NBA Power Rankings: Miami Heat and More Teams Living Up to Hype
The Miami Heat are one of the few teams finally playing great basketball and showing the world why they were the favorite to win the NBA championship in the offseason.
Let’s take a look at them and some other teams that are finally dominating, just like everyone thought they would.
No. 1: Oklahoma City Thunder
It seems that everyone on this roster has had his contract extended and everyone is getting paid.
Now, can Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant and the rest of the young guns in OKC will this team to a championship?
It remains to be seen, but it looks like the condensed schedule and youth of the roster is playing right into their hands. That should help them secure the top seed out West and an easy path to the Finals.
No. 2: Chicago Bulls
Chicago can no longer be considered an upstart team, despite the fact that its best player—Derrick Rose—is just 23 years old and has been injured quite a bit over a winning streak.
They have dealt with the pressure of high expectations to make the Eastern Conference Finals and advance this year and are well on their way.
This is a dangerous team and one that looks capable of beating anyone.
No. 3: Miami Heat
The Heat lost their first game to the Milwaukee Bucks last night, but it’s not time to panic.
They were coming off a three-game winning streak in which they beat some of the best teams in the league—the Spurs, the Lakers and the 76ers - and were due for an underwhelming game out of pure exhaustion.
Playing back-to-back games is tough, especially when you are winning against the best teams and have an underwhelming foe to face.
They were without their second-best player, Dwyane Wade, and still managed to put up a fight and keep it a defensive battle.
Miami is going to be just fine this year, and when Wade returns it promises to be even better.
| 1. Oklahoma City Thunder |
|---|
| 2. Chicago Bulls |
| 3. Miami Heat |
| 4. San Antonio Spurs |
| 5. L.A. Lakers |
| 6. Philadelphia 76ers |
| 7. Orlando Magic |
| 8. L.A. Clippers |
| 9. Indiana Pacers |
| 10. Dallas Mavericks |
| 11. Denver Nuggets |
| 12. Portland Trail Blazers |
| 13. Atlanta Hawks |
| 14. Utah Jazz |
15. Houston Rockets |
| 16. Memphis Grizzlies |
17. New York Knicks |
| 18. Boston Celtics |
| 19. Milwaukee Bucks |
| 20. Cleveland Cavaliers |
| 21. Phoenix Suns |
| 22. Minnesota Timberwolves |
| 23. Golden State Warriors |
| 24. Sacramento Kings |
| 25. Toronto Raptors |
| 26. New Orleans Hornets |
| 27. Detroit Pistons |
| 28. New Jersey Nets |
| 29. Charlotte Bobcats |
| 30. Washington Wizards |
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