NBA Power Rankings: The Chicago Bulls and Other Title Contenders

It's almost NBA playoff time! Many teams are in the hunt, but only a few real contenders remain in the title chase.

The Chicago Bulls lead the way, featuring a team led by Derrick Rose that has the NBA's best record and a good chance to reach the finals.

Which other franchises have good title chances this season?

No. 1 Chicago Bulls

The Bulls are all about defense, depth and consistency.  Chicago’s rotation legitimately runs 10 deep, which has allowed it to weather injuries to top contributors Derrick Rose and Luol Deng.

Rose is the team’s undisputed star and offensive leader while Deng is the defensive captain.  Both players create a winning locker-room atmosphere and have helped propel the Bulls to the top of the NBA hierarchy.

Looking forward to the playoffs, the Bulls have a great chance to make the finals if both Rose and Deng are healthy.  Miami is more talented, but the Bulls are a more mature team than last year.

With its depth and new-found ability to close games late, Chicago is the force to be reckoned with in the East.  

No. 2 Miami Heat

The Heat remains the NBA’s most talented team and a favorite to return to the finals.

It’s hard to argue with the trio of LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade.  James is having an MVP season, Wade is still healthy and Bosh has learned how to become a complementary All-Star player.

The Heat also are benefiting from solid bench contributors Norris Cole and from solid starter Udonis Haslem.  They did not have that depth last season. So, as much as the Bulls have improved, the Heat will be a very difficult out in the playoffs. 

In fact, fans should expect an Eastern Conference finals matchup between the Bulls and the Heat, and it is anyone’s guess who wins that battle.

No. 3 Oklahoma City Thunder

For years, NBA commentators have debated whether the Thunder are ready to win an NBA title.  Now, with Kevin Durant an annual MVP candidate, Russell Westbrook settled into his role and the emergence of James Harden as a sixth man, Oklahoma City is the team to beat in the West.

The Thunder also have help from other key contributors.  Thabo Sefolosha remains a great defensive guard, Kendrick Perkins holds the defense together at center and power forward Serge Ibaka has unlimited upside. 

However, Oklahoma City leans heavily on Durant.  The Thunder need him to play at an MVP level for them to advance to the NBA Finals.

No. 4 San Antonio Spurs

For the last few seasons, the Spurs have put up gaudy regular-season stats but been written off as contenders.  They were considered too old and beaten down to win a title.  But this year the Spurs look poised to make a last run at their elusive fifth NBA title.

The roster is no longer Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobli and a bunch of scrubs.  Tiago Splitter has emerged as a legitimate starting center.  DeJuan Blair is a great frontcourt supporting player.  James Anderson and Danny Green are both emerging as excellent contributors in the mold of Robert Horry and Bruce Bowen.  And Parker has finally become the MVP-level point guard fans always wanted him to become in the Spurs’ dynasty years.

So the Spurs can use their depth to run to a title if Ginobli and Duncan are healthy and well-supported.  But that is a big if, and fans will just have to wait and see.