NBA Contenders and Pretenders

Contenders

Los Angeles Clippers

The Clippers, when healthy, in my opinion, are the most complete team in the league. The Clippers have been dealing with injuries and haven’t had a full healthy roster up until after all-star break. With a full roster, look for the Clippers to take it up a notch and to get fully cohesive with one another. Now with the additions of Marcus Morris and Reggie Jackson to their already loaded bench, the Clippers are the deepest team in the NBA. The Clippers have multiple play-makers, shot-creators, elite-versatile defenders, and tough-nosed players which makes this team better suited for the playoffs. The concerns I have for Clippers is can they stay healthy and will a lack of rim protection hurt them in the playoffs?

Los Angeles Lakers

The LA Lakers back to being contenders is great for the NBA. The LA Lakers have gelled a lot quicker and have been better than what some people have expected. The things that LeBron have done so far in year 17 and at the age of 35 have been truly remarkable and with the arrival of Anthony Davis, the Lakers have turned things around this season. As long as both LeBron James & Anthony Davis are healthy, the Lakers are contenders. However; the biggest question mark I have for Lakers, is can they overcome a potential match-up with the other LA team without a real secondary play-maker and who will be the Lakers third scorer?

Milwaukee Bucks

With Giannis Antetokounmpo coming back improved and leading this team, the Milwaukee Bucks are on an absolute tear and are on pace to win 70 games. The Milwaukee Bucks have done a great job of building a team and maximizing Giannis game by surrounding him with sharp-shooters & length. A big plus for this team is that Milwaukee arguably has the deepest team in the league and nobody on their roster are playing more than 32 minutes a game. One question mark I have about this Milwaukee Bucks team is can Giannis knock down perimeter shots when teams pack it in the paint and will Kris Middleton & Eric Bledsoe perform up to standards in the playoffs?

Houston Rockets

The Rockets are fully committed to small ball. I believe that the Houston Rockets are the 3rd best team in the West. While I expect Houston to rack up a lot of wins to finish off this regular season, I do believe that having no “true” big will be the downfall for Houston in the playoffs as teams will have a lot more time to prepare for them. I am conflicted about Houston and I call them “fake” contenders, however; if Houston are clicking on all cylinders, then Houston are legitimate threats to both of the LA teams. The biggest question marks I have about Houston is will they be able to overcome their lack of size and can James Harden & Russell Westbrook overcome their known playoff struggles during the moments when they are needed the most?

Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics have a good combination of youth and experience. The addition of Kemba Walker seems like a perfect fit due to his leadership which has Boston playing fun basketball again. This has really benefited Jayson Tatum & Jaylen Brown as Boston have three players averaging 20 points per game scorers in Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Kemba Walker. As Jayson Tatum continues to ascend towards being a superstar, Kemba Walker continues to show his leadership on the court while Jaylen Brown seems to have taken that next step, Gordon Hayward looks like he’s regaining his all-star form, and Marcus Smart continues to be the ultimate glue guy. I believe that the Boston Celtics are the second-best team in the East and are biggest threats to the Milwaukee Bucks. However; the biggest area of concern I have for the Celtics are their lack of depth and size.

Pretenders

Philadelphia 76ers

This is the most disappointing team in the NBA. The amount of talent, length, and potential to be great on the defensive end, there’s no reason why the Philadelphia 76ers shouldn’t be legit contenders. In my opinion, the 76ers, are the most talented team in the east. Unfortunately, chemistry issues and injuries have derailed this team. This team lacks shooters and their best players Ben Simmons (can’t & doesn’t takes & makes shots outside the paint) needs the floor to be spaced out to be most effective and Joel Embiid (can’t stay healthy) is at his best in the paint. It’s a legit argument to make that Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid just don’t work together.

Denver Nuggets

Although, the Denver Nuggets are tied for second in the West, I just don’t believe in the Nuggets as being contenders right now. I know a lot of people “overrate” experience but I believe that the Nuggets needs more playoff experience and to become more battled tested before I call them contenders. Also, I believe that the Nuggets needs another legit scorer/All-Star caliber player. At this moment, I don’t think Jamal Murray is a second option on a contending team, he would be better suited as a third option on a contending team. The future of the Denver Nuggets looks bright as they continue to gain more experience and pull off restrictions on players like Michael Porter Jr. and let him loose.

Toronto Raptors

Yes, the Toronto Raptors have a better record at this point of the season (without Kawhi Leonard) than they did last season (with Kawhi Leonard). This is largely due to Pascal Siakam taking that next step along with everyone else raising their play. Nick Nurse continues to make his case as Coach of the Year, as he has the Toronto Raptors as the second seed in the East. However; losing a top 5 player in Kawhi Leonard who can create his own shot at will and has proved to be better suited for the playoffs will ultimately hurt the Raptors. Due to the fact that I don’t believe that Toronto have a player who can replicate what Kawhi Leonard did during the 2019 playoffs.

Utah Jazz

It’s safe to say that the Mike Conley Jr. situation hasn’t gone as expected. The Utah Jazz are one of the most inconsistent teams in the league. This includes them at one point winning 19 of 21 games, and then Utah goes on to lose 5 straight games. Then Utah goes on to win 4 straight over playoff teams, and then right after all-star break lose 4 straight games. This level of inconsistency proves to me, that this team are not contenders. Donovan Mitchell has stepped up, but the struggles of Mike Conley Jr. who I thought, would provide a boost as another scoring option and play-maker has make believing that the Utah Jazz will face another 1st round playoff exit.

Miami Heat

Unless, the Philadelphia 76ers get their act together, the Miami Heat are the other team who are threats to the Milwaukee Bucks. The Miami Heat have a lot of versatility on the wings and perimeter defenders. An underrated factor on the Miami Heat is that they are third in the NBA in 3PT %. Add that to the emergence of Bam Adebayo both offensively and defensively at the forward spot and this team could provide major problems for not only the Milwaukee Bucks but their entire Eastern Conference. The toughness that Jimmy Butler has brought to this team along with the additions of Jae Crowder and Andre Iguodala have been pivotal. However; I believe that this team needs another star alongside Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo before I fully believe in them as contenders.