With the exhibition season underway across the NBA, all eyes are on a few teams considered front-running championship contenders.
Many feel the Milwaukee Bucks, now armed with seven-time All-Star and future Hall of Fame guard Damian Lillard, are the favorites to win the world title.
In the minds of many, the Boston Celtics, who now have Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday, and the Phoenix Suns, with Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal, are right behind Milwaukee.
Then there are the Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets, who must be dealt with in May and possibly June. However, every season, there is always the possibility of a non-front-running team winning.
These five teams shouldn’t be counted out, as they each have at least an outside shot at the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
Miami Heat
The Miami Heat, of course, made a Cinderella run to the NBA Finals last season, as they once again proved that they can rise to the occasion no matter what obstacles they have in their way.
They were last in the league in points during the regular season and were the only team to average less than 110 points a game, and they had trouble hitting from 3-point range.
But they magically overcame their problems once the playoffs started. They finished the postseason first in 3-point accuracy and had no problems putting up points in the early rounds of the playoffs, especially in the first round when they stunned the Bucks in five games.
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Heat culture is a real thing, and they’re as gritty as a team can be. They cannot be counted out until their final game of the season.
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are in turmoil, but they still have reigning regular season MVP Joel Embiid and an impressive supporting cast that includes Tobias Harris and Tyrese Maxey.
Their pieces may not fit well enough, and they do have a potential malcontent in James Harden, who blasted management after it didn’t trade him this offseason.
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They finished with the best record in the Eastern Conference as recently as the 2020-21 season, and if they manage to jettison Harden for a good return, they could reach the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2001.
Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors still have the core of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green that won them four NBA championships in eight seasons before falling to the Lakers in the second round of last year’s playoffs.
The Warriors made a curious move this offseason by trading 24-year-old sharpshooter Jordan Poole for 38-year-old future Hall of Famer Chris Paul, and the jury is still out on whether it was a prudent move for them.
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They’re still small up front, but if Paul plays like he’s rejuvenated, the Warriors could possibly make one more run and try to get one for the thumb.
Los Angeles Clippers
As recently as last season, the Los Angeles Clippers were the overwhelming favorites among national pundits to win the world title. But after yet another early postseason exit that was at least partly caused by key injuries, many have almost given up on the team.
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But if Kawhi Leonard and Paul George manage to stay relatively healthy (a huge if), and especially if they manage to land Harden without giving up George or Leonard, anything may be possible for the Clippers. After all, they are Harden’s preferred destination.
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers took a major step forward last season, going from a play-in tournament team the previous year to the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference. There’s no doubt that their big trade for All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell was the impetus behind that improvement.
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Cleveland is young and has lots of upside, and the one man in particular who has tons of room for improvement is big man Evan Mobley. If Mobley becomes an All-Star caliber player this season, the team could make a lengthy playoff run.
