10 NBA Teams with Title Dreams: Playoff Musical Chairs

Before writing this article, I had to do a little math. Could it really be that the season started only seven weeks ago and already over 400 games have been played? Is it physically possible that each team, in those 52 days, has played at least 25 games—some as many as 30? 

I’m still putting away Christmas gifts (don’t judge me) and the NBA is already almost halfway through the regular season. It’s mind-boggling. And with 13 games on last night, three tonight and 11 on tomorrow, this Gatorade-fueled NBA train is not slowing down.

With all these games packed into the schedule every night, both conferences’ standings change daily. With the exception of the No. 1 spot in both the East and West, much of the rest of the league is shuffled around at the end of every game-packed, channel-flipping evening.

It's a game of playoff seed musical chairs. Round and round the teams go until the end of the season when everyone tries to snatch up a spot and ultimately, someone ends up on the floor. The West is the best example of this musical playoff seed game since 10 or 11 of the teams could conceivably be contenders. 

That said, there are still a few teams who manage to stay in the upper echelon—a few teams who will not let go of their playoff standings and their will to remain contenders.

Over the length of this short season, I’ve checked the standings each day and noticed a pattern: a group of about 10 teams who have managed to vie for playoff—if not championship—contention week after week. I’d almost venture to say there are really just six teams that should be included in this list, but I’m almost certain that leaving the other four off would land me in a world of pain with anyone who reads this, merely for the fact that I didn’t feel the need to mention teams I either don’t like or don’t have faith in.

So here they are, the 10 teams—five from the East and five from the West—that I would not be surprised to see in the Finals…and a few that could potentially be hanging a championship banner in their arena next fall.

Chicago Bulls

Let’s pretend for a second that Derrick Rose's back injury is only a temporary setback. So far, MRI results have revealed no structural damage, so it looks like the reigning MVP could be back soon. And if the Bulls plan to stay No. 1 in the East, he better be.

At 24-7, Chicago has been the top dog (bull...dog?) in the East since the beginning of the season—most of the time by a long shot. But with Rose out and the Miami Heat—for lack of a better phrase—on fire, their lead is quickly slipping.

This team finished with the best record last year but lost to the second-seeded Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals. For the Bulls to avoid a déjà vu playoff run, a few things need to happen. Rose needs to come back, Deng needs to continue his All-Star level of play and Watson and Lucas III need to step up. 

The Bulls are a phenomenal team, but just because you have the best record doesn’t mean you have a championship team. And no one knows that better than Chicago.

Oklahoma City Thunder

The boys from the Midwest are holding on to the best record in the West, and so far no one has been able to touch them. At 22-7, they’re 1.5 games ahead of the second seed (San Antonio), a spot that rotates teams almost weekly.

While two of their last four losses have come to sub-.500 teams (Washington and Sacramento respectively), this isn’t about bad games. It’s about the big picture—one that includes only seven losses in 29 games.

With Westbrook signed to a maximum extension and still playing like he’s in a contract year, the young Thunder team has serious potential. After Durant and Westbrook, Oklahoma has depth all the way through their bench with guys like Harden, Ibaka, Perkins and Sefalosha. Enough to scare any Eastern team if (or when) the Thunder end up in the finals.

Miami Heat

Don’t worry, I’m not implying that the Thunder are better than the Heat, I’m just alternating East and West teams.

Even if I did believe that, I wouldn’t have much evidence to back it up, seeing as, after a shaky start to the season, the Heat have climbed up to the No. 2 seed in the East and, with a 23-7 record, are rapidly gaining on the Bulls. 

With Wade back from a couple of nagging injuries and LeBron playing at a level that fans and critics alike have been waiting for, Miami is making a case for the No. 1 seed in the East. The Big Three proved last year that they almost have what it takes; maybe this year the whole team can prove that they’re the real thing.

Los Angeles Clippers

I know, I know, unless you’re a Clippers fan, or at least a Laker hater, you probably don’t often imagine the underdog team from Los Angeles making much of a playoff run. That’s OK, and honestly, completely understandable. The Clippers have been horrible for so long that there isn’t even a time line to look back on to find the last good season. It’s just been a legacy of losing. 

But the Clippers do deserve a shot at contention. With a 18-9 record, they’re third in the West (as of today, at least), and with the addition of a revived Kenyon Martin, it’s hard to count them out—especially with the way Chris Paul has inspired the likes of Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan and Caron Butler.

Even with Chauncey Billups out for the season with a torn Achilles, if the Clips can acquire the (albeit often erratic) shooting prowess of J.R. Smith and Griffin can dial in those free throws, this team cannot be counted out.

Think of it this way: It’s 2012, the world is supposed to end in December anyway, so wouldn’t it be fitting if the worst team ever finally made it to the finals, or better yet, won a championship? Look at the Mayan predictions, I’m sure you’ll find some weird carving of a Blake Griffin dunk in there. Maybe even a cryptic "CP3" scribbled somewhere.

Philadelphia 76ers

I literally never thought I’d write this, but the Philadelphia 76ers have a serious shot at a playoff run. Andre Iguodala, recently named as an All-Star reserve for the East, is the first 76er since Allen Iverson to be selected to an All-Star team. 

And while Igoudala is often criticized for his offensive weaknesses—trouble at the free-throw line, inconsistent performance—his perimeter defense is undeniable, and among small forwards this year, he’s in the top 10 in scoring per game, rebounds, assists and steals. It seems as though his team mirrors his performance. A fairly good performance, given that they're 20-10.

That isn’t to say that he carries his team, however. With the improved play of guys like Lou Williams, Jrue Holiday, Thaddeus Young and Elton Brand, this defensive-minded team could hold off teams for an impressive run come playoff time.

Dallas Mavericks

The reigning champions are 30 games in and it looks like their hangover has finally worn off. After starting the season with four losses in their first five games, the Mavericks have picked up the pace.

Now at fourth place in the West with a 19-11 record, the team that appeared to be on its last leg after a lengthy finals run and a trade that basically replaced Tyson Chandler with Lamar Odom is slowly making a comeback.

Dallas’ finals MVP, Dirk Nowitzki, however, has made a bit less of a reappearance. After sitting out four games with a sore right knee—and to work on conditioning (something I'm not sure I would admit after an extended offseason and nearly a month into regular-season play)—Nowitzki is yet not back to true form. Even after an All-Star reserve nod, it still seems the majority are not on board with the veteran’s performance, or lack thereof. 

But while Dirk and the Mavericks may have a few kinks to work out (and a few laps to run), they’re still a high-caliber team with a fair shot at a championship repeat. They know what it takes—don't count them out.

Indiana Pacers

Until a week ago, the Indiana Pacers had not lost two consecutive games. And while their schedule had been relatively easy, they managed to beat the Lakers, Boston, Chicago, Dallas and Orlando on the road. Pretty impressive for a team that finished 37-45 last year (somehow eighth in the East).

With the likes of Darren Collison, Danny Granger, David West, Tyler Hansbrough, All-Star Roy Hibbert and hometown hero George Hill, Indiana has both a solid starting lineup and depth from the bench.

Despite having hit a slump their last five games, losing to Atlanta, Denver, Memphis, Miami and Orlando—at least four genuinely good teams—with the type of consistency they showed in the first quarter of the season, the Pacers have a legitimate opportunity in the East. 

Los Angeles Lakers

OK, don't panic. Despite my personal preferences, there's no way I could leave the Lakers off this list. Although, I will say that despite my belief that the Lakers will be in the playoffs, I don't see them as real championship contenders. If last year was any testimony as to how the Lakers will perform under playoff pressure, 2012 does not look like the year for Kobe to get his sixth ring.

But the Lakers have actually surprised me. After last year's playoffs disaster, the Chris Paul debacle that led to Odom being traded, Kobe's injuries and Gasol's hurt feelings, I wasn't sure they'd even have a chance at the playoffs, but they've managed to stay in the running.

At 17-12, the Lakers have been all over the board as far as conference standings, landing at sixth in the West thus far. Not bad given that many predicted they would crash and burn with a new coach and an emotional team.

My guess? If Kobe's wrist and knee(s) don't get any worse, he'll keep scoring at a blistering pace and keep carrying the Lakers on his back until the day that goes out, too. And unless the Lakers somehow get ahold of Dwight Howard before the trade deadline (doesn't seem likely, but stranger things have happened), they'll make a run at the playoffs, but that's all. Although, I wouldn't bet against them. Kobe scares me. 

Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks are not a huge surprise to end up on this list. After finishing off the Magic in the first round of the playoffs and losing to the Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference Semifinals in six games last year, they took their place in the East as a legitimate playoff and potential contender team.

This year, nearly midway through the season, the Hawks are an impressive fourth seed in the East with a 19-11 record.

With Jeff Teague and Joe Johnson averaging double-digit points per game and shooting above the league average on threes (along with Williams, Green and Radmanovic), the Hawks' offense is a force to be reckoned with. Add on a few decisive wins against Miami, Chicago and Orlando and the Hawks have got a strong case for a playoff run in the East.

San Antonio Spurs

This was a tough one. Of the remaining 11 Western Conference teams to chose from, there are feasibly six or seven that could take the last spot here. Fortunately, I have only chosen the top five for the time being, mostly because I don't want to have to choose those last three (because I have no idea who I'd leave out) and because it would mean a lot more writing for me (and reading for you).

So my last pick is San Antonio. When the music stopped, they grabbed the last seat.

The Spurs, with a 21-9 record, have had a fairly steady season and are now second in the West. Their only major losses have come to Oklahoma, Miami, Houston and one close loss to Dallas. Pretty good considering Manu Ginobili has been out since the beginning of January with a broken left hand.

When Ginobili left, many counted the Spurs out for the season, but with some promising wins under their belt, Ginobili's imminent return and the continued high-caliber play of Tony Parker, Tim Duncan, Richard Jefferson and Tiago Splitter, the Spurs are far from done for the season. I just don't see them staying at the No. 2 seed.

And Then There Were 3...

And there you have it. The musical chairs playoff edition of the top five teams from both conferences with the best chance at making a playoff—if not a title—run this season.

I didn't pick the last three playoff seeds for either conference, mostly because I'm scared of the West. I wouldn't put money on any team being a definite playoff lock, but I also wouldn't bet against any of them (you know, except maybe New Orleans, Sacramento and....dare I say, Phoenix).

But alright, if you must know, here they are...

East: Boston, New York and Orlando, respectively.

West: Denver, Portland....no wait, Houston. No, Portland. Then maybe Utah. Er...Denver. Phoenix? No, Memphis...

Ah, I don't want to play this game anymore.