By Joe Manganiello and Dave Holcomb
1. Oklahoma City Thunder: With Kevin Durant on fire, and Serge Ibaka proving worthy of his first career All-Star selection, it’s safe to say the Thunder are doing just fine while Russell Westbrook recovers from surgery.
2. Indiana Pacers: It’s kind of scary how Miami has all-but-conceded home court advantage through the playoffs – like they knew there was no possible way Indiana would let Game Seven be played in South Beach.
3. San Antonio Spurs: The Spurs are playing so well, most of the talking heads aren’t even mentioning their proverbial window – usually an annual regular season tradition.
4. Miami Heat: Where can I get my “J. Shuttlesworth” Ray Allen jersey? Oh – and do you think if Dwyane Wade wore it from time to time he’d stay on the court more?
5. Houston Rockets: Speaking of playoff contenders dealing with huge question marks – The Rockets have scored over 70 points in a single half twice now; but they are 1-1 in those games.
6. Portland Trail Blazers: We know they’re for real – seriously, talking heads, we all get that the Trailblazers are “FOR REAL” – but are we really sure that their defense can hang with the other contenders in the West? Ah, who cares, just watch these guys shoot!
7. Los Angeles Clippers: We’ve gotten less than 300 total minutes from the CP3-Reddick-Dudley-Griffin-Jordan lineup – but when they have played, they’re scoring 114 points per 100 possessions and clobbering teams.
8. Golden State Warriors: Intelligent basketball fans are slowly coming around on the Association’s most fun team’s serious offensive concerns; Golden State is having a terrible time scoring when any of its stars are on the bench, a heavy roadblock against so many tough Western Conference foes.
9. Dallas Mavericks: Dirk Nowitzki is playing like an All-Star; Rick Carlisle might be the front-runner for Coach of the Year; and Monta Ellis and Jose Calderon have become the NBA’s unlikeliest successful backcourt – But can they win multiple playoff series in the West?
10. Memphis Grizzlies: You can ask the same about Memphis – The same squad that has what Charles Barkley refers to as the game’s best frontcourt is also a team being outscored by its opponents this season.
11. Phoenix Suns: Once the Association’s best story, and poised to be a frustrating potential first round opponent for one of the West’s juggernauts, the duration of Phoenix’s season is clouded in uncertainty without Eric Bledsoe in the lineup.
12. Toronto Raptors: Playing much better since trading Rudy Gay – the second consecutive team who can say that (See: Memphis Grizzlies) – the Raptors have pulled far ahead in the deplorable Atlantic Division. Credit to DeMar Derozan for stepping up in a big way in December and January.
13. Brooklyn Nets: They might be the best sports team in New York since September? Well, that’s not saying much… Seriously though: The Nets have been a different team in January; they’re making the playoffs.
14. Washington Wizards: John Wall is an All-Star; Bradley Beal is not far behind; and while the Suns might win the Marcin Gortat trade in the long-term, the Wizards are a lock for the playoffs because of the play of he and Nene in the frontcourt.
15. Atlanta Hawks: The Hawks maintain good standing in the lackluster Eastern Conference. Struggling since Al Horford’s season-ending surgery, however, means the Hawks will need to get consistent performance from Paul Millsap (tag Joe’s article) and Jeff Teague – and as many three-pointers per contest as they can get.
16. Denver Nuggets: They’ve lost four of their last five games, but one of the NBA’s best rebounding teams has an outside chance still of squeezing into the playoffs. But is that roster going to make it to the trade deadline?
17. Minnesota Timberwolves: The Timberwolves are second in points-per-game and fifth in assists, but too many close games go against Minnesota for the T’Wolves to seriously be in the playoff mix – even with Kevin Love playing as well as he has.
18. Chicago Bulls: How much does Tom Thibodeau cringe seeing Luol Deng in a different shade of red? It (the entire Chicago Bulls franchise) makes our hair stand up.
19. Charlotte Bobcats: They really are a solid defense, particularly when Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is healthy – and not missing an overwhelming number of jump shots – and Al Jefferson and Kemba Walker have been very strong offensive players thus far.
20. Cleveland Cavaliers: Mike Brown will reportedly interview for the Cleveland Browns job, seeing as though the Cavs routinely look more prepared to play any other sport beside professional basketball.
21. Detroit Pistons: Detroit, millions of people agree: The Smith/Monroe/Drummond experiment does NOT WORK! Oh, and maybe Brandon Jennings should give up the keys to the car for a while.
22. Los Angeles Lakers: Is Kobe back? No. Ugh…
23. New York Knicks: Rumors say that Mike Woodson was trying to get Jason Kidd to go in for the Knicks on Monday… better late than never?
24. Philadelphia 76ers: Best news out of Philly: That Michael Carter-Williams is back on the court in the New Year, and the front runner for Rookie of the Year. We want to watch this guy in the Skills Competition on All-Star Saturday!
25. Sacramento Kings: While evidence piles up on whether or not the Rudy Gay/DeMarcus Cousins pairing can work, the Kings are possibly the most watchable Really Bad Team in the NBA – an accomplishment, of sorts.
26. Utah Jazz: Gordon Hayward coming back from injury helps, but Utah is incredibly bad – and a well-deserved lottery selection waits for them.
27. New Orleans Pelicans: Good thing fans still have Bourbon Street to go to after games.
28. Boston Celtics: But this team almost beat the Heat! Almost, of course, only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.
29. Orlando Magic: What do you think is more expensive: Courtside seats to a Magic game at the Amway Center or tickets to Magic Kingdom?
30. Milwaukee Bucks: Can The Greek Freak play 48 minutes per game?
Loved the comment about Woodson trying to sub in Kidd. Maybe should check to see if Patrick is still in the building???