The NBA season is a marathon not a sprint. The regular season can lose some of its allure but, the NBA Playoffs start May 18th, 2021. We are 1 month away from “Must watch TV.”

Top 10 Power Rankings:

On the outside looking in:

Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat, New York Knicks, and The Boston Celtics. All four of these teams have been too inconsistent during the year.

10) Atlanta Hawks:

The Hawks are 4th in the Eastern Conference and the National media continues to ignore them.  Trae Young should be in the MVP conversation. He is 22 years old and averaging 25 points, 9.4 assists and 4 rebounds per game. John Collins and De’Andre Hunter are averaging 34 points and 12 rebounds, combined per game. Clint Capela is a double/double machine. Scoring 15 points and grabbing 14 rebounds every night. Danilo Gallinari, Lou Williams, and Kevin Huerta can all provide scoring off the bench. Do not sleep on the Hawks they could be the surprise team in the playoffs.

9) Denver Nuggets:

One of the best players in the NBA bubble and last season’s playoffs was Jamal Murray. The Denver point guard will miss the rest of the season because of a torn ACL. Nikola Jokic could win the MVP but, this team will not make it to the NBA Championship without their star point guard.

8) Milwaukee Bucks:

The Bucks are a good regular season team but is anyone scared of them in the playoffs? This team has reached their ceiling. They will get to the 2nd round and their season will be over. Giannis Anteokounmpo is averaging 28 points, 11.2 rebound and 6 assists. That will not be enough to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.

7) Portland Trail Blazers:

Enes Kanter, the Trail Blazers back-up center, had 24 points and set a franchise record with 30 rebounds last week. The Blazers are the one of the deepest teams in the NBA. With Damian Lillard,CJ McCollum, Jusuf Nurkic, Carmelo Anthony, and Norman Powell, they can score with any team in the West or East. Portland is a legitimate championship contender.

6) LA Clippers:

If Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are on the court at the same time, the Clippers have a chance to win. The two are averaging 49 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists per game. The Clippers have no interior scoring, and no one to protect the rim. They should have acquired JaVale McGee at the trading deadline.

5) Phoenix Suns:

The Suns are the best team no one talks about. They are 39-15 which is the 2nd best record in the NBA. Chris Paul has taken a young bunch group and provided leadership and professionalism. The Suns have a bright future.

4) Utah Jazz:

The Jazz are 41-14 and have the best record in the NBA. Donovan Mitchell is averaging 26.5 points and 5.4 assists per game. Rudy Gobert has improved his scoring. He is averaging 14 points and 13 rebounds per contest. Jordan Clarkson should win The 6th man of the year award. He is scoring 17.2 points per night.

3) Brooklyn Nets:

LaMarcus Aldridge has just announced his retirement. The Nets are still one of the deepest teams in the NBA. With their trio of Kyrie Irving, James Harden and Kevin Durant, they can score with any team on any given night. If this team is healthy, they have the potential to win a championship.

2) Philadelphia 76ers:

Joel Embiid is playing like an MVP. He averages 30 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game. Defenses across the league cannot stop him. Tobias Harris has been a great No.2 option. He is putting up 20 points per game and grabbing 7 rebounds. Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Dwight Howard. and Danny Green all provide veteran leadership scoring and rebounding. No one would be shocked if they make it to the NBA Finals.

1) Los Angeles Lakers:

The Lakers are 5th in the Western Conference. Most writers would not put them as the No.1 team in the NBA. I am not most writers. When LeBron James and Anthony Davis comeback, they are the best duo in the NBA and the most versatile. The Lakers have learned how to win without AD and LeBron in the lineup.  Dennis Schroder is averaging 15 points, 3.5 rebounds and 5 assists. Frank Vogel is one of the few coaches in the NBA who wants to play “Big.” Acquiring Andre Drummond lets him do that. With Davis, LeBron, Drummond, Schroeder, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, they are the biggest starting lineup in the NBA. Their bench has a good mix of veterans and young player as well. The Lakers should repeat as NBA Champions.

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