1st tier - teams that have won a (recent) championship (Spurs, Heat, Pistons and that LA team), or should have won a championship by now, but were either cheated out of it or just missed (Kings, Mavs, Jazz, Nets)
2nd tier - teams that look like they will get a chance to win a championship or may again (Cavs, Suns, Hornets, Bulls)
3rd tier - teams that will never win even a ticket to a championship game (Hawks, Grizzlies, Clippers, T-Wolves), or were once a championship team that are now cruddy (Knicks, Celtics, Sonics, Blazers, Warriors)