Making The Leap

Last season in the NBA, we had 5 new playoff teams. The Knicks, 76ers, Grizzlies, Pacers, and Hornets all made the jump from having lottery picks, to playoff teams. I take a look at the teams that I believe could make the leap from bottom feeders, to the top of the NBA food chain.



Milwaukee Bucks - The Bucks missed the playoffs last year, after making it the year before with then rookie sensation Brandon Jennings. Jennings only played in 63 games last year due to injury, compared to 2010 where he started all 82 games. The assists for Jennings also decreased from his rookie year, with 5.7 APG in 2010, compared to only 4.8 APG in 2011. However, the Bucks will be getting an upgrade at SG this season. The Bucks sent G John Salmons to Sacramento in a 3 team deal that also brought guards Stephen Jackson, and Beno Udrih to Milwaukee. Jackson is a pure scorer, averaging 18.5 PPG last season with Charlotte. Udrih started at PG in Sacramento, and will be a good role player, backing up Brandon Jennings. Udrih averaged 4.9 APG last year, along with 13.7 PPG.

Houston Rockets - Last year, the Rockets were the only team in the NBA to have a winning record yet not make the playoffs. This year the Rockets will lose All-Star C Yao Ming to retirement, which is a big loss to the team. However, the Rockets have gotten used to playing without Yao, with playing only 5 games in the last 2 seasons. The Rockets will return sensational scorer Kevin Martin, who averaged 23.5 PPG last season. Houston will also return double-double machine Luis Scola. Scola was a monster last year averaging 18.3 PPG to go along with 8.2 RPG. Kyle Lowry will go into the season as the top PG on the roster with Aaron Brooks being traded to Phoenix. Lowry is a very good passer, averaging 6.7 APG last season. The key for the Rockets is to stay healthy, what has troubled them in years past are injuries to key players. If the Rockets manage to stay healthy, they could be a dangerous team in the Western Conference.

Minnesota Timberwolves - The shocker of them all right here! Let me say this first though, I do not neccesarily believe that the Timberwolves will make the playoffs. I just believe that they will be better than a lot of people think. In other words, I think that they will win more than 17 games and won't have the league's worst record. This year, Ricky Rubio will come over from Spain after being drafted by Minnesota 5th Overall in the 2009 NBA Draft. Rubio did not start in Spain, nor was he a great scorer averaging just under 6 PPG in Spain. It is unclear whether Rubio, or Luke Ridnour will start. One of the few positives for the Timberwolves last year was Kevin Love. Love led the league in rebounds, averaging 15.2 RPG. Love also had a record streak of 53 consecutive double-doubles. If young players, Wesley Johnson and Michael Beasley step up, and rookie Derrick Williams gets involved, then the Timberwolves may have a chance at making the playoffs.

Written on July 29th