is small compared to the Lakers two big man Pau and Bynum. Big Z {Zydrunas Ilgauskas} is Too Slow to Pau Gasol up and down the floor, and in a turn-and-face game. Even Bynum with a bad knee will give him a hard time. Dexter Pitman and Jarvis Vernado but they are unexperienced and will struggle

2. The Hype
Lebron James wants to win a championship and wants to win it right now.
The Miami Heat have brought the right players to the table to help Lebron and Wade. Eddie House and Mike Miller are two great perimeter players who can light it up from the outside. The puzzle pieces are in place but there is still one piece remaining..... and it doesn't fit. It does not fit anywhere. The piece is the hype. A five game losing streak is considered the worst thing that has happened in the NBA. A missed shot by D-Wade will be the debate topic on CNN: Lebron should have taken the shot, Bosh had the mis-match in the post. The Miami Heat are not ready to handle this hype and high expectations to win.

Bottom Line: The Miami Heat will win 65+ games and will entertain many fans every night. They will play the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals and will lose to them in 6 or 7 games.

2011 NBA Power Rankings In-DEPTH

1. Los Angeles Lakers:

The LA Lakers have won back to back rings led by superstar Kobe Bryant and the always consistent play of Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum and the always-insane Ron Artest. They have added three great role players in Theo Ratliff, Steve Blake, and the best pickup Matt Barnes. I love how the Lakers always get the players who bug Kobe in Barnes and Artest. Anyway, the lakers also re-signed Derek Fischer. The Lakeshow are set and ready to go and will go back to back because of 3 reasons.

1. The Consistent Play Kobe and Pau

Kobe Bryant was Mr. Clutch as he lead the team through the playoffs and Pau shined when he came into the finals. The duo was very consistent. The team was carried on the shoulders of Kobe and Pau each one of them shining in their own games{ Pau Gasol Game 7 NBA Finals, Kobe Bryant Game 4 NBA Finals}

Kobe Bryant:

Finals Averages] PPG: 28.6, REB: 8.0, AST: 3.9, FG% 0.405

Kobe Bryant had a outstanding finals and won his 5th championship ring.... but not all by himself. Kobe had the help of his teammates, allowed the help of his teammates. He scored his points, swished his threes, and brought the Staples Center to its feet and TD Garden to their seats. He is the best teammate to have in a clutch situation.. period.

Pau Gasol:

Finals Averages] PPG: 18.6, REB: 11.6, AST: 3.7, FG% 0.478

Pau Gasol had a better NBA Finals series than Kobe. He completely dominated the Celtics big untamed animals and proved that he is the most skilled bigman in the league. His jumper is smooth and he can 'bound the ball like a beast. He can take you off the dribble and post you up. He will always be viewed as the sidekick of Kobe but hey, he makes one hell of a Robin.

2. The Talented Bench

Key Additions:

Theo Ratliff

Matt Barnes

Steve Blake

Key Departures:

Dj Mbanga

Josh Powell

Jordan Farmar

Luke Walton {hopefully he retires}

The Los Angeles Lakers picked up three very talented players who will be able to glue that bench solid. Steve Blake is a very smart veteran point guard who can make better plays with his knowledge than Jordan Farmer could. Theo Ratliff is a great defender who can still guard players such as Chris Bosh and Kevin Garnett.

3. 2+10 for the Zen

The Greatest NBA coach of all time, Phil Jackson is probably entering his last season as an NBA coach and the Lakers will do everything to get him that 12th ring. What a script it would be if the Lakers win in a Game 7 in Miami. That would end Phil Jackson's career with a bang.

Bottom Line: The Los Angeles Lakers will have another great season and will achieve their 3peat. Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol will prove themselves in the NBA Finals against the Heat as the best one-two-punch in the league.

2011 NBA Power Rankings

1.Los Angeles Lakers
2.Miami Heat
3.Boston Celtics
4.Orlando Magic
5.Chicago Bulls