As we approach the 20-game mark for the 2013-2014 NBA season, the current Eastern Conference standings come as a bit of a surprise. Atop the conference, as expected, are the Indiana Pacers, and below them the reigning champion Miami Heat.
After those two teams, things get a little weird. The Boston Celtics currently sit in fourth place in the East with twelve wins. Boston is a team that before the season began was projected to be one of the worst in the league. Both New York teams are currently laughingstocks of the league.
The Knicks sit with a record of 7-17, and the Nets with a record of 9-15. The Knicks, despite missing their defensive anchor and prime rebounder Tyson Chandler, have no excuse to be playing the way they are. There is no ball movement whatsoever in their offense, and their defense is nonexistent. The past few years have suggested the Knicks were headed in the right direction for a championship. This season has demonstrated the opposite trend thus far.
As for the Nets, they too are struggling with injuries. Without point guard Deron Williams, the Nets look anemic on the offensive end. Still, that is no excuse for a 9-win season up to this point. A coaching change should help the Nets improve. Jason Kidd would be helping the Nets more right now if he were to put on a jersey and get on the court.
The Chicago Bulls led by Derrick Rose came into the season with championship expectations. Unfortunately for Bulls fans, Rose went down with yet another injury before the Bulls reached their tenth game of the season. He will miss the remainder of this season with a torn meniscus, which suggests the Bulls will once again fail to meet their expectations of bringing the Larry O’Brien trophy back to Chicago.
It seems as if the Charlotte Bobcats have finally gotten things together…sort of. They currently sit with the 6th seed in the East with a record of 11-14, and embody the mediocrity of the East.
At this point, it seems like the pack will be eating the dust of Indiana and Miami for the remainder of the year.
Western Conference Roundup
The Western Conference is clearly the stronger of the two conferences. To put it in perspective, the eleventh place team in the West has the same record as the third place team in the East.
At the top of the standings sit the Portland Trail Blazers with a record of 22-4. Portland, led by LaMarcus Aldridge finished in 21st place last year. This season, however, they have been one of the strongest teams in the league and already look like they could be championship contenders.
Below the Trail Blazers are the San Antonio Spurs, followed by the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Spurs, although considered by some to be “too old”, continue to get the job done. Although last year seemed to be their year to win a championship, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them playing in the finals again come June. The Thunder are one of the most explosive teams in the league, as always. Led by one of the best pure athletes in the league in Russell Westbrook, and featuring one of the best scorers in Kevin Durant, the Thunder are always a contender. If they can stay healthy, they are my pick to win the Finals this year.
The Houston Rockets are another team that has all the talent they need to contend. With the acquisition of Dwight Howard in the off-season to accompany sharpshooter James Harden, they have the star-power to compete with teams like Oklahoma City and Portland.
If the NBA season were to end today, the Los Angeles Lakers would be just one game out of playoff contention. They currently sit with a record of 12-13, but now that Kobe Bryant is healthy, Lakers fans have a reason to be hopeful for what the rest of the season has to hold. Although I believe the Lakers do have enough to make the playoffs, they will not make it much further than the 2nd round.
If I had to pick a dark horse this early in the season, I would have to pick the Golden State Warriors. Although currently out of playoff contention, the Warriors have the kind of talent to be a threat to any team in the postseason. If they are both healthy, Andre Iguodala and Steph Curry should be able to help the Warriors make a run come playoff time.
The sheer number of contenders in the West should make for a fascinating playoff come spring.