The x axis represents offensive rating, the Dean Oliver-created metric which represents a team's points per 100 possessions. The y axis represents defensive rating, which is exactly like offensive rating but for defense. Better offenses are found to the right, better defenses are found toward the top.
Denver, Toronto and Golden State would like admission to The Upper Crust, but they didn't wear collared shirts. No t-shirts in The Upper Crust!
Those 10 Upper Crust teams, though, have real shots at the title. The map shows seven of them clustered together, all similar in quality. Boston stands alone, with an unbelievable defense but a somewhat lacking (by these standards) offense. San Antonio and Houston share "great defense, questionable offense" characteristics.
Most folks only give championship credence to the Celtics, Spurs, Lakers, Suns, and Pistons. You might be able to find someone who thinks Dallas can win it all. Maybe some seamheads (like John Hollinger) will pick Utah. But only the grandmothers of Tyson Chandler and Rashard Lewis are betting on New Orleans or Orlando. But the fact is, they're right in the hunt with the other teams usually named as possible champs.
Link: http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2008/04/ ... nba-title/
Really interesting analysis!
