2010 NBA Championship Predictions and Favorites

Heading into the 2010 NBA playoffs, there are perhaps more teams with a legitimate chance to win the title than ever before. Each conference has a clear big dog, but then a solid cast of contenders who could get hot and upset the more vulnerable than they look top teams. So which team will raise the trophy at the end of the 2010 NBA Finals? Here's a look at the teams with the best chances of winning it all.

2010 NBA Finals Favorites

Los Angeles Lakers; Odds 3-1

The defending champions are the best team of the lot, but don't think they are untouchable, or a lock to make it to the Finals. They remind me a lot of the Kobe and Shaq team with Karl Malone and Gary Payton that everybody assumed would turn it on when they needed to and trounce the Pistons. It didn't happen. Kobe's worn down, Lamar Odom has been inconsistent even for Lamar Odom, Ron Artest never gelled... and they're still the favorites. But don't assume anything.

Cleveland Cavaliers; Odds 4-1

Last year in the playoffs we saw that Lebron can carry his team on his back like few players can. But it's just not going to win the day against deep teams that are playing at their best across the board. I like this year's Magic less than last years, but the Hawks are a viable threat in the East as well. If they make it out of the East, you can bank on Lebron putting up a 45 - 20 - 12 type stat sheet against the Lakers in his bid to officially take the "best player in the game" crown for himself.

Dallas Mavericks; Odds 6-1

Dirk Nowitzki received a lot of harsh, but valid criticism when his team allowed the Miami Heat to come out of nowhere and steal the title from their grasps in 2006. Followed up by two straight first round losses in the playoffs, including an inexplicable loss as a number 1 seed to the 8 seed Golden State Warriors, and it seemed like Nowtizki and Mark Cuban would never get a title together. But they have a stronger and more versatile team than ever before with Caron Butler, Brendan Haywood and Shawn Marion. And that Dirk guy? He's shooting 48% from the field for the season, 40% behind the arc and 91% at the line for his 25 PPG.

Denver Nuggets; Odds 7-1

When the Nuggets are firing on all cylinders as opposed to firing all bricks, they are one of the most dangerous teams in the league. But by now it should be clear they can't do that every single night. Their B-game is enough for most squads, but they will need more consistency against the Mavericks or the Lakers. The return of George Karl to the bench from his time spent receiving cancer treatments could be a huge boost, but it could also lead to an emotional burnout.

Orlando Magic; Odds 8-1

I'm not ever going to favor a team with Vince Carter to win an NBA championship. But this team is dangerous, they have all of that experience from last year to rely upon and they have some guy with 20-inch-rims-for-deltoids named Dwight Howard that shoots 60% from the field, jumps out of the building and displays other such Super Man type behaviors. If guys like J.J. Redick, Jameer Nelson and Mickael Pietrus knock down their open shots, watch out.

Atlanta Hawks; Odds 8-1

If this team had more collective postseason experience I would like them even more. But they are athletic, they are deep and they are more disciplined than in years past. They would also relish the chance to beat down their old nemesis the Celtics, or to teach the Cavaliers a thing or two about winning a playoff series because of an entire team as opposed to a one man team.

San Antonio Spurs; Odds 10-1

A few months ago as it looked like the Spurs could actually miss the 2010 NBA playoffs, any team would have welcomed the opportunity to face them if they managed to sneak in. Now not so much. With Manu Ginobili tearing teams apart, a relatively healthy cast of stars and some four-time NBA Champion named Tim Duncan manning the 5 spot, this is a team not to sleep on. Plus, they missed their championship-every-other-year-routine last season, so they are overdue.

Utah Jazz; Odds 12-1

You gotta love Deron Williams, and while I'd still take a healthy Chris Paul over him, I wouldn't necessarily mind a determined, consistent, cornerstone player like Williams on my team. If they get good games from Andrei Kirilenko and Mehmet Okur every night they could go a very long way in the 2010 NBA playoffs. But then there's that whole not being able to beat the Lakers thing.

Phoenix Suns; Odds 15-1

Amar'e Stoudemire has been back to his beastly ways as of late, having monstrous game after monstrous game and Grant Hill and Steve Nash are still battling to win their first titles. It's a strong cast, but the competition is too fierce and talented on both ends of the floor in the Western Conference for them to survive.

Boston Celtics; Odds 15-1

Some long odds for a team with a good record but a lot of tired, old legs. The window appears to be closed for them, despite another 50 win season. The Hawks have their number, they won't shut down Lebron in a 7 game series and acquisition Rasheed Wallace never improved the club like he was supposed to.

Sources:
Standings and stats - ESPN.Com; NBA.com
Odds - Personal opinion