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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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January 14, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates with guard Klay Thompson (11) against the Miami Heat during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 14, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates with guard Klay Thompson (11) against the Miami Heat during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Golden State Warriors

If you were expecting to see Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors sitting at number one, then you certainly aren’t surprised. Golden State has been the NBA’s best team all year-long, even though they did end up losing to the Atlanta Hawks this past week in a head-to-head game.

The Warriors have ranked first in points per game (111.5), sixth in rebounds, and first in assists so far this season. Their defense does give up quite a few points (100.3), but they are still outscoring their opponents by an impressive 11.2 points per game despite their defensive lapses. Curry and Klay Thompson have stepped their game up even more this season, and have an even more dangerous supporting cast around them than they have ever had.

Adding an excellent head coach like Steve Kerr has been a major help too, and he has focused his team on the fundamentals of the game.

Draymond Green and Harrison Barnes are an impressive front-court duo, and the Warriors are able to round out their starting lineup with Andrew Bogut. David Lee and Andre Iguodala coming off the bench shows just how deep this Warriors team is, and that gives them an advantage over most other NBA teams.

There is no doubt that the Warriors are the favorite to win the NBA Finals this year at this point in time. They have all of the pieces put together and are a very tight-knit team. Unless something major happens down the stretch of the season, they are the favorites to represent the Western Conference in the finals and take him the trophy.

Next: Who are the 50 greatest players in NBA history?

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