NBA Playoffs 2012: Surprising Teams Ready to Push for Title

The NBA playoffs have been unpredictable thus far, and there are three surprising teams that are ready to shock the world and win the title this year.

After the Chicago Bulls’ Derrick Rose went down with a torn ACL, the playoffs opened up completely for any team to come in and steal a title this year.

The Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat are of course the teams to beat, but there are a few teams remaining that are going to get their shot at the favorites.

When they do, the Lakers and Heat better bring their A game.

The surprise teams are squads that were counted out early in the season but amassed impressive records on the road to the postseason. Each one has impressive bench depth and a solid starting five.

There aren’t any big-name superstars on these teams, and there certainly isn’t a “Big Three.” There are, however, unified teams that, against all odds, have a shot at bringing a title home when all is said and done.

Philadelphia 76ers

The 76ers are currently in the process of putting down the Rose-less Chicago Bulls. It’s become a long, drawn-out process, but the 76ers are going to eventually wear down the depleted roster.

The 76ers are one of the most well-rounded teams in the playoffs thanks to guys like Lou Williams, Evan Turner and Andre Iguodala.

Iguodala shuts down anyone he defends and has the ability to light up the score board at times. Williams is a dynamite player who can shoot with the best of them, and Turner is finally looking like he was deserving of the high selection.

Add in key depth components like Jrue holiday, Sam Young and Thaddeus Young, and the 76ers could shock the Heat in the East on the way to a championship.

Denver Nuggets

All hope was said to be lost in Denver after the departure of Carmelo Anthony. Ironically enough, the Nuggets are set to go further in the playoffs than Anthony’s new team, the New York Knicks.

The Nuggets are currently down 3-2 in a series against the Los Angeles Lakers but have won the last two and could easily ride the momentum to a series victory and much more.

Thanks to the Anthony trade, the Nuggets now have one of the deepest rosters in the playoffs. The veteran point guard, Andre Miller, can do it all while the budding star, Ty Lawson, can score in spades. Danilo Gallinari is becoming a threat on every possession.

However, it’s guys like Kenneth Faried that drive the Nuggets. Faried is a high-energy player who is small for playing down low. That hasn’t stopped him from going toe-to-toe with Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum—and winning.

The Nuggets weren’t supposed to sniff the playoffs. Now they could win it all. Not bad for a team that lost its “superstar.”

Indiana Pacers

The Indiana Pacers quietly put away the Orlando Magic with ease. The Magic missing center Dwight Howard was a factor, but with the way the Pacers are playing right now, they could have beat Orlando with Howard healthy.

The rag-tag Pacers aren’t led by any one player, but rather have a plethora of contributors that are going to make them a hard oust for any team down the stretch.

Tyler Hansbrough is a threat at both ends of the court. Darren Collison is an explosive guard who can outscore anyone. Roy Hibbert is becoming a dominant defensive center in the middle.

Add in an impressive, deep supporting cast, and you’ve got a team that can play with anyone in the Eastern Conference.

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