As we inch closer to the NBA’s mid-season point, it’s about time to attempt to separate the pretenders from the contenders. Granted, some of the teams below are not part of the usual postseason mix, and there won’t be any surprise to see some of these squads unseated in these rankings…even by next week.

Nevertheless, let’s look at who’s faring well at the moment:

10. Indiana Pacers- Frank Vogel’s team makes the cut based on a strong start to the campaign highlighted by effective play at home, as well as on the road. They’ve done it despite the struggles of two additions from which big things were hoped – guard George Hill and former All-Star, David West. Danny Granger has also struggled mightily (shooting 38% from the floor), but Indy has been lifted by the production from Roy Hibbert (who could be the second-best center in the East) and Paul George (who’s playing great defense and sticking over 46% from three-point land).

9. Portland Trailblazers- This team clearly loses games that it shouldn’t. Portland is a physical team with length. What it lacks in speed and quickness, it compensates for with basketball IQ and hustle. The Blazers are one of those teams that can beat any team, and it wouldn’t be a surprise. LaMarcus Aldridge has blossomed into an All-Star, and will be the unquestioned centerpiece of the franchise for the foreseeable future. However, it’s Wesley Matthews who traditionally determines the team’s success. Matthews has been streaky so far this season, but when he’s on the Blazers are a tough bunch to beat.

Aldridge is hoping that Wesley Matthews can consistently have his back.

8. Atlanta Hawks- Yes, the Hawks are one of the NBA’s top 10 teams. Are they a serious contender. Not as long as Miami and Chicago are in their conference, unfortunately for them. Yet, they’ll have a good shot at securing first-round home court advantage in the playoffs – thanks in part to the inconsistency of perennial postseason stalwarts Boston and Orlando, as well as the intriguing demise of the Knicks. Just don’t expect them to do anything with it.

7. Denver Nuggets – How surprised is everyone that the Nuggets are doing better as a unit without Mr. Anthony? The players and moving, the ball is moving, and Denver is, in many respects, exceeding expectations. Denver has six players contributing double-figure points per game, and an astounding eight players posting 8 or more points per game. After an 0-2 start, the Nuggets responded to go 12-3 in their next 15 games. The resilience of this team has been nothing short of amazing with the obstacles put in its path – first George Karl’s cancer diagnosis, then the Anthony trade. Through it all, Karl keeps them focused on playing as a unit.

6. San Antonio Spurs- Father Time is making a hard run at the success of the Spurs, but it hasn’t caught up with them all the way. While he’s not the focal point on offense anymore, Tim Duncan has continued to man the middle courtesy of his brilliant basketball instincts. San Antonio definitely gets extra credit for hanging tough without the services of do-it-all workman Manu Ginobili.

Jrue Holiday and the Sixers are tied for the fewest losses in the Eastern Conference.

5. Philadelphia Sixers- Just when you think the Sixers are getting a reality check by losing three of five games, they come back to win four in a row – including victories over Orlando and Chicago. Philly is playing like a team that’s here to stay. They have truly embraced the team approach, which is critical for a team without one supreme individual talent. Their roster consists of eight players averaging 9 or more points, and their leading scorer is bench guard Louis Williams (15.3 ppg). And for those not paying attention, it’s been the steady hand and improved play of Jrue Holiday that has accelerated the growth of this team.

4. Chicago Bulls – Chicago is looking a lot like they did last year. Off to the good start at 17-4, the Bulls’ problems probably won’t appear until they reach the Conference Semifinals. Chicago’s consistency has been great. Of the six opponents to which they suffered defeats, only the Golden State Warriors project to miss the playoffs. Carlos Boozer is performing slightly below his normal scoring and rebounding pace, but Rip Hamilton is gibing the Bulls plenty of early offense by getting up and down the floor in a flash.

3. Miami Heat- It’s a fairly common sentiment that no one cares about what this team does…until the playoffs come around. Most mean this with a hint to sarcasm to imply that Miami has certain players (named, eh hem, James) that have to show up to play when it matters most. But, on the flip side, it’s inherently flattering when you figure that the boys from South Beach are routinely penciled in for home court advantage – at least until the Eastern Conference Finals (where they would project to face Chicago once again). While there remains much basketball to be played, that projection is accepted with a very high degree of confidence – and that says the most about this team’s level of talent. The most impressive part of their effort in the early going is their recent domination and success without the injured Dwyane Wade. Chris Bosh routinely takes heaps of criticism for being ‘soft’, but there has been absolutely nothing soft about his numbers with Wade out: 26.7 ppg on 63% FG in the Heat’s last six games without the perennial All-Star. But this team has to absolutely stop blowing 17-point leads to teams like Milwaukee (to whom they’ve suffered two defeats this season).

Despite 40 from LBJ, Miami found a way to lose - again - to the Milwaukee Bucks.

2. Los Angeles Clippers- The Clip Joint has almost all of the key ingredients needed for postseason success. They have an interior rim protector (DeAndre Jordan), an athletic force (Blake Griffin) and a big-time playmaker (Chris Paul). With the way that he’s playing, Paul is forcing analysts to toss his name in the hat for the MVP race. In addition to that, reserve bruiser Reggie Evans has made his presence felt, and the scoring exploits of Mo Williams and Randy Foye have also been realized off of the bench. Caron Butler gives L.A. a great streak scorer, but it’s another veteran who would potentially put the Clippers over the top this spring. Chauncey Billups provides the team with a seasoned floor general who will make the right play in clutch situations. Once Vinnie Del Negro’s group refines its half-court offense – without relying on CP3 pick-and-rolls – bigger and better things could await this franchise.

1. Oklahoma City Thunder- This is not a campaign to suggest that the Thunder will walk away with the Larry O’Brien Trophy, but simply a memo to those who haven’t which team has the best trio of players right now. The exploits of Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant are no longer secrets, however, it’s the addition of the great play from Sixth Man of the Year frontrunner James Harden. He’s putting up nearly 17 ppg, contributing to an unbelievable 63 ppg for the young, energetic threesome. What may be overlooked about the bunch is the fact that they are babies in the NBA, but at the same time are extremely experienced after being subjected (twice) to the warfare that ensues during the postseason. They look focused and hungry. They did come up short in a pivotal matchup at the Clippers, but followed that up with a business-like win at Dallas.

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