Mavericks beat Heat for their first titleThe Dallas Mavericks won their first NBA title with 105-95 victory at the Miami Heat in Game 6 of the NBA finas. This was also the first championship for star power forward Dirk Nowitzki. It also means the Mavericks avenged their crushing loss against the Heat in the 2006 NBA Finals. The loss was devastating for Miami, a team that seemed to be put together for a championship. Before the season the Heat added perennial all-star forward Chris Bosh and superstar forward LeBron James to a team that was headed by talented guard Dwayne Wade.
LockoutThe lockout was the fourth work stoppage in the history of the NBA. It began on July 1 and ended on December 8, when the owners and players ratified a new CBA agreement. The main issues dividing the owners and the players were revenue sharing and the structure of the salary cap. During the lockout, teams could not trade, sign or contact players and players couldn't access NBA team facilities, trainers, or staff members. All preseason games and the first six weeks of the regular season were canceled. Some players signed contracts to play in other countries, and most had the option to return to the NBA as soon as the lockout ended. The number of games between conferences is affected as was the case in the 1999 lockout. Teams will play 48 conference games and 18 non-conference games in a 66-game schedule, compared to 52 conference games and 30 non-conference games in a normal 82-game season. Teams will play on average two more games per month and also be required to play three-consecutive games at least once in the season. NBA 2011/12 key dates
NBA 2011/12 favoritesThese are odds to win NBA 2011/2012 Championship published by online bookmakers before the start of the season:
The Miami Heat made it all the way to the NBA Finals last season before losing to Dallas Mavericks. While for most teams that would be a successful season, to Miami that falls short of the expectations they placed on themselves. Now, in year two, the retooled Heat are determined to take the next step. Their overall depth has improved with the additions of Shane Battier, Norris Cole and Eddy Curry. If the Heat did learn from last year, this could be a scary year for the competition. The Los Angeles Lakers appear to be in a transition phase. Often that means a step backwards but the organization hopes to be able to improve upon last year's second-round exit to the Dallas Mavericks. Coach Phil Jackson has retired. Lamar Odom has been traded to the Mavericks. Shannon Brown is also off to the Phoenix Suns. The hope is that the lengthier rest period, Kobe Bryant's improved condition (knee) and a healthy Andrew Bynum trumps any and all concerns. The Chicago Bulls won the most games of any team in the league last season. Unfortunately for the Bulls they couldn't carry over that regular season success into an NBA title. The core of Derrick Rose, Luol Deng, Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah went untouched through the summer. In their first year under head coach Tom Thibodeau they made great strides and there's no reason to think that they won't continue to do so in his second year. This page is introduction to 2011/2012 NBA season. Latest news, statistics, results and predictions you can find on our main NBA page. The Oklahoma City Thunder have reached the playoffs in each of the past two seasons, posting no less than 50 wins during the regular-season. There are three advantages to the Thunder this year. They are young team with depth. They return almost everyone from a team that went 55-27. Finally, they have playoff experience. The biggest question for Oklahoma City is how they respond to being a target rather than a team on the rise. The Dallas Mavericks won the NBA Championship last season. They added offense in Vince Carter and Lamar Odom, but lost the heart of their defensive by not resigning Tyson Chandler. Jason Kidd is also another year older and the Mavs let backup guard JJ Barea sign elsewhere. They are still an elite team and they will likely win their division, but they will need another incredible postseason run and more Dirk Nowitzki heroics to win a second consecutive title. The NBA finals in the last five years
2011 Dallas Mavericks - Miami Heat 4:2
The table shows the overall number of NBA titles since 1947 and team success in the last five seasons. |
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key playersAtlanta HawksCenter Al Horford, Forwards Josh Smith and Joe Johnson, Guards Kirk Hinrich and Jeff Teague Boston CelticsCenter Jermaine O'Neal, Forwards Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, Guards Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo Charlotte BobcatsCenter DeSagana Diop, Forwards Tyrus Thomas and Boris Diaw, Guards Gerald Henderson and D.J. Augustin Chicago BullsCenter Joakim Noah, Forwards Carlos Boozer and Luol Deng, Guards Richard Hamilton and Derrick Rose Cleveland CavaliersCenter Anderson Varejao, Forwards Tristan Thompson and Antawn Jamison, Guards Anthony Parker and Ramon Sessions Dallas MavericksCenter Brendan Haywood, Forwards Dirk Nowitzki and Shawn Marion, Guards Jason Terry and Jason Kidd Denver NuggetsCenter Chris Andersen, Forwards Al Harrington and Danilo Gallinari, Guards Arron Afflalo and Ty Lawson Detroit PistonsCenter Greg Monroe, Forwards Ben Wallace and Tayshaun Prince, Guards Rodney Stuckey and Brandon Knight Golden State WarriorsCenter Andris Biedrins, Forwards David Lee and Dorell Wright, Guards Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry Houston RocketsCenter Luis Scola, Forwards Jordan Hill and Chase Budinger, Guards Kevin Martin and Kyle Lowry Indiana PacersCenter Roy Hibbert, Forwards David West and Danny Granger, Guards Paul George and Darren Collison Los Angeles ClippersCenter DeAndre Jordan, Forwards Blake Griffin and Caron Butler, Guards Chauncey Billups and Chris Paul Los Angeles LakersCenter Andrew Bynum, Forwards Pau Gasol and Matt Barnes, Guards Kobe Bryant and Steve Blake Memphis GrizzliesCenter Marc Gasol, Forwards Zach Randolph and Rudy Gay, Guards O.J. Mayo and Mike Conley Miami HeatCenter Joel Anthony, Forwards Chris Bosh and LeBron James, Guards Dwyane Wade and Mario Chalmers Milwaukee BucksCenter Andrew Bogut, Forwards Drew Gooden and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, Guards Stephen Jackson and Brandon Jennings Minnesota TimberwolvesCenter Darko Milicic, Forwards Kevin Love and Michael Beasley, Guards Wes Johnson and Luke Ridnour New Jersey NetsCenter Brook Lopez, Forwards Kris Humphries and Stephen Graham, Guards Anthony Morrow and Deron Williams New Orleans HornetsCenter Emeka Okafor, Forwards Chris Kaman and Trevor Ariza, Guards Eric Gordon and Jarrett Jack New York KnicksCenter Tyson Chandler, Forwards Amar'e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony, Guards Landry Fields and Toney Douglas Oklahoma City ThunderCenter Kendrick Perkins, Forwards Serge Ibaka and Kevin Durant, Guards James Harden and Russell Westbrook Orlando MagicCenter Dwight Howard, Forwards Glen Davis and Hedo Turkoglu, Guards Jason Richardson and Jameer Nelson Philadelphia 76-ersCenter Spencer Hawes, Forwards Elton Brand and Andre Iguodala, Guards Jodie Meeks and Jrue Holiday Phoenix SunsCenter Marcin Gortat, Forwards Channing Frye and Jared Dudley, Guards Shannon Brown and Steve Nash Portland TrailblazerCenter Marcus Camby, Forwards LaMarcus Aldridge and Gerald Wallace, Guards Jamal Crawford and Raymond Felton Sacramento KingsCenter DeMarcus Cousins, Forwards J.J. Hickson and John Salmons, Guards Marcus Thornton and Tyreke Evans San Antonio SpursCenter DeJuan Blair, Forwards Tim Duncan and Richard Jefferson, Guards Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker Toronto RaptorsCenter Andrea Bargnani, Forwards Amir Johnson and James Johnson, Guards DeMar DeRozan and Jose Calderon Utah JazzCenter Al Jefferson, Forwards Paul Millsap and C.J. Miles, Guards Raja Bell and Devin Harris | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||