The shortened-NBA season has brought along a tighter schedule, so much to the point that some teams are treating each contest as though it were a playoff game.  Seriously, despite the rustiness, I’ve never seen players play harder and with more determination during the regular season.

In this abbreviated campaign, some teams have emerged from last year’s mediocrity to become top contenders.  Take the Philadelphia 76ers, whose pure team play has them at the top of the Atlantic Division and makes them one of the biggest threats in the East.

Out on the west coast, the Los Angeles Clippers have made the most of acquiring Chris Paul as Lob City has given the fans of the once lovable losers a sense of hope.

Thus, seeing as how I have an unusually premature case of playoff fever and am in the mood to do a Top 10 list, a la David Letterman, here is a short analysis of the top 10 teams in the NBA so far.

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