The NBA season draws to a close, and the playoffs are near. This year has seen franchises’ fortunes rise and fall across the league. Teams that have been down for years are finally back, and former stalwarts have taken some steps back. Here are some teams we think have a legitimate shot at the NBA title and are real contenders and a few are just making a show of it.
Which five NBA contenders are real, and which five are fake?
Contender: Denver Nuggets
This one is easy. The defending champs are right at the top of the West again and look locked and loaded to win another ring. Jokic and Murray are still firing on all cylinders, and the Nugs seem to be playing their best ball at the right time. It’s hard to consider these guys anything but the front-runners for the title.
Pretender: Minnesota Timberwolves
The other team at the top of the west is one we just can’t sanction. The T-Wolves have been good the past two seasons only to get trounced in the first round. They haven’t been able to get to conference semis in two decades. While Anthony Edwards has come on as one of the best players in the sport, this is still a believe-it-when-we-see-it kind of team. Their NBA contender’s status should remain a question mark for now.
Contender: Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks have had a bit of a rocky road this year despite the huge off-season acquisition of Damian Lillard. They changed head coaches mid-season, and Doc Rivers, the replacement for Mike Budenholzer, has just a 17-17 record for the squad. However, since the All-Star break, the Bucks have played winning basketball, including a six-game winning streak out of the hiatus. With Giannis at the helm, we think the Bucks have a shot at another title as NBA contenders.
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Pretender: New York Knicks
It pains this fan to say it but without Julius Randle, the Knicks are not winning the title. As good as Brunson is, the team is just not there without the second superstar. Unless Dante DiVincenzo becomes Steph Curry for the entirety of the playoffs, there’s little hope. It’s nice to see the franchise turned around, but that shoulder surgery has ruined the championship hopes.
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Contender: Dallas Mavericks
The Mavs got off to a slow start but are now hot. Luka has shown he can erupt in the playoffs with his torching of the Suns in the past. Irving has the pedigree in his legendary Cleveland run to help push the team over the top when it matters most. This team is not one to take lightly should your team come up against them. They are legitimate NBA contenders in this year’s playoffs.
Pretender: Phoenix Suns
Speaking of the Suns, we’re not sold on them. Even with all three elite scorers in Durant, Booker and Beal healthy, we’re not sure they can get it done. The team has little depth or answer for size as well, which is an issue in a conference owned by Nikola Jokic. Durant still needs to prove he can win without the Warriors.
Contender: Boston Celtics
The Celtics are a juggernaut. With the best record in the NBA and an absolutely loaded roster, they’re the team to beat in the East. Jrue Holliday was an unbelievable addition to this team. Bringing arguably the best defender in the game to the team has elevated them to the next level, and we’ve seen what Holiday brings to the table in the playoffs during his time on the Bucks. Look out for the C’s because they’re coming.
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Pretender: Philadelphia 76ers
The Sixers are an even more painful version of the Timberwolves when it comes to believing it when we see it. They’ve been to the playoffs for six straight seasons and have not even made the Conference Finals. We don’t care how good Embiid looks or that Maxey has come on to bring a new dynamic to the team. The 76ers will find a way to lose. It’s just what seems to happen as they are not NBA contenders by a far mile.
Contender: Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder are a young and hungry team. A team young enough to not think about the pressure, young enough to have the confidence to break through against the challenges of teams like the Nuggets or Mavericks. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is likely going to win the MVP, and with a player of that caliber, anything can happen in a playoff run. Do not count these kids out.
Pretender: Los Angeles Clippers
When are we going to give up the ghost here? “Playoff P” is arguably the worst nickname in the NBA, the man has not played in an NBA Finals, let alone won a ring. Kawhi has not played since March. Sure the injuries have derailed what could have been an unbelievable career, but they do not mean the Clippers have a better chance at being included as NBA contenders. This team is old, banged up and just not there. The Clippers are not winning the NBA Finals.
Also read: 5 Legit Contenders That Can Win The NBA Championship This Season…And 5 Pretenders Right Now
