NBA: Breaking Down The Projected NBA Playoff Field

Mar 1, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard

(13) brings the ball up the court during the first quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

True Contenders

Teams: Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Chicago Bulls and San Antonio Spurs

The true contenders are teams that haven’t done enough to warrant rising to the very top of the NBA, but are still teams that you can see winning it all in June.

The Houston Rockets are contenders because the duo of James Harden and Dwight Howard is still one of the deadliest in the NBA today. Howard has had his injury problems as of late, but when healthy he’s still a top center in this league. Harden has also been playing out of his mind without Howard, and is making a strong case for the NBA MVP award.

The Oklahoma City Thunder are still have the second best player on the planet and the best point guard in the NBA today. Russell Westbrook, in Kevin Durant‘s absence, has been playing out of his mind. Throughout the month of February he’s been dropping triple-doubles in his sleep, even with a dent in his face.

When Durant comes back, this team is still a force to be reckoned with.

The Chicago Bulls, with Derrick Rose, are a contender because Rose is still a top point guard in this league.  Rose was injured again and is out with a torn meniscus, but should be able to return this season. If Rose does return this season, they have the pieces to contend with Rose, Jimmy Butler, Pau Gasol, and Joakim Noah.

The San Antonio Spurs are still a contender because they are the Spurs. They haven’t had a great year by any stretch, but if we’ve learned anything it’s to never count the Spurs out. Their Championship window was supposed to have ended years ago, but here they are still winning.

Any team with Coach Gregg Popovich and Tim Duncan anchoring down low is still a contender.

Next: Dark Horses