Chasing the Title

We are down to eight teams in the 2015 playoffs. Each team's mindset and main goal is capturing the NBA title. As we take time to look at each team we obviously see that some squads have a better opportunity of winning the championship. Based on injuries, opponents, and just overall talent from top to bottom. So here we go in reverse order; here's a ranking of the title chances of the teams chasing the title. 

8. Memphis Grizzlies 

There are a couple things that truly stick out when it comes to the Grizzlies. and why they are least likely to when the ship. First of all Memphis has the task of playing the Warriors. Secondly their best player Mike Conley status is unclear. Yes, he played great in game 2 where the Grizzlies stole that game, but it's hard to be confident in the amazing effort the Grizzlies showed in game 2. Heart won the Grizzlies that game. 

Memphis has a good squad, but with Curry having 19 in game 2, and Thompson with a mediocre 13 you can't expect those two to have games like this too often. With that being said, and not enough bench production, even with Game 2 steal Memphis's chances look very bleak. 

7. Washington Wizards 

Now don’t get me wrong here, this is a Washington Wizards team that was 5-0 in these playoffs until last night's loss. Honestly this team could sneak in and steal this series. Wall and Beal are playing very well, Wittman is doing well coaching this team, and with a battle tested leader in Paul Pierce the Wizards are a tough out. 

But it's really hard seeing these guys top the Chicago Bulls or the Cleveland Cavaliers in the next round and that’s if they sneak past the Atlanta Hawks. This team is tough, and really playing good basketball right now. The Wizards are close but not yet ready. 

6. Atlanta Hawks 

Regardless of the Wizards comeback win in Game 1, I'm going to give the Hawks a slight edge simply because of potential. When the Hawks have everything going they are a better team than the Wizards. 

It would also be hard to overlook the fact that the Hawks have not played to their full potential since March 6th when the Hawks beat the best team in the east in the Cleveland Cavaliers. Atlanta are 15-13 including the playoffs since that big win.  Now if Atlanta could somehow go back to that winter magic, they have a chance at the Eastern Conference crown. But time is slipping and that’s why the 1 seed Hawks are at the 6 spot here on this list. 

5. Chicago Bulls 

The Bulls had an up and down series against the Bucks. The first three games they looked like the team we all envisioned with Derrick Rose at full strength, Jimmy Butler an up and coming superstar, the amazing front court with all stars Joakim Noah and Pau Gasol. You could look at this team and say the eastern conference title is going to Chicago with Kevin Love being out. Bur then the next two games happened, Chicago struggled to find holes in the young, long, and lanky defense of the Bucks. 

Then game 6, Chicago throttled the Bucks by a margin of 54 points. The bulls are as talented as any other team, but they fail to perform consistently on a high level. We seen them steal game 1 at Cleveland but once the series unfolds completely we will know a lot more about Chicago's title hopes. 

4. Houston Rockets 

The Rockets made it look easy against the Dallas Mavericks in the first round, it won't be so easy against the Clippers who just knocked out the defending champions. James Harden is one of the top players in this league, Howard is playing big boy basketball right now, and bringing in guys like Josh Smith and Corey Brewer where really nice additions. 

With all that being said there chase to the title is really rough. Chris Paul is hurting right now, but when he gets back the Clippers will have two of the leagues top ten players in Paul and Blake Griffin, plus with one of the best coaches in the NBA in Doc Rivers. Best case scenario they beat the Clippers in six or seven games, aftewards the Warriors would loom. The Rockets road in the West has done them no favors in their title hopes. 

3. Los Angeles Clippers  

The Clippers just beat the Spurs, and when you look at the series, and Chris Pauls injury, seems like it took literally everything the Clippers had to knock of the defending champions.That was one of the best first round series we will ever see, it was an emotional series, It was emotionally draining for the players, coaches, and even the fans watching at home. You can only imagine what it done to Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and the rest of the crew. 

With that being said the Clippers first six guys are a really  good group. But with the heavy load from the first round that may begin to catch up with them in this series with the Rockets and possibly the Warriors 

2. Cleveland Cavaliers 

This series between the Bulls and the Cavs seems like it’s the eastern conference finals, because knocking off this Bulls team will take a lot more then knocking off the Hawks or the Wizards. JR Smith is out the first couple of games, and Kevin Love may have possibly played his last game in a Cavaliers uniform. But if Blatt can place LeBron James at the four spot and the wings are making shots, this Cleveland team is still tough to stop. 

Without Kevin Love, its tough to say that the Cavaliers are a better basketball team than the Clippers or the Rockets, but Clevelands road is a lot easier. 

1. Golden State Warriors 

The Warriors make the game look so simple. Other then game 2 versus the Memphis Grizzlies one of the splash brothers are dominating the basketball game. If Curry isn't knocking down 3's, Thompson is knocking down 3's. Draymond Green can do just about anything you need him to do on the basketball court. With the best home court advantage in these playoffs the Warriors are sitting pretty. 

And another thing that helps: Clippers beating the Spurs. The Spurs could've put the long athletic Kawhi Leonard on Curry and Danny Green on Thompson. There aren't any more wing defenders like that in these playoffs. Thanks to the Clippers, the road to the Finals has one less roadblock. 

Joshua Keene