Real, regular season basketball starts tomorrow (!!!), and that means that it’s time for the first edition of my weekly NBA power rankings. Let’s jump in.
NBA Power Rankings: Week 1
8
1. Golden State Warriors
Record Last Season: 73-9
Final Ranking From 2015-16 Season: 1
Duh. The Warriors may have blown last year’s finals, but now they’ve added another historically great scorer to the lineup who’s also capable of playing and guarding multiple positions. This team is going to be amazing.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers
Record Last Season: 57-25
Final Ranking From 2015-16 Season: 5
In the regular season last year, Stephen Curry affirmed himself as the best player in the world. Then, in the Thunder-Warriors series, Kevin Durant submitted his bid as the world’s best. Then, LeBron James turned in a Finals performance that basically told the world: “You were dumb for thinking for even one second that I’m not the best player on the planet.” The Cavs lost Dellavedova and Mo Williams but added Mike Dunleavy and Kay Felder. They should be more or less as good as they were last season.
3. San Antonio Spurs
Record Last Season: 67-15
Final Ranking From 2015-16 Season: 2
A lot of people seem to be ranking the Clippers ahead of the Spurs. I understand the argument for it, but I think that a lot of fans are (for some reason) underestimating Gregg Popovich. Pau Gasol, while a bit of a liability on defense, is a perfect Spurs player. His game is one of skill; he can post up, shoot, and pass. His playmaking ability should take the Spurs’ offense up a level. And of course, this team still has the best defender on the planet (Kawhi Leonard) and an elite scoring threat (LaMarcus Aldridge). They’ve also got guys like Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili who just know how to win. They’re wily veterans who remain legitimate threats despite Father Time’s toll on their bodies.
4.Los Angeles Clippers
Record Last Season: 53-29
Final Ranking From 2015-16 Season: 3
The Clippers should be good as always. They didn’t really need to get any better this offseason, they just need to get everyone healthy, and keep them that way for an entire season. Chris Paul and J.J. Redick comprise one of the NBA’s very best backcourts, while Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan make up what is perhaps the league’s best big man duo. The small forward spot is (still) a bit of a question mark for L.A. (the legend Paul Pierce can’t put the team on his back forever), but this is a superb team all around.
5. Boston Celtics
Record Last Season: 48-34
Final Ranking From 2015-16 Season: 7
Al Horford and the Celtics are a match made in heaven. He fits perfectly with their small, quick, and versatile lineup, and has already looked comfortable in Brad Stevens’ system in preseason play. The C’s should be the biggest obstacle that the Cavs face in their path to the Finals.
6. Toronto Raptors
Record Last Season: 56-26
Final Ranking From 2015-16 Season: 4
The Raptors received a blow Sunday when it was announced that Jared Sullinger will miss “extended time” after undergoing foot surgery. Coming off of their best season in franchise history, the Raptors should be able to coast to the second or third seed in the East this season with relative ease. Kyle Lowry is one of the very best point guards in the NBA. DeMar DeRozan is flawed but talented. Jonas Valanciunas has shown flashes of becoming an elite center for years. DeMarre Carroll is a stud of a defender and is a perfectly versatile player for the modern era.
7. Utah Jazz
Record Last Season: 40-42
Final Ranking From 2015-16 Season: 14
The Jazz almost made the playoffs last season, and probably would have had they been healthy. I’m very high on this team. Gordon Hayward is expected to miss around six weeks, but the Jazz are deep enough that they’ll be just fine in his absence. They have an incredibly talented young core in Hayward, Rodney Hood, Rudy Gobert, Derrick Favors, and Dante Exum. Plus they added key free agents this offseason in George Hill, Joe Johnson, and Boris Diaw, all of whom give Utah remarkable depth and veteran leadership
8. Memphis Grizzlies
Last Season’s Record: 42-40
Final Ranking From 2015-16 Season: 22
Injuries to key players derailed the Grizzlies’ chances at success a season ago. If all goes well for Memphis, they’re a top-five seed in the West. However, it’s very easy to imagine a situation in which all does not go well. Between Mike Conley, Chandler Parsons, and Marc Gasol, the odds of an injury aren’t low. Hopefully, things do go well for the Grizz; they play beautiful, tough basketball on both ends, and are consistently a very good team (have made the playoffs every year for the past six seasons).
9. Detroit Pistons
Last Season’s Record: 44-38
Final Ranking From 2015-16 Season: 11
Between Andre Drummond, Reggie Jackson, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Stanley Johnson and Tobias Harris, the Pistons have a strong young core. However, they also had quite literally the worst bench in basketball last season. They did well addressing that glaring issue with the signings of Ish Smith and Jon Leuer this offseason. Unfortunately, Reggie Jackson is injured and is slated to miss 6-8 weeks. This would have been more disastrous had it happened last season since the Pistons now have Smith to step in as the starter. However, for those 6-8 weeks, the Pistons’ depth will be thinned. Smith starting leaves the unproven Lorenzo Brown as the only backup point guard on the roster. Fortunately The bright side, of course, is that it’s only 6-8 weeks. The Pistons should be fine.
10.Indiana Pacers
Last Season’s Record: 45-37
Final Ranking From 2015-16 Season: 13
It’s hard to know where to place the Pacers without having watched them play regular season basketball. They’re radically different from prior seasons, making a dramatic switch from defense-first basketball to a more offense-focused roster. All in all, I’m not sure that they got any better, but it’s way too early to tell. Paul George is still one of the ten best players in basketball and is coming off of a career year. Then there’s Myles Turner, who looked far more NBA-ready than he was supposed to last season, and is only going to keep getting better.
11. Atlanta Hawks
Record From Last Season: 48-34
Final Ranking From 2015-16 Season: 6
The Hawks also changed pretty radically. I’m not sure how I feel about Dennis Schröder as a starting point guard, but obviously, the Hawks are ready to give him a shot. The thing that excites me the most about this team is definitely their front line. Not many things on this planet scare me more than the thought of trying to attempt a layup with Paul Millsap and Dwight Howard protecting the rim. They’re gonna swat shots into oblivion.
12. Houston Rockets
Record From Last Season: 41-41
It felt like the Rockets gave up last season. Here’s what happened, at least how I see it: James Harden & co. worked their asses off in 2014-15. Harden played pretty good defense and was a very close runner-up for the MVP award (and won the players’ MVP award). They won 56 games, made a huge comeback against the Clippers in the second round of the playoffs, and made it all the way to the Conference Finals. Then, they hit the wall that is the Golden State Warriors. For all their hard work, they were fell to the dubs in a gentleman’s sweep. So last year, they were basically like “screw this” and simply didn’t put in as much effort. Harden went back to playing the defense that ends up on YouTube for the wrong reason. The Rockets massively underachieved last season, and have become underrated because of it.
I think they learned their lesson last year, and are going to pick up the effort. By “they” I basically just mean Harden, because I think if Harden puts in a maximum amount of effort, the rest of the team will follow suit. Throw in adding Mike D’Antoni as head coach and signing a gunner for the second unit (Eric Gordon) and a sweet-shooting big man (Ryan Anderson) and the Rockets should be one of the best offenses in the league this season. Obviously, this team’s defense won’t be great. They’ll have to aim for a season similar to that of D’Antoni’s former team’s. The run-and-gun Steve Nash-led Suns. That’s got to be the model for this Houston team. The Rockets averaged a ridiculous 118.6 points per game in preseason. Their offensive rating also led the league in preseason action, and their defensive rating was middle-of-the-pack. That’s the hope for Houston — an elite offense and a defense that isn’t awful.
Side note: I think Harden may have the best chance of any player at leading the league in both points and assists since Tiny Archibald did it in the 1972-73 season. There’s my hot take of the day.
13. Portland Trail Blazers
Record From Last Season: 44-38
Final Ranking From 2015-16 Season: 12
Portland hasn’t changed a whole lot since last season. They signed Evan Turner. For a lot of money. I think the Blazers overachieved a bit last season and could see a small regression. Their defense concerns me a lot. Damian Lillard has certainly shown that he has the ability to lead a team, though. I think they may take a small step back as other teams around them have gotten better and/or healthier. It shouldn’t be a large enough regression to cause them to miss the playoffs, though.
14.Oklahoma City Thunder
Record From Last Season: 55-27
Final Ranking From 2015-16 Season: 8
When you lose a player like Kevin Durant, you get a lot worse. The Thunder have gone from legitimate title contenders to fringe playoff team. This team will go as far as Russell Westbrook can take them, but I do think that Victor Oladipo and Steven Adams could both be candidates for the Most Improved Player award.
15. Charlotte Hornets
Record From Last Season: 48-34
Final Ranking From 2015-16 Season: 10
The Hornets lost a couple of key role players in Jeremy Lin and Al Jefferson. They still have a pretty good group of players though and they’re very well-coached (Steve Clifford is great). Hopefully, we get a full season of healthy Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.
16. Washington Wizards
Record From Last Season: 41-41
Final Ranking From 2015-16 Season: 17
The Wizards slightly regressed last season. After winning 46 games in 2014-15, they finished with a 41-41 record last year. I think they finish better than .500 this time around, though. Signing Ian Mahinmi was a great move, but unfortunately, he’s now out 4-6 weeks after partially tearing his meniscus. Once he’s back, I do think it’s possible that he steals Marcin Gortat’s starting spot by the end of the season. While Gortat is the superior scorer, he’s unable to anchor a defense in the manner that Mahinmi can. What the Wizards really want, of course, is a full season of healthy Bradley Beal. Beal is young and talented (literally every time I see him shoot a basketball I say something along the lines of: “holy shit he has a silky shot”). Washington fans also wouldn’t mind seeing Otto Porter Jr. take a step forward, I’m sure.
17. Minnesota Timberwolves
Record From Last Season: 29-53
Final Ranking From 2015-16 Season: 19
The Timberwolves should take a sizable leap forward this season. This is far from a hot take, but I love Minnesota’s young talent so much. Karl Towns is just amazing, and Kris Dunn, Andrew Wiggins, and Zach LaVine all have so much potential. Plus, the Thibodeau signing was incredibly huge for this team. A really good coach goes a very long way. I’m not picking Minnesota to make the playoffs this year (I do think they’ll come close), but it’s definitely a larger possibility with Thibs at the helm.
18. Dallas Mavericks
Record From Last Season: 42-40
Final Ranking From 2015-16 Season: 15
Well, Harrison Barnes has been absolutely atrocious in the preseason, which has killed any sliver of optimism I held for this team. I do like the Andrew Bogut acquisition a lot, and Dirk is still Dirk. Plus, there’s Wes Matthews, who’s a really, really good three-and-D guy when healthy. And they’ve still got Rick Carlisle coaching them, so that’s a plus. Huh, maybe I do have some hope for this team, after all. I still don’t think they make the playoffs unless some major injuries go down in the West. I can’t say that with total certainty though because, Carlisle.
19. Chicago Bulls
Record From Last Season: 42-40
Final Ranking From 2015-16 Season: 16
The Bulls are weird (#analysis), and trading for Michael Carter-Williams didn’t help their spacing issues. Dwyane Wade and Jimmy Butler were lights out shooting in the preseason, but that’s preseason. If they both inexplicably become significantly better outside shooters, then this is a playoff team. With the way things stand, you could tell me that the Bulls win less than 35 games, and I wouldn’t be shocked. You could also tell me that they got the fifth seed, and I wouldn’t be (too) shocked. This is a hard-to-figure-out team. Also: I know that his defensive deficiencies would likely outweigh his offensive contributions, but I at least want Hoiberg to try starting Doug McDermott at power forward. They need the shooting badly, so it’d at least be worth a shot, right?
20. New York Knicks
Record From Last Season: 32-50
Final Ranking From 2015-16 Season: 25
SUPER TEAM!!! The Knicks’ ceiling is much higher than 20th best team in the NBA, obviously. However, I’m just not sold that Derrick Rose is capable of being anything more an inefficient, below-average point guard at this point. Will Brandon Jennings steal his starting spot? I also, of course, have some doubts about Joakim Noah. Knicks fans should be very excited about Kristaps Porzingis, who has looked great in preseason action. Porzingawd is 7’3″, has a silky-smooth outside touch, and has shown superb instincts as a shot-blocker. I do not think that the Knicks will be good this year. I could also see myself being wrong. Preseason analysis is stupid.
21. New Orleans Pelicans
Record From Last Season: 30-52
Final Ranking From 2015-16 Season: 26
The difference between the Pelicans winning 30 and 50 games is health. They need Anthony Davis to play year-round if they want any semblance of a good season. Jrue Holiday and Tyreke Evans will both miss some time, which feels like a ritual at this point. Buddy Hield will likely start (or at least get a lot of playing time) in Holiday/Evans’ absence and should be considered a favorite to win Rookie of the Year. One of my biggest hopes for this season is for Anthony Davis to stay healthy. He’s so incredibly good and it’s absolutely devastating to see a generational talent repeatedly suffer injuries.
22. Miami Heat
Record From Last Season: 48-34
Final Ranking From 2015-16 Season: 9
The Heat with no Dwyane Wade. No Chris Bosh, either. This is gonna be weird. If the NBA had a “Comeback Player of the Year” award, my imaginary vote would go to Goran Dragic. Just a couple of seasons ago in Phoenix, Dragic was a borderline All-Star, and I think he’ll really benefit from not sharing a backcourt with Wade. I have mixed feelings on Whiteside, but he’s definitely a very talented shot-blocker who brings a strong inside presence. The Heat also got a steal-and-a-half in Dion Waiters. Regardless of how you feel about him, there’s no denying that Waiters’ upside is worth more than $6 million over two years.
23. Milwaukee Bucks
Record From Last Season: 33-47
Final Ranking From 2015-16 Season: 23
I was feeling pretty good about the Bucks before Khris Middleton tore his hamstring. Here is my wish list for the Bucks’ 2015-16 season. I wish for…
- Giannis Antetokounmpo to continue refining his game. He’s already an awesome player, but the Greek Freak still has a long way to go if he’s going to be running point on a winning team.
- Jabari Parker to have a great year, and win (or be in contention for) Most Improved Player of the Year.
- John Henson to play more
- Greg Monroe to play less (or be traded) – If Monroe is traded, to get a shooter out of the deal. The Bucks signed three shooters (Dellavedova, Teletovic, Terry), but also lost one (Bayless) in free agency, and another (Middleton) to injury. They need more spacing.
- A lottery pick in the 2017 NBA Draft
It’s unlikely that my whole wish list comes true, but if just like two of my wishes come true, this should be considered a successful year for Milwaukee.
24. Orlando Magic
Record From Last Season: 35-47
Final Ranking From 2015-16 Season: 21
Magic, WYD? I didn’t hate the Ibaka trade (I’m actually really excited to see him as a primary scoring option), but it just feels weird to have both Vucevic and Biyombo. I think Biyombo should start at center, if only because he and Ibaka’s nickname of ‘The Congo Line’ is so badass (Nah but for basketball reasons too, namely defense). I also do not at all like the idea of playing Aaron Gordon at the three. Dear Frank Vogel, He’s not Paul George. Gordon just doesn’t have the offensive skill set to play small forward, and his lack of spacing will hurt. Gordon works much better as a small-ball power forward. In summation: I do not think that Orlando will be very good this year.
25. Dever Nuggets
Record From Last Season: 33-49
Final Ranking From 2015-16 Season: 24
I like Denver’s young talent, but I don’t think they’re ready for that talent to garner them more than… 38 wins? Kenneth Faried will probably be traded this season, which makes a lot of sense at this point. This is a fun team, and Nikola Jokic is awesome. But they’re still a few years away from making a run at the playoffs
26. Phoenix Suns
Record From Last Season: 23-59
Final Ranking From 2015-16 Season: 27
The Suns have a lot of really talented young players. Eric Bledsoe is a borderline All-Star, and Devin Booker is so good that he took Brandon Knight’s starting spot, which immediately bumped Knight to leading Sixth Man of the Year candidate in my book. The Suns will eventually have to choose two of the following three: Alex Len, Dragan Bender, and Marquese Chriss. They don’t need to make that decision yet, though. If healthy, the Suns are definitely good enough to win more than they did last season (which isn’t really saying much).
27. Sacramento Kings
Record From Last Season: 33-49
Final Ranking From 2015-16 Season: 20
Kangz gonna Kangz. Point guard gets suspended for domestic violence? Sign a guy who’s been on three teams over the past two seasons due to his excess of DUIs. Rudy Gay sounds absolutely miserable in Sacramento AKA “Basketball Hell.” DeMarcus Cousins is still one of the best players in basketball. DeMarcus Cousins his still wasting his time on a bad team. Poor guy. Poor Kings fans.
28. Los Angeles Lakers
Record From Last Season: 17-65
Final Ranking From 2015-16 Season: 28
It’s got to be bittersweet being a Lakers fan right now. Bitter, because Kobe retired, and he was probably your favorite player and idol. Sweet, because even you have to admit that this team will be better without him on it. Byron Scott’s gone too, which superadds to the sweetness. The Lakers’ rebuild isn’t over yet, but it’s going well. D’Angelo Russell and Brandon Ingram are fantastic prospects. Jordan Clarkson is a talented young guard as well, though I’m not sure that he’s their two-guard of the future. Other than paying Timofey Mozgov $64 million, the Lakers are doing well. They’re in for a few more years of being bad before they’re good, though.
29. Brooklyn Nets
Record: 21-61
Final Ranking From 2015-16 Season: 29
Congratulations to the Sacramento Kings for not having the bleakest, most depressing team in the NBA. Death, taxes, and the Nets being terrible and the Celtics benefitting from it. Usually, when a team is really bad, you’re like: “Oh well they probably aren’t really trying to win, because they know that the more games they lose, the better their odds at a good draft pick are.” This is not the case with the Nets. They haven’t had their own first-rounder for so long that management has probably forgotten what the lottery even is, and yet they still couldn’t manage to win more than 21 games last season.
30. Philadelphia 76ers
Record: 10-70
Last Week’s Ranking: 30
I. Am. So. Excited. For. Joel. Embiid. And that video of him dancing made me like ten times more excited honestly; I can’t really explain why, since it has nothing to do with him being healthy (I could be wrong but I don’t think his injury limited his dance moves in too major of a way). If you didn’t see the dancing that I’m referring to, here ya go:
Joel Embiid dances to ‘Juju on that beat’ and ends it with a windmill slam
NBD#TrustTheProcess
(via @DanSaysThat)pic.twitter.com/IwJbe70YQ9— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) October 20, 2016
It’s such a bummer that Ben Simmons got hurt. I was almost as excited to watch him as I was to watch Embiid. I remember my first time watching Simmons play for LSU, and just being blown away by his court vision. Most 18-year-olds can’t make the plays that he can, especially those that are 6’10”.
