The NBA’s current crop of championship contenders is stacked with all-stars, from Kevin Durant to LeBron James to Stephen Curry. Add in a host of young up-and-coming players, and you’ve got a group that should be serious title contenders in the next few years.
With the Warriors chasing down their third title since 1996, the league’s top teams are now synonymous with success. But that doesn’t mean every team wants to play for the championship. Because while winning it all might be an impossible feat, there are plenty of other ways to make an exhilarating living as a basketball player outside of scoring points in front of thousands at a sold-out arena on an icy February night. Visit the icecasino.com and see for yourself which house you want to place your bets on.
Boston Celtics
The Celtics made the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010 last year, just four years after defeating the Warriors four games to two. Despite being up 2-1 in Game 3, Boston was unable to stop Steph Curry and his deadly long-range shooting. Despite this defeat, the team is confident in its ability to win the title this year. Despite the presence of two dynamic guards like Brown and Tatum, Boston has a number of players who can defend. One of these players is Robert Williams III, who played a crucial role in their championship run last year. Al Horford and Payton Pritchard, along with others like Horford and Pritchard, played key roles in their campaign to the Finals. They were able to destroy all of the Bucks, Nets, and Heat in the run to the Finals, making it one of the toughest for a No. 2 seed in recent years.
L.A. Clippers
Despite missing key star Kawhi Leonard for most of the season, the Clippers are one of the top teams in the NBA, according to some. This is because of the fact that they have arguably the best duo in the NBA in George and Leonard when they are both healthy, and their supporting cast is also pretty good. In addition to Wall, Reggie Jackson, and Norman Powell, the Clippers have plenty of other players capable of getting them deep into the playoffs this season.
Phoenix Suns
The Suns have shown in recent postseason showings that their mental strength is not yet sufficient for them to win a title. In the 2021 Western Conference finals, the Suns threw away a 2-0 lead over the Bucks and lost 4-2. The feeling of their players, who suffered a crushing defeat last year at home to Dallas in Game 7 of the Western semi-finals, will no doubt still be there. The Suns do have some of the top players at their respective positions, such as Chris Paul, Devin Booker, DeAndre Ayton, and Mikal Bridges. However, their currently-fit roster lacks the mental strength to win the championship.
Golden State Warriors
Curry and Thompson lead a formidable Warriors squad that claimed its fourth NBA title in eight seasons by defeating the Celtics in the Finals. They have the likes of Klay Thompson, Jordan Poon, Andrew Wiggins, and Draymond Green on their roster, who are among the best in the league. Golden State defeated the Nuggets, Grizzlies, and Mavericks in the first round before defeating the Celtics. They won't lose anyone important in free agency, a player who was key to their success in 2016. The Warriors had one of the best players of all time in Curry, who demonstrated last year that he would not slow down at any time.
Miami Heat
The Heat came close to claiming the NBA championship last season after they lost to the Celtics in Game 7 of the Eastern playoffs. They were only one Jimmy Butler three-pointer away from eliminating the Celtics and facing off against the Warriors in the Finals. Miami has a roster that includes plenty of young players and veterans, with their depth being one of the best in the league.
Milwaukee Bucks
In 2016, the Celtics eliminated the Bulls in the Eastern Conference playoffs, but they fell in the Eastern semi-finals to the Celtics in seven games. Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the best players in the NBA, and he has won two MVPs and a Finals MVP in the last four years. Milwaukee is familiar with how to win the NBA championship, and they did it in 2021 after 50 years without a title.
The NBA is one of the biggest sports leagues in the world, and it’s hard to deny its popularity. The league has produced some of the best players in history, from Michael Jordan to LeBron James. In addition to winning championships, these players have also made millions off their fame and fortune as athletes. But just because you’re one of the best doesn’t mean you can’t make money outside of playing basketball. There are plenty of ways to make money as a professional athlete besides being on a championship team or winning awards for your play on the court. So, choose wisely before betting.
