The (Other) Championship Teams of 2011

On the flip side, there were teams that underachieved the most in 2011. We look back at the 'other' champions in 2011.

Carolina Panthers

2-14 (.125)

Before drafting Cam Newton in the spring, the Panthers won only twice in the 2010 season (ended Jan. 2, 2011, thus part of our 2011 in review). Bad offense, as well as an equally mediocre defense, were trouble spots in the Panthers' season. Their most impressive win was a 19-12 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Week 15, but their most depressing defeat was a 34-3 loss to the then-defending champion Saints on Week 9. 

Minnesota Timberwolves

17-65 (.207)

For all of Kevin Love's double-double streaks and All-Star appearances, the Timberwolves looked atrocious in 2011. Kurt Rambis's modified triangle proved to be a bad fit from the start. The defense was atrocious, even if their offense was decently good. Their most  impressive win was a 129-95 shellacking of the equally mediocre Cavaliers post-LeBron James, while their most depressing defeat was a 128-86 thumping by the Magic, which set the franchise's worst defeat. The Wolves need to put this season behind them after hiring Rick Adelman as their coach and convincing Spanish phenom Ricky Rubio to come to Minnesota. 

Edmonton Oilers

25-45-12 (62 pts., .378)

They hope that Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and the return to the Gretzky-era blue and orange will bring the Oilers back to respectability and eventually glory. But before that, the Oilers had the least points of any NHL team that season. They are 28th in both goals scored and goals allowed, as well as the fourth-worst power-play and second-worst penalty kill unit in 2011. Their most impressive win was a 5-0 shutout of the Maple Leafs, while their most depressing defeats were a 2-8 loss to the Rangers and a 1-7 loss to the Hurricanes. 

Houston Astros

56-106 (.346)

Houston, we have a problem! The Astros' 2011 season saw them lose 100 games for the first time in their 49-year history. They traded the bat of Hunter Pence to the league-leading Phillies and the speedy cleats of Michael Bourn to the Braves in midseason, obviously looking to rebuild the team. An ownership situation that wasn't solved until after the end of the season as well as the rumors of moving to the American League were distraction points for the disgruntled fan base. Offensively they had the fifth-fewest runs, the fifth-lowest runs per game, and the second-fewest home runs, while defensively they had the third-highest ERA, the third-highest runs allowed per game, the third-highest runs allowed, and the second-highest home runs allowed. The only positive was that they're 10th in batting average, with Minute Maid Park being a 'hitter's park'. Their most impressive wins were a pair of 11-2 wins over the Cubs and Rockies, while their most depressing loss was a 3-19 defeat to the Rockies. After the season it was announced that Jim Crane purchased the Astros from Drayton McLane, and agreed to move the team from the National League Central to the American League West in 2013. Hope the transition to a DH game where pitchers don't need to bat will be helpful for the Astros in 2013. 

What these teams need to do is to improve in 2012. Hope the lucky ball will bounce your way. 

The Return of the NBA (Northwest Division Preview)

What will Dallas do for an encore? How will the young Miami trio finally play right to win it all? Will Derrick Rose repeat as MVP? Are the Celtics and the Lakers too old to contend? Does the Thunder have what it takes to win it all? Is Melo and Amar'e enough for a Knick renaissance? And is the Clippers the newest big thing in Hollywood? We look forward to the 2011-12 NBA season.

We now preview the Western Conference Northwest Division.

Denver Nuggets

50-32 (5th in West, lost to Thunder in 1st round 4-1)

First full year of post-'Melo era, and the Nuggets are in a troubled spot. Kenyon Martin, J.R. Smith and Wilson Chandler are in China and couldn't get out. Even though the Nuggets played better following the Anthony trade last season, George Karl knew he'll have his hands full with a decimated roster. And while they added Andre Miller to provide stability at the point, expect Ty Lawson to blossom even further at the one. They need to have big games from Danilo Gallinari, Chris Andersen, Aaron Afflalo, Al Harrington and late additions Rudy Fernandez and Corey Brewer to keep in pace with Dallas, Oklahoma City, the Lakers and now the Clippers. Bringing back Nene is a huge plus, but translating it to an improved performance remains the question. 

Minnesota Timberwolves

17-65 (15th in West, missed playoffs)

Kevin Love became an NBA All-Star by virtue of 53 straight double-doubles. But he found no support and the Timberwolves frequently stumbled that led to Kurt Rambis's dismissal and Rick Adelman's arrival. The Wolves now had to leave that behind and start over. Spanish phenom Ricky Rubio was exceptional in Spain. But is he as good as advertised in Minnesota? Rubio's arrival sparks a lot of hype and hope for a struggling franchise, and teaming up with an up-and-comer like Love, the Wolves seem to head in the right direction. New addition J.J. Barea and incumbent starting guard Luke Ridnour will provide Rubio with a lot of guidance at the one. Rookie Derrick Williams needs to mature fast, while Michael Beasley, Anthony Tolliver and Anthony Randolph need to step up to lessen Love's burden. Brad Miller will be a great insurance policy for Darko Milicic. The Timberwolves' playoff chances will be a long shot, but they have a bright future ahead of them.

Oklahoma City Thunder

55-27 (4th in West, lost to Mavericks in West Finals 4-1)

Now a member of the NBA elite, the Thunder need to take advantage of their aging foes if they want to take it a step further. As always, Kevin Durant is exceptional, while Russell Westbrook is steadily maturing. Kendrick Perkins did not necessarily provided the defensive edge when he arrived, but after a lengthy offseason losing weight, it looks as if the now-260 pounder is ready to crash the boards with authority and provide defensive intimidation to foes. James Harden is poised for a breakout year, while Serge Ibaka will continue to help Perkins crash the boards. While Sam Presti didn't make headlines in the preseason, this Thunder team seem to be learning fast and growing together, and if they reach the NBA Finals, it will be a great accomplishment to this maturing team.

Portland Trail Blazers

48-34 (6th in West, lost to Mavericks in 1st round 4-2)

Injuries did not stop the Trail Blazers from reaching their third straight postseason, but they enter the new season minus their leader Brandon Roy, who retired due to bad knees. The status of Greg Oden remains uncertain; his career now jeopardized with the possibility of retiring as well. This Blazers team played well when adversity was at an all-time high, but without Roy, a playoff berth seem like a long road to take. Jamal Crawford is not Brandon Roy, he's more of a perimeter scorer. Wesley Matthews definitely broke out and he's a lock at the two. Nicolas Batum had a career season as well and needs to be more productive this year. While LaMarcus Aldridge assumes to leadership role, the question is, is he ready? And the age of Kurt Thomas and Marcus Camby is a problem spot at center, which means they need more from Chris Johnson and Craig Smith to add muscle down low. Raymond Felton needs to have steady averages if he's going to stay long in Portland.

Utah Jazz

39-43 (11th in West, missed playoffs)

This is the first full season of the post-Jerry Sloan era, and the Jazz once again enter the rebuilding phase. They had a great shot of making the playoffs in February, before Sloan's resignation and the Deron Williams trade sent the Jazz down. The recipients of the Williams deal in Devin Harris and Derrick Favors played well, but not well enough. Al Jefferson did have a decent season in Utah, while Paul Millsap and C.J. Miles had breakout seasons. But the team needed youngsters such as Gordon Hayward, Jeremy Evans, Alec Burks and Enes Kanter to grow fast in order to provide some depth. Tyrone Corbin will now employ a new system, but the question is, will this team accept the new philosophy? This Jazz team will be a 25-27 win team this season, a long shot for the playoffs.

We'll preview the Pacific Division on our next post.