2014 NBA Power Rankings, Playoff Edition (Volume 5): Final

Consider this my last Power Ranking of this year's playoffs. Unlike the regular season, when my Power Rankings kind of reflect who I think in that moment is the best team in the league, the playoff version is written as not only that but as my own way of handicapping who I think has the best chance to win the Title at that time. Matchups and potential matchups down the road have to be considered. Well, with only 4 teams left, that seems like a pretty silly exercise to continue as each Conference Finals series moves along. How much can the Rankings swing 1 way or the other, anyway? In a perfect world, I would have liked to get this out prior to the 1st game of each Conference Finals series, but I digress.

1. San Antonio Spurs (PR=2)...The Spurs finally move past Miami back into the top spot for a number or reasons. They are playing great. Their matchup with OKC is a lot more favorable with Ibaka out. And they matchup well with the Heat and Pacers as well. As long as Tony Parker's hammies hold up, I think they have to be considered the favorite to win it all now.

TD may have his way with OKC.

2. Miami Heat (PR=2)...For me, they hold the slimmest of advantages over Indy. And most of that has to do with experience and LeBron. Let's face it: this team is not as good as either of the championship teams of the last 2 seasons. Those teams had a younger D-Wade. Role players like Shane Battier, Mike Miller, and Udonis Haslem all played well. The free agent gambles they took last summer (B-EZ and Greg Odom) that worked in years past (Ray Allen, Chris Anderson, etc.) didn't pan out at all this time around. They are playing James Jones regular rotation minutes for Pete's sake! This postseason, it seems to be all on LeBron, as so aptly pointed out by a Bill Simmons piece this week. They still get those championship brownie points, but, honestly, it doesn't look great.

LeBron might have to be Hon Solo for Miami to advance.

3. Indiana Pacers (PR=3)...Their spot in each of the 5 Playoff Power Rankings thus far? 4th, 12th, 6th, 3rd, and 3rd. If that doesn't sum up how maddening the Pacers have been, I don't know what does. Look, their late season and early playoff round freefall was not over-exaggerated. But they've survived. And they are built to beat Miami. And other big time teams like Miami (especially Miami) seem to get their full attention. I think the underdog, nobody-believes-in-us role fits them much better than the big bad wolf playing against the sub-0.500, quirky, 3-point chucking Hawks or the upstart Wizards. It wouldn't shock me at all to see Indy beat the Heat without even going the full 7 games.

David West and the Pacers provide matchup problems for Miami all over the court.

4. Oklahoma City Thunder (PR=4)...Arguably, Serge Ibaka's injury hurts them almost as much as Russell Westbrook's injury did a year ago (maybe equally considering the other teams remaining). They have absolutely no rim protection at all now. And Ibaka was crucial to not only OKC's ability to go small (because of his shot-blocking) but still spread the floor at the 4 with more conventional lineups as well. Now, they have no one to contend with Tim Duncan in the post or deter Tony Parker's drives to the rim. And similar to Game 1 against the Spurs, Miami or Indy would live in the paint against them as well should Durant and Westbrook somehow carry them into the Finals anyway. Aside from KD getting hurt, this might have been the worst possible scenario for the Thunder.

No Ibaka is a big problem for the Thunder.

Doneski
Charlotte Bobcats
Chicago Bulls
Houston Rockets
Atlanta Hawks
Memphis Grizzlies
Golden State Warriors
Toronto Raptors
Dallas Mavericks
Brooklyn Nets
Portland Trailblazers
Washington Wizards
Los Angeles Clippers