In the perfect world, there would be sixteen teams with winning records entering the NBA playoffs. With the Eastern Conference crumbled and nearly wiped off the NBA map, only five teams in the conference have a winning record. Is it understandable that two of these teams would be the best teams in the NBA according to standings?
The thing is, the two best records in the East reflect the two strongest teams in the entire league, and it has more to do with star power and/or team chemistry than it does their total wins and losses.
In our world, well, we have the better half of the league: ten Western Conference teams paired with five Eastern Conference standouts. The most amazing fact about this: there are nine teams in the Western Conference that are on pace to win 50 games this season. If you think about it, one will not make the playoffs.
With that said, here are the top 15 teams in the NBA, based on overall record, statistics, strength of schedule, winning streaks, and anything else you can gather from the first half of the season. It's the better half, with no room for losing records.
1) Boston Celtics (41-9)
Notes: The Celtics are one of two teams to allow less than 90 points per game this season.
The Celtics are undefeated against Western Conference opponents this season and own the best record in the NBA. The only thing that I find difficult to understand would be the two consecutive losses to the disabled Washington Wizards during Rajon Rondo's injury. If the kid is that important to Doc's system, it makes you wonder if he'll be able to maintain his composure come playoff time.
2) Detroit Pistons (39-13)
Notes: Detroit is that second team.
To be honest, it was close between the two top teams in the East. Boston gets the nod, but the Detroit Pistons may have a chance to snag a number one in the second half of the season. The Pistons have a great shot at making the NBA Finals, and the only team that is standing in their way is a team they have defeated convincingly earlier this season.
3) New Orleans Hornets (36-15)
Notes: The Hornets have the second highest three-point percentage in the NBA.
Byron Scott is enjoying the show in New Orleans, and the show has nothing to do with trumpets and saxophones. All-Stars Chris Paul and David West, grouped with shooting-ace Peja Stojakovic, forms a tandem that could break a few hearts in the West come April and May. The amazing thing is, I didn't mention Tyson Chandler.
4) Los Angeles Lakers (35-17)
Notes: The Lakers are winning games by an average of six or more points, third in the league next to Boston and Detroit.
6 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Anonymous about 1 year ago
You don't know anything about the Warriors, do you?
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Brandon Neal about 1 year ago
I stated three or four facts about them (you can look those up yourself if you'd like). If you're making this assumption because I didn't call them contenders, that's strictly your opinion. The Warriors are not contenders, in any shape or form.
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Gabriel Erdozaincy about 1 year ago
Unless you look at the standings. Or their wins (yes, plural) over phoenix. and LA. They play to their opponents level. If its the timberwolves, they play like shit. if its the suns, they play perfectly.
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Brandon Neal about 1 year ago
The Bobcats have defeated the Celtics, Jazz, Cavs, Nuggets and Magic this season already. I'd hardly call them contenders.
The regular season is going to be full of contenders losing to teams like the Warriors. In fact, we saw this with Peja, Webber and the Sacramento Kings, who were a regular season team. I never recognized the Kings as a contender.
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Erick Blasco about 1 year ago
I like the fun facts about the teams. I've never really seen any power rankings tha thave that. It's a nice twist. I don't think Golden State should rebuild because the way they play is the only way they can succeed. And in honesty, it is working for them.
Contenders, no way. But they can win a playoff series against a soft team that isn't an elite defensive squad.
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Clublakers.com about 1 year ago
Nice article.
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