With the league now taking a short hiatus for NBA All-Star weekend, it’s time to have a look at the genuine contenders for the NBA championship.
Although we’ve learned plenty from approximately 60 games of data for each team, the current standings aren’t necessarily a total reflection of who we may see at the pointy end of the playoffs.
While there’s a host of teams who may view themselves as genuine title threats, there are only six teams that have a real chance at lifting the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
Some are the obvious best teams in the league, while others have some work to do, but hold the talent and firepower to be more than capable of winning it all.
The six teams competing for the NBA championship: Phoenix Suns
With a 48-10 record, the Suns have been the most dominant team in the league by far. With an All-Star backcourt in Chris Paul and Devin Booker, an imposing big in Deandre Ayton, and high-level two-way role players in Mikal Bridges, Jae Crowder, and Cameron Johnson, there are no major weaknesses in the Suns’ arsenal.
They currently hold the third-best offensive and defensive rating in the league, outlining their elite play on both sides of the ball. They may sit as the ‘safest’ pick for the title, especially given the experience they gained on the way to their NBA Finals berth last season.