Dallas Mavericks and 8 NBA Playoff-Bound Teams Exposed as Pretenders

We've learned a lot about certain teams so far during the 2012 season. Some teams out there are viable threats to an NBA championship, and some are just treading along pretending as if they have a chance.

There's a lot of basketball still remaining to be played, and things can change, but certain teams have already be exposed as pretenders.

Let's take a look at who.

Dallas Mavericks

The Mavericks are as inconsistent as a team can be.

At 8-6, things have improved a great deal, but they still have a long ways to go.

The team was gutted after last season, and if anyone can get things together, it's them, but I wouldn't bet on it. Things just look totally different than a season ago.

New York Knicks

The Knicks need to make changes, and until they do, they will be just another underachieving basketball team.

Until they can defend better and more consistently, they're in trouble. Also, until the offense changes things up and doesn't live and die by the jump shot, they will continue to lose games that they shouldn't.

Boston Celtics

The Celtics have issues that they can't immediately fix. They could be the most disappointing team in the NBA at 4-8, and at this point, it's hard to envision them playing good enough to get one of the top four spots in the Eastern Conference.

Atlanta Hawks

Despite the 10-4 start to the season, the Hawks have to go at it without Al Horford for pretty much the rest of the season.

His impact is going to be felt.

Portland Trail Blazers

After a great start to the season, the Blazers have come back to earth.

They aren't the same team on the road as they are at home. Portland averages 105 points per game at home and barely 90 on the road.

They are deep and talented, but not quite title contenders as of yet.

Utah Jazz

Utah's on a roll, winners of seven of their past eight games.

They might be the surprise of the NBA so far, but they have a long way to go before there are any thoughts of contending.

Memphis Grizzlies

They've done a nice job to get back to the .500 mark, and Marc Gasol has been great, but without Zach Randolph for a little over a month still, the Grizzlies could dig themselves a big hole before too long.

Orlando Magic

The Magic are off to a very nice 9-3 start, but looking more closely at things, they've won only one game against a team with a winning record all season (Portland), and until they do, they can't really be taken a serious contenders.

For safe keeping, you can also throw 9-3 Indiana and 10-3 Philadelphia into that mix as well. Both of them have beaten only one over .500 team as well so far.