I was looking at the standings this evening and thinking through matchups, who has a realistic shot at the Finals and, ultimately, who could win it this year. So I've decided to put a top 10 ranking together, mostly for people to mock. One caveat, this is my "best bets to win an NBA championship" list, which takes potential opponents, experience and potential playoff rotation into account. Anyway, the list:
1. Boston Celtics - I'm honestly doing this because I believe they have the best chance due to one advantage over the next team, they play in the East. Boston has the same roster as last season, is healthy and playing well right now, so putting them anywhere but top 2 is foolhardy.
2. OKC Thunder - I think they are the best team but will have 2 tough series just to make the Finals plus they haven't even been to the WCF before, much less the Finals. Still they are a very, very good basketball team. Really more of a 1B, but this is 'Merica and we don't do ties, so #2 it is.
3. Cleveland Cavs - similar to Boston, they get a bump for only having one other legit contender to deal with. However, like the Thunder they've not even been to the ECF together yet and have also been in a slump, losing 5 of their last 8 games.
4. Denver Nuggets - Jokic should be MVP because he does more to help his team win than SGA. His supporting cast is playing better of late and unlike the 2 teams above them, they have done it before.
5. LA Lakers - this is the last of what I consider to be the "legit" contenders. The supporting cast isn't incredible and they likely won't have home court after the first round, but I just feel like LeBron and Luka are good enough to do something incredible together. (And I just threw up a little typing that)
6. GS Warriors - I consider them a dark horse because of Curry and Butler (and I guess Draymond and Kerr
). But I consider them a notch below LA and they won't have home court in any series and could even be a play-in team.
7. LA Clippers - Is Kawhi "back"? He's kinda been playing like it. Harden has quietly been decent all year and they've got a decent squad around them. A healthy Kawhi is a difference maker (2x Finals MVP) and in the 12 games he's played in March, he's put up all-NBA numbers. Not likely, but it's not crazy either.
8. Houston Rockets - putting the current WC 2 seed this low feels criminal and they are fun and play hard. But they have zero experience and effort play isn't as great an advantage in the playoffs (see: NY Knicks). I consider it more likely they lose in the first round than make the WCF, especially if they fall to the 3 or 4 spot. No way they can run the gauntlet in the West.
9. Milwaukee Bucks - On any given night, Giannis can single handedly win a game.
Lillard can do the same on rare occasions. There is still some remnant of the team that won it all on the roster. That puncher's chance and the weaker East has me putting them here as a longshot with better odds than the rest.
10. Indiana Pacers - Originaly had NY Knicks here, but they can't beat good teams and will have to play Boston in round 2. Thought about Minny, but they are likely a play in team in the West and have been inconsistent. Pacers have an easier road and have played well lately and made the ECF last year. Somebody had to take this spot and they look like the prettiest dog at the dance.
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