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NBA: Ranking the top 5 championship contenders

By Evan Massey

January 7, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates with forward Draymond Green (23) against the Indiana Pacers during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 7, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates with forward Draymond Green (23) against the Indiana Pacers during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 23, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) celebrates after hitting the game winning shot at the buzzer against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center. The Rockets defeated the Suns 113-111. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) celebrates after hitting the game winning shot at the buzzer against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center. The Rockets defeated the Suns 113-111. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Houston Rockets

James Harden and the Houston Rockets are another team to look out for in the Western Conference. They will need to find other consistent players alongside of Harden, but they have the talent put together to do that.

Their teamwork has been questionable at best, and they are just 17th in the NBA as far as assists are concerned. One-on-one basketball isn’t the type of system that will get the job done against the best teams in the league come playoff time. Houston is going to be a competitive team in the playoffs, but they won’t be able to win seven-game series’ against other legitimate contenders.

If the Rockets can figure out how to play better team basketball, they have a chance at coming out of the West. They have the shooters and post presence, and they also have the superstar scorer that can take over down the stretch. Those things make them a very good basketball team, but they can’t be selfish with the ball.

Dwight Howard provides the Rockets with a deadly second scoring option, and they have put together a solid supporting cast for their two stars. Corey Brewer, Donatas Motiejunas, Trevor Ariza, Jason Terry, and Josh Smith are all quality basketball players.

Houston has a chance to make a run in the playoffs, but they will need to figure out how to play better together.

Next: 3. Memphis Grizzlies

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