The second “half” of the NBA season is underway. Several Western Conference teams are jockeying for position, with the Los Angeles Lakers on the outside looking in. The Eastern Conference is more clear, but the seeding is cloudy as the top five teams fight for home court.
It is getting closer to “make-or-break” time for several NBA teams, and the pressure will continue to mount. Here are the post-All Star break 2019 NBA power rankings for the second half.
30. New York Knicks
The team currently winning the “Zion Williamson Sweepstakes” is none other than the New York Knicks. They are set up nicely to make a splash in free agency, but this year will finish painfully. Dennis Smith Jr. might dunk extravagantly. Kevin Knox might go for 30 points. They will still lose, but it is all about this offseason where they have a trove of resources.
29. Phoenix Suns
Remember when they signed Trevor Ariza and Jamal Crawford in the hopes of making a small playoff push? Yeah, that was kinda premature. Turns out the team is still bad, even though Devin Booker, DeAndre Ayton, and Josh Jackson are good. Mikal Bridges is sneaky-good too, but this team is still a slow-moving train with an undetermined direction.
28. Cleveland Cavaliers
Kevin Love is still a good player, and he makes the rest of the team good just by being on the floor. He spaces the offense, giving way to youngsters Cedi Osman and Collin Sexton. With a healthy Tristan Thompson the Cavs are not as bad as one would think. I mean, they will likely finish as one of the three worst teams in the league, but it will be more fun than painful.
27. Chicago Bulls
Chicago made the strange trade to acquire Otto Porter Jr. from the Wizards, but it turns out to have been a good move. Their young core of Porter, Wendell Carter Jr., Zach LaVine, and Lauri Markkanen give them a fun team. They are still mostly a disaster defensively, and are unlikely to trend upward in the win column, they may catch a playoff team sleeping.
26. Memphis Grizzlies
The second-half of the season for Memphis will be assessing what to keep for next year. They have embraced the tank with the trade of Marc Gasol and now will be without rookie sensation Jaren Jackson Jr. for an indefinite amount of time. Mike Conley’s play will determine how competitive this team is.
25. Atlanta Hawks
Trae Young will be compared to Luka Doncic for the rest of his career, but the former Sooner is showing why the trade was worth it. His passing ability is astounding for a rookie and his threat to shoot and make from anywhere keeps defenses off balance. John Collins is a terrific young big man too. They are still a bad team, but they will not be an easy out. Just ask the Lakers.
24. Washington Wizards
Bradley Beal still gives this team a chance to win. They may not have John Wall, but Jabari Parker and Bobby Portis could reinvigorate them with young players looking to win. Maybe the re-addition of Dwight Howard helps them with a playoff push? It is unlikely, but possible. Washington, at the time of this writing, resides only 4.5 games out of the eighth-seed.
23. Miami Heat
Miami does not have much going for it this season other than saying goodbye to Dwyane Wade. They simply do not have enough firepower to beat good teams, and reside comfortably as mediocre. Enjoy the Wade farewell tour your nearest NBA arena.
22. New Orleans Pelicans
New Orleans could be lower if Anthony Davis sits out, but as of now he will continue to play. That situation is weird, and leaves the Pelicans in a strange flux. Jrue Holiday has the ability to drag this team to some unlikely victories, and Davis could still blow up at any moment, but it is very hard to trust this team.
21. Dallas Mavericks
Dallas is not going to make the playoffs, but they don’t need to to be successful this season. They have a foundation for the foreseeable future with Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis. This year, however, they will continue to be a tough out with the special Slovenian Doncic having the occasional monster game.
20. Charlotte Hornets
Kemba Walker is very good, but the team still has not put enough talent around him. Expect them to ride the .500 percentage to a lackluster finish just outside of the playoffs. Miles Bridges is pretty good, but Malik Monk still leaves a lot to be desired.
19. Orlando Magic
What? Yeah, actually the Magic are playing fine basketball. They recently went on a five-game winning streak, including a thrashing of the mighty Bucks in Milwaukee. Jonathan Isaac is blossoming into a very good defensive player with some upside in his offensive capabilities. Nikola Vucevic is having a tremendous season too. If both the Nets and Magic squeezed into the playoffs, it would be the first time since the 2006-2007 season.
18. Detroit Pistons
Reggie Jackson is playing much better of late and that is the difference. If he doesn’t have to be playmaker and scorer, he can do some fun things. Blake Griffin is having perhaps his best season as a professional. They should sneak into the playoffs, but a Reggie Jackson injury or massive downswing would make me jump ship on that statement.
17. Minnesota Timberwolves
The Wolves were deemed dead in the water after the Jimmy Butler trade, but alas they are only a few games out of the playoffs. The team seems more balanced, something that will come to light when Robert Covington returns. Minnesota firing Tom Thibodeau has reinvigorated the team, and it might be enough for an unlikely playoff push.
16. Los Angeles Lakers
The most fascinating team in the league happens to have LeBron James. Who knew? The Lakers are currently outside the playoff picture, are waiting for James to round back into form from his injury, and the young kids who were supposed to play a big role have not been able to. Maybe Lonzo Ball comes back and reignites the offense and clamps down on defense, but preaching patience is difficult. I find it hard to believe they miss the playoffs, but it is a real possibility.
15. Brooklyn Nets
D’Angelo Russell is an All-Star, Joe Harris won the 3-Point Contest, and the Brooklyn Nets are likely to make the playoffs. Once they get Spencer Dinwiddie back, the Nets will be even more of a threat to move up the Eastern Conference standings. Jarrett Allen is a very good young center, and one of the better rim protectors.
14. Los Angeles Clippers
I really do not know what to make of the Clippers, who should be trying to lose games in order to keep their first-round draft pick (otherwise, it goes to Boston). The trade of Tobias Harris to Philly should have put a nail in that coffin, but it has not. Owner Steve Ballmer wants to make the playoffs and see what happens. I am pessimistic of that happening.
13. San Antonio Spurs
I think there is a real chance the Spurs miss the playoffs this season, the first time since 1997. The defense is a huge question mark, the offense comes and goes like a DeMar DeRozan mid-range jump shot, and the Western Conference is very competitive. It should surprise nobody if San Antonio wills its way to the seventh seed, but there are some question marks.
12. Sacramento Kings
No, this is not a mirage. No, I did not intend to put them 21st. The Kings are a good, fun, young team. De’Aaron Fox has ascended to one of the best young point guards in the league. The trade for Harrison Barnes fills a hole in that roster. They deserve to be in the playoffs, but are still vulnerable to the jitters young teams get.
11. Indiana Pacers
The Pacers should probably be above Boston (they are in the standings), but I want to wait and see what Wesley Matthews adds. Indiana has persisted even without star Victor Oladipo, but what is their ceiling? A second round exit? They are well-coached, scrappy, and hard to game plan against.
10. Boston Celtics
The team that has the most potential to move up and snatch a top three spot in this list is Boston. Kyrie Irving has made waves off the court with his comments about free agency, this strange season, and the young players on the team. There is unrest in the locker room. Young players are unhappy to see their minutes go to still-not-right Gordon Hayward. I want to think Brad Stevens can fix this situation, but I had the same though two months ago.
9. Portland Trail Blazers
Portland made some nice additions with the trade for Rodney Hood and buyout signing of Enes Kanter. Damian Lillard is a microwave and can get hot and stay hot at any moment. CJ McCollum has not been terrific this season, but there’s a good chance he turns things around. Will the team fold in the playoffs like last season? That worry has to still persist/
8. Utah Jazz
Like last season, the Jazz started slow and have since picked it up. Donovan Mitchell continues to be a force and Rudy Gobert is a defensive stalwart who probably should not have been snubbed in the All-Star Game. Once again, I worry about them come playoffs when Gobert can become more exposed.
7. Houston Rockets
James Harden. That is all.
Well, there are other players too. Chris Paul coming back into form would be great, and I expect it to happen. Clint Capela coming back from injury helps a ton too. They made a nice pickup with Kenneth Faried. Did I mention they also have James Harden? Yeah, he is a walking bucket.
6. Denver Nuggets
Denver once held the top spot in the Western Conference and possesses a dynamic offense centered around Nikola Jokic and a series of shooters. Mike Malone has a great shot of winning Coach of the Year. Health has been a question mark all season, but Denver has the ability to navigate through it. I do worry about them in the playoffs.
5. Oklahoma City Thunder
Paul George is playing like the league MVP on both sides of the floor. Russell Westbrook is still averaging a triple-double per game. The bench, while losing Alex Abrines, gained a nice piece in Markieff Morris. There is a lot to like about the Thunder.
4. Philadelphia 76ers
The Tobias Harris trade gives the Sixers another potent scoring option on an already dynamic team. Joel Embiid’s health is worth monitoring, however, as he rests with knee soreness. The bench has some real concerns too, as Philly struck out on both Wesley Matthews and Wayne Ellington in the buyout market. But the starting lineup is extremely talented.
3. Toronto Raptors
Kawhi Leonard has Toronto playing some excellent basketball and the Marc Gasol trade adds another element to their offense. Gasol can stretch the floor and provide some playmaking to a team already with a young bench. Pascal Siakim is probably winning Most Improved Player.
2. Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee has arguably the league MVP in Giannis Antetokounmpo, a smattering of quality ancillary players, and a coach in Mike Budenholzer who is getting the most out of the talent on the roster. They have beaten Golden State twice this season too.
1. Golden State Warriors
The two-time defending champs have DeMarcus Cousins in the lineup and still possess perhaps the best starting five in the league. They are weathered and battle-tested, and should still be the most feared team in the NBA.
