Has LeBron’s Time Come?
Despite leaving Akron, Ohio nearly thirty-six years ago I still have many of my best friends and family living in Northeastern Ohio and I can’t talk to any of them without LeBron James and the Cavs coming up. After watching the Tribe this past summer and the Browns collapse this fall needless to say the Buckeyes are hungry for a winner. Well maybe just maybe LeBron and Company are about to deliver. On December 1st as I have for many years I started charting the NBA teams in search of a team that is under the radar but still has a chance to take home the Larry O’Brien Trophy next June. Let’s take a look at some numbers that might give Cleveland fans hope for a championship parade next summer. As always, I begin with point differential for all thirty NBA teams beginning with the Western Conference:
Western Conference
Pacific Division Northwest Division Southwest Division
Lakers 1.13 Trailblazers 1.06 Rockets 1.04
Suns 1.00 Nuggets 1.05 Hornets 1.04
Warriors .96 Jazz 1.03 Mavs 1.02
Kings .93 T-wolves .96 Spurs 1.00
Clippers .92 Thunder .89 Grizzlies .93
Over the last twenty-four seasons the eventual NBA Champions AVERAGED having a 1.07 point differential with 1.13 (95/96) being the highest number for a champion and 1.02 (94/95) being the lowest. Using 1.07 as our parameter it appears the only serious contender in the west is Kobe and the Lakers. The numbers posted over at www.BoDog.com say the Lakers are this year’s favorites at 7/4 odds. If you have been reading this space for very long than you know they are an automatic toss for this handicapper. It’s not that I don’t believe they could be the 2009 Champion it’s just that they offer no value. Let’s see if we can find some over in the Eastern Conference:
Eastern Conference
Atlantic Division Southeast Division Central Division
Celtics 1.10 Magic 1.05 Cavs 1.13
76ers .99 Hawks 1.02 Pistons 1.01
Nets .97 Heat 1.01 Pacers .99
Raptors .96 Bobcats .98 Bucks .98
Knicks .96 Wizards .95 Bulls .97
The Celtics are the repeater so even at 3 to 1 odds they are a non play for me. That leaves the Cavs as my pick to win the East and frustrate the Lakers in the finals at odds of 4 to 1. I am sure if you do some shopping in Vegas or on the internet (not recomended by me) you will be able to get LeBron & Company at 5 to 1or better. The Cavs are averaging over 100 points a game and are winning on the road so YES fellow Buckeyes I believe LeBron’s time has come!! Thanks for listening and let’s chat next Friday.