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2019 NBA Playoffs: Playing contender or pretender

By Daniel Lubofsky

BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 03: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics dribbles while guarded by Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder r during a game at TD Garden on February 3, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 03: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics dribbles while guarded by Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder r during a game at TD Garden on February 3, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

As the 2019 NBA Playoffs near, it’s time to differentiate between those who can win the title and the teams who just aren’t good enough.

While 16 teams qualify for the annual NBA playoffs each and every season, not all of them are created equally. Some know fairly well that a first round appearance will be as good as it gets, while others who believe in their abilities enough to be thinking about a spot in the NBA Finals come June.

After four years of incredible dominance and three of the last four NBA championships, the league has become the Golden State Warriors and everybody else a notch below them at best. The Dubs’ level of excellence doesn’t mean, however, that none of the other 15 playoff participants is capable of giving them a run for their money.

Drawing that line between those actually capable of doing so and those who should get laughed out the door is a tough task to manage. Quite a few teams have looked the part of championship contenders at one point or another throughout the regular season, and yet a number of question marks have been raised that manage to temper any wild expectations fans may have.

So, as we gear up for what is sure to be an exciting postseason, it’s time to differentiate between the teams who, if certain things fall in their favor, can make Golden State sweat, and those who may view themselves as legitimate threats, but in reality haven’t proven enough to warrant that type of label just yet.