NBA Power Rankings: 1/2/17
Championship Tier
1. Cleveland Cavaliers (25-7):
Cleveland has 4 losses this season when James, Irving, and Love all suit up. They are 8-0 against Toronto, Boston, and Charlotte and they have beaten Houston and Golden State. The Cavaliers have proven to be one of the best closing teams in the NBA and as the defending champions their play so far is worthy of the top spot.
2. Golden State Warriors (29-5):
Aside from their collapse in Cleveland on Christmas the Warriors had been rolling through the month of December. The defense is much improved from the beginning of the season and with the ability to put up 140 any given night they are extremely difficult to beat.
3. San Antonio Spurs (27-7):
The Spurs are quietly being the Spurs and it has resulted in the second best record in the league. The combination of Aldridge and Leonard has proven more than capable of taking over the team with Duncan retired and Ginobili and Parker taking more of a backseat. This team will be there at the end of the season fighting for the Larry O’Brien, Popovich will make sure of it.
Conference Tier
4. Houston Rockets (26-9):
James Harden is playing well enough to win the MVP, and give the Rockets a shot at winning the Western Conference. Unfortunately it means going through San Antonio, Golden State, or both. If Harden can continue to play at an astounding rate come playoff time that may be enough to do the job.
5. Toronto Raptors (23-10):
While the Raptors aren’t good enough to challenge the Cavaliers for the East crown they are far enough above the rest of the East to make sure they are the team Cleveland sees before the Finals. The combo of Lowry and DeRozan in the backcourt is dynamic but the supporting cast isn’t quite where it needs to be to fight for the championship.
Playoff Tier
6. Utah Jazz (21-13):
Utah has been amassing young talent for a while, it was only a matter of time before they were contending in the playoffs again. It finally seems that the time has come as Utah is currently the 4 seed in the West. The main reason they are number six is their league best scoring defense, largely thanks to the interior presence of Rudy Gobert.
7. Boston Celtics (20-14):
Boston struggled out of the gate but seemed to right the ship in December. They’ve pulled themselves out of the middle of the pack in the East. Isaiah Thomas is playing at an elite level and the Celtics fourth quarter play has been tops in the league.
8. Memphis Grizzlies (22-14):
Marc Gasol is having the best season of his career and Z-Bo is a sixth man of the year candidate since his move to the bench. Memphis is winning their way with grit and defense, it isn’t pretty but it is hard for other teams to play that pace successfully. One significant piece away from contending for the conference.
9. Oklahoma City Thunder (21-13):
Russell Westbrook could be the second player in NBA history to average a triple double for a season. He has single handedly made the Thunder a serious playoff threat, which is why they aren’t higher on the list. If his play diminishes or he has any significant injury their season is over.
10. Los Angeles Clippers (22-14):
The Clippers looked poised to fight the Spurs and the Warriors for top spot in the West but injuries have derailed that quest. Without Griffin or Paul on the floor the Clippers are a middle of the pack playoff team. Even with the roster at full health the Clippers are still not championship level.
11. Charlotte Hornets (19-15):
The Hornets have progressed to the point of being a solid playoff contender but lack the talent to move to that next level. Kemba Walker is a dynamic star for the Hornets but rest of the roster isn’t enough to overtake Toronto or Cleveland.
12. Milwaukee Bucks (16-16):
The Bucks seem to finally be on the verge of being a power in the East. Antetokounmpo and Parker are budding superstars but the team is young and still finding its way. The more experience Milwaukee gets the better they become.
Transition Tier
13. Washington Wizards (16-16):
The Wizards looked to be on the road to a lottery pick at the start of the season but have turned it around lately. Luckily for Washington the East has been very disappointing outside of the first 4-5 teams so they will likely see the playoffs if they can tread water.
14. Atlanta Hawks (18-16):
The Hawks started the season looking like they might give the Raptors and the Cavaliers another team to worry about but have fallen off the map in the past month. The Hawks have climbed back into the playoff picture but many more drastic slides could put that possibility in jeopardy.
15. New York Knicks (16-17):
Despite Derrick Rose’s declaration that the Knicks were a super team it was pretty clear the team is closer to a lottery spot than a championship contender. To this point in the season they have overachieved. They are a fringe playoff team but need to get a little younger with a little more talent to be a true contender.
16. Chicago Bulls (16-18):
Rondo has regressed to the point of being a liability, Wade is past the point of carrying a team every night, luckily Jimmy Butler is good enough to keep the Bulls near a playoff spot. The Bulls are better than their current record but the coaching staff isn’t getting the full potential out of the roster.
17. Indiana Pacers (17-18):
The Pacers should be better, but they are extremely inconsistent. Paul George is a superstar but can’t seem to do enough to keep the Pacers from slumping. The Pacers are another one of the East teams clustered around .500 that could end up as the 5 seed or drafting in the lottery.
18. Orlando Magic (15-20):
The Magic could end up as a fringe playoff team this year but it seems more likely they are on the outside looking in. They have been a pleasant surprise so far this season but they are still a few years and a few pieces away from really making a playoff push.
19. Sacramento Kings (14-19):
The Kings always seem to find a way to underachieve. DeMarcus Cousins is a beast but he doesn’t have the maturity or leadership skills to propel the team to contention. If the Kings could find a strong veteran presence to mentor Cousins it could push the franchise in the right direction.
20. Denver Nuggets (14-19):
The Nuggets have a lot of young talent that needs developing. They have shown flashes this season of what they can do when they are meeting their potential. They just can’t put it together on a night to night basis yet. They are a few seasons away from being back in the playoffs.
21. Detroit Pistons (16-20):
The Pistons came into the season with high expectations and have fallen very far from those expectations so far this season. Early on they had to overcome the injury to Reggie Jackson but his return hasn’t turned anything around for the Pistons. There could be some changes coming in Detroit if their play doesn’t improve.
22. New Orleans Pelicans (14-21):
The Pelicans looked destined for a top lottery pick this season but have been making a lot of progress in December. Anthony Davis is an MVP candidate but his team’s record will prevent him from getting that kind of recognition. The roster still lacks the talent even with Davis to make any real run at a playoff spot.
23. Portland Trailblazers (15-21):
From league cinderella last year to tank dweller this season. What started off as another promising season for Portland has recently turned into a dumpster fire. The Blazers are capable of playing better than they have thus far so that is reason for optimism, but the West is too competitive for them to let themselves fall too far down the standings.
Lottery Tier
24. Dallas Mavericks (10-24):
The Mavericks seem to be making some strides out of the cellar now that most of the roster is healthy. The Mavericks will still end with a lottery pick, but with Harrison Barnes having a career year the idea of being able to add another young talented player alongside him bodes well for Dallas.
25. Minnesota Timberwolves (11-23):
The Timberwolves are stacked with young talent but they lack the veteran leadership to help Minnesota turn the corner. The young core of Towns, Wiggins, and LaVine will figure out how to win in this league but left to their own devices the process may take longer than expected. Another talented young draft pick couldn’t hurt things.
26. Los Angeles Lakers (12-25):
The Lakers looked like they might be this year’s Blazers in the early season, since then they have come back to Earth. December was not a kind month to the Lakers as their youth and immaturity started to catch up with them. Walton will get them in the right direction it just doesn’t look like it will happen this year.
27. Phoenix Suns (10-24):
A lot of the teams at the bottom of this list have very young rosters that are still struggling to find their way, the Suns are in that boat. Devin Booker and TJ Warren look to be cornerstones for the franchise but there is a lot of work to be done to get to the point of contention. Experience and good coaching will be the difference for Phoenix.
28. Miami Heat (10-25):
The Heat lack the talent to do much damage this season but they have a solid foundation in Whiteside. Adding a few more pieces through the draft will help get the Heat back on track. As for this season they will be dwelling at the bottom of the standings.
29. Philadelphia 76ers (8-24):
While Philly is tied for the worst record in the league, they have shown significant progress so far this season. Embiid seems to be the star the franchise has been waiting for since Iverson. They are very young and have a lot of learning to do but the process seems to finally be going in the right direction, and Ben Simmons still hasn’t even seen the floor.
30. Brooklyn Nets (8-24):
The Nets are the worst team in the NBA. Brook Lopez is a star but the roster is mostly devoid when it comes to talent. There are a few bright spots in Lin, Booker, and Kilpatrick but not enough to win many games. The Nets will be gunning for the first round pick this season.
