As we approach the All-Star break, several teams have separated themselves as legitimate title contenders. In the process, each has developed a clear identity, along with a few lingering questions about its ceiling. Below is a look at every team currently viewed as a championship contender and what they have shown us three months into the season.

OKC Thunder: Not Immortal

OKC opened the season looking like unstoppable world beaters, but recent losses to Minnesota and San Antonio revealed some cracks. The Thunder’s biggest issue has been shooting. Both teams closed off the paint and forced OKC into difficult three point attempts, shots they failed to convert at a high rate.

Fortunately for OKC, most teams lack the defensive personnel to replicate that approach over a full playoff series. The Thunder remain title favorites, but the road ahead looks more challenging than it did early on.

New York Knicks: Be Grateful for Mike Brown

Tom Thibodeau was a fan favorite, but the Knicks never hummed quite like this under him. Mike Brown has injected new life into the roster, starting with a revitalized bench. His trust in the second unit paid dividends during the NBA Cup Championship, when the bench stifled a late Spurs run and allowed the starters to close strong.

Taking pressure off Jalen Brunson offensively has led to his most efficient season yet, making New York a more dangerous playoff team than ever.

Denver Nuggets: Depth and Injuries

Denver’s roster is the deepest and most complete it has been during the Nikola Jokic era. Additions like Cam Johnson, Bruce Brown, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Jonas Valanciunas have reshaped the team’s identity and allowed the Nuggets to manage Jokic and Jamal Murray more effectively.

Unfortunately, injuries have prevented Denver from ever reaching full strength. The league still has not seen them whole, but when that happens, their ceiling remains as high as anyone’s.

Detroit Pistons: The Bad Boys Are Back

No, the current Pistons are not as malicious as the original Bad Boys, but the gritty, defense first culture is back. Detroit boasts the second best defense in the NBA and relentlessly attacks the paint, led by an ascending superstar in Cade Cunningham.

Perimeter shot creation outside of Cade remains a concern, but Detroit’s identity has transformed them from the league’s worst team into a legitimate contender in just a few seasons.

Houston Rockets: Cannot Lose Their Defensive Edge

Despite lacking a true high level point guard, Houston somehow fields the league’s best offense, largely due to the pairing of Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun. Still, the absence of Fred VanVleet has been noticeable. He is their best two way player, and without him, Houston struggles to balance elite offense with strong defense.

Injuries to role players have not helped, but the issue runs deeper. If Houston wants to win a title, that structural flaw must be addressed.

Boston Celtics: How Important Will Tatum Be?

Few expected Boston to be true contenders this season, but Jaylen Brown and Joe Mazzulla had other plans. Brown looks like a top ten player, while Mazzulla has arguably been the league’s best coach.

Even without Jayson Tatum, Boston looks capable of reaching the Eastern Conference Finals in a weak East. Tatum is projected to return late in the season, and his reintegration could be the missing piece needed to push the Celtics back to the Finals.

San Antonio Spurs: Shooting and Young Sensations

San Antonio is well ahead of schedule. Victor Wembanyama has been the league’s best defender, and De’Aaron Fox complements him perfectly. The biggest surprise has been how seamlessly rookie Dylan Harper and sophomore Stephon Castle have fit alongside Fox.

All three thrive attacking the paint, but Fox is the only reliable shooter of the group. If just one of the young guards develops a consistent jumper, San Antonio could soon join the league’s top tier contenders.

Orlando Magic: Is Paolo the Future?

Paolo Banchero simply has not been good this season. Returning from an early injury, he has yet to shake poor shot selection and isolation heavy tendencies. He has the physical tools to be great, but too many bad habits to be reliable.

The team often looks better when Franz Wagner runs the offense, but moving off Paolo is difficult. He carries the pedigree of a number one pick and a massive contract. Orlando has the supporting cast, but eventually must decide who their franchise star will be.

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