Jon Berry is picking the Spurs. Magic Johnson is picking the Spurs. More importantly San Antonio Blog is picking the Spurs.  The reality of it all is it’s starting to look like Christmas in San Antonio for June.  Let’s take a quick look at why the Spurs are my favorite to win the 2012 NBA Championship.

Western Conference Title Competition

1. Thunder – The Thunder are a good team but in the regular season the Spurs seem to have the edge on them.  In January, the Thunder took the first game but the Spurs have since won the last two games of the series.  This series would be close – and by no means am I discounting OKC’s chances – but I like the Spurs in this matchup.

2. Lakers – Lakers gave the Spurs a dominating beat down like they hadn’t seen all season.  The Spurs then promptly returned the favor by decimating LA in two straight games.  They have size and Kobe Bryant so we’d be in for a series but right now the Spurs have a decided edge between the two.

3. Grizzlies – The Grizzlies unceremoniously dropped the Spurs off at home last year in the first round.  The Spurs tried anything and everything to get back but couldn’t beat Memphis.  A year later, things have changed.  Darrell Arthur is out for the season.  Zach Randolph is still adjusting to the rotation and coming back from injury.  Rudy Gay is back and has now taken over as leader.  They’re still a very good team but they just haven’t been as dangerous.  The Spurs swept them in the season series 4-0 so you have to think a rematch would favor San Antonio.

4. Clippers – The Clippers are basically Chris Paul and the rest of the talent on the roster.  CP3 is so good, the Clippers are still a team to lookout for but the Clippers are beatable.  The Spurs took the series 2-1 but the Clippers own the last victory, a decisive one in San Antonio.  It would be a major upset if the Clippers were to escape the Spurs.

5. Mavericks – The Mavericks and Spurs play each other tough but Dallas’ 2012 season never got off the ground.  They’ve had issues from day one and it’s not a matter of pulling everything together, they’re missing heart and soul Tyson Chandler desperately.  Although statistics on the defensive end have improved, it’s more a matter of slowing the game down.

Eastern Conference

1. Bulls – This is the team that has the best chance to beat the Spurs because their defense is so difficult to score against.  Also, Derrick Rose would present all sorts of problems for Tony Parker.  That said, the Bulls have been dealing with Derrick Rose all season as he can’t seem to get healthy and reacclimated to the team.

2. Heat – Although the Heat are a good defensive team, I feel like they’re a lot more susceptible to the Spurs scoring attack.  While Lebron and Wade would pose the same problems for the Spurs as they would any one else, both are breaking down.  Wade is closer to 40 than 30 and recently injured his finger.  Lebron has admitted to wearing down after carrying the team all season.  I don’t think the formula of 2 superstars + everyone else is going to get them over the top.

5 positive signs for the Spurs

1. Tony Parker has reached his peak performance again, he’s back to league MVP status

2. Tim Duncan is playing like a star in limited minutes, he hasn’t played this well in 4 years

3. The Big 3 are all rested and healthy

4. Boris Diaw and rookie Kawhi Leonard are playing very well

5. Gregg Popovich is willing to play Tiago Splitter next to Tim

The race to the 2012 title is close, but given the facts, they’re my favorite to win it all.

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San Antonio Blog on Spurs Championship Contender, Favorites to Win 2012 NBA Title