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The 2021-22 NBA season is fast approaching following an offseason that has been exciting, with several power moves made by several title contenders.
Expectations are already high for many teams, especially with key names returning from injuries for some teams. The LA Lakers and the Brooklyn Nets are the favorites in their respective conferences. But there's a group of teams in each conference ready to challenge the top duo.
The Milwaukee Bucks will naturally be in the mix and look to retain their title. Meanwhile, teams like the LA Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers and Phoenix Suns are expected to go deep in the playoffs too.
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On that note, here's a look at five teams that seem to be good enough heading into the 2021-22 NBA season, but may not go all the way. Without further ado, let's get started.
#5 Phoenix Suns
The Western Conference has definitely evolved heading into the 2021-22 NBA season. A few teams that were at the forefront last year might find it a lot tougher to stay in the elite group this year, though.
The Phoenix Suns, who made the Western Conference Finals, are expected to remain a contender in the West. While it is logical to expect that from a young team that has a proven leader in Chris Paul, the revamped LA Lakers could usurp the Suns to top spot.
Although the Phoenix Suns are likely to stay in the West's top four in the 2021-22 NBA campaign, a deep postseason run like in the 2021 NBA Playoffs is unlikely to be replicated.
Monty Williams' team was solid in last year's regular season, ranking fifth in Offensive Rating and ninth in Defensive Rating. Similar performances could help them produce another great regular season. But things could be a lot tougher in the postseason next year.
Phoenix have had some key additions to their squad, such as Elfrid Payton, Landry Shamet and JaVale McGee. But it could all go down to what Chris Paul, Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton conjure for the team.
#4 Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz led the NBA in the 2020-21 campaign with a 52-20 regular-season record to grab the West's first seed. Not many expected the Jazz to put up a big postseason run. But the team looked good in the first round and the first two games of the second against the LA Clippers before they ran into a wall.
The Jazz, led by Donovan Mitchell's offense, eliminated the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round in five games. But dropped four consecutive games in the Western Semis against LAC after leading the series 2-0.
Mitchell's health was an issue entering the postseason, and he did not look right in the late stages of the series against the LA Clippers. Moreover, three-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert struggled defensively against LAC, as the small-ball lineup played a big role in limiting Gobert's impact defensively.
The Jazz also had great contribution last season from their first-time All-Star player Mike Conley, who is returning after becoming a free agent. Sixth Man of the Year Jordan Clarkson and other key role players, Joe Ingles and Bojan Bogdanovic, chipped in as well.
Utah, coached by Quin Snyder, had the third-best offense and the fourth-best defense last season. But there will be pressure on the team to replicate their last year's regular-season success this campaign.
While the Jazz might remain a good team in the West, they may not have a deep run in the 2021-22 NBA playoffs, considering the current construction of their roster.
#3 Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks have a strong candidate for the NBA MVP award in Luka Doncic. But the Slovenian superstar alone might not be enough for the team to produce a deep run in the NBA Playoffs.
Doncic is in the conversation to be considered the best player in today's NBA. But the last two postseasons have proven that he can only take Dallas so far if his teammates do not perform well, or key players miss games due to injuries.
Kristaps Porzingis could be a key player in Jason Kidd's system, if he is able to perform at a high level. Last season, Porzingis did not have a great production in the postseason. His numbers from the regular season, 20 points and nine rebounds per game with a 47/37/85 split, went down to 13 points and five rebounds per game with a 47/29/84 shooting splits.
The team re-signed Tim Hardaway Jr., a key shooter on the roster, and also added Reggie Bullock and Sterling Brown to their mix of solid three-point shooters. Will that be enough for them to improve their fifth-seed finish from last season and a first-round exit in the playoffs?
However, Doncic could take huge strides and throw all pre-season predictions about the Mavericks out the window. That could see the team emerge as a legitimate contender for the title from the Western Conference.
#2 New York Knicks
The New York Knicks had a solid 2020-21 NBA season. They finished fourth in the Eastern Conference with a 41-31 record and made it to the NBA Playoffs for the first time since 2013.
The Atlanta Hawks ended New York's campaign after a thrilling five-game series. But the Knicks must be elated with their exploits in the last campaign, which was beyond what many would have predicted. Now, it is likely the team could find in the reckoning for the playoffs again.
The Knicks might struggle with some teams that were behind them in last year's regular season, such as the Boston Celtics, AtlantaHawks and the Charlotte Hornets. All three teams could probably finish above the Knicks in the 2021-22 campaign, leaving the latter fighting for a play-in spot.
Last year, Julius Randle led the team's offense and earned the Most Improved Player award. But it was coach Tom Thibodeau's defense that was New York's strongest suit.
While the Knicks' offense was only 23rd in the NBA during the regular season, their defense ranked third in Defensive Rating. For the upcoming season, the team has brought in two players - Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier - who could improve their offense,
New York also kept Derrick Rose, Alec Burks, Taj Gibson and Nerlens Noel. So they'll fancy their chances of making the postseason again.
#1 Miami Heat
The Miami Heat improved their roster handsomely heading into the 2021-22 NBA season. Interestingly, the Heat were ousted in the first round of the playoffs .and did not play like a well-oiled unit for large swathes of the campaign.
The Heat reached NBA Finals in 2020, but last year, they failed to win a game against the eventual champions, the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Heat front office has revamped the roster with the addition of veterans Kyle Lowry, PJ Tucker and Markieff Morris. Miami also kept Duncan Robinson, so their backcourt looks solid.
However, expectations of replicating their 2020 success in the NBA bubble seems far-fetched for the Heat next campaign. The team looked good when Jimmy Butler was healthy. But without him on the court, they looked underwhelming, to say the least.
That means Miami are unlikely to join the Brooklyn Nets and the Milwaukee Bucks as the NBA Eastern Conference favorites. However, with the Philadelphia 76ers struggling due to the uncertainty of the Ben Simmons' situation, Miami could be in a straight competition with the Atlanta Hawks to finish third in the East.
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