As the NBA has hit the midway point, we have teams like the Philadelphia 76ers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Brooklyn Nets looking like the lead contenders to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals. The bottom of the playoff standings features some .500 teams that are trying to qualify for the NBA playoffs but are not teams that Unibet PA would consider a favorite to win it all.
From seeds 8-13, it could be anybody’s game right now. However, there seem to be five clear teams that are just flat-out not good enough. Those include the Detroit Pistons, Washington Wizards, Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic, and Atlanta Hawks. Each team has only one piece on their team, which is not enough to contend. However, what if these five teams disbanded and formed one team? Would that be enough to win an NBA championship?
The starting backcourt
At point guard, the team would feature Trae Young from the Atlanta Hawks. Young is averaging 25.9 points per game and 9.3 assists. Young can create his shot and set up his teammates. He made his first All-Star Game last season. Chicago Bulls shooting guard Zach LaVine is averaging a career-high in points for the Bulls, which ranks in the top-5 of the league. Not to mention, his rebounds and assists are both over five per game. If Young needed help at the point, LaVine is skilled enough to handle the ball.
Washington Wizards shooting guard Bradley Beal is leading the league in points (33.2) while shooting over 45% from the field. While Beal and LaVine are not the next comings of the “Splash Bros,” this would be the closes resemblance to the real thing of Steph Curry and Klay Thompson.
The starting frontcourt
Blake Griffin is having the worst year of his career statistically but the Pistons are the worst team in the NBA. If Griffin could play with three All-Stars in Young, LaVine, and Beal, he might be rejuvenated to play like his days with the Clippers. Griffin is only 31 years old, so there’s no reason to think that he wouldn’t play well if he had a change of scenery.
As for the center position, Nikola Vucevic is being wasted by the Orlando Magic. The idea of building around Vucevic is not working for Orlando. Even when it did work, the Magic were a first-round exit. The 7-footer is averaging the most points in his career and is averaging double-digit rebounds for the fourth time in the last five seasons. With this lineup, Vucevic could focus on defense and rebounding and allow the guards to handle the offense.
Is it enough to win a title?
With this combination, the answer is an overwhelming yes. For starters, the three-headed monster of Young, LaVine, and Beal is nearly 90 points each night. Not to mention, all three players are entering the prime of their careers. Outside of their athletic ability, all three are team players. They would have no issue in giving up shots for the team to win.
As for the frontcourt, having Griffin and Vucevic inside would allow this lineup to run a three-guard combo. Rebounding would not be a weakness here. If this team went up against the Lakers, the combination of Griffin and Vucevic could guard Anthony Davis and Montrezl Harrell and force LeBron James to do more of the heavy lifting. At 36 years old, that’s a tall task for the all-time great. If this team was put together, it would be able to make a run at an NBA title.
