NBA: 5 Reasons Why The Golden State Warriors Could Be Dethroned

#4 Rise in Competition

Houston Rockets v Phoenix Suns — Houston Rockets

Many might still pick the Warriors in a postseason matchup with the Rockets but it's unfair to say that Houston isn't a contender. Golden State hasn't collapsed or anything like that this season, so the Rockets ought to have done something right in order to get the No. 1 seed. Not to mention, their 9.5 game lead over the third-seeded San Antonio Spurs.

Also, with their three biggest stars - Chris Paul, James Harden, and Clint Capela - the Rockets are 28-1. That's one trio, then there's the trio that the Rockets signed during the season - Gerald Green, Joe Johnson, Brandon Wright - players that bolster an already strong bench.

Now, to head to the East.

Leapfrogging the headline-grabbing Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers are the team from the North - the Toronto Raptors. While their offensive production still relies on their All-Stars DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry, the team has bought into a new offensive system where the ball moves a lot more than it ever has with this current core. They hold the best record in the East (41-16).

The Raptors still have to defeat LeBron James and with his new teammates, that he acquired at the trade deadline, they have their task cut out for them. It's a small sample size but with his teammates, James and the Cavaliers have looked excited, motivated, energized and most importantly, unbeaten.

Is Cleveland a legitimate threat to the team coming out of the West?