3 NBA Teams You Shouldn't Be Surprised to See Standing Tall Come Playoffs

There are always teams you don't expect to see contending that take the league by storm and dominate. It happens every year, and it paves way for a thrilling season.

This year, with the Clippers making a huge splash (Chris Paul trade) and the Thunder and Bulls balling with the best, among other big storylines, the NBA is set for a great season.

Small-market teams that have struggled recently or are projected for a tough year can rise to the occasion and dominate, wreaking havoc on the league. This year, there will be teams contending for a playoff spot or even a championship we don't expect to see in that position at all during the beginning of the year.

Little-known players come up big. Teams form a bond and play their hearts out. Mix in a little talent and greatness and you have a recipe for success against the league's best. Let's see who will take the NBA by storm this year.

Team 1: Golden State Warriors

Golden State took a step back with Stephen Curry's minor injury, but once this team is fully healthy, they will be good. Monta Ellis has shown the ability to be a star, and Curry has not only been a big offensive threat, but he is also among Golden State's best on defense.

A fully healthy Warrior team will zero the league's attention on a team that has been struggling recently, but has a promising future. Klay Thompson has shown his ability to compete in all aspects of the game, especially shooting.

The Warriors can score easily, and adding Brandon Rush helps that cause. One of the best backcourt tandems in the game, a huge shooting threat in Dorell Wright and a versatile big man in David Lee should lead to success.

Don't expect the Warriors to overtake the L.A. teams, but expect Golden State to lock up one of the lower playoff seeds, and if they beat a higher-seeded team, remember that I told you so.

Why? Because the Warriors are coming. 

Team 2: Memphis Grizzlies

Last year, we saw the Grizzlies rocking and rolling in April and May, beating the top-seeded Spurs and threatening to set the stage for a battle with Dallas, with an NBA title bid on the line.

Most of the pieces from that team still remain, but the league is stronger. The Clippers, Lakers, Spurs, and Thunder all bring a huge threat out West, but the Grizzlies showed they can compete with teams like that.

So this team is more about staying in the playoffs and competing for the NBA Finals more than competing for a playoff berth. If Memphis takes the fifth seed or higher, or if they are set up for a battle with the Spurs, they should be in control to run all over the much older, slower Spurs.

Players like Tony Allen and Mike Conley can make a small but game-changing impact, and their speed and athleticism can set up big men Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol to make electrifying plays, swaying the momentum of the crowd on to their side.

Once the playoffs come, the Grizzlies will establish themselves as a legitimate contender for the present and the future, and with a mix of players with great chemistry and energy, don't be surprised to see Tennessee's best standing once the playoff pool is narrowed down to two teams.

Team 3: Houston Rockets

The Rockets have scored nearly zero attention from the NBA's fanbases despite modestly successful campaigns in recent times, but it's time that Houston turns it around.

Kevin Martin has anchored a strong team with solid numbers, and pairing up with Kyle Lowry in the backcourt should be enough to solidify a strong tandem of guards. Down low, Luis Scola has the potential to hang 40 every night, and grab 20 boards on any given day.

If the Rockets can find team chemistry and mix Jordan Hill, whose rebounding skills are among the league's best, into the Rockets system, you could have a strong team that no one will want to play.

The Rockets can turn to anyone to come up big and rack up points on the bench, because the Rockets are loaded.

Rookies Chandler Parsons and Patrick Patterson showed what they were made of in college, and they can come off the bench and knock down shots (Parsons) or grab boards and light up the crowd with a slam dunk (Patterson). When this team is on, they will be formidable.

The Western Conference has five strong teams, then three playoffs spots up in the air. The Rockets will blow away small-market, unsuccessful team in the West and use their strength down low and speed and shooting ability up top to overpower the weak teams and steal the sixth, seventh or eighth seed.