The Houston Rockets, Golden State Warriors, Atlanta Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers are the only NBA teams remaining in search of the exclusive NBA Championship.

While those teams are great, we're going to focus more on the players. Here are the top 10 players remaining in the NBA Conference Finals.

10. Al Horford

Al Horford was the hero in Game 5 when he made the game-winning basket over Nene. Obviously Horford isn't an elite center, but this Dominican-born big man (who stands 6-foot-10) makes a noticeable difference for the No. 1 seed Atlanta Hawks. Kyle Korver is a terrific perimeter shooter, so Horford will have to expose the Cavaliers weak interior.

9. Jeff Teague

Jeff Teague made his first All-Star game this season. The young guard has been improving every year, having made 46 percent of his shots from the field this season. Teague is going to have to outplay an injured Irving for the Hawks to even have a chance.

8. Paul Millsap

Paul Millsap led the Hawks in scoring this season. Many NBA fans are doubting the Hawks because they don't have a superstar player, but they do have a lot of really good players. Let's not forget that these Hawks are the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. This would be Millsap's first NBA Finals appearance in his career.

7. Trevor Ariza

The Rockets will always go as Harden and Howard go, but Trevor Ariza is the big X factor in this series. He hit the dagger 3-point shot in Game 7 against the Los Angeles Clippers to seal the deal as well. With so much attention being put on Harden, Ariza has to make his outside shots for the Rockets to have a chance.

6. Kyrie Irving

Kyrie Irving is currently battling a knee injury, but that won't stop him from playing on Wednesday night. Irving isn't the greatest passing point guard, but he can hit big shots for an inexperienced Cavaliers team. This is Irving's first career postseason, and he's playing great.

5. Dwight Howard

If the Houston Rockets are going to upset the Warriors, Dwight Howard has to play like an elite big man. Howard is easily the best defensive center in the league, but offensive issues still remain, especially free throw shooting. James Harden can't do everything. If Andrew Bogut outplays Howard, this series might be over in four or five games.

4. Klay Thompson

The Warriors only have two players in our top 10 list, but both of those players rank in the top four overall. Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry make up the "Splash Brothers." It's so difficult to guard or double team Curry because Thompson is a terrific 3-point shooter.

3. Stephen Curry

The league's MVP hasn't disappointed this postseason. Stephen Curry has the No.1 seed Warriors in a perfect spot with home-court advantage. Curry is a 3-point machine, just ask the Memphis Grizzlies and the New Orleans Pelicans. Curry is also an underrated passer of the basketball and a good defender.

2. James Harden

James Harden still thinks he should have won the league MVP. Well, he'll have a great opportunity to prove the voters wrong in this series. The two best players in the West will be facing off in the Western Conference Finals. Harden is the best player in the league at getting to the free throw line, and he'll have to play exceptional to somehow lead the Rockets to a series win over the Warriors.

1. LeBron James

Sorry, no shocker here. LeBron James is the best basketball player in the world, and he will most likely make his fifth consecutive NBA Finals appearance. Wow, that's a lot. Even without Kevin Love and an injured Irving, James still has the Cavaliers in a great spot. His ideal passing and attacking of the basket make him almost unguardable.

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