NBA Power Rankings: Red-Hot Teams Guaranteed to Cool Off
With the shortened NBA season nearing its halfway point, the contenders are beginning to separate themselves from the pretenders. At the same time, though, there is still plenty of time for supposed contenders to fall off the map.
The season certainly hasn't gone as expected in a lot of ways, as perennial powers like the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks have struggled. This has opened the door for some unexpected teams to move up the ranks. While some of them are for real, others will eventually come back to the pack.
Here are three red-hot teams that are bound to cool off eventually.
Indiana Pacers
With a record of 16-7, the upstart Indiana Pacers are currently fourth in the Eastern Conference. After adding forward David West to an already solid core during the offseason, many picked the Pacers to surprise this season. I'm not sure anyone thought that they would be this good so quickly, though. Much of that has to do with a deep rotation that helps keep everyone fresh.
The Denver Nuggets were very similar in that regard after picking up a ton of pieces for Carmelo Anthony last season. While it was enough to get them in the playoffs with a decent seed, they ultimately weren't contenders. I view the Pacers in the same light. They should be able to remain competitive throughout the season, but when it comes to playing teams like the Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls, they won't be able to measure up.
San Antonio Spurs
It probably doesn't come as a surprise to most to see the San Antonio Spurs leading the Southwest Division with a record of 17-9, but it remains to be seen how long it can last. The Spurs showed some chinks in the armor last season, as they were upset in the first round of the playoffs by the Memphis Grizzlies. The general consensus was that the young Grizzlies made the Spurs look old and slow.
Point guard Tony Parker is having an excellent season, but shooting guard Manu Ginobili has been injured and forward Tim Duncan is a shell of his former self. The Spurs are savvy enough to remain in the hunt and make the playoffs, but their veterans are too prone to injury for them to be major players. Parker, Ginobili and Duncan are unlikely to hold up over a grueling playoff series.
Philadelphia 76ers
It's fair to say that the biggest surprise of the NBA season thus far has been the Philadelphia 76ers. Not only are the Sixers dominating the Atlantic Division with a record of 18-7, but they have scored impressive victories over top teams like the Los Angeles Lakers and Chicago Bulls. At the same time, though, they have been owned by the Miami Heat, and that is a hurdle they will have to clear.
Philly isn't the most explosive team but its defense has been dominant, allowing a league-low 86.6 points per game. The 76ers have a very deep team, but do they have the horses to come through in vital situations? Lou Williams, Jrue Holiday and Andre Iguodala have carried the scoring load this season, but none are elite offensive players. Because of that, the Sixers lack the staying power of the other top teams.
1. Chicago Bulls | |
| 2. Miami Heat | |
| 3. Oklahoma City Thunder | |
| 4. Philadelphia 76ers | |
| 5. Los Angeles Clippers | |
| 6. San Antonio Spurs | |
| 7. Indiana Pacers | |
| 8. Atlanta Hawks | |
| 9. Los Angeles Lakers | |
| 10. Denver Nuggets | |
| 11. Orlando Magic | |
| 12. Boston Celtics | |
| 13. Portland Trail Blazers | |
| 14. Dallas Mavericks | |
| 15. Utah Jazz | |
| 16. Houston Rockets | |
| 17. Minnesota Timberwolves | |
| 18. Memphis Grizzlies | |
| 19. New York Knicks | |
| 20. Milwaukee Bucks | |
| 21. Cleveland Cavaliers | |
| 22. Phoenix Suns | |
| 23. Golden State Warriors | |
| 24. Sacramento Kings | |
| 25. New Jersey Nets | |
| 26. Toronto Raptors | |
| 27. Detroit Pistons | |
| 28. Washington Wizards | |
| 29. New Orleans Hornets | |
| 30. Charlotte Bobcats |
