In the stock market world, volatility is a fascinating item. To some, it is an unattractive characteristic of a commodity or stock who’s performance goes through various extreme highs and lows, thus casting a shadow of doubt and insecurity on investment opportunities. To others, volatile stocks are seen as intense opportunities for return and maximum capitalization. This rapid sense of change and fluctuation is a factor that makes the stock market a fascinating, entertaining, and sometimes frustrating source of income for many investors.

Volatility has also shown itself in the NBA this season, particularly in the Eastern Conference. Had you checked the standings randomly throughout the season, you would notice they have been constantly rotating through positions and records, with the exception of a few teams. For example, the Charlotte Hornets were in 4th place at the end of December. They now sit in 12th place in the East.

This volatility has made for an exciting period of NBA basketball, as long as you are not a fan of a team that has regressed in recent weeks. Through all of the winning streaks and losing skids, there have been several teams to establish themselves as legitimate contenders in the East. Others have found their stride, hoping to climb the standings in time for the playoffs. Here’s a look at the breakdown of the Eastern Conference, grouped by their levels of contentions, as well as their position in conference standings at the end of every month so far this season and currently.

Alone at the Top

Cleveland Cavaliers

1st, 1st, 1st, 1st (39–16)

LeBron and Co. have been atop the Eastern Conference since the beginning of the season. Despite a rough January in which they went 7–8, they never lost position of the top spot and have since recovered, winning seven of their last eight games. They hold the top spot in the conference by three games at the moment, as LeBron James has commandeered himself into the MVP discussion yet again.

The Cavs have proven to be the best team in the conference this year, going 25–6 against all Eastern Conference opponents. They are averaging over 111 points per game, which are most in the conference and third in the NBA. It is going to take a great performance by another Eastern Conference team to keep LeBron out of his 7th consecutive NBA Finals appearance.

The Cavs remained quiet during the trade deadline, amidst speculation that the front office could be shopping Kevin Love to bring in an additional playmaker. As of now, it seems as though PG Deron Williams will be joining LeBron in Cleveland after he clears waivers, according to ESPN. The Cavs will also reportedly look to add Andrew Bogut if he is bought out by the Sixers.

Adding D-Will and Bogut would add an intriguing sense of veteran ability, as well as some interesting drama taking into consideration Bogut’s history with the Warriors. As if Cleveland’s chances of winning the conference aren’t high enough, these two make them an even tougher contender to take down.

Contending for the Conference Title

Boston Celtics

4th, 3rd, 2nd, 2nd (37–20)

The Celtics were a favorite pick to contend with the Cavs this year after a busy offseason and acquiring Al Horford through free agency. Horford has proven to be a key addition to the Celtics, as they currently sit in second place in the Eastern Conference. Isaiah Thomas has been nothing short of incredible, averaging nearly 30 points per game (2nd in NBA) and making himself a dark-horse MVP candidate. Many thought the Celtics would make a big-time trade at the deadline, but they held ground and are approaching the final stretch with their original squad. The Celtics look as if they possess everything they need to meet the Cavs in the Eastern Conference Finals. But their lack of movement at the deadline will likely prevent them from going any further.

Toronto Raptors

2nd, 2nd, 4th, 4th (33–24)

Before the Celtics surge in the past several weeks, the Raptors had controlled the second seed in the East. After going 8–9 in the month of January, Toronto has fallen to the fourth spot and needed some type of boost to get back on the right track. Enter: Serge Ibaka.

The Raptors made one of the bigger trades so far this season, sending Terrance Ross and their 1st round pick to the Orlando Magic for Forward Serge Ibaka. Ibaka immediately improves the Raptors chances of making it to the conference finals. His defensive ability, veteran leadership and playoff experience will serve greatly to the Raptors benefit as they enter this crucial stretch of the NBA season.

The Raptors also brought in PJ Tucker in a last-minute deal with the Phoenix Suns. This should give them some much-need depth and toughness on defense to get through the playoffs and contend for a conference title.

Washington Wizards

12th, 6th, 3rd, 3rd (34–21)

After a slow start to the season, the Wizards are hitting their stride at just the right time. Washington started the season losing 11 of the first 16 games, and many wondered if they would drift out of contention. Since November 30th, the Wizards are 28–10, and have climbed from the 12th spot in the East up to the 3rd, where they currently sit. They have won 9 of their last 10 games, and have shown recent evidence that they can contend for the conference title. They took the top team in the conference to the wire in a recent game in which LeBron James hit a ridiculous, fade-away bank shot to send it into overtime. The Wizards have the star power to make a deep playoff run behind their fearless leader John Wall. Since January 1st, Wall is leading the league in assists per game with 11.4. For the Wizards to make a playoff run, they will need to do so on the shoulders of John Wall. With the recent addition of Bojan Bogdanovic, the Wizards add a versatile shooter to the mix who can help them continue to climb the conference rankings.

Searching for Identity

Chicago Bulls

3rd, 8th, 7th, 7th (28–29)

The new-look Bulls have struggled with consistency this year, and have been one of the more volatile teams in the Eastern Conference. The Bulls started the season with three straight wins, and since then have not been able to put together many winning streaks or consecutive victories. They have been a .500 team for the majority of the year, and sit on the brink of falling out of the playoff race. The Bulls traded one of their most consistent forces away in Taj Gibson, along with Doug McDermott. This does not help their case in finding their identity in the Eastern Conference, but it may help them down the line by adding a young point guard in Cameron Payne.

Detroit Pistons

7th, 12th, 8th, 8th (27–30)

Much like the Bulls, the Pistons have not been able to string together an extended winning streak or periods of consistency. They have probably played their best basketball during the last couple of weeks, winning six of their last nine.

Milwaukee Bucks

8th, 9th, 9th, 9th (25–30)

The Bucks were another team that many thought would make a stronger attempt at contention than Milwaukee has provided thus far in the season. Losing Jabari Parker to his second torn ACL in three years definitely thwarts the Bucks’ playoff hopes, as they currently sit outside looking in at the nine spot. Giannis Antetokounmpo has shined as brightly as any young star in the NBA this season, but that has not been enough to keep the Bucks in any sort of contention.

Charlotte Hornets

5th, 4th, 11th, 11th (24–32)

The Hornets had high hopes coming into this season, and lived up to those as they were in the top four in the conference for several weeks at a time. Charlotte fell out of the playoff picture after going 4–11 during the month of January, which proved to be a rough month for the Kemba Walker and the Hornets.

New York Knicks

9th, 6th, 12th, 12th (23–34)

After signing Joakim Noah and trading for former MVP Derrick Rose, the Knicks took on the (self) proclaimed “Super Team” status and had fans excited for a new leaf to be turned for a franchise struggling for relevancy. The season has not panned out how they planned, facing some intriguing drama with Carmelo Anthony, President Phil Jackson, and recently owner James Dolan. The Knicks have dropped to 12th placed in the Eastern Conference, and it looking like another disappointing season in NYC.

Hitting Stride

Indiana Pacers

10th,10th,6th,6th (29–28)

The Pacers were a bit of a disappointment through the early stages of the season, after many expected them to be in the top positions in the Eastern Conference. After a busy offseason of trades and acquisitions, the Pacers seemed to have all the pieces together to contend in the conference. With superstar Paul George back 100% healthy, the acquisition of point guard Jeff Teague, and the improving big man Myles Turner, Indiana looked as if they could contend again in the Eastern Conference. They hovered around .500 for the majority of the season until recently when they have gone on a few minor winning streaks. They still do not look like any sort of serious threat to the Cavs or other top teams in the East, but if they catch fire they could squeak into a home-court seed come playoff time.

Miami Heat

13th, 13th, 10th, 10th (25–32)

After losing their superstar and franchise player Dwyane Wade to free agency in the offseason, the Heat have struggled to find their identity sans D-Wade. After losing their rising star Justise Winslow, Miami had to dig deep to find contributors and offensive firepower. The Heat have been one of the hottest teams in the league as of late, going on a 13-game winning streak and closing out before the All-Star break beating the Rockets. Hassan Whiteside and Goran Dragic have been playing at high levels and guys like James Johnson and Tyler Johnson have been proving heavy contribution off the bench as valuable role players. The Heat are playing in sync and can make the playoffs if they continue to play at this level going forward.

Looking Forward to the Lottery

Philadelphia 76ers

“Trust the Process”

Orlando Magic

“Trade Everyone”

Brooklyn Nets

*Watching Markelle Fultz highlights*