Here is a look at the top 4 NBA teams flying under the radar right now. The Golden State Warriors are still on pace to beat out the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls for the best record in NBA history right now. The Warriors’ sensational run has taken the attention away from some of the other emerging teams that have flown under the radar as a result but certainly deserve some recognition.
San Antonio Spurs (25-5)
The Spurs entered this season with tremendous expectations after adding LaMarcus Aldridge and David West in the offseason and they have certainly delivered out of the gate. They have the best record of any team not named the Warriors. San Antonio has won 25 of 30 games but that still isn’t even close to Golden State’s record pace and as a result, they have certainly flown under the radar. Everyone is talking about the Warriors and what they may or may not accomplish, but meanwhile, the Spurs are on an incredible pace too. The Spurs’ strong start includes 15 straight home wins to open the season and there is no doubt they will keep the pressure on the Warriors at the top of the Western Conference standings.
Indiana Pacers (16-12)
A year after failing to make the playoffs, Indiana is on pace to challenge for the top seed in the Eastern Conference with a 16-12 record through 28 games. Paul George is healthy again and playing at an elite level, which is the biggest reason why the Pacers have been so good. However, their story is about a lot more than just one star player taking the team on his back. C.J. Miles, Monta Ellis, George Hill and Rodney Stuckey have all shown flashes of their potential with Indiana this season and that level of depth in the Indiana backcourt has helped take this team to another level. Remember, this is a team that stuck with head coach Frank Vogel even when everyone called for his head. And they even changed the style of the team completely to a smaller team that runs more. Although many people questioned those moves, they’ve paid off.
The Pacers still have a lot of work to do but right now it’s hard to doubt them as contenders that have flown under the radar in the Eastern Conference so far this season.
Charlotte Hornets (15-13)
Charlotte is another of the surprise teams in the Eastern Conference this season as few thought they would be holding down a playoff spot heading into the New Year. Jeremy Lin – aka ‘Linsanity’ – has helped provide the Hornets with a spark while Kemba Walker and Nicolas Batum have helped share the load on offense. The Hornets will need Al Jefferson healthy and in the lineup to make a more serious impact, but right now, young big men like Cody Zeller and Frank Kaminsky are more than holding their own. All of that combined means that Charlotte could be one of the surprise playoff teams in the Eastern Conference this season after flying under the radar early on.
Oklahoma City Thunder (20-9)
Don’t look now, but Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant rank 2-3 in the NBA in PER right now behind only Stephen Curry. With both players healthy and playing at a high level, there is no reason to doubt the Thunder as a serious contender. Even so, they get very little attention in the news as they’ve been an afterthought in the Western Conference behind Golden State and San Antonio.
Westbrook has emerged as a legitimate NBA superstar and some feel that he and Durant is the only tandem that can take down the Splash Brothers once the postseason rolls around. Oklahoma City is still a step behind Golden State and San Antonio in terms of its overall record right now but they certainly have the weapons they need to contend and right now they are flying under the radar in the Western Conference.
