Fight for the Throne

By Peyton Schultze

All eyes will be on the battle between the Lakers and Clippers in the 2020 postseason (via Silver Screen and Roll).

With a little over a month ago until the NBA playoffs, the clock is starting to wind down on the NBA’s regular season. And what a roller coaster of a season it has been so far, from massive disappointments like the 76ers to upstart shockers like the Thunder. Now, as crunch-time begins to build up to settle the seeding between both conferences, it’s time to settle which teams are really built to win right now.

Obviously the Bucks, Lakers, and Clippers are the three favorites to capture the Larry O’Brien Trophy in June, but what other teams have a chance at making some noise in the postseason? Here’s our ranking of which teams have the best chance of making a charge toward championship glory in the upcoming 2020 NBA Playoffs.

Tier 4 (Little to No Shot) 🎯

17. Brooklyn Nets

The Nets have some nice pieces, but injuries to their best players will prevent them from doing much in the postseason (via Bleacher Report).

Brooklyn mostly has their eyes set on next year’s playoffs with a healthy Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, so this stretch run may be more of an audition for their other role players. The Nets are probably the weakest link among the projected playoff picture, so their exit should be short and sweet.

With that being said, it is not fair to say that these Nets are completely devoid of talent. Solid players such as Spencer Dinwiddie and Caris LeVert have put together some nice performances all season long in Brooklyn, and they could rise to even higher status with some big games in the playoffs. In addition, DeAndre Jordan and Jarrett Allen are still factors whose presence is felt on the defensive end, so opponents may be forced to make some shots in the halfcourt during the playoffs. The Nets, despite their injuries, have at least made it to this point; but will they be able to take another step and pull off a shocker in the first round?

The Nets were never expected to do a ton this season without Durant in the lineup, so their place in the East is not a major surprise. While they might take a game or two if they avoid matching up with the Bucks, the Nets are not a team that is going to go far in this year’s playoffs.

Chances: zero without Kyrie Irving or Kevin Durant

16. Orlando Magic

The Magic have some nice talent, but don’t figure to make a ton of noise in the postseason (via SB Nation).

The Magic had a nice season a year ago, even stealing a win in the first round against the eventual NBA champions. Yet Orlando may have taken a slight step backward this season and now appears to be a lock for a first round exit against a great team like the Bucks or Raptors.

Even though the Magic have not quite met some raised expectations this year, they have several solid players who could make a difference in the playoffs. Nikola Vucevic, Aaron Gordon, and Evan Fournier have once again put together nice season in the scoring department, and their health could be vital in the playoffs if they are on the floor together. In addition, the Magic have found success when using Markelle Fultz in the lineup, which has helped to calm down the critics in his direction. With a nice starting lineup and some solid role players off the bench like DJ Augustin and Terrence Ross, it is somewhat suspicious that this team’s record is not at least a little better than it is right now. The Magic still have a bit of time to recover and find some chemistry as a whole, but they need to gel very soon in order to have any kind of hope of postseason success.

Even though the Magic will face some tough odds, their path toward escaping the first round is not impossible. If the Magic can match up with the Raptors in the first, it is not so extreme to think that Orlando can at least push the Raptors with Kawhi Leonard no longer in the picture. It will surely be a tough road, but it is not fair to say it’s all over quite yet.

Chances: slim considering the teams they would match up with

15. Memphis Grizzlies

Ja Morant’s unique explosiveness off-the-dribble has made him and the Grizzlies must-watch basketball for most of the season (via Sports Illustrated).

As for a team that almost nobody saw coming, the Memphis Grizzlies have pulled off a shocking regular season to sit on the cusp of a potential playoff berth this season. With fast-paced playing style and plenty of high-flying action, the Grizzlies are one of the most interesting teams to watch in all of basketball and would be a joy to watch if they can sneak in the playoffs.

For all the players that have stepped up for the Grizzlies this season, their most notable performer is quite obvious. Ja Morant has become a rookie sensation for Memphis, and it is clear that his pure will and killer instinct to perform at all costs has clearly made him the face of the franchise for the Grizzlies. Combining Ja with other studs such as Jaren Jackson Jr. and Dillon Brooks, the Grizzlies have been able to put together some ridiculous highlights as a unit all season long. The Grizz may be one of the youngest teams in the league, but they’re a group that looks like they are willing to take on anyone in the league at any point in time.

Even though the Grizzlies have put together an exceptional season, they are not quite there yet. Morant has potential to be one of the best players in the league as soon as next year, but it is tough to imagine him and Memphis pulling off the impossible in the West this season with so many juggernauts at the top of the conference.

Chances: close to zero, but they’ll be exciting

14. New Orleans Pelicans

Zion Williamson’s explosive burst onto the NBA scene has been fascinating to watch in his rookie season (via USA Today).

The Pelicans have sat far on the outside of the playoff picture for most of the season, but have made a miraculous run as of late to vault themselves back into contention for the eighth spot in the Western Conference. They’ll be in a tight fight with Memphis until the end of the season, but they have truly shown massive amounts of future potential that should excite Pels’ fans for what is to come.

Ever since Zion Williamson entered the lineup after returning from a knee injury, New Orleans has been probably the most exciting team to watch in all of basketball. With Zion running the floor and dunking with pure force consistently, the Pelicans’ offense has been exceptional as of late with other elite talents such as the talented Jrue Holiday, youngster Lonzo Ball and All-Star Brandon Ingram. With such a young team that translates perfectly to today’s modern NBA, the Pelicans look like a team that could be here to stay in the future as they fight to make an unexpected playoff appearance this year.

Zion’s emergence as one of the most exciting talents in recent NBA history at least gives the Pelicans a fighting chance to make the playoffs and make a run, but it’s likely they’ll hit a direct roadblock in the form of the Lakers or Clippers if they find a way to sneak in. The Pelicans are very young and talented, but they’re still a year or so away from making some serious noise in the West.

Chances: Very low, but they’ll be fun to watch down the stretch

Tier 3 (On the Outside Looking In) 🥉

13. Dallas Mavericks

Luka Dončić and the Dallas Mavericks have put together a solid season that could see them as a sleeping giant in the playoffs (via CBS Sports).

The Mavericks were supposed to have somewhat of a leap year this season, but it is hard to say many envisioned them as a playoff-lock. Dallas, despite their youthfulness and inexperience, should be a fun team to watch down the stretch as they look to take the next steps of their growth against some of the best teams in the West.

The Mavericks are a very solid team, but one thing is very clear: Luka Dončić is a superstar and the backbone behind this organization. Taking the basketball world by storm with elite shot-making and exceptional passing has put Dončić near the top of MVP ballots this season, and he has truly thrived all season long in nearly all aspects of offensive basketball. Throwing in a healthy and steadily improving Kristaps Porzingis has only helped Dallas’ case grow as of late, and the Mavericks appear to be a team that can push a high seed to six or seven games in the early stages of the playoffs. With head coach Rick Carlisle at the helm and leading this team into the playoffs with championship experience of his own, there’s a chance that Dallas could be the Cinderella story of the NBA postseason.

Yet what makes Dončić and the Mavericks potentially scary in the playoffs is their true shot-making ability in the halfcourt. Although they lack the experience that other top-seeded teams in the West have, Dallas at least has to be taken somewhat seriously with how lethal they can be against solid defensive teams. Don’t count this team out quite yet, even if they won’t advance super deep.

Chances: one playoff series win at most

12. Indiana Pacers

The excellent season from Domantas Sabonis has elevated the Pacers to borderline contention in the Eastern Conference (via USA Today).

Indiana is not a team that many have seen play for most of the year, but they’re an under-the-radar squad with massive upset potential. With Nate McMillan putting together another head coaching clinic for Indiana, the Pacers have a chance to turn some heads in the playoffs if they can stay healthy and win on their home court.

For the Pacers, excellent seasons from Domantas Sabonis and Malcolm Brogdon has truly carried this team to sit near the middle of the East for most of the season. Especially considering the return of star guard Victor Oladipo has slowly, but surely, developed over the course of the season, it is truly impressive that the Pacers once again find themselves in the thick of things in the East. While they may not do anything in particular that jumps off the page (much like the Jazz in the West), the Pacers are just a good all-around basketball team that will be a tough out in the postseason. Whether that good can become great remains to be seen, but none of the top-seeds in the East surely want to see the Pacers in the early rounds of the playoffs.

With a ton of very good talent around their roster, Indiana presents an interesting challenge to nearly every team in the Eastern Conference playoffs. While it is tough to say they should be favored against any opponent they may match up with, don’t be surprised if the Pacers push a top team to the brink of elimination in one of the early rounds of the playoffs.

Chances: they would need some great breaks in seeding, but you never know.

11. Oklahoma City Thunder

Chris Paul’s resurgent season with the Thunder has guided Oklahoma City into surprise playoff contention (via Forbes).

Many people expected Oklahoma City to put out one of the worst teams in basketball this season. Instead, they’ve out together a remarkable season in the loaded Western Conference to put head coach Billy Donovan near the front of ballots for Coach of the Year.

There’s many reasons for Oklahoma City’s success story this year, but the resurgence of Chris Paul seems to be at the forefront of any conversation involving the Thunder. Paul’s veteran leadership and still-elite skills have helped him put together another phenomenal season in his Hall of Fame career, and the Thunder are a solid team that can hang with most teams in the league. Paul’s strong influence has also passed to his other teammates including rising star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has put together a fine season and proved himself as a developing point guard with a bright future. Oklahoma City may not have the biggest names outside of Paul, Gilgeous-Alexander, and center Steven Adams, but this is a good basketball team that has played great together all season long.

The Thunder may not have the players or experience to be able to seriously compete with the Lakers and Clippers, but they’re a team that could certainly pull off a huge upset in the early rounds with a few decisive breaks. Whether they make a run or not in the playoffs means very little though; this season has been a major success for Billy Donovan and Co. in OKC.

Chances: they could steal a series or two from a favored team

Tier 2 (Great, But Would Need Some Breaks) 🥈

10. Philadelphia 76ers

Joel Embiid and the Sixers have been the most disappointing team in the league so far this year with a surplus of injuries and a lack of chemistry (via Philadelphia Inquirer).

Many thought that the Philadelphia 76ers were the favorite to rep the East in The Finals in 2020 at the beginning of the season, but they have completely whiffed on any sort of expectations that were placed upon them.

Sitting in the middle of the conference behind other contenders such as Toronto and Boston, Philadelphia has managed to be known as a complete and utter disappointment so far this season. Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons are the headlining stars of the team, but a flurry of injuries to both men has stunted any kind of development despite very nice individual seasons on the floor. In addition, although other lesser known players have stepped up recently such as Shake Milton and Glenn Robinson, the 76ers’ offseason acquisitions have failed to provide the spark that many thought would put this Sixers’ team over the top in the conference. With head coach Brett Brown’s seat as hot as ever, the 76ers are in serious trouble of making an early playoff exit and forcing personnel changes in the coming summer.

Even with all of their failures this year, however, the 76ers at least have somewhat of a chance to bounce back with how loaded with talent their roster is. From Embiid to Simmons, and from Horford to Tobias Harris, the 76ers have all the weapons they could possibly need to make a deep playoff run. Yet with how they have played as of late and with how many injuries seem to constantly haunt this organization, it is fair to doubt if this team will even be able to get out of the First Round this year.

Chances: zero without Embiid and Simmons; still low, but not impossible, with both on the floor

9. Utah Jazz

Utah’s playoff experience is sure to scare their opponents over the course of a seven-game series in the playoffs (via KSL Sports).

Utah is not a team that you hear from during the course of the regular season, but a lethal home-court advantage and plenty of superb playmaking should give the Jazz a fair shot of getting back to the sport’s biggest stage for the first time since the 90’s.

Utah may not have a singular superstar player that can carry them over the top, but they do have an outstanding collection of talent that ranks among the league’s best. This begins and ends with Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell, two of the best at their own respective positions. With a great cast of players such as Joe Ingles, Bojan Bogdanovic, and Mike Conley surrounding their two best players, Quin Snyder’s Jazz are a team that could be, and really should be, feared by nearly any contender in the West. While they may not be the most recognizable team among the league’s best, there is no deny that this is an excellent basketball team that has enough to win a championship.

The Jazz may not be quite as good as the Lakers or Clippers on paper, but they have exactly what it takes to beat both of the favorites in the West. With an elite defensive squad, a deep rotation, and several great players who can create their own shot in big time moments, it would not be a surprise to see Utah at the top of the Western Conference with a stunning playoff run in April and May.

Chances: not amazing, but they can beat anyone in the league on a good night

8. Denver Nuggets

With so many elite teams likely on their playoff slate, the Nuggets will face an uphill climb toward basketball glory in the postseason (via The Denver Post).

As last year proved, Denver is an elite regular season team that is as tough as any to beat on their own home court. But with an unclear #2 scoring threat and with a rotation that always seems to be battered, it’s fair to question if the Nuggets can get over the hump and into The Finals.

While Denver, similar to Utah, may not be one of the most popular and recognizable teams in the league, they also have plenty of talent to roll out on the court each and every night. This is led by the superior talents of Nikola Jokic, whose unique skillset has rarely been seen in any time period in NBA history. Although Jokic seems to have been doubted at every turn in the league due to his physical shape, he is backed up by a nice supporting group with players such as Jamal Murray and Will Barton sharing the floor. The Nuggets have once again put together a ridiculous regular season, but their true test lies ahead of them in the postseason.

One of Denver’s biggest problems lies in the fact that they don’t seem to be built like a team that can withstand a long playoff run like the Jazz, Rockets, or Clippers. With Jokic’s conditioning in question and with so many great teams standing in their path in the Western Conference, it would take a lot for the Nuggets to power through the conference and pull off some major upsets against the marquee favorites in the NBA.

Chances: slim, but injuries to other teams could possibly open the door

7. Toronto Raptors

Toronto hopes their championship pedigree will help them get over the top in the playoffs once again to reclaim their throne for the second straight season (via Sportsnet).

The Toronto Raptors will enter the 2020 playoffs as the defending world champions, which makes their follow up to last year’s amazing run an interesting story to watch over the course of the league’s mysterious postseason.

Although Kawhi Leonard is no longer in the picture for this Raptors’ team, they have put together a simply shocking season that not many saw coming. Led by the rise of a budding superstar in forward Pascal Siakam, the Raptors have found major success on both ends of the floor and have stayed near the top of the Eastern Conference standings for a large portion of the season. Sans Leonard, the Raptors return most of their championship core from last year, with studs such as Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet helping to take upon even larger roles this season. Toronto has become one of the most fascinating success stories of the 2019-2020 regular season, and they surely rank as one of the league’s sneakiest teams that could steal their second straight Larry O’Brien Trophy this year.

Yet the one factor that remains a concern for the Raptors in the playoffs will be how much they truly miss Leonard when it matters most. The loss of one of the league’s best players make it hard to imagine this team repeating as champions, but the Raptors have found a way to defy all expectations once again. This could be a sneaky team in the postseason, and don’t count them out quite yet against a favored team like Boston or Milwaukee.

Chances: fair, even if they will have to deal with tough teams along the way

6. Miami Heat

Miami has one of the most solid all-around group of defenders found anywhere in the NBA (via Action Network).

Miami has flown extremely under the radar for most of the season, but are a serious contender to get through the Eastern Conference and back into The Finals in the first season with Jimmy Butler in South Beach.

With Miami finding a way to just keep winning games against great opponents, it is no longer possible to ignore how solid the Heat really are. Led by Butler and versatile forward Bam Adebayo, the Heat are a formidable defensive team that could have a ton of playoff success and in the halfcourt. Although Miami struggles to generate a ton of offense in one-on-one situations, their ability to limit opposing teams from getting out on the fastbreak and forcing them to make jumpshots is a serious weapon that they have used very effectively. This is especially important against Giannis and the Bucks, whom they could end up seeing in the playoffs. In addition, the Heat are the only team to have beaten Milwaukee twice in a season and could surely put a scare if they end up meeting up.

The only thing that provides some doubt about the Heat is that they do not seem like a team that should be able to make The Finals on paper. Yet head coach Erik Spoelstra and general manager Pat Riley have done an exceptional job of constructing this team to win now, and will be as tough of an out as any team in the NBA playoffs.

Chances: great, especially since they may be the Bucks’ biggest threat

Tier 1 (The Top Dogs) 🥇

5. Boston Celtics

Jayson Tatum’s ridiculous start to the second half has given the Celtics hope of capturing their 18th championship in franchise history this season (via CBS Sports).

The Celtics have quietly trailed behind the Bucks in terms of Eastern Conference headlines for most of the season, but they pose the most serious threat to Milwaukee to get through the conference and back into the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010.

Even though Boston has not hit their stride until somewhat recently, they have always had the potential to get the The Finals with how much roster talent they possess to go along with a great head coach in Brad Stevens. However, Jayson Tatum has turned into a budding superstar in recent weeks, carrying the Celtics’ offense almost nightly, and has inspired some hope that this is the Celtics team that can finally get back to the sport’s biggest stage. With Tatum dominating alongside other star talents such as Jaylen Brown, Gordon Hayward, and Kemba Walker, Boston has a real chance to pull off a shocking upset of Milwaukee in the East.

Boston will certainly be at a disadvantage if they match up with Milwaukee due to not having home-court advantage, but this team certainly is not a great matchup for the Bucks. With many big names on the floor at once, plenty of bench depth, and situational coaching that has advanced deep into the playoffs before, don’t be surprised if Boston pulls off a stunner and gets back to The Finals this year.

Chances: Way higher than many think

4. Houston Rockets

Russell Westbrook’s outstanding play as of late has given Houston a reinvigorated sense of hope that they can make a run at a championship this season (via Slam).

Many people have considered the next three on this list as the only three real contenders in the league, but Houston has defied the odds in recent weeks and looks as frightening as any team in the league right now.

Led by MVP-worthy play from Russell Westbrook, as well as the typically unguardable offensive dominance from James Harden, the Rockets have soared to new heights since making drastic lineup changes at the deadline. By trading away center Clint Capela and opening up the court for Westbrook and Harden to operate according to their strengths, Houston took a major gamble and was willing to sacrifice their season in order for the formula to possibly work. It has thus far, and Houston has shown that they have real potential to not only get through the West, but cap their season off with a world title.

It was safe to assume that the Battle of LA would end up shaping the Western Conference, but Houston has a real chance of playing spoiler if they can continue their level of play. It remains to be seen if this type of efficiency can remain for long period of time in H-Town, but there’s is certainly hope in the building with where this team stands at the moment.

Chances: Dependent on how far Harden and Westbrook can carry this squad

3. Los Angeles Clippers

Paul George could be the deciding factor in the playoffs if the Clippers were to advance to The Finals for the first time in franchise history (via Los Angeles Times).

The Clippers, simply put, are perhaps the best team in the league on paper when at full health with such a loaded roster. But with a lack of time together and their place in a conference of loaded teams has brought doubt to the Clipper organization, even though they are as talented as any squad in the NBA.

The Clippers could even rank higher on this list due to how deep their lineup is, but they do have some holes they have opened up over the course of the season. Nevertheless, this is a team that has the luxury of rolling out two superstars in Kawhi Leonard, last year’s Finals MVP, and Paul George on a nightly basis. The Clips also have a ridiculous combination of spectacular role players behind them and a Finals-winning head coach in Doc Rivers, which could make this team an extremely tough out during the playoffs. Yet their chemistry has become a notable headliner over the course of the season, and it is safe to assume that could be a story over the course of their predictably-deep playoff run.

With other teams such as the Lakers, Rockets, Jazz, and Nuggets vying for the West’s spot in The Finals, it is fair to assume the Clippers could face some struggles. But make no mistake about it: this team has been constructed to contend in the playoffs and face off well against any team in front of them. They may not be the #1 favorite, but they certainly have almost as good of a case as any to win it all this year.

Chances: Elite, if they can stay healthy

2. Los Angeles Lakers

Even in Year 17, LeBron James is as hungry as ever to deliver a championship back to Los Angeles (via San Gabriel Valley Tribune).

Cruising through the West and possessing the best duo in the league has made things easy for the Lakers all season long, but it is a certainty that they will have to overcome some tough obstacles in their path to secure their 17th championship in franchise history.

Many people have had their fair share of doubts about the Lakers all season long, mostly due to their unpredictable cast of role players that have vast amounts of ups and downs. But what is undeniable about this team is that LeBron James and Anthony Davis have been basically unstoppable all season long, consistently putting on a pure show full of dunks, dimes, and threes when sharing the floor together. With two top five players in basketball thriving and guiding this team to the top seed in the West, the Lakers look like a unit that could return to the Finals for the first time in a decade and give LeBron James, a candidate for MVP once again this season, the fourth championship in his awesome career.

Yet even with all of their positives, the Clippers and Rockets loom as major threats in the Western Conference to upset the Purple and Gold in the playoffs. James and Davis appear to be as deadly as anyone on any given night, but the Lakers’ chances could very well come down to which role player steps up in big moments and helps get this squad over the top.

Chances: Also elite, but will have a major target on their back

1. Milwaukee Bucks

The Bucks’ pure dominance has been hard to ignore and simply gives them the best chance of capturing a world championship this season (via Fadeaway World).

Milwaukee has absolutely throttled the majority of the league this season, rolling through the NBA with a huge lead in the Eastern Conference and without any clear formula in sight to stop them from getting the The Finals for the first time since 1974.

A large part of the reason for their success has been the once-again superb play of forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, last year’s league MVP. The Greek Freak is once again the favorite to capture the league’s MVP award this season, and his rise to the top of player rankings makes him one of the most unstoppable forces in recent memory. Yet Giannis is not alone, as key role players such as Khris Middleton, Eric Bledsoe, and Brook Lopez have helped carry this team to a huge lead at the top of the East. Although other teams like the Celtics and Raptors could be tough over the course of a seven-game series, the Bucks are the obvious favorite to capture basketball glory this year.

With Giannis at the helm of the Bucks’ ship, Milwaukee fans should have a lot of confidence in this team to get it done and get to The Finals as the East representative. While they could face some huge threats from Western Conference foes with plenty of playoff experience, the Bucks have reigned supreme over the course of the regular season and should be treated as such at this point.

Chances: The clear favorite among the giants of the league