The Miami Heat is still the overwhelming favorites to repeat as NBA champions but it is not, by any means, a certainty, even if the majority would agree.

Vegas odds and even the NBA GM survey have predicted a high chance for Lebron and his South Beach crew to take the trophy again. Yet, sweeping predictions and projections are just that: predictions. On many occasions, these predictions have fallen flat on their faces. Thus, the Heat, like any other team, can actually be beaten.

The big question is, who can beat the Heat?

The usual suspects would be the teams who almost did it last season. The Indiana Pacers had them on the ropes in the Eastern Conference Finals. Will they take a step further?

The Pacers were also a victim of injury. They didn't have Danny Granger for the whole season, and now he's ready. They added bench depth with Luis Scola and Chris Copeland. Would that be enough?

The Spurs will be a year older. For their side of the spectrum, that is not a good thing. However, they have young rising stars who will benefit with a year of learning. Will they still have one more good run together, or is this the year they go over the hill?

Steve Kerr, a member of the Chicago Bulls' second 'three-peat' team (1996-1998) claims that Miami might not be able to handle the pressure.

In an interview with the LA Times, Kerr said, "There's a reason these teams don't do it. Emotionally, it's just exhausting to keep doing it year after year, particularly when you have to deal with everything Miami has to deal with on a daily basis, just the constant critiquing and scrutiny on the team, and then you factor in the injuries with Wade and Bosh and their health. I don't think Miami will get out of the East this year. I just feel like it's all sort of teed up for Chicago with Rose coming back, guys like Noah and [Taj] Gibson entering their prime. I think Chicago will have something special this year."

Kerr might be biased as this was his former team. However, he has already switched allegiances as a player and as an executive. Now an analyst, he has a broader prospective.

The Bulls were riddled with too many injuries last season, and now they have their best player, who was also the last MVP awardee apart from Lebron James, to lead a healthier lineup. Also, experts conclude that to beat Miami, they must be dominated at their weakest positions: point guard and center. The Bulls tandem of Rose and Joakim Noah may be too tough for the Heat.

They square off in a spectacular season opener on October 30. The clash of MVPs will finally materialize.