nba playoff outlooks Tier list

By: Will Aimette

(Photo Credit: Fadeawayworld.net)

The NBA season is winding down, meaning the playoffs are right around the corner. This means increased competition for dominant teams like the Thunder and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, as they look to solidify their spot as the best team in basketball.

Eastern conference:

tier One: Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavs are the downright best team in this conference. You could argue the Celtics or Knicks are close, but the Cavs are just a better all around team. I mean, over half their team were all stars (Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley). Not to mention their coach, Kenny Atkinson was too. Anyways, they beat the Knicks three out of three times, best the so far 64-win Thunder, and beat the Nuggets twice out of two times. So, it’s not like they are getting lucky, as they have been playing one of the toughest schedules of anyone in the NBA. And it’s not just the stars contributing, either. Role players like Jarrett Allen, Max Strus, and Ty Jerome have been a massive part of their success this year. So, this team has everything they need, and are looking to carry this momentum into the playoffs, as they already have clinched the number one spot in the conference.

Tier two: Boston celtics, New york knicks

Now, don’t kill me for putting Boston in the same tier as New York, because I know many of you wouldn’t. Yes, I’m putting them in order of how ready they are for the playoffs and how they will finish. Well, the Celtics already established themselves as the number two spot. And pretty much the same with the Knicks at number three. So then why would I put these teams in the same tier? Well, because the Knicks past games don’t show the true potential of this team. Jalen Brunson, Karl Anthony-Towns, and Mikal Bridges could certainly be named the best trio in the NBA. And OG Anunoby and Josh Hart provide the competitiveness this team needs. So they have talent, but they lost all of these games to top tier teams. They still are 0-3 against the Celtics this year, and 0-2 against the Cavaliers. So, top teams are definitely their weakness, as this team likes to beat up on the weaker teams. That doesn’t fare well in the playoffs, a spot where they will see no one but good teams. But this team reminds me of the Cavs in a way. Great talent, good role players, and a leader in Jalen Brunson. They went on a solid run last season, and are certainly poised to even more this year, only with KAT this time. As for the Celtics, they are more of a favorite than the Knicks. Every year, they seem to finish top three in the conference with a deep playoff run thanks to Jason Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Like these other good teams, the Celtics also have good role players In Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis. Notice a theme? It seems as if good teams have good role players. Furthermore, the Celtics were pretty much the only team to have somewhat of a success against the Cavaliers, splitting the season series 2-2. So again, the Celtics, along with the Knicks, are poised to make a deep run In the playoffs.

Tier Three: Indiana Pacers, Detroit Pistons, Milwalkee bucks

This whole conference is set for the playoffs, so while these tier three teams are making it, some might not be going as far as you think. Starting with the Bucks. I personally think the Bucks are one of the weaker teams entering the playoffs this year. Outside of Giannis and Lillard, this team has nobody. With only Kevin Porter Jr, Bobby Portis Jr, and a 20% three-point-shooting Kyle Kuzma to back these guys up, they are seriously lacking support. As I stated earlier, great teams need great role players. So, I think the Bucks might be one of the weakest teams in the playoffs, even though they are holding the fifth-best record in the conference. As for the Pistons and Pacers, they are tough matchups to play. In my mind these teams are completely even, with the Pacers placing fourth and Pistons placing sixth In the conference. Let’s just start out by saying that these two teams have some generational stars to lead them, in Tyrese Haliburton and Cade Cunningham. In my earlier hot take article, while the Pistons were struggling, I predicted they win the whole thing. (To be fair I needed an absolutely wild take to top my others, as that was my hottest take). But still, that might very well be possible. They went from the worst team in basketball to one of the best in one season, and will certainly bring energy to the court. I mean, that's what they’ve been doing all season; running their opponent out of the game. And for the Pacers, they might make the same run as last year. The only reason I won’t necessarily say they will ‘beat’ their run is because of the Cavs, Celtics, and Knicks. Those are three teams that the Pistons need to avoid to make it far, as they are just outmatched by higher placed teams. Overall, credit to all of these teams for making the playoffs. But in the end, they simply will just get outplayed by better teams.

Tier four: Orlando magic, Atlanta hawks, chicago bulls, miami heat

These four teams are going to compete in the play-in tournament for two spots in the playoffs. And to be honest with you, none of these teams are making it much further than that. The Magic pulled off a magical comeback season led by Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, and are considered the best of these four teams. After losing Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro has taken over the ‘hero’ role, looking to propel this team to the playoffs. The problem is that the Heat’s front office clearly has other plans. After trading away Butler’s counterpart and a big part of their title run, Gabe Vincent, this team has nobody after Herro. I don’t think they’re making it out of the play-in games, as they are probably the weakest out of these four teams. As for the Hawks, they are in a similar situation. They have Trae Young, and pretty much no one else to support him. The Hawks are another team I just can’t see going far, as their talent is sparse. And lastly, the Bulls. The Bulls are my sleeper pick in the playoffs. They actually might be a lot better than you realize. In contrast to many of these other teams, the Bulls have a lot of role players to count on, but are lacking a star. But that’s what makes this team special, as every night there seems to be a new player stepping up, whether it’s Josh Giddey or Matas Buzelis. So, I’d say the Magic and Bulls are looking like the last two teams in the playoffs, as they are the best positioned for a run. However, don’t sleep on teams like a Hawks, as if Trae Young has a 40-point night, this team is as dangerous as any other in basketball.

(I’m not going to bother with teams not up for playoff contention, so sorry in advance Raptors, Nets, 76ers, Hornets, and Wizards fans, at least you have a chance at the lottery pick.)

Western conference:

Tier One: Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver nuggets

The Oklahoma City Thunder are the best team in the entire NBA. But the fourth place Denver Nuggets aren’t far behind. Yes, they are fourth place, but they have one thing the Thunder don’t. A horse-loving 6’ 11” Serbian basketball god; Nikola Jokic. Sure, the Thunder has Shea Gilgeous Alexander, also an MVP candidate, but the Nuggets have just as good of a supporting cast. And just to put it in perspective, Jokic just put up a 61-point triple double the other night. That’s what we’re dealing with here. So based on how set these teams are for the playoffs, I would say both of these teams are set to make a deep run. However, if they make it far enough, they will eventually meet each other, as they are a whole four spots away from each other. So overall, I’m not here to say that the Nuggets are better than the Thunder, but I am here to say they certainly come close.

Tier two: Los angeles lakers, golden state warriors, houston rockets

The Lakers are a close third to the Thunder and Nuggets, even if the Rockets are technically second place. With a surplus of talent in Lebron James and Luka Doncic, this team has the best duo in basketball. So, it’s pretty fitting for them to be in the top three teams in the conference. As for the Warriors and Rockets, even though they are three places apart, they are pretty even. The Warriors have even more talent, too. Jimmy Butler III and Steph Curry on the same team? Almost as good as James and Doncic. Lastly, the Rockets. I actually am a little down on this team, even through this majorly successful year. I just don’t see many difference-makers in the starting five, as there are no stars on this team. However, they are in second for a reason, and that reason is due to their young talented core. So, these teams are some of the best in the conference, and are expected to go far.

Tier three: minnesota timberwolves, Los Angeles Clippers, memphis grizzlies

Two of these three teams will be playing the the play-in tournament. Only one will be automatically admitted into the first round. And who do I think will make it? The Timberwolves. Even after losing KAT to the Knicks, they still got Julius Randle, and have generational star Anthony Edwards behind him. They also have good role players like Jaden McDaniels, Rudy Gobert, Donte DiVincenzo, and Naz Reid. All four of these players are considered to be some of the best in the NBA. That’s how much depth the Timberwolves have. And to me, this team at it’s best could be an NBA Finals contender. I mean, they beat the Nuggets during Jokic’s 61 point game. As for the Clippers and Grizzlies, I wouldn’t say the same. I know I was hating on the Clippers in previous articles, and I still stand by that. I mean they have some washed players and one Slovakian stars, and the rest of the team is mediocre. Sure, James Harden has been decent and Kawhi Leonard has been solid in is return, but this team can’t compete with better teams like the Thunder. They are just simply outmatched. And then the Grizzlies. Assuming Ja Morant doesn’t get suspended for the third time in two seasons, this team is actually decent. Again, they don’t possess talent like the Timberwolves do, but they will put up a decent fight in the play-in games and they have the ability to make a run in the playoffs.

Tier four: dallas mavericks, sacramento kings

These are two even teams in similar situations that will play in the play-in games. And they have the same winning percentage. So, what makes these teams playoff caliber, but not top of the conference? The main reason for both of these teams are trades. The Mavericks obviously made a daring move trading away Luka Doncic, while the Kings traded away star Point Guard De’Aaron Fox. So, these two teams won games in the beginning, but have fell behind ever since the trades. That’s why these teams are purely mediocre, and will not make it much further than the play-in games, if they get there in the first place.

(Again, sorry Suns, Trailblazers, Spurs, Pelicans, and Jazz fans. At least most of you will get a great pick in the draft.)