Another week, another list of who the true contenders are in the NBA. It’s starting to get very interesting as the season is well underway and we’re getting nearer and nearer to the 25-game mark that gives us the most accurate look into all these teams. The contender list has a habit of shifting very often early in the season, but some teams are starting to dig their heels in as contenders.
NBA Contenders Through Week Three
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Eastern Conference:
Boston Celtics:
Just get used to the Celtics being on this list. They have a great offense, their defense is starting to settle in, and probably the best starting five in the league. Two things to keep an eye on, however, are injuries and their three-point attempts. Jaylen Brown has been out a few games with a hip injury and the Celtics are averaging 51 three-point attempts a game. Injuries can derail any team and, even though the Celtics are shooting threes at a 36% clip, about 46% of their points come from three-pointers. It’s okay being that three-point reliant, especially in today’s NBA, until they start missing. Ask James Harden‘s Rockets about that.
Cleveland Cavaliers:
The Cavs are hitting all three major areas right now. Great offense, great defense, and a great bench. It is hard to find a fault in and it shows because, at the time of this writing, they are 10-0. The biggest concern for them still is Evan Mobley and Darius Garland. They are working great right now, but only 10 games into the season. There are still 72 and, hopefully, a couple more games after that. Also, they are shooting a staggering 42% from three so far. You can bet on that percentage falling before the season is over and we’ll see how much that will affect them.
Fringe
New York Knicks:
The New York Knicks have fallen to fringe contenders for now. They are still the 3rd-seed in the Eastern Conference right now, but that is mainly due to the weakness of the Eastern Conference outside of Cleveland and Boston. The Knicks have a great offense being led by Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, but that defense is killing them against quality teams.
Indiana Pacers:
The Pacers will stay on here long, but they’re going to get their flowers for beating the defending champs in overtime. Their issues still lie in an abysmal defense and a struggling playmaker in Tyrese Haliburton.
Western Conference
Oklahoma City Thunder:
This is the best team in the Western Conference right now. They have a great defense and their offense is starting to get better and back to that efficiency. The concern for them still lies in their offensive identity. The whole “everybody eats” works well in the regular season, but come playoff time your superstars need to be superstars. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is an MVP-caliber player, but what is their identity and where does Shai fall under it?
Phoenix Suns:
The Suns are looking like a great cohesive unit and that credit goes, mainly, to Mike Budenholzer and Tyus Jones. A true point guard and a coach who is great and bringing groups of athletes together. Their main concern right now is the production outside of the big three of Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, and Devin Booker. Tyus Jones and Royce O’Neale have some games where they provide that offensive flair and you have Grayson Allen and his shooting, but will that be consistent enough in the playoffs?
Golden State Warriors:
As was stated with the Indiana Pacers, you beat the champs then you get a chance. These Golden State Warriors are looking really good and Stephen Curry is starting to look like Chef Curry again after a slow start with an ankle injury. Experience is going to be their biggest concern. A lot of the team from their last championship in 2022 is still there, but they have a lot more responsibility on their plate now such as Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody. Their depth is great, but everyone knows the bench gets smaller in the playoffs and the plates get bigger.
Fringe
Dallas Mavericks
The Mavs still seem like championship contenders and will be in the race at the end of the year, but their slow start to the year has continued. The Mavs are known for slow starts and that was expected with a big group of new players, but injuries are hurting them now. P.J. Washington, Dereck Lively II, and Maxi Kleber have all been out for multiple games and that is killing Dallas’ bench and rebounding production.
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves are once again treading water as fringe contenders. They ended up beating the Bulls by a larger margin than the game actually seemed after a big fourth quarter, but their inconsistency continue to plague them.
Denver Nuggets
Denver seems to be figuring things out with Nikola Jokic, once again, in the MVP conversation. They have put together a couple of good wins, but they still are fringe contenders until they prove their shooting and defense are just streaky flukes.
So, what do you think? Agree or disagree? Comment below!
Main Image: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
