Rivalries are reshaping, big name players are moving and teams are tinkering all in search of the illustrious championship. But with all this hype comes the obvious thing many sports fans dread.
Predictions.
ESPN reported today that color commentator Jeff Van Gundy has high hopes for the odds-on favorites, the Miami Heat. He claims the ceiling is so high in South Beach, it’s surprising that his brother, Orlando Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy, isn’t actually Heat frontman Erik Spoelstra.
Someone just made Thanksgiving dinner awkward.
Many people see Jeff Van Gundy as a reasonable commentator, known for his understatements and skeptical eye when he’s not busting out one-liners. But what does the former New York Knicks and Houston Rockets head coach believe the Heat are capable of?
1. Breaking the 1995-1996 Chicago Bulls’ record of 72 wins.
2. Being the all-out favorite, with only the Lakers having a remote chance of beating them.
3. Never losing two games in a row.
4. Having a “legit shot” at breaking the 1971-1972 Los Angeles Lakers’ record of 33 consecutive wins.
All four of these points are certainly arguable. Point one seems extremely plausible considering LeBron James won 66 games with the Cleveland Cavaliers and did not have Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh on his side.
If those two aren’t good for at least six more W’s, then he wouldn’t have taken his talents to South Beach.
Point two is a little more iffy. Teams like Boston and Orlando will definitely have something to say about it, and a remote chance, by definition, implies the two-time defending champs are unlikely to stand in the way.
I just h...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
