Only 16 more days. That’s right, in just over two weeks the 2016 NBA Playoffs begin. Contenders are resting their stars in anticipation of the biggest time of the basketball year. Whilst the Golden State Warriors chase records, their rivals are resting and preparing for one of the biggest challenges in recent NBA history. Can anyone dethrone the champs?
Last Word Hoops has decided to rank the teams still in the playoff race (with obvious exceptions for teams about to be eliminated). Who’s a threat? Whose injuries have derailed their chances? Let’s take a look.
1. Golden State Warriors
Who else could be number one? The defending champions are on the brink of history and currently stand at an incredible 68-7. Steph Curry is playing at a historic level that is almost beyond comprehension. Their comeback last night against Utah summed up an incredible season. The Warriors are inevitable.
2. San Antonio Spurs
The unstoppable force vs the immovable object is the only way to describe what was witnessed in the recent Warriors vs Spurs matchup. The Spurs incredible defense will be the bedrock of their title charge, but Kawhi Leonard returning to full health is arguably just as important. His MVP caliber play this season has taken them to another level.
3. Oklahoma City Thunder
Are the Thunder getting it together at the right time? Since their disastrous losses to the Clippers and Spurs three weeks ago, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook have turned supernova. Impressive wins over the Blazers, Celtics, Jazz and Raptors amidst an eight game win streak might have given hope. Could the Thunder be about to make their charge?
4. Cleveland Cavaliers
What’s going on in Cleveland? A second half collapse whilst LeBron James sat on the sideline resting (or coaching?) led to a terrible loss against the Houston Rockets this week. They were impressive thrashing the Clippers two weeks ago, but awful losses to the Rockets, Nets, Heat and Jazz raise more questions than there are answers.
5. Toronto Raptors
The Raptors just clinched 50 season wins for the first time in franchise history with a great win over the surging Atlanta Hawks, as they continued to dominate on their home floor (29-9). Kyle Lowry’s health and the team’s defense are a concern, but the Raptors currently stand as the only serious contender to the Cavaliers crown in the East.
6. Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers, like the Thunder, may be getting it together at the right time. Blake Griffin’s suspension will be over after the clash in Oklahoma City tomorrow, and Chris Paul and DeAndre Jordan have been brilliant in his absence. It might come down to their supporting cast, or the fact they need to beat the Warriors in the second round. Likely, that will be far too big of a task.
7. Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks have the best defensive efficiency in the NBA since the start of 2016, and second overall this season. Their offense is starting to find itself, as Kyle Korver has started to get his shot back. Whilst there are still doubts about their ability to execute in the postseason, the Hawks are quietly becoming a threat. They are 14-4 since February 26.
8. Miami Heat
They’ve had their share of questionable losses (including the disastrous overtime loss to the Lakers last night), but the Heat have been a different team since Joe Johnson came aboard. The offense has become lethal, and Hassan Whiteside is on track for the best individual defensive rating of all time. Make no mistake, nobody wants to see the Heat in the Playoffs.
9. Portland Trail Blazers
The Blazers have been a team reborn since the All-Star Break. Whilst they’ve lost a little bit of their buzz in the last couple of weeks, they are a very tough out in the playoffs. They will need to hope they can leapfrog the Grizzlies into 5th in the West, but that doesn’t mean they won’t give the Thunder a serious run if they end up in 6th.
10. Boston Celtics
They’re missing Jae Crowder, who has been out indefinitely but has resumed practicing, but the Celtics mean business under brilliant young coach Brad Stevens. It’s arguable no team plays harder from top to bottom, with a stingy defense combined with brilliant offensive execution despite the lack of a star. However that lack of a star might will likely cost them in crucial late game moments.
11. Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets are 13-3 in March, and 20-6 since the start of February. The acquisition of Courtney Lee has been a masterstroke, as he has fitted seamlessly into Steve Clifford’s current 3-and-D system. For some reason nobody has noticed, but the Hornets are 8th defensively and 10th offensively in the league. Tough to beat at home and flexible. They’re not winning the East, but they’ll be a very tough out.
12. Houston Rockets
James Harden’s talent alone is the only reason they even make this list. The Rockets are a dumpster fire and can’t defend anyone, but their uncanny ability to win games against large deficits against teams like the Cavaliers and Blazers show the quality is there. But they just can’t seem to produce it for 48 minutes.
13. Utah Jazz
The Jazz showed their ability to control games and tempo yesterday when they should have beaten the Golden State Warriors, but because the Warriors are who they are they were still beaten. Rudy Gobert and Derrick Favors anchor a mean defense, Gordon Hayward carries the offense and Rodney Hood is torching teams. Shelvin Mack has been a great pickup. If they get the Warriors in the first round, game on.
14. Indiana Pacers
They might be behind the Pistons in the standings, but the Pacers have a brilliant coach in Frank Vogel, a two way star in Paul George and a budding star in Myles Turner. Unfortunately their offense becomes anaemic at times (25th in the NBA), and it might be their downfall regardless of their 3rd ranked defense. With the right matchup in the first round though, anything is possible.
15. Detroit Pistons
Detroit are a team in the midst of rebuilding on the fly, but Stan Van Gundy is building something special in the Motor City. Andre Drummond, Tobias Harris, Stanley Johnson, Kontavius Caldwell-Pope and Reggie Jackson are as promising a starting five as they come. They’ll be a pain for anyone who draws them, but they aren’t making it out of the first round.
16. Memphis Grizzlies
Dave Joerger deserves some NBA Coach of the Year attention. He might not deserve to win it, but the job he’s doing with the most injured team in the NBA not called the New Orleans Pelicans. This season has been a disaster health wise, and it’s a phenomenal effort to be 5th in the West. But no matter where they finish, they are heading home early come Playoff time.
17. Dallas Mavericks
They’ll likely be the team to miss out in the West. A veteran team with a hall of fame coach, Dirk Nowitzki aside this team struggles for genuine talent. With Chandler Parsons gone for the season (and potentially as a free agent), there’s more of a focus on their offseason than their might be on a playoff spot.
With apologies to the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards, they will likely join the Mavericks as viewers come Playoff time. Whether the teams in the lower rungs of the rankings can make any noise remains to be seen. But some brilliant first round match ups await, with only 16 days to go.
