LA Lakers: Brazil Most star power, most championships, most bandwagon fans, favorites to win again this year. They're coached by a defensive-minded ex-player (Phil Jax and Dunga). Best player a threat to score or pass (Kobe, Dunga).
Cleveland: England Lots of media hype and attention, but ultimately they've won nothing. Their best player scores a lot, but not on the big stage (LeBron/Rooney), but their second and third best routinely disappear in the big tournaments (Mo Williams, Antawn Jamison/Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard)
Orlando: Spain They just won something recently (the Euro Cup/the Eastern Conference) and their roster is fucking loaded, but people keep forgetting about them. Their best player (Dwight Howard/Fernando Torres) can't always perform because of circumstances beyond his control (foul trouble/injury).
Boston: Italy Recent champions, old as hell, lots of internal bickering, tough as heck to knock out in tournaments. They're like cockroaches you can't kill. Defense-first team.
Spurs: Germany Lots of past success, some proud veterans with a history of showing up when it matters most, but ultimately a bit long in the tooth. They play an efficient, mechanical style but have more flair than their critics give them credit for.
Phoenix: Holland They play an attractive style, very offensive with lots of scorers who can shoot from anywhere. Ultimately they always choke in the big games, but maybe this will be their year.
Denver: Portugal One big off-putting bitch of a scorer (Ronaldo/Carmelo), a lot of arrogant, enigmatic knuckleheads. Lots of unrealized potential. Lots of red cards too. Nobody likes them, emotionally immature.
Dallas: Argentina (sadly, because I like Argentina). One sensational player who has a lot of regular season success but a checkered history in big games (Dirk/Messi). A bunch of individual scorers who play with no heart. An idiotic figurehead on the sidelines who insists on being quotable and making himself the center of the story (Maradona/Cuban). No serious analyst gives them a chance to go far.
Milwaukee: USA Nice story, but ultimately they have little chance against the big boys.
Ivory Coast: Portland Ditto.
