NBA Playoffs 2011: Two Teams That Could Win the NBA Title, but "Shouldn't"

They haven't paid their dues. They are too young.

They don't match up well. They are still one piece away.

They are not looking for a three-peat, don't have four All-Stars, didn't try to form a super team over the summer, and they are not made up of players who have won it all before but should have lost a step a few years ago.

We have all heard the excuses as to why one team will, or one team won't be successful in the playoffs.

Most experts would say that we should just hand this year's championship to the Lakers, Celtics, Heat, or Spurs.

In the Eastern Conference, there seems to be some disparity between the elite teams, and those who are just happy to be there. Barring upsets, most predict that the Heat or the Celtics should emerge and be in the finals.

In the West it is a different story. With the news that Lakers' center Andrew Bynum may be out with a knee injury, and the historically shaky playoff performances of the Dallas Mavericks, the door may be open for other teams to walk through. There will be much more of a battle and there are several teams that can come out of the West.

Despite what the experts believe they don't have, there is one team in each conference that none of the elite want to face in the playoffs. Both of these teams are capable of going all the way to the NBA Championship, even though they probably shouldn't according to the unofficial rules of the game.

This is where the Chicago Bulls and Oklahoma City Thunder come in.

During the regular season, both of these teams have at least one win against each one of the big four. Both are deep at multiple positions, and both have the energy of youth on their side.  

For the Bulls it is hard to believe that they have earned the best record in the Conference but still are considered the underdog by many who expect the Heat or Celtics to turn up their intensity and level of play for the playoffs. 

Not only do they have probable league MVP Derrick Rose, they have a talented core of players in Luol Deng, Carlos Boozer, Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson and sharpshooter Kyle Korver.

They have won an NBA-best 62 games and are known for being a tough defensive team. They have a good bench and can explode offensively at any time.

In last year's playoffs, they took Boston to game seven before falling in the first round. With the addition of solid players in the offseason, they are in better shape to make a long run in the tough Eastern Conference.

The Oklahoma City Thunder enter the Western Conference playoffs as the fourth seed. Regardless of seeding, this is the team that no other team wants to meet.

Behind the play of the best young player in the league, Kevin Durant, and his running mate Russell Westbrook, this athletic team presents a match up nightmare for every team in the league.

They should easily take care of the Denver Nuggets in the first round, and if they are on a roll, could have some of the top teams exiting for an early summer.

In addition to the two All-Stars, they also have very good role players in Serge Ibaka, James Harden, and Thabo Sefolosha. Add in Kendrick Perkins who they picked up at the trade deadline, and you have a very good team that can challenge the top four teams with their own athleticism.

Regardless of the talent that each of these teams have, the biggest things going for them are intangibles.

Neither of them have anything to lose. They are not supposed to go far in the playoffs anyway, so they can play more relaxed, and with less pressure. They do not share the same amount of pressure as the other four teams. They are not expected to three peat, or were not handed the title before the season's opening tip.

Both teams also have a great home court advantage, and coaches that could both be the Coach of the Year.

The Chicago Bulls and Oklahoma City Thunder both plan on breaking out in these playoffs. With their talent, athleticism, and intangibles, they could easily knock out anyone.

With all of these positive factors, the other teams in this years NBA playoffs must take these two teams very seriously, regardless of whether they should challenging for a title or not.