6. Miami Heat (21-8)
With the way the Miami Heat have been playing to start the season, there’s no question that Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler should be sure-fire all-stars. At the same time, they should get some love for NBA MVP and/or NBA MIP.
Knowing how this league works though, there’s no guarantee that either of those will happen. The Heat, as a team, though, are a force to be reckoned with.
5. LA Clippers (22-9)
The LA Clippers‘ main goal this season is to get to the postseason healthy, and that, in the front office’s opinion, relies upon a lot of “load management.” However, if you believe in the philosophy, and if it results in an NBA Championship, there’s no knocking it.
No matter what LeBron James may say. The Clippers third in the conference, but almost four games behind the Lakers for the top seed in the West.