What is the most overrated team in the NBA this year?

[Chris]

'Tis the time of year for hype.  For every legit contender out there, there is a team that the "experts" wants to put up there, with the hope to make them look smart.  So here is the place to knock them back down.

Which team do you think has been overhyped too much this year, and is going to be a huge disappointment?

I have 3 nominees:

1. The Bucks - We saw last night that they have some talent, and when they work their butts off they can run with anyone.  Last year they surprised just about everyone and became the favorite underdogs of the postseason.  They only lost one real impact player from last season (Ridnour), and added a couple new guys (Gooden, Maggette), and suddenly were being talked about as possibly fighting for the 4th spot in the East.

But something a lot of people seem to miss is that they really snuck up on everyone last year.  They were highly motivated and worked as hard as they could every night.  I don't see that continuing.  They are already 1-4, and seem to have a "switch" similar to last years C's...except they aren't nearly as talented.  I think last years darlings may be lottery bound.

2. OKC Thunder.  Everyone loves these guys.  They have gotten so much love, they often come up as the team that will give the Lakers a run for their money.  Only one problem.  Their frontcourt still consists of Green, Ibaka, and Krstic.  I don't care how good Durant is, they are not contending with that frontcourt. 

I love this team, they are a ton of fun to watch...but until they make a move for an impact big man, they are going to be stuck in the middle of the pack...and maybe even lower now that they have a target on their back.

3. Utah Jazz.  They have one of the worst wing rotations in the league, their Center is out for who knows how long, and 3 of their top 4 (healthy) players play the same position.  And that isn't even mentioning the possible downgrade from Boozer to Jefferson. 

This team is ripe for disappointment.  Sloan is a great coach, but this is one of the most unbalanced rosters in the league.

[Fafnir]

The Thunder are already being talked about as contenders, they are not. I think they're by far the most over rated team in the league.

[indeedproceed]

The NO Hornets and the Houston Rockets are currently in the running for the "Mutt and Jeff" award going to the most overrated and underrated teams.

Hornets at 4-0 are going to hit the ceiling, then the floor.

The Rockets (0-4) with a pretty good Yao Ming, Dampier, and Brad Miller rotation are going to do stuff. And we're going to watch.

[snowball]

The Thunder are already being talked about as contenders, they are not. I think they're by far the most over rated team in the league.

this.

[Drucci]

Thunder, Bucks and Bulls.

I think it was obvious the Thunder would not do better than last year when they didn't sign a good big man this summer (or acquired one by trade). The Bucks had a surprising run last year but Scott Skiles' teams tend to explode after 3 years with him and this is year 3 (not to mention they added a ton of average and role players, who look good on paper but that's it).

Finally, the Bulls will be better with Boozer but they're still not real contenders and yet the media talks about them as if they could get to the ECF.

[Who]

Oklahoma's interior play will improve when they begin to start Cole Aldrich instead of Krstic + when they give Serge Ibaka more time as a PF instead of a C + when Nick Collison returns to the lineup.

Right now, they're giving too many minutes to J.Green and forcing Ibaka to play the five too often. And they've missed Collison's play considerably.

[fairweatherfan]

The Thunder got overrated because everyone remembers the last thing they did, which was giving the Lakers a tough series.  And everybody is big on Durant, and with good reason.

But they're still a young team and none of their main players has ever won even a road playoff game, much less a series.  And the number of "teams of the future" who have lived up to expectations is a lot smaller than the number that have fallen apart.  They'll be good, but they're at least a year away.

I'm standing firm in my preseason belief that the Hornets are the most underrated team, but they're getting people's attention now.  Chris Paul is one of those KG types where if he's got anything at all around him, he'll make the playoffs.

[Chris]

Oklahoma's interior play will improve when they begin to start Cole Aldrich instead of Krstic + when they give Serge Ibaka more time as a PF instead of a C + when Nick Collison returns to the lineup.

Right now, they're giving too many minutes to J.Green and forcing Ibaka to play the five too often. And they've missed Collison's play considerably.

While I agree with all of this, I still think that unless Aldridge is going to be an absolute star, they still need an upgrade there if they ever want to compete with teams like the Lakers (well, when the Lakers are actually trying).

[2short]

Miami
espn has them regarded as the greatest team to ever play in any sport on any planet in the history of time
unless they win the title they are overrated (i don't think they will)

[Chris]

Miami
espn has them regarded as the greatest team to ever play in any sport on any planet in the history of time
unless they win the title they are overrated (i don't think they will)

I knew this one was coming.  I can't really disagree, because there has been soooo much hype.  But at this point, I think they are beyond the overrated discussion.  They are just their own category.

[CelticG1]

I'd go with the Thunder...But the Heat are definitely overrrated. They have 2 of the best players in the league and then Bosh who I don't even know where to put on a list. Other than that they have pretty much average players. If you're being generous Miller and Haslem are slightly above  average. People are acting like Miller is a godsend. In reality the guy can never stay on the floor and has never really proven to be a clutch or big time in big moments..... oh yeah and they don't have big men or a point guard.

The Cav's won 66 and 65 (?) games in the last 2 years? They were always one of the best defensive teams in the league and always had the highest point differential as well.......Kind of sounds like Miami right now. I think they will be a great regular season team but in a 7 game series they will have some major issues

[Atzar]

I agree with you on the Bucks - I spent much of last night's broadcast wondering which two of Boston, Miami, Orlando, Atlanta and Chicago are going to move over to let them have the fourth spot.  I don't think they'll miss the playoffs with the bottom of the conference as weak as it is, though.  Their only real competition down there is Charlotte, Indiana and New York.  New York isn't dangerous unless they land Melo, Charlotte has a low ceiling as a team, and Indiana is only a threat if Hibbert actually turns out to be as good as they hope he is - Granger can't do it alone.

Durant has played poorly despite his scoring average thus far.  I'm going to wait until he finds his rhythm to pass judgment on the Thunder. 

[jambr380]

When I saw the subject headline, I instantly thought, 'Thunder', and thought about the SI cover w/ Durant, Krstic, and Sefolosha. You guys have pretty much covered why this is true.

I do disagree with the Heat, though. I hate them as much as the next guy, but they are REALLY good and are definite contenders. They have six years to figure this thing out and I find it very difficult to believe that they won't pull out a championship or two. Sure, it makes me sick, but I am not going to pretend that they don't have a chance.

[CelticG1]

When I saw the subject headline, I instantly thought, 'Thunder', and thought about the SI cover w/ Durant, Krstic, and Sefolosha. You guys have pretty much covered why this is true.

I do disagree with the Heat, though. I hate them as much as the next guy, but they are REALLY good and are definite contenders. They have six years to figure this thing out and I find it very difficult to believe that they won't pull out a championship or two. Sure, it makes me sick, but I am not going to pretend that they don't have a chance.

In the subject line it says this year. They might not be the most overrated team but  I think they can certainly be classified as overrated. With people saying they are going to get 72 plus wins this year (a lot of people), being dubbed the greatest trio of all time (Dwayne Wade) and for them to be the clear favorite to win the championship with the lakers being the only one to pose a threat (jeff Van Gundy) I think you have to consider them a bit overrated.

The next six years could be different but  i think they are overrated for not proving anything yet. They have 3 REALLY good (maybe 2) players on their team then after that they have none

[CeltsAcumen]

Lakers: Not bc I think they are below a championship caliber team, but bc the hype in LA is ridiculous and they played NOBODY.   Right now talk radio in LA is saying that Lamar Odoms is the 2010 MVP bc he dropped 25 on the Kings...OK

The Lakers are SO over hyped right now.