Back to work: NBA predictions

Matt’s Take:

Move over Miami, there is a new “Big Three” in town and they have youth on their side. With the blockbuster trade that sent Chris Paul to the Los Angeles Clippers, there is a new top team in the City of Angels.

Look out NBA, the Clippers are no longer the redheaded stepchildren in L.A. With a roster that has the human highlight reel Blake Griffin, the dynamic Paul and veteran presence of Chauncey Billups, the Clippers are ready to soar.

Not to mention former Cleveland Cavaliers teammates Jamario Moon and Mo Williams coming off the bench alongside Caron Butler and youngster Eric Bledsoe out of Kentucky.

Compare this roster to the Lakers aging team and the Clippers are set to take over as kings of L.A. But enough about the Lakeshow and onto the task at hand — how the NBA season shapes up.

I’m going to cut straight to the chase and get to the conference finals. In the west, look for the Clippers to slip past the Hornets and Kevin Durant in a close series (4-3) and advance to the finals. Sorry Mavs fans, you had your run last year.

In the east, we can expect to see the Miami Heat match up with the Chicago Bulls. This should be a great series as Derrick Rose transforms this Bulls team into a top-tier team. Heat in six.

While the shortened season might take its toll on some teams, I think the excitement in L.A. will motivate the Clippers to come together and show the fans what they have been waiting on for decades. What can be more exciting than LeBron James and Dwyane Wade battling it out with Paul and Griffin?

Welcome to a new rivalry.

Clippers in six, as the Heat falter two years in a row.

Andrew’s Take:

Andrew’s take:

To which group of athletes does the term “Big Three” refer?

The Boston Celtics were the first to do the All-star thing and it worked, once.

The Miami Heat tried this last year, and failed.

And now, the Los Angeles Clippers and the New York Knicks have followed suit.

History has shown that these teams rarely work, but it seems like everyone is convinced that these conglomerations are the way of the future.

And I wouldn’t say that “everyone” is wrong.

It seems that we have reached a tipping point.

I have repeatedly said that basketball has never seen talent like the players who are currently taking the hardwood. And with so much quality to go around, a lot of teams had become competitive. But with this off-season’s shake up of big names, a lot of last year’s playoff teams don’t have a chance.

So who’s left to compete?

The Dallas Mavericks lost Tyson Chandler and J.J. Barea, but added Lamar Odom and Vince Carter. Combined with Dirk Nowitski, Jason Kid and Jason Terry; you’ve got a team of past-prime Hall of Famers. Too old.

Same story with the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs: Old.

The Portland Trail Blazers were set up to fly under the radar, but their best player (Brandon Roy) retired.

That leaves five teams: The Heat, Knicks and Bulls in the East; and the Clippers and Thunder in the West.

I like what the Clippers have put together with Chauncey Billups, Blake Griffin and Chris Paul. But it’s a shortened season. They’ll have a lot to work out, just like the Heat did last year. Oklahoma City takes the West.

The Knicks are looking at the same adjustment period as the Clippers by adding Tyson Chandler. They need another year, and probably a point guard.

The Bulls peaked last season, and the Heat will be on a mission.

In the Finals, I’ve got Miami over Oklahoma City.