This list is a list of predictions for the NBA championship if the playoffs were to begin right now. This list may change as the NBA season goes on.
The Brooklyn Nets currently stand as the fourth best team in the Eastern Conference. They have worked wonders this year as last year there team was performing terribly. In the summer preceding this NBA season, the Nets made several trades and got many valuable players like Joe Johnson and Gerald Wallace. Because of there hard work and expected turn-around, the Brooklyn Nets have won many of their past games and have made it to the top five teams in the Eastern Conference. Deron Williams is still doing a great job as their point guard and Brooke Lopez has done a terrific job as their center. He's been able to hit some difficult shots inside the paint.
9. Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets have had a fantastic first half of their season. They are ranked as the number 5 team right now in the Western Conference. This is another team that has been doing well due to their valuable trades. Last summer they picked up point guard, Andre Iguodala, who has proven to be a critical factor in how they play. Their power forward (second from the left in the picture), Kenneth Faried, has definitely been their biggest prize possession this year. He has been able to finish near the basket in many tough situations and just in his last game he scored an unbelievable 40 points. It is only a matter of time until he becomes an all-star.
8. Indiana Pacers
Indiana has shocked everyone with there many wins this season so far. Led by Paul George (as seen above), the Indiana Pacers have dominated several teams. There young players have all developed good trust and teamwork between one another. They have not had many trades which is what has made there teamwork and communication so strong. Right now, the Pacers are playing like championship contenders.
7. Golden State Warriors
Although they are ranked less than the Denver Nuggets right now in the West (6th in the West), I am still more confident that this team is a championship contending team than Denver. This is because of their teamwork and connection with one another. They also have a star on the rise named Harrison Barnes. His tenacity on the court has been evident this year as he has been putting up points in bunches. And of course, they still have their best player, Stephen Curry. The three-point marksman is still hitting long shots and leading his team to yet another great season.
6. Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are having another amazing season. The most shocking fact about this season is that they are doing so well even without their superstar Derrick Rose (second from the right in the picture). The former MVP has has a torn ACL and still has not played a game in this 2012-2013 NBA season. With Derrick Rose, the Bulls were ranked as the number 1 team in the East in 2009, 2010, and 2011. Derrick Rose is planning on making a return in about 2-3 weeks and just think about how much better they will be. The Bulls without him are already ranked as number 5 in the East. Carlos Boozer, Luol Deng, and Joakim Noah have all done a terrific job of helping their team even in Rose's absence.
5. New York Knicks
Empire State! Yes, they have had the biggest turn-around this year than any other team by far. Last year they were ranked as number 7 in the East and now they are ranked as number 2 in the East. Led by Carmelo Anthony, the Knicks have been dominating almost any team that crosses their path. They also have the addition of Jason Kidd this year as their point guard who will go down in history as one of the best point guards of all time. With Stoudemire and Chandler as their post players, their front court and back court game has improved drastically. Another big factor has been their sixth man off the bench, J.R. Smith, who has been scoring non-stop.
4. L.A. Clippers
Lob City! The L.A. Clippers are ranked as the number 3 best team in the West right now. Led by star players Chris Paul and Blake Griffin, they have shock and awed their crowd these past two years. The two are a dynamic duo and are referred to as "Lob City" due to the amount of alley-oops and dunks they throw in their games. They are easily one of the most entertaining teams to watch and their fast-paced offense has made them serious championship contenders this year. They are a very young team which only makes them more dangerous. Their center, DeAndre Jordan has done a great job this year and Caron Butler, Grant Hill, and Jamal Crawford have only added to their already impressive offensive arsenal.
3. San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs have been the most consistent team of the decade. They have ranked in the top eight list in the West for at least the past ten years! It makes sense considering they still have many of the same players and that is what makes their teamwork so strong. They all know what the other teammate wants. Tony Parker and Tim Duncan are still putting up some of the best numbers in the league despite their old age. Right now, the Spurs are ranked as the number 1 team in the West. They are one of the oldest teams in the NBA but that clearly does not hold them back.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder shocked everyone when they made it to the NBA finals last year. Although they lost, it seems like its making them only hungrier for a championship as their teamwork and on-point connections on court are only growing stronger. Superstar, Kevin Durant, averages the most points in the game right now and a very high field-goal percentage. Their point guard, Russel Westbrook, is also having a terrific year. The young Thunder are playing with confidence every game and they are currently ranked as number 2 in the West. Without a doubt, the Thunder are quite likely to win the championship this year.
1. Miami Heat
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Last year's championship winners, the Miami Heat are ready for a back-to-back championship. Led by 2012 MVP, Lebron James, the Heat have been more dominant than ever and the wins are coming too easy for them. There has been no team in the league able to stop them recently and just a few days ago they dominated the Oklahoma City Thunder. With Wade as their shooting guard and Bosh at power forward, it's become a struggle for any team in the league to figure out how to stop them. If you double team James, Wade will be open and if you double team Wade, Bosh will be open. The scoring possibilities for this team go on forever. The most you can do is play the best defense you can and hope they miss. Lebron has also made history these past few weeks by recording six straight games of averaging 30 points or more on 60% or higher field-goal percentage. It is possible that Lebron may receive another MVP award. So far this year, it seems like the number 1 ranking Eastern team is going to win another championship.
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