TRUE CONTENDERS HEADING DOWN THE STRETCH RUN

NBA / Basketball

Written by Eddie Huband

With a month remaining in the season, it’s time to really take a look at which teams are true contenders. So without further adieu, here are the top five teams in each conference split up into who has a legit shot at winning a title, and who doesn’t…

Chris Paul, Devin Booker | Source (Background Photo): The Canadian Press

PRETENDERS

Golden State Warriors

Don’t look now, but Golden State is 16-15 since January 1st. Coincidently, at the same time that Draymond Green went down with a calf/lower back injury. It’s been a steady dose of Kevon Looney in his stead, much to the delight of opposing coaches, I’m sure.

Klay Thompson hasn’t been himself despite putting up decent numbers since returning from two years of being on the shelf. Not that you can blame the guy, but his defence hasn’t been close to the Klay of old, and he’s shooting just 36 per cent from three.

Also, Andrew Wiggins has completely forgotten how to play basketball since the All-Star break.

Steph is still Steph, but unless Draymond can come back healthy and be their defensive anchor by the playoffs, one could seriously question how Golden State’s frontcourt will hold up.

Milwaukee Bucks

It’s been a strange season for the defending champs, one riddled with injury. They’ve had a sleep-walking vibe for most of the year. Brook Lopez not being around has had a lot to do with it, but there’s something else that just doesn’t smell right with this team.

Still, the Bucks are on pace to win well over 50 games this year, and should be given the benefit of the doubt as a team with a championship pedigree.

Not to mention, they have Giannis.

But the Bucks’ depth is weaker this year, and Bobby Portis is way too integral to their success. Plus, the East is way better.

Chicago Bulls

Chicago has been a nice story, particularly the brilliance of DeMar DeRozan, despite being completely decimated by injury. The defence has been downright atrocious since the three best defensive players on the roster; Lonzo Ball, Alex Caruso and Patrick Williams, all got hurt. Go figure.

Caruso and Williams could be making a return soon, but will that be enough to elevate this team above the loaded East, remains the question.

The Bulls still can get great shots in the fourth quarter thanks to the plethora of high end scoring talent they possess, but Nikola Vucevic is a pylon, and defence wins championships.

Ultimately, the Bulls don’t have the guard depth or the defensive prowess without Ball to go the distance.

Utah Jazz

The casual fan might look at this team and say “They’re the same old Utah Jazz, can’t trust them in the playoffs.”

To that person, It should be worth saying that the Jazz are finally healthy, and trending in the right direction. They have the best offensive rating in the league, yeah, you read that right, and seemingly score at will most nights thanks to a platoon of quick little guards.

Rudy Gobert is still the most effective defensive player in the league.

Having said all that…they’re still the same old Utah Jazz…Next.

Dallas Mavericks

I so wanted to put the Mavs as a contender but I just couldn’t quite get there. Good luck to whoever has to play this team in the first round though.

Luka Doncic has been flat out unconscious the past month, with four 40 point scoring games in his last ten outings, including 51 against the Clippers. The addition of Spencer Dinwiddie has given the offence a new dynamic. He’s averaging better than 18 PPG since coming aboard.

Jalen Brunson has taken another step as well as a third guard.

This team will go as far as Luka takes them though, and to be fair, that could be to some pretty high places. Still, to me, the Mavs are one front court piece away from being seriously considered as a contender.

Now watch Luka go do it by himself and prove me wrong. He’s that special.

CONTENDERS

Phoenix Suns

The most obvious contender, Phoenix has run away with the league's best record, and have shown zero hangovers from last year’s heartbreak in the finals.

Yes, Chris Paul is hurt, which will be a concern come playoff time, but assuming he’s ready to go by then this team shouldn’t have a problem making it to at least the conference finals.

They move the ball, they’re well-coached, they have a top-five offensive and defensive rating, they have a ton of wings to throw at you and they have two legit closers.

Their depth is also better with the additions of Landry Shamet and Javale McGhee. The Phoenix Suns look every bit the part of a contender.

Miami Heat

They aren’t the sexiest team in the East, but Miami has been dominant no matter who’s been on the court.

Though Kyle Lowry’s numbers are way down, the intangibles he brings that don’t show up on the stat sheet mesh perfectly with the games of Jimmy Butler and the blossoming Bam Adebayo.

Tyler Herro has taken a big step as a scorer, Victor Oladipo looked like a spring chicken in his return to action, and the bench is good enough to get by if things go haywire.

But the reason why the Miami Heat is a legit threat in the East is because of Adebayo. The 5th year centre is averaging almost 19 points and 10 boards a game while shooting over 50 per cent from the field and playing outstanding defence.

Nothing about the Miami Heat is sexy, but they’re as tough and smart as they come.

Philadelphia 76ers

Every bone in my body is telling me not to back Philly as a contender, especially since they just acquired James Harden, who hasn’t had a significant playoff moment in a decade.

Though it has to be said that in the small sample size, Harden has looked fantastic, other than the complete dud against Brooklyn this past Thursday. Still, his presence has opened up the game of backcourt mate Tyrese Maxey as a solid third scoring option.

Who are we kidding though, this is a bet on Joel Embiid.

The likely MVP runner-up is straight-up unstoppable. His nearly 30 points and 11 rebounds per game are Shaq-esque, and there’s no one in the East with a prayer of guarding him in a seven-game series.

If Harden plays hard (no pun intended) and Embiid avoids any injury issues, the Sixers have to be taken very seriously.

Memphis Grizzlies

Ja Morant has arrived, and so have the Memphis Grizzlies.

No, the roster doesn’t blow you away on paper other than Ja, but this team is hungry and they play together. It’s a classic ‘whole is greater than the sum of its parts’ squad.

Not to mention, they have the most electrifying player in the league at the helm.

The Grizz have a top 10 offensive and defensive rating, and if they can get starting shooting guard Dillon Brooks back by the postseason they’ll be even more formidable.

The questions about their youth and inexperience are still very real, but I frankly don’t care. To me, this feels very similar to when Steph Curry and the 2015 Warriors took the world by storm en route to winning a title perhaps a year ahead of schedule.

Who says Memphis can’t follow that same trajectory.

Boston Celtics

It pains me to say this, but the Boston Celtics are really good.

The C’s have been on an absolute tear for over two months now, and it’s all thanks to their number one ranked defence.

Since the addition of Derrick White from San Antonio, the rotation has completely fallen into place.

Robert Williams has taken a huge step as a rim-protecting presence. Al Horford is still contributing despite practically being a senior citizen.

Jason Tatum has completely transformed his game from a one-on-one shot maker to a playmaking distributer. He’s become a true leader this year.

Yes, it seems far fetched that this team can make a finals run, but I like my playoffs teams to have a superstar who can close games, truly great defence and be peaking at the right time. Boston checks all three boxes.

Bonus - Brooklyn Nets

It would be silly to have a conversation about title contenders without including the Brooklyn Nets, who for various reasons will be a play-in team.

It’s really quite simple; If Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving can stay on the court for four straight rounds (for different reasons) then the Nets can beat anyone at any time. If Ben Simmons can get back to being a defensive menace to add to that equation, they could be considered title favourites.

Those are some pretty big if’s though.

Also, as the likely 8th seed they’ll have a gauntlet to go through to get to the finals and that doesn’t even include the play-in tournament.