NBA

2014-15 NBA Midseason Report: Top 10 Most Surprising Teams

Fresh Videos

By @ShaneRantSports

2014-15 NBA Midseason Report: Top 10 Most Surprising Teams

Stephen Curry Klay Thompson Warriors
Getty Images

This NBA season has been full of shocks, record performances and new leaders. At the halfway mark, preseason predictions can be tossed out the window. Nothing has gone according to plan and there is no clear favorite for the championship. With another half to be played and plenty of time for the landscape to change, here are the top 10 surprise teams thus far.

10. Detroit Pistons

Dance Team Pistons
Getty Images

10. Detroit Pistons

Dance Team Pistons
Getty Images

After parting ways with Josh Smith, it appeared the Detroit Pistons were looking ahead to next year. Instead, Stan Van Gundy rallied the troops for an impressive win streak. Had it not been for Brandon Jennings' torn Achilles, this team might be battling for the playoffs. I don't have much hope for this team going forward, but they earned the No. 10 spot because who even gave them a shot to begin to season?

9. Miami Heat

Dancers Heat
Getty Images

9. Miami Heat

Dancers Heat
Getty Images

Even without LeBron James, a question mark in Dwyane Wade and a barrel of fresh faces, most gave the Miami Heat a shot at the playoffs in a weak East. However, no one saw Hassan Whiteside making an impact and that is exactly what he will continue to do. Don't be surprised if the reigning conference champs make a push and finish a top-four team in the East.

8. Washington Wizards

Cheerleaders Wizards
Getty Images

8. Washington Wizards

Cheerleaders Wizards
Getty Images

The Washington Wizards were expected to be good, but not a team bidding for top seed in the East. With a record of 30-15, the Wizards are looking for their first 50-win season since 1979. The road to the Finals may just run through the nation's capital.

7. Memphis Grizzlies

Dancer Grizzlies
Getty Images

7. Memphis Grizzlies

Dancer Grizzlies
Getty Images

When you have possibly the best low-post duo in the league, the success will follow. For the Memphis Grizzlies, the playoffs were an expectation, but not the No. 1 seed in a "dog-eat-dog" West. Believe it or not, Memphis may just see a trip to their first NBA Finals.

6. Toronto Raptors

Girls Raptors
Getty Images

6. Toronto Raptors

Girls Raptors
Getty Images

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls were supposed to be atop the East. Instead, the Toronto Raptors find themselves in the race for first place, and DeMar DeRozan missed more than half of the season. With one of their leading players healthy, the Raptors are a viable threat in the East.

5. New Orleans Pelicans

Dance Team Pelicans
Getty Images

5. New Orleans Pelicans

Dance Team Pelicans
Getty Images

Anthony Davis has emerged as one of the league's top players, and the New Orleans Pelicans may see the first playoff berth under the new team name. I didn't think the Pelicans stood a chance in the West, but they are right on the outside looking in. The playoffs could become reality in the bayou.

4. Milwaukee Bucks

Dancers Bucks
Getty Images

4. Milwaukee Bucks

Dancers Bucks
Getty Images

Posting only 32 wins the last two season, I wrote off the Milwaukee Bucks before they hired Jason Kidd. Once that deal was complete, I forgot they were even an NBA team. Well, I was wrong and the Bucks already have 22 wins. I don't know what Kidd's secret is, but the playoffs are nearly a sealed deal.

3. Golden State Warriors

Cheerleaders Warriors
Getty Images

3. Golden State Warriors

Cheerleaders Warriors
Getty Images

We knew that the Golden State Warriors would be good, but did anyone think they would be 70 wins good? Already 36-6, the Warriors rest atop the West and have made new coach Steve Kerr look like a genius. You either live by the three or die by the three; Golden State is living by it and living well.

2. Phoenix Suns

Girls Suns
Getty Images

2. Phoenix Suns

Girls Suns
Getty Images

The Phoenix Suns do not have any fancy names to dazzle you with or MVP candidates, but they are winning basketball games and that is the only thing that matters. Currently 26-20, the Suns are a serious playoff contender that deserves more recognition than they are currently getting. The lack of big names or big contracts has not stopped them.

1. Atlanta Hawks

Dancers Hawks
Getty Images

1. Atlanta Hawks

Dancers Hawks
Getty Images

Could the Atlanta Hawks post the first 60-win season in franchise history? Yes they can and it could be this year. Atlanta sits atop the East with 37 wins, and they continue to win with an impressive style of team basketball. No one thought the Hawks would own the East, but that is exactly what is happening. "Hotlanta" is easily the biggest surprise of the NBA season.

Shane Phillips is an NBA Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow Shane on Twitter @ShaneRantSports, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. You can also email Shane at [email protected].

Share Tweet
Trending Now on