The NBA season is nearing the midway point with just a month from the All-Star break, so it’s a good time to rank the top title contenders. These rankings lean toward which squad is built for a title run and not solely based on record.
1. Memphis Grizzlies
Right now the Grizzlies are third in the Western Conference at 25-10, but that is slightly misleading as they have been without their leading rebounder Zach Randolph for the last 9 games and have gone 4-5 over that stretch. Their one weakness is 3-point shooting, which is something they may address during the trade deadline. Marc Gasol is having an MVP-caliber season, averaging a career high in scoring at almost 20 points per game. The backcourt may be the best defensive tandem in the league, with Mike Conley and Tony Allen, who is second in the league for steals. They added Vince Carter, the former superstar, to help improve their perimeter offense over the summer, but if the Grizz make a move before the trade deadline, they may have enough firepower to make it out of a crowded Western Conference.
Conley, Gasol and Randolph.
2. Chicago Bulls
The Bulls may only be tied for the NBA’s 6th best record overall, but no team has as much low post depth as them, and possibly all around depth. Yes, Derrick Rose is back and healthy, but he is not the same player that he was in his 2011 MVP season. Despite this, the Bulls are so talented they don’t need him to be that. Front runner for Most Improved Player is Rose’s backcourt mate, Jimmy Butler, who is averaging 21.7 PPG. Pau Gasol, Marc’s older brother, who is revitalized after coming over from the Lakers, is a great fit with last year’s defensive player of the year, Joakim Noah. They also have a rookie of the year candidate in Nikola Mirotic, from Yugoslavia. The bench may be the deepest in the NBA and that puts them ahead of other teams.
Noah, Butler and Gasol.
3. San Antonio Spurs
Currently the Spurs are 21-15 and 7th in the West. Why are they ranked third? They’re still the defending champs and have the same roster as last year. Last year’s MVP Kawhi Leonard is still out two more weeks after missing the last 11 games with torn ligaments in his hand. Tim Duncan continues to defy age, and at 38, he is averaging over two blocks per game and is in the conversation for Defensive Player of the Year. The Spurs have lost a few close games in strange ways, and as usual have been resting their starters to preserve them for the playoffs. The key will be getting PG Tony Parker going again at the level he was the last two years, something history tells us has a good chance of happening. Don’t expect them to be at the bottom of the playoff race for long.
4. Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks have shocked the NBA this year after sneaking into the playoffs in a poor Eastern Conference as the 8th seed last season. They are currently on a six-game win streak, and play unselfish ball, similar to the Spurs. Their coach Mike Budenholzer, was an assistant to Gregg Popovich for 17 years and the team shows off a Spurs-like style of play. At 27-8 they lead the East and have the second best record in the NBA. PG Jeff Teague is making an All-Star bid and last year’s All-Star Paul Millsap continues on the same path. They have the 3-point machine that is Kyle Korver who is shooting 51 percent from deep. The second unit is well rounded and they could face off with Chicago in the Eastern Conference finals if they play this way throughout the playoffs.
Paul Millsap
5. Golden State Warriors
The 28-5 Warriors sport the league’s best record, but a lack of healthy big men push them down in the rankings. They do posses the NBA’s best offensive backcourt, with Steph Curry and Klay Thompson, along with a group of wings that can D up and shoot threes. If oft-injured Andrew Bogut and David Lee are healthy come playoff time, the Warrior’s post defense will take a big leap. Lee was healthy for last year’s playoffs, but has missed all but nine games this year and is back in a reserve role , forcing the Warriors to go small with forward Draymond Green playing the 4 position. Bogut, center, will be key come playoff time with him bringing the defensive presence they lack. He missed the playoffs last year, and continues to be plagued with knee and leg problems. He did however play in a reserve role on Wednesday and will look to move back into the starting lineup eventually. If he can stay healthy, it creates a different dynamic.
Curry and Thompson.
Other Contenders:
The Oklahoma City Thunder was the toughest omission to this list. They are only 17-19 and four games out of the playoffs, but have two of the league’s top 5 players healthy and playing together after missing much of the year with Durant and Westbrook. If they can overcome the rough start they had, this much talent on one team could go far.
The Dallas Mavericks have veterans Dirk Nowitzki and Tyson Chandler down low with a great cast around them. The recent acquisition of Rajon Rondo from the Celtics also makes the Mavs a much more dangerous team. Their bench is not as strong as other teams, but a great starting five could be just enough.
