With just a few games left to play in the NBA regular season, the playoff teams have been determined. With that said, there were some unexpected teams that thrived this season, while others faded to black.

The most disappointing 2013-14 season was arguably held by the New York Knicks. This team, spearheaded by All-Star Carmelo Anthony, was seeded second in the Eastern Conference just a year ago, putting together an impressive 54-28 record. However, this season could be described by many as an absolute train wreck. After watching the Atlanta Hawks clinch the final playoff spot in the East this week, the Knicks have nothing to look for except for what Anthony chooses to do as a free agent now. Along with this team, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics will be missing the playoffs, marking the first season in NBA history that neither of these three teams have made the postseason.

    However, there were quite a few pleasant surprises in the Eastern Conference this season. The most noticeable of these teams would be the Toronto Raptors. In a season that tried to change the look of the entire franchise with new General Manager Masai Ujiri, the Raptors thrived in a campaign that showed DeMar DeRozan as a legitimate All-Star. Along with guard Kyle Lowry, these two players have led the Raptors to a top four Eastern Conference seeding, after not making the playoffs since the 2007-08 season.

    Another surprise out of the Eastern Conference was the Charlotte Bobcats. The team regarded widely as the laughingstock of the NBA returned to normalcy this year, clinching at least a 42-win season and a playoff berth for the first time since the 2009-10 season. Signing center Al Jefferson in the offseason made a big difference for the Bobcats, as he led the team in many categories this season and may be receiving a few MVP nods. Along with guard Kemba Walker, these two players have done an excellent job this season for the team and made the Bobcats relevant once more.

    Of course, you have your powerhouses of the conference as well: the Indiana Pacers and the Miami Heat. These two teams have competed in gritty games all season long, and look to be forces in the playoffs. The Heat, winners of the last two NBA Championships, look to get healthy before the postseason and hopefully thrive like they previously have. While the Pacers started off the season excellently, they have cooled down after the All-Star break, but will still hold the number one seed in the playoffs. Expect for both of these teams to go far.

    However, there are even more powerhouse teams in the Western Conference: the San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Clippers and Houston Rockets. The Spurs have been led by Tony Parker, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili for years now and still continue to thrive. They have clinched a 60-win season and are ready to compete. Kevin Durant, a probable MVP candidate, looks to compete as well with a healthy court mate in Russell Westbrook. The Clippers are finally looking to make a serious run in the playoffs. After being knocked out in earlier rounds in previous years, Chris Paul and Blake Griffin are ready to make some noise. Lastly, the Rockets thrived this season after signing center Dwight Howard. Along with James Harden, these two look to face some tough opponents and succeed in the playoffs.

    The team that follows these in the Western Conference standings is a surprise: the Portland Trail Blazers. With their depleted bench and somewhat amateur starting lineup, this team was projected to be left out of the postseason. However, Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge gave the team an excellent start to the season and are still tough contenders. Though they played a bit below par in the second half of the season, expect Aldridge to lead this team to a few postseason victories.

    Another team that has been a surprise in the Western Conference is obviously the Phoenix Suns. Before the season even started, the Suns were considered one of the teams that would be “tanking” to get good players in the upcoming draft. However, the young, dynamic guard combo of Goran Dragic and Eric Bledsoe has made this team a serious contender. Though they will not be playing in the postseason this year, this is a team with many draft picks that can become very good in years to come.

    One team that has been a disappointment in the West this season is the Los Angeles Lakers. After getting rid of Dwight Howard in free agency, the Lakers were ready to be removed from the negative media attention he brought to the team. Also, Kobe Bryant was just about healed from his Achilles injury and ready to play in another successful NBA season. However, he suffered a season-ending injury early on and big man Pau Gasol suffered multiple injuries and was surrounded by trade rumors. With these players mostly irrelevant, the Lakers put together one of the worst records in the West and might look at years of rebuilding.

    This NBA season was filled with many surprises and disappointments, as well as highlights and moments to be remembered for years. This postseason is likely to be just as exciting with many good teams playing with the same goal in sight: the NBA championship.

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---- Senior | Editor-in-Chief Emeritus ---- Journalism/Communication

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