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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 25, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Jeff Teague (0) dribbles the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the fourth quarter at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Timberwolves 112-100. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Jeff Teague (0) dribbles the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the fourth quarter at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Timberwolves 112-100. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Atlanta Hawks

The most surprising team so far this season has been the Atlanta Hawks, who currently have the best record in the NBA. They are 42-9 on the season, which is obviously good for the first seed in the Eastern Conference. Atlanta has put together a stacked starting lineup, and they have a solid bench behind the starters as well.

Jeff Teague, Al Horford, and Paul Millsap are the unquestioned leaders of the Hawks, but they also have Kyle Korver and DeMarre Carroll in the starting lineup as specialist players. There aren’t any shooters in the league better than Korver, and Carroll is a defensive beast that can slow down any opposing teams best wing scorer.

So why aren’t they ranked number one since they have the best record in the NBA?

Quite simply, the cannot rebound the basketball at a high enough level to win a seven-game series. They are currently ranked just 26th in the league in rebounding, averaging 41.0 per game. Atlanta has shown that they can contend with the best teams in the league, but things change in a big way during a best-of-seven series.

If that area improves throughout the rest of the season, the Hawks will have a fighting chance to knock off any team they face in the postseason. They have put together all of the pieces necessary, but they have to figure out a way to improve the one major flaw that they have. Rebounding is a major key to winning championships, and the Hawks come up just short in that category.

Next: 1. Golden State Warriors

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