With Christmas Day finally here and the matchups plentiful, it’s time for the NBA season to get ramped up in the Metropolitan area.
By Chip Murphy
The Western Conference is not the juggernaut we once thought it would be with two teams clearly standing out above the others, while the vastly improved Eastern Conference still boasts no one that can provide a legitimate challenge to LeBron James.
When Bleacher Report does their power rankings they use a statistic called Net Rating which measures a team’s point differential per 100 possessions. So, I’ve decided it would be best to use their brilliant technique in this post as well. It’s important for power rankings to take into account more than just a team’s overall season performance — as important as that is — and look at how the team has played recently.
While using elements of B/R’s patented method, I have decided to implement some new twists that I hope you will all enjoy. Merry Christmas everbody!
30. Philadelphia 76ers (1-30)
It’s hard to say that the Philadelphia 76ers even belong in the NBA. Even the most die-hard of NBA fans can likely name only one or two players on their entire roster — Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel — as this team boasts almost no other talent worthy of being on an NBA team.
A huge culture change was made in Philadelphia when Jerry Colangelo was made President of Basketball Operations, taking away decision making from general manager Sam Hinkie the mastermind behind the tanking strategy.
There’s almost nothing good to say about the 76ers right now so, how bout that Ish Smith trade? Looks like they’re headed in the right direction. I’m actually not even sure if I’m being sarcastic.
29. Los Angeles Lakers (5-24)
This is a lost season for the Lakers, with the organization torn between developing their young talent and keeping their retiring former superstar on display. They must continue to tank if they want to keep their first round pick — it’s top three protected — so maybe their current style of play is the best option right now.
It’s truly amazing that the self-proclaimed defensive-minded coach Byron Scott has done such an abhorrent job with that side of the ball. The Lakers are dead last in defensive rating after finishing last season 29th in the same category. If the league’s most prestigious franchise wants to improve they will need to make a coaching change.
28. Brooklyn Nets (8-21)
If the Lakers are facing a lost season, then the Brooklyn Nets are facing multiple lost season. There is perhaps no franchise with a bleaker future than the one in Brooklyn. They face a horrific financial situation, equipped with inept management and coaching, and a lack of talent.
Despite Thaddeus Young exceeding expectations and Brook Lopez having another exceptional season, the Nets have little to be excited about this Christmas.
27. Milwaukee Bucks (12-18)
This season has been a nightmare for the Milwaukee Bucks who expected to take a huge step forward after pushing the Chicago Bulls to the limit in last year’s playoffs. With Khris Middleton struggling after receiving an enormous contract, the Bucks are once again having offensive issues.
Unlike last season though, there defense hasn’t been able to pick them up and new acquisition Greg Monroe’s contributions have been rendered useless.
26. New Orleans Pelicans (9-19)
Expectations were extremely high for New Orleans coming into this season with Anthony Davis signing a brand new contract extension and the hiring of new head coach Alvin Gentry. Gentry — an assistant with the Golden State Warriors last season — was credited with installing their now historic offense.
Offense hasn’t been a problem — New Orleans is 8th in offensive rating — but they are 29th in defensive rating, second to last in the league.
25. Denver Nuggets (12-17)
Will Barton has come out of nowhere to become one of the league’s most improved players as rookie point guard Emmanuel Mudiay struggled mightily on offense and defense before his injury. New head coach Mike Malone has done a good job improving this squad despite a season-ending injury to Wilson Chandler, but still has a long way to take them on defense.
24. Minnesota Timberwolves (11-18)
The Minnesota Timberwolves have had a tough year — losing their head coach Flip Saunders — but the future is bright. Saunders crafted an extremely talented young roster fit with Towns, Wiggins, and Rubio leading the way and gave them the perfect mentor to power through an NBA season, Kevin Garnett.
23. Portland Trail Blazers (11-20)
Portland gets a pass on their recent five game losing streak because those games have happened in the absence of Damian Lillard. They weren’t setting the world on fire with Lilard, but their superstar point guard was putting up incredible individual numbers. When he returns they could move back into the playoff race.
22. Phoenix Suns (12-19)
The Suns are a nightmare right now. They have lost three straight, slipping to seven games below .500 and with the recent suspension of Markieff Morris for throwing a towel of all things it looks like you can stick a fork in this team who was once thought to be a playoff sleeper.
21. Sacramento Kings (12-17)
The Sacramento Kings are now just five games under .500 and the laughingstock of the entire league boasts the surprising career resurgence of point guard Rajon Rondo. He’s making highlight reel plays every night and looks to be back to his old tricks.
20. New York Knicks (14-16)
Arron Afflalo’s play has been excellent since he returned from injury and rookie Kristaps Porzingis is making a run at the ROY award. When Carmelo Anthony becomes Carmelo Anthony again this team will have a chance to make a run at a playoff spot.
19. Utah Jazz (12-15)
The Jazz have taken a hard turn for the worst since the injury to Rudy Gobert, falling to three games below .500 after once looking to make a rise towards the top of the Western Conference. Upon Gobert’s return, look for them to move ahead in the thick of things.
18. Washington Wizards (13-14)
The Wizards venture into small ball has been wildly unsuccessful, and the injury issues with Bradley Beal have not helped their cause. Most would say that head coach Randy Wittman is a large part of the problem and I would have to agree. Despite all of their talent, it’s not a championship team.
17. Memphis Grizzlies (16-15)
The Grizzlies got off to such a horrid start that there was talk that head coach Dave Joerger may be fired. Right now they stand at 16-15 and or knocking on the door of the playoffs. With two of the best players in the NBA in Gasol and Conley you have to figure that eventually this team will snap out of it.
16. Houston Rockets (15-15)
The Rockets looked dead in the water, and if the West was as strong as we all thought it would be perhaps Houston would be done. However right now they are a .500 team and they are playing better every night. With inevitable trades on the horizon who knows how the roster could look in a couple weeks?
15. Dallas Mavericks (16-13)
It looked like this would finally be the year that the Dallas Mavericks would have a down season but you really can’t keep a team with Dirk Nowitzki and Rick Carlisle down. The Mavs certainly won’t tank and they could even make the playoffs.
14. Chicago Bulls (15-11)
The Bulls have been a surprising disappointment on the offensive end ranking 27th in offensive rating after bringing in the offensive minded coach Fred Hoiberg. Derrick Rose has been even worse than possibly thought and Joakim Noah appears to be out the door.
13. Boston Celtics (16-13)
As deep as Boston is and as impressive as they are on defense, they need a superstar. The Celtics don’t score enough to be a top-10 team in the league.
12. Detroit Pistons (17-13)
The Pistons have vastly improved in Stan Van Gundy’s second season as head coach and most of that is due to the dominance of center Andre Drummond. There defense has been great but there offense has a long way to go.
11. Indiana Pacers (16-13)
The Pacers have been playing poorly lately, dropping their last three, but the excellent play of Paul George makes them close to a legit top-10 team. They are 6th in the league in margin of victory and net rating. Indiana is a sleeper Eastern Conference finalist contender.
10. Orlando Magic (17-12)
Scott Skiles has turned out to be an incredible hire for this young Magic squad, as moving Victor Oladipo to the bench has made him a more efficient player. Orlando still has plenty to prove on the offensive end, but Skiles has established a defensive identity in his new team.
9. Charlotte Hornets (15-13)
The Hornets season looked doomed after the season-ending injury to Michael Kidd-Gilchrist but if anything it has made them stronger. They have learned how to play defense without their best stopper and his weaknesses on offense have let them stretch the floor in his absence.
8. Miami Heat (16-11)
I still think that in a seven game series the Miami Heat are the only team in the Eastern Conference that has a chance to knock off the Cavs, but right now they are to inconsistent to be ranked any higher. Eventually Goran Dragic will get it going and click with Dwyane Wade.
7. Toronto Raptors (18-12)
Statistically, the Raptors don’t make sense. They are top ten in margin of victory and net rating but are just 21st in effective field goal percentage and 27th in points per game. They are right there, just a shooter away. The Raptors always seem like they are just another player away though.
6. Los Angeles Clippers (16-13)
Just another drama filled season in Clipper-land. Who would have though that Lance Stephenson wouldn’t work out? Shocking. As good as they are, they can be even better but it’s hard to call them a great team. Outside of San Antonio however, they could be the toughest out in the playoffs for the Warriors.
5. Atlanta Hawks (19-12)
So much for the Hawks taking a step back after losing DeMarre Carroll, this team hasn’t missed a beat in his absence. Their defense has predictably slid a little but their offense has gotten even better. The so-called one great superstar-less team remains great.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers (19-7)
The team with LeBron James becomes a favorite to win the championship, that’s just fact. Cleveland is lucky enough to have him right now. They are in the top-10 in every category and the only thing they need to worry about right now is making sure Kyrie Irving stays healthy.
3. Oklahoma City Thunder (20-9)
The Thunder are the third best team in the NBA right now, but they can be even better. They have two of the best players in the league in Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant. If those two can remain healthy for a playoff run, along with Serge Ibaka, this team could make a serious run at Golden State. Because let’s face it everyone else is looking up at them.
2. San Antonio Spurs (25-5)
The Spurs are currently 25-5. 25-5! No one is even talking about it because of the Warriors and of course the Spurs are winning that’s what they do. As absurd as it sounds they are not getting the respect they deserve. Kawhi Leonard has become one of the league’s five best players and Tony Parker’s bounce back season after a miserable 2014-15 has been remarkable.
1. Golden State Warriors (27-1)
As great as San Antonio has been — they are actually ahead of Golden State in net rating and margin of victory — there is no doubt who should be in the No. 1 spot. We all hoped that the Warriors would be going into Christmas day undefeated for their finals rematch against the Cavs, but that isn’t so. Still it will be a great game, fueled by the war of words between LeBron James and Steph Curry over who the best player in the world is.
As deep as Boston is and as impressive as they are on defense, they need a superstar. The Celtics don’t score enough to be a top-10 team in the league.
Um, Celtics have the highest ppg average in the East and 7th highest in the NBA