NBA: Three Teams Rising, Three Teams Falling

The NBA is a continually fluctuating market—a place of ups and downs, rising and falling.

Every year teams rise up and excel, while others underachieve and play a bit worse than expected.

Here's a look at three NBA teams where the sky is the limit, as well as three teams that are spiraling back down to earth.

Memphis Grizzlies on the Rise

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OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MAY 15: Fans of the Memphis Grizzlies waves flags against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Seven of the Western Conference Semifinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs on May 15, 2011 at Oklahoma City Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE T

Memphis Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzlies were the surprise sleepers of the NBA Playoffs this season.

Shocking the world, they nearly became the first eighth seeded playoff team in NBA history to advance to the conference finals, taking Oklahoma City to Game 7 in the second round.

Overachievers? Yes.

But nonetheless, perhaps this shot of success will inject a sense of urgency and confidence that they need to do it again next season. Grizzlies fans now have something to look forward to—a hope for a better tomorrow.

If management can score in the offseason by bringing in some game changing players, the Memphis Grizzlies may become a relatively formidable opponent in 2012.

LA Clippers on the Rise

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BOSTON, MA - MARCH 09: DeAndre Jordan #9 and Blake Griffin #32 of the Los Angeles Clippers celebrate in the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics on March 9, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Boston

LA Clippers

Unlike the Grizzlies, the LA Clippers have a history of underachieving—bringing in talent but never quite getting over the hump to give the fans a good reason to cheer.

From time to time over the past decade or two this team has made the playoffs, but never had a serious run, always getting disqualified in the early rounds.

Once again, the Clips have a huge cornerstone piece—a franchise player in Blake Griffin.

All eyes should be on management to surround Griffin with skill and talent so that this team can finally take its long deserved place amongst the NBA's best.

If the opposite occurs, and the Clippers can never capitalize on this opportunity, then Griffin will be traded to a contender in less than five years.

New York Knicks on the Rise

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NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 24: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks looks on against the Boston Celtics in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NBA Playoffs on April 24, 2011 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The Celt

New York Knicks

It's a good thing to see the New York Knicks rise once again to success.

It hasn't been since the 90's that a New York team showed promise.

Now that there seems to be some sunshine in the Big Apple once again, it will be interesting to see how New York handles the draft, free agent market and trade block this offseason.

A couple good moves for some supporting players and New York will stand a great chance at becoming the powerhouse they once were.

San Antonio Spurs Falling

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MEMPHIS, TN - APRIL 29: Zach Randolph #50 and Marc Gasol #33 of the Memphis Grizzlies and Tim Duncan #21 of the San Antonio Spurs reach for a rebound in Game Six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs at FedExForum on April 29,

San Antonio Spurs

The San Antonio Spurs have had an incredible run: winning titles and being perennial contenders over the past decade.

They have shown maturity, grit and old-school hard work as they have earned their way into the record books as one of most successful franchises of the past fifty years.

However, what goes up must come down, and as age creeps up on this team, so will the losses.

It's nearing that time—a stage of rebuilding, injecting youth and uncertainty into this old dog. But praise ought to be given where praise is due: this team had a marvelous run for much, much longer than most ever expected.

But as for now, its time to let all that go and move forward to a new tomorrow, a new team and all new expectations.

Boston Celtics Falling

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MIAMI, FL - MAY 11: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat shoots over Kevin Garnett #5 of the Boston Celtics during Game Five of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2011 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena on May 11, 2011 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO U

Boston Celtics

Much of the same can be said of Boston as was of San Antonio.

The Celts had a great run and I have to admit, it was a blast watching them rise to success once again.

The Boston/LA Finals match-up was amazing, stuff of history; but all good things must come to an end.

The Celtics aren't getting any younger and over the next two years, free agency may play a huge roll on this ball club. Numerous players on their roster have expiring contracts and if they sense the ship is sinking and decide to bail, it will leave Boston a shell of their former selves, seeking once again the next great rise of the Boston Celtics.

Denver Nuggets Falling

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OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 27: Raymond Felton #20 of the Denver Nuggets drives to the basket against Kendrick Perkins #5 and Serge Ibaka #9 \both of the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs on

Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets lost their chance of greatness when Carmelo Anthony left town.

Now it's time to rebuild and redefine themselves once again.

They will hope to find some young talent in the draft, and perhaps make a move or two in the offseason, attempting to speed the construction process up a bit.

Denver will be looking for another player that can rise up and take his stand amongst the NBA's elite, and this time hopefully they can place even more talent around their centerpiece, add a little chemistry and make it deeper than ever in their hunt for an NBA championship.