NBA Power Rankings: Month 1

Preface: I want to preface this by stating that these power rankings do not reflect my opinion of how the regular season standings will pan out. This is clear when you see and read why my number 1 team is at the top of this list. Of course, teams’ performance up to this point are taken into account, but it’s not everything. Another partial factor of this I weigh is how I think these teams would perform NOW in a seven-game series. I do expect some teams to greatly improve, while simultaneously expecting others to dwindle once the playoffs roll around.

Some of it is projection, and some of it is performance thus far. Current rankings (win and loss count) do not fully contextualize a team’s performance due to schedule, injury, etc. Therefore, projection is necessary. Edition 2 will come at the midway point in the season, and edition 3 will come right before the playoffs start.

DON’T FORGET TO COMMENT AT THE BOTTOM WHO YOUR TOP 10 TEAMS ARE!

10.) Dallas Mavericks:11–5

It’s the Luka Dončić show and we’re just all living in it. We must keep in mind his usage rate is third amongst notable players, behind only James Harden and Giannis Anteotokounmpo. This stat gives us an idea of the types of centralized and predictable offenses these three teams run. A higher usage rate will always inflate a player’s personal statistics.

With all that said, Dončić, in only his second year in the NBA, is now averaging an electrifying 30.6 point triple-double a night and is considered by many to be a top 3 MVP candidate. It seems every night they play, Luka’s highlights saturate social media.

Notice how we’re talking about Luka a lot and not much about his teammates? With a relatively thin bench and a struggling co-star in Kristaps Porzingis, though the Mavericks do have an upwards projection for the next few years, winning a playoff series is simply unforseeable at this point. That is, unless they position themselves as a top-two team in the Western Conference regular-season standings. There are essentially six shoo-in playoff teams in the West. The Mavericks are the sixth-best playoff team from that list (Jazz, Clippers, Rockets, Lakers, Nuggets).

All in all, in comparison to previous years, the Mavericks of late have been extraordinarily better. Last year, they could not have come close to cracking this top ten list. Let’s see if they keep this up.

9.) Boston Celtics:12–4

The Boston Celtics are a difficult team to evaluate. With Kemba Walker and Gordon Hayward out for the foreseeable future, it becomes even more complicated. When it comes to the Celtics, you can expect the unexpected.

At first glance, you’d be inclined to believe that after (what will most likely be) 4 straight wins since Kemba’s injury, Brad Stevens’ history of successfully coaching under-manned and “underdog” rosters, and being in the East, the Celtics won’t suffer too much, if any in the win/loss column. Then, with the addition of Hayward and Kemba, they’ll be even better and possibly a top 5 team in basketball right? WRONG.

Though I agree the Celtics will be just fine without Hayward and Kemba, their ceiling just doesn’t move that much higher with 2-star players back. The two injured players’ returns undoubtedly make them more dynamic and talented, but not necessarily better. It’s the trap most people fell into last year. Roles aren’t as defined at the wing position, and they lack a true big presence in the middle.

Stevens has shown more struggle when coaching more talented squads than less talented ones, Overall though, with their record, it’s hard not to include them in the top 10 especially after the fight they put up against the Clippers. This team has a very defined ceiling in my view, and that’s the conference finals-AT BEST!

8.) Philadelphia 76ers:11–6

Ben Simmons MADE A THREE! Top 3 team? Well, that was the preseason projection of most media outlets and personalities on-air, but not quite. I’m sorry to break it, but by no means does it signify any progress to me.

The metric I find most disappointing is the 7th in rebounding. As big as this team is and plays, nothing below 3, in my eyes, is acceptable. Secondly, the team’s 11–6 record in a relatively easier part of their schedule may come back to bite them in the playoff seeding and picture if faced with a tough first-round opponent. It doesn’t help that Joel Embiid was held scoreless by the Raptors last night.

Things are looking choppy, but I am confident that the team will improve and put it together as they move forward. One positive sign was Josh Richardson, particularly in the Miami blowout win. If he can consistently be more than just an average dependable 3 and D guy on the offensive end, the more dangerous the team will be.

They’ve beaten so many bad teams in the East by such small margins. It clearly shows a lack of effort, focus, and leadership. I truly believe this is what will trouble them later in the season, especially in the postseason. I do have them above the Celtics though because, in a seven-game series, there is no way (as big as the Sixers are) the Celtics will be able to overcome Embiid, Simons, and Hordford-who was the defender they’d throw at Embiid.

7.) Denver Nuggets:12–3

Number 2 in the Western Conference standings! Despite the team’s 12–3 start, things are not happy-go-lucky in the Mile-High City. After a 9–3 start, Coach Malone explained how his team was giving lackadaisical effort and not playing up to there potential because only 8/9 wins were good wins.

Jamal Murray’s inconsistencies continue. Jokic’s assertiveness continues to fluctuate. Some nights he has 30 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists, and other nights he’ll have a 13,7, and 5 lines. He must step up as the team’s nightly 25 and 11 punch-in, not average 16 points a game like he is now.

The Nuggets are no longer catching teams off guard like last year anymore. Being a young team, it will take them time to make that transition and understand the need to adopt a serious veteran mentality.

Nonetheless, the Nuggets are deep, dangerous, and cannot be counted out.

6.) Houston Rockets 11–6

James Harden’s nightly 40 piece seems to be working. That is, until the last few games as they are coming off 3 straight losses. Granted, they did play three formidable teams in the Clippers, Mavericks, and Nuggets.

As shown in their 159–158 win against the Wizards, their mantra and goal is obviously to outscore their opponents. Defense is an after-thought, as are with most D’Antoni teams. I still believe their lack of ball and player movement coupled with their extremely predictable offense might work in the regular season, just not in the playoffs. The Rockets are tailor-made for the regular season. Expect them to rack up wins in bunches. The return of Eric Gordon will help but by no means solves their dire depth problem.

What puts the Rockets above the teams above, in my view, is the presence of a clear-cut superstar leading the charge who is capable of being at the level of a top 5 player. Having that pays dividends in the regular season and playoffs.

5.) Utah Jazz 12–4

Talk about a finishing five. Depth, length, scoring, shooting, coaching, defense. What’s not to like about this Jazz team. Though the Mike Conley deal has not panned out ideally thus far, look for him to drastically improve his numbers throughout the season. What we have to be aware of is the fact that Conley is on a better team, and therefore is not responsible for carrying all of the scoring load like he was in Memphis. Mitchell is that guy here.

Nonetheless, having Conley as your second or perhaps third scoring option only speaks to the depth of this team.

The team is so well-balanced across the board. The Jazz have held their own against tough opponents in their schedule which is structured with more difficulty early on, and an easier schedule after the all-star break. Look for them to improve as the season goes along and make a strong push for a high seed in the West late in the season. The reason I have the Jazz over the Rockets is because a well-balanced deep defensive stout team will prove to be too much, as it has proved in the past, for the one-man show that is Houston.

4.) Milwaukee Bucks:14–3

The top 3 teams feature the top 3 best players in the world. No surprise there, and the players themselves are in their correct order!

Giannis dropped 50 you say?! Many argue he’s not receiving enough consideration in the MVP conversation because he was given the award last year. We can’t just gloss over his average stat line of 31, 14, and 6.

I love Giannis’ work ethic, tenacity, and attitude. What I don’t love is his game all the time. Or at least, I don’t think it’s conducive for playoff success. His lack of a jump shot shoots the Bucks in the leg. I can keep them in fourth for now, perhaps even elevate them to third, but when the playoffs roll around, I find it hard to believe that the Bucks can beat long and big teams like Philly and Toronto. The Greek Freak alone will not be able to overcome it.

I said it the minute they lost Malcolm Brogdon, they’re doomed. Not only for this season but maybe even in free agency with Giannis. Giannis was quoted in saying, “Imagine how dangerous we’d be with Malcolm”. That soundbite and quote must be terrifying to the Bucks front-office. With his departure, depth, shooting, defense, playmaking, and ball-handling all suffered. Plain and simple, though everyone might now agree, the Bucks’ bench is nowhere good enough to compete when it really matters. With all due respect to kris Middleton, he’s not nearly as dangerous as other “robins” in the NBA.

3.) Toronto Raptors:12–4

All you can say is WOW. I love how the Raptors have come out thus far. With the departure of Kawhi and injuries to two key pieces in Lowry and Ibaka, the Raptors have shown nothing but grit and grind. These three absences has allowed Siakam and Vanvleet to flourish in their significantly bigger roles. You have to give respect to the players, coaching staff, and organization as a whole.

This team, with last year’s experience, will be a very dependable team throughout the regular season and in the playoffs. They are long, athletic, well-coached, play hard, and defensively stout. I do not see this team dropping out of the top 5 especially when you consider Lowry and Ibaka coming back.

2.) Los Angeles Lakers:15–2

You will notice that for these last two picks, I don’t need to bring up numbers or stats. It’s unnecessary. The two best duos in the league in a star-driven league will obviously make the two best teams.

The top two teams in the NBA cannot be disputed. LeBron and AD have been off to a strong start, leading the Lakers to the best record in the NBA. The Lakers focus now should be on two things- Andre Iguodala and restricting Lebron’s minutes.

Andre Iguodala is the difference-maker. He is the player that propels this team to number one. Memphis is definitely playing hardball right now, but I don’t expect it to last. As for LeBron, he is playing and averaging the fewest minutes per game in his career, he is still exerting himself too much far too early.

The team’s defense and assist numbers have shown to be serious. Injuries, like the team at number 1, will be something to monitor all throughout the season. Kyle Kuzma is vital to this team’s success. He will need to step up as the team’s third wheel for them to be successful. He may not be in the starting lineup, but he must be a reliable alternate scoring option off the bench and most importantly, in the finishing lineup. I can’t have them at 1 just because of how man-handled they got on opening night, but don’t be surprised if they move up. Do not expect them to move down though.

What can be key for the Lakers, if they get impatient as the Iguodala situation gets more and more dire, is picking up Jamal Crawford. This move would be a mid-season steal. Similarly to Melo, people will be surprised at what Crawford still has in his bag. Whichever team picks him up will get a dependable off the bench scorer, a no-nonsense guy, a leader in the locker room, and an experienced veteran that can be trusted in high leverage moments.

1.) Los Angeles Clippers:12–5

This finishing five is scary. How many bodies (wing defenders) can you throw at Lebron, Harden, Giannis, and guys like that? Well, you have the two best wing defenders in the league in Kawhi and PG. To back them up you have, what once was the Portland TrailBlazers best wing defender, Moe Harkless. What if you’re faced with a dangerous point guard with the likes of Trae Young, Damian Lillard, or Russell Westbrook? Imagine having Patrick Beverly and Landry Shamet at your disposal.

Scoring? Well, that goes unsaid. A Finals MVP, last year’s third MVP candidate, and reigning 6th Man of the Year has shown to be more than enough. This squad seemingly has no eye-popping flaws. Their lack of shot-blocking is aided by their wing and guard defensive play. This team has fit seamlessly, and though their record may not reflect that, they are tailor-made for the playoffs.

If healthy, I am confident in saying that the Clippers will come out of the West. That is unless, the Lakers get their hands on Iguodala. That’s how big of a pendulum swing Iguodala is for teams in contention.