The return of the NBA is right around the corner as teams prepare to join the Orlando bubble at Walt Disney World’s ESPN Wide World of Sports complex. The bubble will include 22 teams, 13 from the western conference and nine from the eastern conference. The format of the NBA will have teams play eight regular season games. After those games are played, seeds 1-7 from both conferences will be a lock for their position in the standings. For teams that are 9-13 in the standings are eligible for a play-in tournament for the playoffs if they are within four games of the eighth seed. The team challenging the eighth seeded team will have to win two games while the current eighth seed will need to win one game to advance.
Let’s take a look at each team’s ceiling as they return in Orlando:
Teams Missing the Playoffs
Phoenix Suns
The Suns are the most unlikely team to even get into the play-in tournament. Phoenix are currently six games behind the Memphis Grizzlies who are sitting in the eighth seed. Everything would have to go perfect for the Suns, such as winning at least seven of their games and the teams from seeds 8-12 lose a majority of their games.
Washington Wizards
Bradley Beal has been carrying the load for the Wizards without John Wall averaging a career-high in points (30.5) and assists (6.1). It’s going to be hard for the Wizards to win relying heavily on Beal. If Beal isn’t performing well, Washington doesn’t have a second player to lean on and that’s where they would miss John Wall.
1st Round Exit
These are the teams that have the potential to capture the eight seed or are already in position but will be eliminated in the first round.
Grizzlies, Trail Blazers, Pelicans, Kings, Spurs
All five of these teams have a fair shot to win the eighth seed. Out of the other four teams, the Spurs trail the Grizzlies the most being behind four games. All it takes to make the play-in tournament is to be within four games of the eighth.
The Trail Blazers are the most talented team out of the bunch with a star-studded backcourt in Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum. The Grizzlies, Pelicans, and the Kings are young and hungry. They should be exciting to watch as they race for the eighth seed. The Spurs have the best coach out of the bunch in Gregg Popovich, a five-time champion. The Spurs weren’t having the best season but still have an opportunity to make the playoffs.
Whoever comes out on top will likely have to face the LeBron-led Lakers. I can’t see any of these five teams taking out the Lakers because they would have the top two players in each matchup. LeBron James and Anthony Davis are both averaging at least 25 points per game and were running the western conference before the season was suspended.
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder played better than everyone anticipated this season following the Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul swap. This season, Oklahoma City had a balanced offense with five players averaging double-figures including second-year player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading the way with 19.3 ppg. Despite their balanced play, the Thunder don’t have the firepower to knock out teams like the Houston Rockets or the Utah Jazz.
Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks have been fun watch with the duo of Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis. Doncic has emerged as a star in the NBA putting up effortless triple-doubles. Dallas is a team that can spread the floor and shoot from the outside. Although, they’re not an experienced team. Their players are relatively young and haven’t had much playoff experience outside of J.J. Barea.
Utah Jazz
The Jazz will be without Bojan Bogdanovic due to a wrist injury who was having a career year posting 20.2 points per game. Also, the relationship between Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell hasn’t fully resolved because of Gobert’s carelessness to the coronavirus back in March. There’s some question marks towards this team and I can’t see them advancing to the next round.
Indiana Pacers
Domantas Sabonis has blossomed this season in the absence of Victor Oladipo. Sabonis averaged a double-double of 18.5 points and 12.4 rebounds which earned him a spot on the all-star team. Oladipo returned from injury and has appeared in 13 games this season but isn’t at the level he was two years ago. If Oladipo was 100%, I could see them winning a series but not this year.
Orlando Magic
Orlando only has the Washington Wizards in the way from making the playoffs. The Magic are a balanced team with big men like Nikola Vucevic and Aaron Gordon who can score down low and stretch the floor. As well as, guards who can shoot like Evan Fournier and Terrence Ross. This squad has no star and they are a below .500 team in the eastern conference. Orlando will have trouble with the team they are matched up with.
Brooklyn Nets
No Kyrie Irving? No Kevin Durant? Sounds like a first-round exit for the Brooklyn Nets. Spencer Dinwiddie has evolved as a player last season and this season he has performed better as the primary ball-handler. Without Irving and Durant, the Nets don’t pose a threat to any team. Next season when Brooklyn is up to full strength then we can talk about playoff contention.
Win a Playoff Series
Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers have Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons who can post a double-double on any given night. Tobias Harris can provide shooting as well as Josh Richardson. Philly’s bench has been an issue all year and they haven’t had a player to give them consistent production. Embiid’s health and conditioning is a concern. Having to take about four months off and being expected to be in good shape will be hard for Embiid. Given his injury history, his minutes will probably be around 30 minutes until he can prove to play longer. I think the 76ers’ ceiling is winning a playoff series but they can’t make a legitimate run because of their lack of depth and Embiid’s conditioning.
Denver Nuggets
Nikola Jokic recently tested positive for COVID-19 and hopefully he recovers soon. Denver won a playoff series last season for the first time since the 2008-09 season. Gary Harris and Will Barton provide range from outside and they are good perimeter defenders. Jamal Murray is a consistent scorer and Jokic is the best passing big man in the league. The Nuggets are a solid team but they don’t have the experience or flair as the top tier teams have.
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets decided to ditch the traditional big man when they dealt Clint Capela to the Atlanta Hawks at the trade deadline. Head coach Mike D’Antoni allows his players to do a 5 out so James Harden or Russell Westbrook can dance. This type of offense leads to a lot of three-point shot attempts. Harden is a volume shooter and it’ll be hard for him to be consistent from outside after all this time off. Westbrook and Harden are talented enough to win a playoff series but a formula of ill-advised shots, lack of ball movement, and no interior defender are all red flags.
Miami Heat
Adding Jimmy Butler in free agency was a great move for Miami. Butler comes into a grit and grind culture where they look to compete each and every night. The Heat have some young talent that have performed well this year including first-time all-star Bam Adebayo, Kendrick Nunn, and Tyler Herro. Miami’s brand of basketball can help them to win a series but they aren’t close to contending for a championship.
Title Contenders
Toronto Raptors
Losing Kawhi Leonard hasn’t affected the defending champions so far in the 60+ games they’ve played this season. The Raptors sit second in the eastern conference and have been consistent all year. A team that has a balanced offense with six players averaging over ten points per game. A solid one-two punch in Kyle Lowry and Fred Vanvleet who can facilitate, shoot, and they are gritty defenders. On top of that, Pascal Siakam has elevated his game in points, rebounds and assists. The Raptors are a deep team and it’s important to have depth when one player isn’t performing well. Toronto can make another finals appearance because of their depth and versatility.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers have played exceptional this year. LeBron James is an MVP candidate while Anthony Davis is leading the team in points, rebounds, blocks, and steals. LeBron and company are primed for a great postseason because of their experience on the roster. The Lakers will now have six champions on the roster with the addition of J.R. Smith. Los Angeles has size and strength making finishing at the rim difficult. The Lakers are confident they can win a title this year before the window starts closing on LeBron James.
Los Angeles Clippers
Depth, defense, and shooting are a few words to describe the Clippers. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are the best two-way wings in the league. Their effectiveness on both sides of the ball are electric and contagious. Patrick Beverley is a tenacious defender who can hit a shot from the outside. Montrezl Harrell can score down low and reject shots in the paint. Lou Williams isn’t 100% sure if he’ll join his teammates in Orlando. Without Williams, this team is still talented but their play making from the point guard position takes a hit. This team is scary when healthy and are going to give teams problems including the Lakers. The regular season showed flashes of what the Clippers can be and they can expand on it further.
Boston Celtics
This season the Celtics are more fluid after the departure of Kyrie Irving. Kemba Walker is averaging less shots than he was in Charlotte and he’s pleased with his role. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown averaging career numbers in points and rebounds. Not to mention, Gordon Hayward is a lot more comfortable this season. He’s being more aggressive when taking shots and he’s confident. The Celtics starting five is among the best in the league. Some of the players on the team got a glimpse of what they can be reaching the eastern conference finals two years ago. This team has ability to contend for a title because of their talent across the board.
Milwaukee Bucks
Giannis Antetokounmpo is in his seventh year in the league and he’s polished his game each year. Giannis has an opportunity to win another MVP and win a title, the franchise’s first since 1971. Surrounding Giannis are snipers such as Khris Middleton and Kyle Korver who are shooting above 40% from the arc. Milwaukee is also a great defensive team and thrive in transition. The Bucks came up short last season but can reach the finals if they can keep their composure.
The NBA returns on July 30 featuring a double-header of the Jazz vs Pelicans and the Clippers vs Lakers. Tip-off starts at 6:30 p.m. ET on TNT.
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