NBA Power Rankings: Odds for Every Team To Win the Championship Title
Some NBA teams have title hopes. Others have draft hopes.
The season is more than halfway over, as playoff seeding is taking very early positioning. Teams still have time to make trades to bolster their rosters and title hopes. But time is running out to get things in order, and we can already get a good idea of who has a real shot at winning it all.
There are a few teams with pipe dreams and a few teams with true dreams of a championship.
Here are the odds for each team winning the 2011 NBA Finals.
30. Cleveland Cavaliers: 1000-1
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Since there is no way to represent "Not A Freaking Chance," the Cavs get 1000-1 odds. If you think that the Cavs can pull it together, you stand to make some serious money.
All they need is a DeLorean, 1.21 gigawatts and a master plan to convince LeBron James to stay in Cleveland.
So if the Cavs can just do that...
29. Minnesota Timberwolves: 600-1
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Rebounding is supposed to be such an important part of winning basketball games. Minnesota took that to heart and leads the NBA in rebounding.
Oh, wait. It's rebounding and defense that wins championships. At last in the NBA in points allowed, the Timberwolves forgot the second part.
Poor Kevin Love. Contracts aren't forever, just remember that.
28. Sacramento Kings: 400-1
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Sure, the Kings proved they can beat the Los Angeles Lakers once with a win on Jan. 28. But there is no way Sacramento could win a best-of-seven series against the Lakers. Or any Western Conference team, for that matter.
Part of the reason is that the Kings don't have any productive veterans and are relying too heavily on Tyreke Evans and DeMarcus Cousins. The other part of the reason is that the Kings will be nowhere near playoff contention at season's end.
27. Washington Wizards: 400-1
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John Wall is a stud. But what about the rest of the lineup? Andray Batche is unpolished, Nick Young is overzealous, Rashard Lewis is washed up and JaVale McGee is unfinished. We could go on but it just gets worse.
Washington has some pieces for the future in Wall, Blatche and McGee, but now is not the Wizards' time.
26. Toronto Raptors: 300-1
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The Toronto Raptors have quietly put together a 13-game losing streak. The only reason it's quiet is because Cleveland is in hot pursuit of a record losing streak.
The Raptors have a roster made up of everybody's leftovers, role players who don't have a place on a contender's roster. Andrea Bargnani is looking like a star but he's the only Raptor shining.
25. New Jersey Nets: 300-1
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The Nets' odds were something more like 100-1 when they were still pursuing Carmelo Anthony. But those odds took a Louisville slugger to the chops the minute New Jersey owner Mikhail Prokhorov said they were out of the 'Melo hunt.
Although the Nets are still looking into trades, there isn't another move possible that could get them into the eighth playoff seed—even in the Eastern Conference.
24. Detroit Pistons: 270-1
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"Bad Boys" has taken on a whole new meaning for the Detroit Pistons. What was once a moniker for a tough, defensive minded championship contender can now be applied to a team in turmoil.
Most of the pieces remaining from the team's more recent championship days are on the trading block and the bench. There is plenty wrong with this team. It lacks talent, trust in its veterans and any chance at a championship.
23. Los Angeles Clippers: 200-1
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If the league were decided by two-on-two games, the Clippers would have a chance. Blake Griffin and Eric Gordon make one of the great young duos in the NBA.
But that's not how things work. Each team gets five players on the court at a time and the Clippers' other players just don't get it done.
I hope that the Staples Center hosts a Clippers' NBA Finals game one day, but it won't be in 2011.
22. Golden State Warriors: 200-1
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Believe it or not, but the Golden State Warriors are only one or two pieces away from being a contender. Monta Ellis, David Lee and Stephen Curry make a nice nucleus and have led the Warriors to a 20-27 record.
But until the Warriors make those moves, they'll still be way on the outside looking in. This can beat anyone on any night but can't beat most on many nights.
21. Houston Rockets: 150-1
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The Houston Rockets are supposedly looking into acquiring Carmelo Anthony. If they do acquire Anthony, it changes everything.
But the Rockets' chances of winning a championship wouldn't exactly take off even with Anthony. Where does the defense come from?
Kevin Martin, 'Melo and Aaron Brooks can all score, but who is going to help Shane Battier and Luis Scola on defense?
20. Milwaukee Bucks: 140-1
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Vince Lombardi used to say that if your opponent never scored, you could never lose. That's true. Defense is extremely important and Milwaukee plays it almost as well as anyone. The Bucks are fourth in the NBA in points allowed, holding opponents to 93.1 points per game.
But they can't fill it up. Milwaukee only scores 91.6 points a game and that paltry offensive performance has the Bucks 1.5 games out of the playoffs.
19. Indiana Pacers: 140-1
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The Indiana Pacers with Danny Granger have 100-1 odds of winning a championship. Without Granger, they have 200-1 odds. Since they would get something in return if Granger is traded, I'm leaning toward the better odds.
Granger is a spectacular player who any team would be lucky to get its hands on. Indiana would be wise to find a way to keep him.
It looks unlikely. Keeping him or not, Indiana winning a championship is extremely unlikely.
18. Phoenix Suns: 100-1
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I really feel bad for Steve Nash. The man has kept himself in incredible shape and is still killing it at 36 years old. The only problem is that his best chance at a championship was nixed by David Stern in 2007.
He doesn't have the pieces anymore with Amar'e Stoudemire, Leandro Barbosa, Raja Bell and Jason Richardson all gone to name a few. The Phoenix roster has more holes than it ever did in the championship contention days.
17. Memphis Grizzlies: 100-1
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The only way that the Memphis Grizzlies can win a championship is by getting into the playoffs. They're on the cusp of that as the first team out in the West right now.
However, chances of the postseason could vanish if the Grizzlies are able to trade away O.J. Mayo. The demand is there but the price is reportedly high.
Mayo has a better chance of winning a championship with a different team this season.
16. Charlotte Bobcats: 90-1
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In the current, messed up system, the 21-27 Charlotte Bobcats are a playoff team. Hence, they have a chance at a championship.
But even with Gerald Wallace—who is incessantly on the trading block—the Bobcats don't have what it takes to overcome the Orlando Magic or Boston Celtics.
The Bobcats might be better off missing the playoffs and getting a better spot in the draft. This is a pessimistic Cleveland fan talking here.
15. Philadelphia 76ers: 90-1
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The 76ers are a mix of over-hyped veterans (Andre Iguodala and Elton Brand) and promising youth (Thaddeus Young, Evan Turner and Jrue Holiday).
That mix isn't championship worthy, but they are playoff worthy in the Eastern Conference. They'll be a nice first-round tune-up for the Miami Heat or Chicago Bulls.
14. Portland Trail Blazers: 80-1
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Isn't it about time that Portland blew it up and started over with a few of the main pieces? Greg Oden and Brandon Roy struggle to stay healthy. Andre Miller and Marcus Camby have to be near retirement.
Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge, Rudy Fernandez and Patrick Mills should be held on to. Others, too, if it's possible. But changes need to be made in Portland if it is ever to transform into a championship contender in the near future.
There is talent in Portland, but injuries have derailed the team.
13. New York Knicks: 80-1
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Things looked a lot better just one month ago, but the Knicks have hit a skid. Amar'e has been a beast and is worth the money New York committed to him, but he's not going to win a championship with only Raymond Felton on his side.
If the Knicks orchestrate a trade for Carmelo Anthony, they will be a title contender. A serious one, at that.
But the Knicks need to start taking defense seriously for the rest of the NBA to take them seriously.
12. Denver Nuggets: 80-1
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It seems like half of the Denver roster was going to be traded not even a month ago. But "done" deal after "done" deal falls through, and still no changes have been made.
If the team stays together, it has the makings of a championship contender. If the Nuggets make it past the trade deadline without dealing Carmelo Anthony, the distractions will disintegrate and they will finally be able to focus on basketball.
If 'Melo is gone, so are title aspirations.
11. Atlanta Hawks: 70-1
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The Atlanta Hawks seem to be the forgotten team in the Eastern Conference. They're still there, at 31-18 and in fourth place in the East.
But there is something missing. They have some talented players who could play important roles on championship teams, but it's not likely in Atlanta.
The fourth seed brings home court advantage in the first round. With the right shakeup in the playoffs, the Hawks could have a shot. Who knows?
10. Utah Jazz: 70-1
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There's something missing here. I'm not sure what, but it's something. Mehmet Okur has been slow to re-enter the lineup successfully after injury. Deron Williams should be back very soon from his injury, but he's returning to an incomplete lineup.
Something needs to change, and Andrei Kirilenko's name has popped up for trade possibilities.
If the Jazz can acquire a defensive low post presence, maybe that will boost their championship hopes.
9. New Orleans Hornets: 60-1
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This team plays strong defense, only allowing 91.9 points per game, second-best in the NBA. But the Hornets struggle to score despite having Chris Paul, possibly the best point guard in the league.
The Hornets can get hot and beat anyone as shown by their recent 10-game winning streak that included wins over San Antonio, Orlando and Oklahoma City.
The Hornets can win a seven-game series, especially if they can get home court advantage. But winning four such series in a row is not a doable task for New Orleans.
8. Dallas Mavericks: 25-1
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Losing Caron Butler for essentially the rest of the season left a huge gap in Dallas' lineup and took a huge chunk out of its championship chances.
If only there was a great small forward in the trade market that the Mavericks could "rent" for the rest of the season for a championship run.
Could the Mavs really swing a deal for Carmelo Anthony without exploding the rest of their lineup? If so, watch out Lakers and Spurs.
7. Oklahoma City Thunder: 13-1
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If Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant can get theirs, Oklahoma City is dangerous. They can simply out-score opponents. It's not the best championship strategy, but it can take a team pretty far.
In all reality, Oklahoma City would need a perfect storm of injuries to opponents, white-hot scoring from Durant and a surprise hero to rise up.
Jeff Green could take care of the third bit of criteria and Durant can heat up at any time. But the rest will take luck.
6. Orlando Magic: 6-1
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Are the Orlando Magic just hiding in the weeds waiting to pounce? It seems like that's the trend as of late with the Lakers and Celtics coasting through the regular season before kicking it into overdrive for the postseason.
It doesn't seem like the Magic are that team yet, but they still have terrific championship prospects. They could use one more big man and could afford letting a shooter go to get it. Have you seen Boston's roster of trees lately?
5. Chicago Bulls: 6-1
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In Derrick Rose, I trust. I can't even believe that I consider the Chicago Bulls on the same level as the Magic in terms of championship aspirations, but here they are. I can't help it. Derrick Rose has made me a believer.
Rose is a bottomless source of spectacular mixed perfectly with consistency. Joakim Noah is a stud. This team plays defense, rebounds and is still respectable on offense.
The roster is very talented, but not overly inspiring.
4. Miami Heat: 5-1
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The Miami Heat are for real. Collective, nationwide groan. They proved it again Thursday by topping the Magic.
I'm not completely sold on this team. Erick Dampier was a sound signing who provides girth and defense inside. Chris Bosh has been perfect in his complementary role and Dwyane Wade and LeBron James have taken turns torching opponents.
It will be interesting to see this team take on a heavyweight for an entire playoff series, but it's right at the top.
3. Los Angeles Lakers: 4-1
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If Ron Artest is disgruntled, the Lakers should ship him out for something decent in return. If they can't get something decent, just accept some basketballs in return.
The last thing the Lakers need is for Artest to start drugging the locker room with his discontent. There is plenty of leadership on that team to handle most problems, but Artest is not most problems.
Move Artest, and the Lakers are the favorites in the West. Until then, they are a question mark.
2. San Antonio Spurs: 3-1
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The Spurs are getting old and their success has always been predicated on defense. But suddenly they are scoring 104 points per game, good for sixth best in the NBA, and off to a 41-8 start. What San Antonio is doing is mind-boggling.
It's a lot of fun to watch, too.
Tim Duncan has molded into a new role with fewer shots. Manu Ginoboli is thriving as a starter. Tony Parker is a blur. It's really tough to find a hole on this team anywhere.
1. Boston Celtics: 3-1
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The Celtics are all about size. The 6'10" Kendrick Perkins is back from injury to team up with 6'11" towers Kevin Garnett and Semih Erden. Jermaine O'Neal will return from injury in the coming weeks to add another near-seven footer.
Then there's Shaquille O'Neal. It's not even really fair.
Ray Allen has the sweetest shot in basketball, Paul Pierce keeps putting up quiet yet lethal stat lines and Rajon Rondo runs this team magnificently. Glen Davis and Nate Robinson know their roles and Luke Harangody is starting to get time and adds bulk.
It's just tough to see many teams competing in a seven-game series with that type of size and skill.
