After what seemed like an eternity, the long wait is over and we have finally reached the pointy end of the NBA season.
While the Eastern Conference looked like a two horse race before the All-Star break, it has become anything but predictable in recent times.
The historically strong Western Conference is getting harder and harder to pick, with teams battling for the eighth playoff place looking just as dangerous as some of the top seeds.
Let’s take a look at some of the teams that aren’t predicted to progress to the Conference Finals, but still have the potential to surprise the established front-runners.
Eastern Conference
Brooklyn Nets
At the start of the season the Nets were in a horrible position. They had a poor record, Jason Kidd looked like the wrong choice as head coach and it was hard to see a solution for their woes.
Quietly, the Nets got their mess sorted out and key players returned from injury. Their post All-Star break record (20-9) is equal fourth-best, and a recent sweep of the Miami Heat has people wondering whether they can justify the large tax bill a certain wealthy Russian will be forking out.
The Nets have a talented roster, championship experience and depth at almost every position, so it is not inconceivable that they could upset the Pacers or the Heat.
Chicago Bulls
What a story the Bulls have been this season. Early on there was excitement about Derrick Rose returning, until he got injured and things looked bleak. Tom Thibodeau squeezed everything he could out of his team and the Bulls maintained a relatively healthy record, but then they traded Luol Deng away for luxury tax relief and everyone expected a free fall into the lottery.
Since the Deng trade the Bulls have been on a tear as Joakim Noah reminds everyone that Derrick Rose isn’t the heart of the Bulls and DJ Augustin found his niche in Chicago. Thibs continues to work miracles, and I don’t think either the Heat or the Pacers are looking forward to seeing the Bulls in a playoff series.
Western Conference
Memphis Grizzlies
As a Clippers fan I can say that one team you do not want to face in the opening round of the playoffs is the Memphis Grizzlies.
They are a physical, grind it out defensive team that makes you work hard on every possession. Their roster is full of guys you hate to see if you are an opposing team (Tony Allen, Gasol, Z-Bo, Conley); add in the explosive speed and energy of James Johnson off the bench and this team looks dangerous.
With a healthy roster, it is no coincidence that they have gone 20-9 since the All-Star break.
Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks are like the Bulls, but minus the injuries. They may not have the most talented roster, but they have a great coach who knows how to get the best from his players.
The prime example is Monta Ellis. Rick Carlisle has formed a game plan around the speedy guard’s strengths instead of expecting him to be a player he isn’t. Add in the unstoppable scoring of Dirk Nowitski, the efficiency of Jose Calderon and the defensive prowess of Shaun Marion, and the Mavericks could cause a big upset – remember their recent playoff battles with OKC?
Notable Mentions
Charlotte Bobcats
The Miami Heat may have some difficulty flicking that ‘let’s be awesome’ switch everyone thinks they can, so I can see the Bobcats stealing a game or two off the defending champs in the first round. Miami have trouble containing post-up bigs, so if Big Al gets on a roll then the Heat could be in some trouble.
Golden State Warriors
They looked so good for most of the season, but with Andrew Bogut potentially out of their first round match-up it could spell disaster for their defence. Steph Curry will have a couple of big games, but they still lack that consistent defensive effort that it takes to win a playoff series.
Mark Pybus
Roar Guru
Beat Toronto and they face a lost Pacers side or an under strength Hawks. Looks like it could have been their best move considering it was going to face the Bulls in the first round.
Mushi
Guest
Dangerous playing coy into a fifth seed!
Clark
Guest
I probably wouldn't underestimate Toronto, who took the series over Brooklyn in the regular season. There are some good match-ups in these finals. GSW vs Clippers and Portland vs Houston on paper look the like the pick of the bunch.
FrozenNorth
Guest
Nets are incredibly lucky, they got Toronto who did well to finish third but really don't have a great player on the team.
Mark Pybus
Roar Guru
There are so many good matchups in the first round. OKC might struggle with Memphis if they can't contain Z-Bo & Gasol and I'm sure Tony Allen is looking forward to annoying Russell Westbrook. As a fan of the game I would have preferred to see Dallas win today as like you said, Dirk seems to love playing OKC and I can see Dallas getting swept by the Spurs. Chicago might walk into the ECF with the path they have. Just hope they can execute offensively to back up the D.
Clark
Guest
I agree with the Suns. Would be an amazing story to get into the playoffs after being dubbed a tanking prospect early on. Dragic has to be one of/ if not the most improved player in the league.
Clark
Guest
If Brooklyn can get past the first round they will roll Miami and I will be extremely satisfied. But in saying that the match-up with Toronto will be a good one. The pick of the first round has to be Golden State and Lob City. Oklahoma will is be pleased that they avoided Dallas in the first round. One of the few teams they have seemed to struggle against, Dirk seems to always play well come playoff time. I am picking a Chicago against either Thunder or Spurs finals series.
Joe
Guest
Good review.The Grizzlies will give Thunder a very tough series.It could go 7 games. The Clippers will beat the Warriors. GS has no interior defense, the Clippers will dominate in the paint & will have a major FT advantage in most games GS will have its moments when Curry/Thompson are both hitting 3's but the team overall is too soft on the interior & relies on 3pt shooting to win games The Rockets will beat Blazers in probably 6 games should be a fun series to watch, with games in the 115-110 type final score
Mark Pybus
Roar Guru
I would love it if he did it. I can imagine this is the perfect revenge for Noah after losing one of his buddies.
Mark Pybus
Roar Guru
I'm trying not to read too much into the last stretch of the season, especially with the older and more experienced sides but I can see them causing some damage if Deron or PP gets hot. I guess we will see if they have been playing coy like Miami.
mushi
Guest
I also just read that Noah may have undone the Deng trade anyway - if he gets a first team NBA and the DPOY then his bonuses mean that the bulls will have to cough up some luxury tax money.
mushi
Guest
I’m not sold on the nets having turned much around or Kidd being that great a fit. You look at the Hollinger rankings on ESPN, which is heavily weight recent play, and they are 18th in the league and the second lowest of all playoff teams. Why? Because they’ve barely outscored (+2.5 ppg) a weak schedule (0.468%). That isn’t a team that’s figured anything out, it’s just a team of veterans grinding out against the weak part of their schedule. Their problem is they really don’t do anything “well”. They aren’t in the top third for rebound rate, assist rate, turnover rate, pace, offensive efficiency, defensive efficiency. This is going to be the problem, the team has no identity other than we are a collection of veterans who know what a good shot is and how to make it. On D a few of know where to be on the floor but we aren’t as quick at getting there as they used to be. They are just above league average in shooting percentages and “point creation” (threes and FT per FG) but then they basically allow their opponents to do the same. Essentially it is a team that bad teams will struggle to beat and they’ll grab a few against better teams but in a playoff context they basically are relying on winning a 7 game series by playing okay and hoping that the opponent is either over their heads or makes enough mistakes to give them the opportunities. I just don’t see that getting by the bulls, let alone the pacers and the heat. To me this home brand of basketball is the coaches fault. And that isn’t really Kidd’s fault as he isn’t really a coach yet. This team, with an identity and defensive cohesion, should have been a top three team in the east. Problem is their roster next year is going to be worse than this year so even if Kidd develops as a coach he's going to be coming good just as his team craters
Mark Pybus
Roar Guru
It did tend to drag on and with Indy/Miami struggling or not playing 100% it made for some poor quality games. I was a bit sad to see Phoenix knocked out. Would have loved to have seen them play against the Spurs.
Frankie321
Guest
NBA play offs are very exciting. I stopped watching NBA for the less exciting last month of its regular season (as the AFL season started). Looking forward in particular to an epic NBA finals and great semifinals.