Some crazy stuff has happened in the past week. A top player has been moved and the league dynamic has completely shifted. Even before this trade, this has been a hard year to judge. There have been injuries, COVID issues, and players out due to personal reasons.
Nevertheless, I will try to be as thorough as I can in this edition of my NBA power rankings.
30. Detroit Pistons
They were expected to be bad and that seemed to hold true. They have some talent, but the fit just isn’t there. It will be a chance for a lot of these young players who are trying to increase their respective values.
29. Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder have been able to bag a few wins to start the season. However, I just have a hard time believe that will be sustainable. With a team as a young as they are, you should expect some growing pains. While they aren’t experiencing any now, they should be soon.
28. Minnesota Timberwolves
Good scoring offense, but the defense is probably worse than expected. Like a lot of people thought, this will be a fun team to watch because they can score a lot, but won’t go anywhere because they can’t stop anyone.
27. Chicago Bulls
The Bulls are certainly heading in a much better direction with Billy Donovan as the coach. However, the talent just doesn’t seem to be there. Lavine has looked good, but after that it has been a bunch of meh.
26. Houston Rockets
Harden is finally gone. Even when was trying to play well the team just didn’t have enough. There’s a chance that without him the team will be able to perform better, but that will be a tough hill to climb. Wall has looked ok so far. Oladipo has looked ok so far. They won’t be an easy team to beat, but I don’t think this team comes close to making the playoffs.
25. Sacramento Kings
The Kings fall into the same category as a lot of teams down this far, where they have some talent, but it is either not enough or not a good fit. In addition, you have someone like Buddy Hield, where still might want out. Which means the talent on the team can get worse.
24. Cleveland Cavaliers
Kind of crazy to see a semi-competitive Cavs team with no Lebron on the roster. They started off well, but since then have regressed back to the mean. They certainly got better with the acquisition of Jarrett Allen. Which gives them the option to move Drummond if they want. Which I would and try to improve the wing depth. Nevertheless, not a great team, but they will be competitive.
23. Toronto Raptors
This is certainly a shock to see this team fall off as much as they have early in the season. However, they will more than likely progress back to the mean. They haven’t been playing well but we all know they have a “next level” they can reach.
22. Memphis Grizzlies
They’re managing to get by without Ja Morant. While I certainly believe in Ja Morant, I don’t see this team making any real noise until Morant starts playing at an elite level on a consistent basis. He’s good and so is the team, but the Western Conference is still gauntlet.
21. Washington Wizards
I am certainly disappointed in the Wizards play, but I have yet to give up on them despite Westbrook potentially being out for 3-4 weeks and Thomas Bryant being out for the season. They have show they can compete with playoff teams like the 76ers, Suns, Nets, and Celtics. However, they drop games to the Magic and Bulls, which really makes it hard to gauge if this team can be a playoff team or not. Until I see consistent play I’m going to keep them on the outside.
20. New York Knicks
As mentioned in my last power rankings, the Knicks are heading in the right direction. They started off better than most people expected. Barrett has looked good and the veterans are stepping up from time to time. I still wouldn’t call this team a playoff team, but there seems to be a continuation of weirdness from the previous year, so anything is possible.
19. New Orleans Pelicans
Pelicans are playing like the good young team we expected so far. Is Van Gundy can get this team to progress as the season moves along we could very well see this team be in the playoff race.
18. Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets have seemed to revert back to their Kemba Walker days where they have a high floor but low ceiling. Instead of Walker leading that charge, it is former teammate Gordan Hayward. The wildcard though is LaMelo Ball and his progression.
17. Orlando Magic
If I had done any rankings prior to today the Magic would have been higher. With the injuries to a lot of their key players, they seem to be falling back. If they can keep their head above water until some of the guys they’re missing come back, then they will be in pretty good shape.
16. San Antonio Spurs
A pleasant surprise to see the Spurs coming out the gate playing well. Pop has found a rotation where both the young guys and the veterans can contribute to the team. Let’s see if they can rely on “it takes a village” mentality.
15. Miami Heat
One of the teams who has been severely affected by COVID and the leagues protocols. However, even at full strength they weren’t playing that great. I usually give more leniency when you’re fresh off a Finals appearance, but they need to start winning once they get healthy.
14. Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks have shown flashes, but have been fairly uneven to begin the season. It doesn’t help that the teams top free agent signings are not playing right now. However, if Trae Young wants the respect that I am sure he is looking for, then he needs to weather the storm until the team comes close to full strength.
13. Phoenix Suns
Much like the Hornets, this seems like a teams who has a high floor, but low ceiling. But since their objectively more talented than the Hornets they get to be a few spots higher. They certainly have a mentality that they can compete with anybody, and that will give them a chance against anybody.
12. Indiana Pacers
It’s kind of crazy how surprising the Pacers have been. They certainy have good players. But with all the change around the league and the Pacers staying the same, it is only natural to assume they would slide down. Nevertheless, they have recently acquired Caris LeVert, who is the type of player where he will succeed in any role you put him in. Watch out for this team though, they can make some noise.
11. Golden State Warriors
Remember when everyone was freaking out because the Warriors couldn’t beat two of the best teams in the league and it was because Steph Curry was overrated? Fun times. While I certainly wouldn’t call this team a title contender, I do see them as last years Nuggets team where they might not be good enough to win four series but are good enough to beat a team who is good enough to win four series. If that makes sense.
10. Utah Jazz
The Jazz are another weird team. On any given night they can win by 20 or lose by 20. I will keep them where I originally ranked them, but if they continue playing on both ends of the spectrum they might fall a bit.
9. Philadelphia 76ers
They missed out on James Harden. Because they didn’t want to give up a rookie who has played good in like 10 games. They didn’t want give up a guy who can’t score outside the restricted-area. They didn’t want to give up a defensive specialist who’s coming off the bench. The 76ers are good and are way better than last years team. But they simply aren’t good enough to win it all with Ben Simmons as the teams second best player.
8. Denver Nuggets
A really bad start for the Nuggets but have seem to found their footing now. This team has been flirting with being a title contender, and it will be interesting to see if Michael Porter Jr is really the guy to push them into that category.
7. Portland Trail Blazers
Lillard seems to have bounced back after a real rough start. McCollum has been playing well all season though. They have a strong bench that includes Carmelo Anthony, Enes Kanter, and Gary Trent Jr. The Blazers are pretty serious about being actual contenders.
6. Boston Celtics
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have been as good as advertised. They are one of the leagues best teams and are doing it without Kemba Walker. Jeff Teague has also done a nice job in Walker’s absence as well as their scrappy first round pick Payton Pritchard. Celtics can be serious contenders this year.
5. Dallas Mavericks
Another good team who seemed to get off to a rocky start. Another star who was being called overrated because he wasn’t amazing right out of the gates. This could be the darkhorse coming out of the west.
4. Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks are doing what have expected. They’re a +11.4 in point differential. There’s no doubt they will finish with one of the best records in the league. Can this team learn from it’s previous playoff exits or will it be more of the same?
3. Los Angeles Lakers
So far the Lakers have looked ok through the first 13 games. Not much to suggest they can go back-to-back but will obviously make a run in the playoffs. The question will be can overcome their lack of depth again–except this time they’re even thinner?
2. Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers have had a few embarrassing moments this season. Blown out by 50 at halftime and the collapse against the Warriors. This team is certainly talented enough to win it all, but can get they get out of their own way?
1.Brooklyn Nets
It is really this simple. If Kyrie Irving, James Harden, and Kevin Durant are all healthy, you will not beat them in a seven game series. You can make jokes and poke holes, but Harden wanted this. Durant wanted this. Nash wanted this. D’Antoni wanted this. Those guys will do whatever it takes to make it work and that should scare all of the other 29 teams.