NBA Season Review

As the NBA All-Star Break is this weekend, there are already some big teams jumping out to a big lead in their conferences. In this article, I will evaluate the top two seeds in both conferences, who is struggling that was projected to be good, and one team out of the playoffs that seem to be on the rise in each conference. Starting with the Eastern Conference: the Atlanta Hawks are the top team with a 42-10 record, an incredibly impressive season so far. Led by center Al Horford and PG Jeff Teague, Atlanta has proven to everyone that they can be great, especially after missing the playoffs last season. In the number two seed are the Toronto Raptors, and with a 35-17 record, they are led by incredible point guard Kyle Lowry, who is starting for the Eastern Conference All-Star Team. The team that everyone expected to be great this year, are the Cleveland Cavaliers, and they are underachieving horribly. According to ESPN, the Cavaliers are starting to look like they should, and with a 32-21 record, they seem to have found their rhythm. LeBron James and company are playing great basketball right now, as they are 9-1 in their last ten games. Even with this run, they are still sitting in the fifth seed in the playoffs, but things seem like it could get better. The team that I think is on the rise and will make the playoffs are the Charlotte Hornets. They are 22-29, but still take the seventh seed right now in the playoffs, and have players such as Al Harrington and Kemba Walker, who each have the potential to go off on a tear each and every night. Don't be surprised if you see them in the playoffs at season's end.

Moving on to the Western Conference, and I refer to them as the powerhouse of the NBA. The top team is the Golden State Warriors, and they have been absolutely incredible this year. They are 31-5, and their rookie head coach Steve Kerr has the record for most wins in five losses, with 30! They are very well-rounded, but their superstars are the Splash Brothers, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. These two are three point specialists who can drive when necessary to give you the points you need. The Warriors are my favorite at this point in the season to win it all, but many teams could contest. The second team in the West are the Portland Trail Blazers. Led by Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge, two potential all-stars. This team has a 30-9 record, and if it weren't for the Warriors playing as well as they have this season, they would be on top of the conference by a good number of margin. Lillard is very clutch, and a great point guard, and is seen as the young leader of the team. The team that is not necessarily meeting expectations are the San Antonio Spurs. Although they have a pretty good record at 26-13, they are seventh in the conference, where everyone thought the defending champs would be in the top seeds. With Kawhi Leonard out with an injury, they are struggling to win games. My team that I feel is on the rise are the Phoenix Suns. This team at first glance may not look very good, but they will make you pay for saying that. Led by SG Goran Dragic and PG Eric Bledsoe, this team is 29-23, and in the eighth spot right now. I don't see this team making a run in the playoffs, but I can see them maybe moving up to the seven or six spot at season's end. 

Many questions are apparent in the NBA and many answers will be revealed as the season continues. Will the Golden State Warriors cruise to their fourth Larry O'Brien trophy; or will Atlanta be an underdog in the East this year? All of this and more will be answered as we near closer and closer to the All Star Break.

Source

-Blake Holmes