Power Rankings: Who really has a chance at the NBA title?
It seems like some power rankings are just overreactions of the past weeks. My power rankings will truly try to be a ranking of who has the most power, the highest chance to win this year’s title. Which teams are contenders, and which are pretenders?
Tier 1: The Favorites
Golden State Warriors — At the beginning of the season, I believed Golden State to be the runaway favorites. Cleveland was a far second, but without Kyrie, they didn’t pose the same threat as before. As Houston proved to be a contender as well, the Warriors were no longer the only choice. However, with the Steph Curry injury, who knows what will happen to Golden State? We saw how an injured Curry played in 2016. Hint: not well. I’m still picking GS over Houston, but if Steph being 50% instead of 100 can swing the series.
Tier 2: If only they were in the East…
Houston Rockets — Houston is the Warriors’ biggest threat. Don’t get that twisted. Golden State’s toughest series will be a Western Conference Finals showdown with the Rockets. And the injury to Stephen Curry gives the Rockets a real chance. If they can get past the Warriors, Houston would be heavy favorites in the Finals in my eyes.
Tier 3: Contenders, but Finals underdogs
Cleveland Cavaliers — The Cavs are still the favorites in the East. Yes, Toronto is improved, but I’m still picking the team with LeBron. All the way. He can take over a playoff series like no one else in the game today. If Cleveland can make it to the Finals, it will take a herculean effort from LeBron, and a little bit of luck.
Toronto Raptors — Toronto is for real. Don’t be shocked if they knock off the Cavs. I’m still picking Cleveland, but it seems like a 60/40 series, nothing like past years. This is a scary team.
Tier 4: Very, very longshots
Philadelphia 76ers — Yep. No one saw this coming. The Kyrie Irving injury gave the Sixers a very nice path to the Conference Finals. No one is picking them to beat Cleveland/Toronto (except maybe Charles Barkley?) but a team that just won 14 straight without its best player is VERY scary.
Portland Trail Blazers — The Curry injury opens up a path for Portland to knock off Golden State in round two. It will still take a crazy Lillard series and a lot of made threes, but if Steph isn’t playing, this is at least conceivable. Then it would take another hot shooting series to beat Houston and then the Eastern Conference champion.
Honorable Mention
Boston Celtics — The C’s deserve to be mentioned honorably because if Kyrie were still playing, they would be right in the thick of things.
Oklahoma City Thunder — Not really a chance, but Russell Westbrook is good at basketball and so is Paul George. Maybe… MAYBE they can beat the Steph-less Warriors but, that’s probably it.
San Antonio Spurs — A miraculous Kawhi comeback + a favorable first round matchup? There’s a path. But the Houston/GS buzz saw is still one they may not be able to get past. That’s why the Spurs are HM only.
