The NBA All-Star break is upon us. Now is the time when teams are resting up and getting healthy for the last stretch of the season. With about two months left in the regular season, teams hoping to make the playoffs will need to finish strong. The NBA trade deadline is on February 20th, and while there might not be any blockbuster deals, you never know what to expect. Unless there is a significant injury, we have a pretty clear idea on who the top teams are. However, many teams will be looking to unload players before the deadline, or add some to make a late push. Let’s see how every team stacks up going into the All-Star break.
1. Oklahoma City Thunder – Even though Kevin Durant has slowed down from his thirty point streak, he is playing at an extremely high level and has been shouldering much of the load since Russell Westbrook has been injured. With Westbrook set to return soon after the All-star break the Thunder could be in for a very strong finish.
2. Indiana Pacers – Although the Pacers haven’t been playing up to their usual par, they are still playing at a very high level, especially on the defensive end. A recent shootout of a victory over the Blazers proved this team can score when necessary.
3. Miami Heat – The Heat have been playing some terrific basketball, and they’ve done it mostly without Dwyane Wade. Both Chris Bosh and LeBron James have stepped up to make up for Wade’s absence. The most important thing for the Heat is to make sure wade is healthy for the playoffs and that Greg Oden can handle more minutes.
4. Houston Rockets – The Rockets are currently the hottest team in the NBA having won seven straight. They are currently in a great position and have excellent momentum heading into the break. Look for the Rockets to move troubled big man Omer Asik before the deadline.
5. San Antonio Spurs – While the regular season is important for a lot of teams, it’s more of a hassle for the Spurs. The Spurs are built for the playoffs and their only priorities right now are making sure all their players stay healthy and well rested.
6. Los Angeles Clippers – The Clippers didn’t miss a beat without Chris Paul, in fact, many people would say the Clippers actually improved with his absence. Now that Paul is back and healthy the Clippers are looking like a dangerous force in the West.
7. Portland Trail Blazers – The Blazers have really been in a slide lately, losing two in a row and six of their last ten. With the West being as competitive as it is, a slump like that can be very dangerous. The Blazers losses have been close and against very good teams, so there’s no need to panic.
8. Dallas Mavericks – Dallas continues to impress as they are somehow emerging as one of the better teams in the West. They have won seven of the last ten and they are in a great position going into the break.
9. Memphis Grizzlies – After much struggle and injuries, the Grizzlies are really starting to turn things around. Now that this team is healthy, they can be very dangerous, as long as their offense gets going.
10. Phoenix Suns – Another team that continues to surprise people is the Suns. By now it’s clear that they are a very good team and this isn’t just some fluke. They have a very dynamic offense, especially when you consider Eric Bledsoe is currently out with injury.
11. Golden State Warriors – While the Suns have been surprises, the Warriors have been a great disappointment. After a strong finish last year the Warriors were expected to be major competitors in the West. Unfortunately, they are currently struggling to hold on to a playoff spot.
12. Toronto Raptors – Ever since trading Rudy Gay the Raptors have been playing really well. Kyle Lowry was a major All-Star snub and the Raptors are currently third in the East.
13. Chicago Bulls – After trading away Luol Deng many people thought the Bulls were attempting to tank. Obviously, the players didn’t get the message as their play has improved greatly since his absence.
14. Minnesota Timberwolves – After a strong start the Timberwolves have really struggled. While they still have one of the best offenses in the NBA, they struggle to win games. Their struggles will only increase now that Kevin Martin is out with injury.
15. New Orleans Pelicans – First time All-Star Anthony Davis is playing some great basketball. Even with Ryan Anderson going down with an injury this Pelicans team has a lot of fight in them.
16. Atlanta Hawks – The Hawks have been struggling mightily as of late. They have now lost five in a row and lost seven of the last ten. They were once perched at third in the East, however; they have now slid down to fifth.
17. Denver Nuggets – Speaking of teams struggling, the Nuggets have lost six of their last ten and have now lost four in a row. Unless the Nuggets turn it around in a hurry their playoffs hopes could be quickly diminished.
18. Washington Wizards – Just a few games ago the Wizards managed to have a winning record for the first time since 2009. Since that game the Wizards have lost four out of five. Fortunately, they still should make it to the playoffs.
19. Brooklyn Nets – Despite a truly atrocious start, the Nets are currently seventh in the East. Even though the East is extremely weak, the Nets have been playing much better and could find themselves in the playoffs by season end.
20. Charlotte Bobcats – The Bobcats are currently eighth in the East and are in position to make the playoffs. After years of lottery picks the Bobcats are finally showing signs of a competitive roster.
21. Detroit Pistons – After multiple big time additions in the offseason, the Pistons have yet to yield the expected benefits on the court. Josh Smith has been terribly inefficient and I would expect the Pistons to make a move before the break.
22. Cleveland Cavaliers – The Cavs had high hopes of a playoff berth to begin the season. While those dreams are all but crushed, the turmoil that is the front office and locker-room is the biggest headline in Cleveland.
23. Utah Jazz – The Jazz have risen from the cellars of the West and are now one and a half games ahead of the Kings for last. The Jazz have actually won three games in a row, however; the biggest thing to get excited for as a Jazz fan is the upcoming NBA draft.
24. New York Knicks – Unlike their fellow New Yorker rivals, the Knicks have been unable to turn things around. While there is still a chance at playoffs for the Knicks they certainly wouldn’t make it past the first round. It’ll be very interested to see what Carmelo Anthony decides to do this offseason.
25. Boston Celtics – The return of Rajon Rondo has done little to improve this Celtics team, although that is probably for the best. The Celtics are in a great position to land a top draft pick and many expect them to make a move before the deadline.
26. Orlando Magic – Injuries to center Nikola Vucevic hindered any hopes of leaving the basement of the East. However, that is for the best as the Magic have a lot of young talent and should land a top pick in this year’s draft.
27. Sacramento Kings – The Kings lost all their momentum when Rudy Gay and DeMarcus Cousins went down with injuries. Since then they have struggled to win any games and their lack of defense continues to hurt them.
28. Los Angeles Lakers – For only the second time in over thirty years the Lakers won’t make the playoffs. While they’re not mathematically eliminated yet, it’s pretty obvious that the Lakers don’t have what it takes. This will work out well for the Lakers as it will allow them to secure a great draft pick come June 26th.
29. Philadelphia 76ers – Lose eight straight games and this is where you’ll end up. It’s amazing that there is actually a team worse than the 6ers. The 76ers have a lot of young talent and some excellent trade bait and it wouldn’t be surprising to see them trade away multiple players before the deadline.
30. Milwaukee Bucks – The Bucks are really bad. A combination of injuries and lack of talent has really doomed this team. The only real positives for this team have been the development of the Greek Freak and John Henson.