'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The last few NBA seasons have been dominated by the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors with their Galactico style of teams, a few marquee players, and top-level management. It was perfectly understandable then, that very few teams actually had the chance to take them head-on in a 7-match series.
Such was the dominance of the Warriors, especially last season that they didn't lose a single game in the playoffs until they faced the Cavs in the NBA Finals, that too they lost in Game 4.
But last season also saw other teams wise up to this new wave spreading through the NBA. Teams began strengthening their roster to have a strong enough bench as well as a solid starting 5.
This season has seen the rest of the pack take this to the next level, and now that the dust has begun to settle, there are a fair few teams rising high who could indeed challenge for the title this year.
Here's our list.
#5 - Minnesota Timberwolves
Teague and Butler are two solid acquisitions
The Wolves haven't had a strong enough side to genuinely push to the postseason and beyond since the days of Kevin Garnett.
This season, however, they have managed to find a delightful balance. With Jeff Teague and Taj Gibson, they have to proven NBA starters who will undoubtedly chip in on both ends of the floor, as they have already done for so many years. Jamal Crawford is one of the best 6th men in the game still, despite being on the latter side of the 30s, and is a stellar signing for this otherwise youthful team
But it is Jimmy Butler who is the real hero in this team. Butler can take this team, and the next generation superstars - Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns to the next level. He is thriving with the additional responsibility and is developing into the leader that everybody built him up to be. Butler always wanted to be the main man at the Bulls, and fans saw this last season. But it is now with the Wolves where Butler really has the opportunity to go on to do something big.
Wiggins and Towns have age on their side, and barring injury could thrive in this team that has found the perfect balance between youth and experience. With proven veterans to learn from, the two big men are guaranteed to improve.
While teething problems might continue to happen through the course of the season, once the playoffs round begin and they have had the time to build some chemistry, this team has a very real chance to go all the way.
#4 - San Antonio Spurs
No matter how many seasons pass, the San Antonio Spurs always manage to stay competitive. I can remember Spurs being in the reckoning for the title ever since I started watching the sport almost 20 years ago.
That legacy somewhat came to an end with the retirement of Tim Duncan last year, and yet the team never really fell away too far. Yes, last season was underwhelming, but they still managed to make the playoffs and could have gone all the way if star man Kawhi Leonard stayed fit.
This season has seen LaMarcus Aldridge rise to the occasion to take on the responsibility of the team in the absence of Kawhi.
With Rudy Gay chipping in from the bench not to mention the ever-present buckets of Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, Spurs have a solid foundation and spine. With Leonard already returned, the Spurs can really kick on for the rest of the season and match up to the bar set by the Warriors over the past three seasons.
#3 - Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are my personal favorites, ever since I can remember, and I'm really happy to see the resurgence that they have gone through over the last few years.
Celtics have started the season powerfully, and are leading the Eastern Conference standings ahead of the Cavs. The offseason trade between the two teams has benefitted both teams, and Kyrie Irving is showing the folks at Boston just what he can do.
Despite the untimely and gruesome injury to Gordon Hayward on opening night, Celtics have gone from strength to strength with points coming from across the roster. The Celtics are yet another team who have strengthened across the floor this season, while also blending youth and experience, with rookie Jayson Tatum particularly impressive.
The balance between youth and experience is personified most by Marcus Smart, a young and useful 6th man and back up point guard and veteran Al Horford who seems to never tire. This could be the year when they reach their peak and take over.
#2 - Houston Rockets
The Rockets have been James Harden's team the last few seasons, and with how impressively and consistently he has performed, it's understandable why.
But the Rockets have done something different this season after picking up with Chris Paul from the LA Clippers. They have managed to get hold of one of the best point guards in the game, who's a proven clutch shooter, and one of the best assist makers in the league.
The questions were always going to be whether the two would gel together and whether Harden would be able to let go of his substantial ego to accommodate another big name in the team.These questions have been answered on the floor, with the two showing just how good they can be together, sharing the floor and the limelight.
With other big names and proven players like Trevor Ariza, Ryan Anderson, and Nene in the squad, the depth that the Rockets have is quite scary.
Having already soared to the top of the Western Conference standings with the best record all round in the league, this could easily be the year that the Rockets mount a serious challenge.
#1 - Cleveland Cavaliers
This one was obvious, wasn't it? Many would argue that the Cleveland Cavaliers should probably be lower down the list because of how strong some of the others have been so far, but three straight finals speak for themselves.
It's almost impossible to count them out, because of the one man LeBron James, but the off-season trades will do just as well to push them that one step further. Such has been the dominance of the Cavs and Warriors, that it seems impossible that they can improve, but once Isaiah Thomas returns, the Cavs will have an absolutely monstrous lineup.
Thomas' style and demeanor will provide the team a lot more balance. And with Dwyane Wade having reunited with LeBron, the team can guarantee wonderful chemistry between two legends of the game.
But take into account that one-time MVP Derrick Rose, Jeff Green, Jae Crowder and Jose Calderon have all been brought in, it's an easy argument to say that the Cavs probably have the best squad in the league.
The playoffs are a different beast to the regular season, no doubt, but with the experience the team has and with just how long they have to experiment and find their best team, the Cavaliers are my favorite to dethrone the Warriors.
Guess the Lakers players!
