NBA Power Poll #22: Playoff Version

In this edition of our weekly power poll I’m going to rank all sixteen playoff teams in order of their readiness to win a championship.  It is possible that I could pick a lower ranked team on this list to beat a higher ranked one simply based on particular matchups. 

Buckle up.  The playoffs are finally here!!

1. Los Angeles Lakers: They may not have played their best ball down the stretch, but all year we’ve seen the Lakers' hot streaks and cold streaks.  The reason?  Boredom.  This team is gunning for their fourth straight finals appearance.  They only care about the playoffs, and they’ll be ready once the tournament starts.  They’ve got Kobe Bryant, three of the league's twenty best big men, and a deep cast of support players.  There’s still no team that can battle them inside so long as Andrew Bynum’s bone bruise won’t limit him too much.

2. Chicago Bulls: They’ve earned their way to the top seed in the entire playoffs and should be the favorites to advance to the Finals.  They play the best defense in the league, have a legitimate superstar in Derrick Rose, and have a nice collection of big men.  The only question is can Rose, Luol Deng, and Carlos Boozer score enough points for this team to win it all?

3. Oklahoma City Thunder: The addition of Kendrick Perkins was huge.  Now they have a guy capable of banging with any opposing big, and his presence allows Serge Ibaka to be a weak-side shot blocking terror.  With Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook carrying the scoring load, this team is ready for a big-time run.

4. Miami Heat: With Kendrick Perkins gone from Boston, the Heat surpassed the Celtics as title threats.  Miami’s big men still leave a ton to be desired, but LeBron James and Dwyane Wade create an amazing perimeter defensive duo, and the big three can easily score enough to send this team on a run.  I think all the acrimony directed at the Heat this season has given them what they sorely needed, a chip on their shoulder.

5. San Antonio Spurs: They’ve coasted a bit down the stretch but still have the one seed in the West and should be well rested for the playoffs.  I think they might get beat up on the boards against bigger teams and might not have enough scoring punch to rumble with LA and OKC.

6. Boston Celtics: A guy that scores 6-8 points a game has dropped Boston from co-favorites to sixth on my list?  Yup, you bet.  Without Kendrick Perkins the Celtics have nobody to battle the big men of the Lakers, the Bulls, or Dwight Howard.  Perkins' absence also emboldens the Miami Heat to drive the lane.  Boston now is a perimeter team, and I don’t think they are young enough or have enough scoring to make it back to the Finals.  Shaquille O'Neal looks like he won’t be able to give big minutes, if any at all; Jermaine O’Neal is essentially worthless; and Nenad Kristic doesn’t have the bulk, skill, or mentality to be a difference maker.  Kevin Garnett isn’t a physical force, Glenn Davis is just 6’8”, and Jeff Green is a small forward.  This team just doesn’t have the size to compete.

7. Denver Nuggets: The elements holding this team back are the fact that they don’t have one go-to scorer and they lack playoff experience.  Still, they share the ball really well, have great team speed, they're deep, and are well-coached.  Unfortunately for the Nuggets, they’ll get the Thunder in Round One.

8. Orlando Magic: They’re going to beat the Hawks in round one, and Dwight Howard gives them a real shot against Chicago in Round Two.  He will have his way against Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer, but I don’t think he can do enough to overcome the Bulls' many strengths.

9. Dallas Mavericks: They might struggle to get out of the first round against Portland.  Dirk Nowitzki is always good come playoff time, but a jump shooting 7-footer is not a great recipe for playoff success.  Jason Kidd is hardly a positive player anymore with his complete lack of speed.  With Caron Butler out, Jason Terry is this team’s second best scorer.  Not good.

10. Portland Trail Blazers: LaMarcus Aldridge is a star; he can carry this team.  Portland is really deep with athletic and talented players.  Aldridge, Gerald Wallace, Wes Matthews, Andre Miller, Brandon Roy, Nicolas Batum, Rudy Fernandez, and Marcus Camby form a terrific rotation.  They have length, shooting, scorers, and are very well-coached.  Roy is no longer able to contribute like an All Star, but he still provides solid bench scoring.

11. New York Knicks: Two Words: Puncher’s Chance.  They don’t play any defense, but with Carmelo Anthony, Amare Stoudemire, and Chauncy Billups this team has a shot to outscore anybody on a given night.  They’ve been hot lately and I guarantee nobody wants to see this team.

12. Memphis Grizzlies: Without Rudy Gay this team likely has no shot to advance a round.  Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph at least make them a handful in the post, and Mike Conley is a talented point guard.  They’ll need OJ Mayo to step up big time if they want to make a run at all.

13. Atlanta Hawks: They coasted through the regular season like they were the Lakers.  Unfortunately, they’re the Hawks, and they just don’t have enough to do any damage.  The Magic should make quick work of them.

14. Philadelphia 76ers: Playing the Heat is a tough draw for this young team because Miami plays the same style as Philly.  The Heat won’t be uncomfortable playing in transition.  The 76ers play hard and might steal one game, but nothing more.

15. New Orleans Hornets: Chris Paul versus the world might be enough to squeak into the playoffs, but it’s not enough to make any noise once New Orleans is in the tournament.

16. Indiana Pacers: They’re not even close to a .500 record.  Good luck against the 62-win Bulls.

--from Adam