NBA Power Rankings: The Most Entertaining Teams To Watch
After the first three weeks of the 2010-2011 season, which teams are the most entertaining to watch in the NBA?
There are some obvious choices like the Miami Heat. Some fans tune in to their games hoping that they will see plenty of highlights, while others hope that they crumble under the pressure of their expectations and lose to a unworthy opponent.
On the other hand, there are some teams like the San Antonio Spurs that most people are sick of watching. Unless are seeking a very fundamental game, the Spurs have been featuring the same cast of core players for too long.
The power rankings system for this list will be based on a few qualities or features of NBA teams:
- Is there one or two legit stars on the team?
- Is there a new young player that is entertaining to watch?
- Can you sit and watch the game for two hours? Meaning, the team has to have some success or it becomes unbearable to watch.
- Can the team score?
- Has the team been known to play in close games, or upset better teams?
Here are the NBA Power Rankings for the most entertaining teams in the league.
30. Toronto Raptors (3-9)
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The Toronto Raptors were not that enjoyable to watch even when Chris Bosh was on the team. Apologies to all the fans in Canada, but there is not one player that stands out on the team's roster.
The leading scorer on the team is Andrea Bargnani with 20.8 points per game. Not too much fun and definitely not worth two hours of someone's time.
Notable Losses: 98-93 vs. Knicks, 111-108 at Kings
Notable Wins: 110-106 at Magic
29. New York Knicks (4-8)
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Last night, the New York Knicks ended a six-game losing streak. The free agent signing of Amare Stoudemire has not done much for the organization.
The Knicks desperately need to make another move in order to move up on this list. At least New York can score the ball, as they rank eighth in the NBA in scoring.
Notable Losses: 105-101 at Celtics, 106-96 vs. 76ers
Notable Wins: 120-112 at Bulls
28. Philadelphia 76ers (2-10)
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The Philadelphia 76ers do have young players like Evan Turner and Jrue Holiday, but they are just too bad to watch.
If they keep playing like this, they should end up with at least the number two pick in the draft once again. Andre Iguodala may be entertaining to watch during highlights, but it is a very frustrating experience to watch him sloppily play an entire game.
Bring back Iverson.
Notable Losses: 116-115 at Wizards, 94-86 vs. Raptors
Notable Wins: 106-96 at Knicks
27. Sacramento Kings (3-6)
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The Sacramento Kings started off the season 3-1 and the future looked promising. Currently, the Kings are in the midst of a six game losing streak.
Their most exciting player, Tyreke Evans, is only averaging 19.9 points per game.
At least Samuel Dalembert is on the team.....
Notable Losses: 98-89 vs. Timberwolves, 113-106 vs. Knicks
Notable Wins: 117-116 at Timberwolves
26. New Jersey Nets (4-7)
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The New Jersey Nets drafted Derrick Favors with the third overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft. That would be the only reason to watch the Nets this year.
The Nets rank dead last in the NBA in scoring, averaging only 92.8 points per game. Devin Harris is the leading scorer on the team with 17.9 points per game.
Similarly to Philadelphia, New Jersey may move up on the list as the season progresses and the rookies start proving why they were picked so high.
Notable Losses: 85-83 at Bobcats, 91-90 vs. Magic
Notable Wins: 101-98 vs. Pistons
25. Houston Rockets (3-8)
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The Houston Rockets started off the season 0-5 and their only three wins this season came against horrible teams.
However, the Rockets can definitely score the ball. The team ranks 5th in the NBA and scores an average of 105.5 points per game.
Unless Yao Ming still excites you, the Rockets are not that entertaining.
Notable Losses: 112-110 at Lakers, 124-121 OT at Spurs
Notable Wins: 120-94 vs. Minnesota
24. Detroit Pistons (4-8)
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The Detroit Pistons are one of those teams that people are just sicking of watching. They currently are not that bad of a team, but they are simply just boring.
PG Rodney Stuckey leads the team in scoring and only averages 16.1 points per game. As a team, they rank 27th in the NBA.
Notable Losses: 101-98 at Nets, 105-104 vs. Thunder
Notable Wins: 113-107 at Clippers
23. Charlotte Bobcats (4-7)
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The Charlotte Bobcats play good defense and have trouble putting the ball in the bucket. It all adds up to being boring.
Charlotte ranks 28th in the NBA in scoring and their leading scorer, SF Gerald Wallace, does not average more than 20 points.
However, the Bobcats defense does put them in a lot of close games.
Notable Losses: 91-88 vs. Magic, 96-95 vs. Jazz
Notable Wins: 113-110 vs. Minnesota
22. Minnesota Timberwolves (4-9)
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The Minnesota Timberwolves made it this high on this list due to the recent performance of Kevin Love and Michael Beasely.
Against the New York Knicks, Love grabbed 31 rebounds and scored 31 points. It was the first 30-30 game in 28 years.
Last week against the Sacramento Kings, Beasely scored 42 points.
Notable Losses: 129-97 at Heat, 128-86 at Magic
Notable Wins: 113-111 vs. Clippers
21. Indiana Pacers (4-5)
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Indiana Pacers SF Danny Granger is one of the best young players in the NBA.
Granger leads the team in scoring with an average of 22.1 points per game. The Pacers also have C Roy Hibbert on the roster, who averages more than 10 rebounds.
Notable Losses: 94-90 vs. Bucks, 102-99 vs. Rockets
Notable Wins: 144-113 vs. Denver (Amazing streak of consecutive made shots)
20. Cleveland Cavailers (5-5)
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No LeBron, no entertainment value.
At least the Cleveland Cavaliers have J.J. Hickson on the team, but he is still only averaging a little over 15 points per game.
Plenty of fans will be watching when the Miami Heat travel into Cleveland.
Notable Losses: 107-74 vs. Kings
Notable Wins: 95-87 vs. Celtics
19. Memphis Grizzles (4-8)
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The Memphis Grizzles are full of young talent, led by SF Rudy Gay.
Gay leads the team in scoring with 23.5 point per game. The Grizzles also average more than 100 points which is a plus in this ranking system.
Notable Losses: 123-118 OT at Suns, 100-99 vs. Trail Blazers, 116-110 OT vs. Celtics
Notable Wins: 91-90 at Mavericks
18. Los Angeles Clippers (1-11)
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The Los Angeles Clippers are currently the worst team in the NBA, but they certainly do not lack entertainment.
Back from injury, Blake Griffin has shown that he has one of the most promising futures in the NBA. He is currently averaging a double-double, but he would definitely like the Clippers to have more than one win.
Notable Losses: 109-107 OT at Jazz, 113-107 vs. Pistons
Notable Win: 107-92 vs. Thunder
17. Milwaukee Bucks (5-6)
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The Milwaukee Bucks are very similar to the Charlotte Bobcats, in that they are a good defensive team that has trouble scoring.
The Bucks are the second-worst scoring team in the league, but they rank third in the NBA in defense.
Also, PG Brandon Jennings is one of the most exciting young players to watch in the NBA and he should improve his game throughout the season.
Notable Losses: 95-91 at Hornets, 105-102 OT at Celtics
Notable Wins: 108-91 at Atlanta
16. Denver Nuggets (6-5)
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When the Denver Nuggets are playing well, they are a fun team to watch. When things are going wrong, it's like watching a team full of crybabies who take terrible shots.
The Nuggets are fourth in the NBA in scoring, but there is still way too much one-on-one basketball being played.
The Nuggets were fun to watch two or three years ago, but now it is just the same-old circus act. Trade Carmelo already.
Notable Losses: 102-101 vs. Dallas, 144-133 at Pacers
Notable Wins: 110-88 vs. Utah, 118-112 vs. Lakers
15. Portland Trailer Blazers (7-5)
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Earlier this year, Greg Oden was angry at comments that accused him of being a bust. He claimed that he was not a bust and still had plenty of time to prove himself.
I agreed with him, until now. Oden is officially a bust. It has to hurt Portland Trail Blazers fans to watch Kevin Durant play in the same division.
However, Brandon Roy is definitely an entertaining player, but he needs to start scoring to ball more.
Notable Losses: 107-106 OT vs. Thunder, 110-108 at Thunder
Notable Wins: 106-92 vs. Suns
14. Dallas Mavericks (7-3)
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To me, Dirk Nowitzki is simply not that entertaining of a player. He is definitely one of the best in the NBA, but I will not watch a game just to see him play.
The Dallas Mavericks are also ranked 23rd in the league in scoring and have played great defense this season.
However, the Mavericks are not very "fresh" and there is nothing too appealing about the team.
Notable Losses: 91-90 vs. Memphis, 99-97 at Hornets
Notable Wins: 89-87 vs. Celtics, 98-95 vs. Hornets
13. Phoenix Suns (6-5)
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Yes, the Phoenix Suns like to run up and down the floor. Yes, Steve Nash is one of the best points guards in the NBA and his passes are often ridiculous.
However, the Suns have been doing this for the last three years and it gets old. Also, besides Nash and Jason Richardson, no player on the roster is that entertaining.
The Suns also are just not that good this season.
Notable Losses: 112-110 vs. Spurs, 123-96 at Heat
Notable Wins: 123-118 vs. Grizzles, 121-116 at Lakers
12. San Antonio Spurs (9-1)
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The San Antonio Spurs are definitely one of the best teams in the NBA this season and their offense is ranked second in the NBA.
However, it is the same cast of players and I am tired of watching Manu Ginobli flop.
Plus, Eva Longoria will no longer be at the games so that definitely hurts the Spurs' ranking.
Notable Loss: 99-90 vs. Hornets
Notable Wins: 124-121 vs. Rockets, 117-104 at Thunder
11. Chicago Bulls (6-4)
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The Chicago Bulls have maybe the second best nucleus of young players in the NBA behind the Thunder.
Derrick Rose is a star and is averaging over 25 points per game this season.
They may deserve to be higher on this list, but for right now, the Bulls do not break the top ten.
Notable Losses: 110-105 OT at Celtics
Notable Wins: 120-90 vs. Warriors, 110-98 vs. Trail Blazers
10. Golden State Warriors (7-4)
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The Golden State Warriors are a good overall team that might be able to make the playoffs this year.
The combination of Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry makes the Warriors a very entertaining team to watch.
In the first game of the season, Ellis scored a game-high 46 points. It is also just interesting to see how Curry can still be effective in the NBA despite his size.
Notable Losses: 120-90 at Bulls
Notable Wins: 132-128 vs. Rockets
9. Washington Wizards (3-7)
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Although John Wall is currently injured, the Washington Wizards are worth watching on a nightly basis because of the overall number one pick.
He is averaging 18.1 points and 9.8 assists this season. It is a shame that he was not healthy enough to play against Rajon Rondo and the Boston Celtics.
Throughout the season, the amount of Wall's highlights will increase and fans will want to tune in to Wizards games.
Notable Losses: 99-95 at Hawks
Notable Wins: 116-115 OT vs.76ers (Wall had 29 points, 13 Assists, and 9 Steals)
8. New Orleans Hornets (9-1)
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The New Orleans Hornets are the NBA's biggest surprise this season.
Chris Paul led his team to an 8-0 start, before losing to the Dallas Mavericks in a close game.
Despite not scoring more than 100 points per game, the Hornets have managed to defeat teams like the Miami Heat with the play of their defense.
Notable Loss: 98-95 at Mavericks
Notable Wins: 96-93 vs. Heat, 99-97 vs. Mavericks
7. Atlanta Hawks (8-4)
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The Atlanta Hawks always provide a fast-paced game with plenty of alley-oops and dunks.
Josh Smith is one of the most exciting young players to watch in the NBA and the Hawks started off the season 6-0.
However, if Joe Johnson does not step up his game after receiving a large contract, the Hawks will not compete with the other top teams in the East.
Notable Losses: 118-114 vs. Suns, 93-89 at Magic
Notable Wins: 99-95 vs. Wizards
6. Utah Jazz (8-4)
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The Utah Jazz is usually not a team that pops into your head when thinking about the most exciting teams in the NBA.
However, Deron Williams is arguably the best point guard in the NBA and he has helped his team win several closes games this season.
Two games in a row, the Jazz won overtime games after trailing by more than ten points. It was a part of their five-game winning streak which included wins against the Heat and Magic.
Notable Losses: 115-108 vs. Thunder
Notable Wins: 116-114 OT at Heat, 104-94 at Magic
5. Orlando Magic (7-3)
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The Orlando Magic are not the best offensive team in the NBA and it is because they do not need to be.
Dwight Howard leads the Magic defense that is currently ranked number one in the NBA in points allowed.
Howard is a legitimate star and he makes every Orlando game worth watching. It also helps that Vince Carter can occasionally show glimpses of the past when on the fast break.
Notables Losses: 96-70 at Heat
Notable Wins: 93-89 vs. Hawks, 91-88 at Bobcats
4. Los Angeles Lakers (10-2)
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The defending champions are still one of the must-see teams in the NBA.
Kobe Bryant is arguably the best player in the league and he belongs in the top ten of all time.
It is definitely worth two hours of your time to watch one of the greatest players in NBA history and the Los Angeles Lakers play any opponent.
Notable Losses: 121-116 vs. Suns
Notable Wins: 121-96 vs. Trail Blazers, 107-83 vs. Warriors
3. Boston Celtics (9-2)
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Just look at the some of the players on the star-studded Boston Celtics roster:
Kevin Garnett, Shaquille O'Neal, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen
At one point in time, just one of these players made their team one of the most entertaining teams in the NBA.
However, Rajon Rondo is the reason why the Celtics are rated number three. He provides a certain spark on the team and fans can marvel over some of his passes.
The Celtics have also played in two overtime games, both of which they won. Not to mention, Boston has recorded the most impressive wins this season in the NBA.
Notable Losses: 89-87 at Mavericks
Notable Wins: 88-80 vs. Heat, 92-83 at Thunder, 112-107 at Heat
2. Oklahoma City Thunder (7-4)
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The Oklahoma City Thunder are not off to best start this season, but they should still be considered maybe the most entertaining team in the NBA.
Kevin Durant will most likely win the MVP Award at the end of the season and he is surrounded by an exciting group of young players.
Russell Westbrook is quickly moving himself into the discussion of elite point guards in the league as well.
Last year's playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers was just a preview of the entertainment the Thunder will deliver over the next few years.
The Oklahoma City Thunder play the Boston Celtics this Friday.
Notable Losses: 120-99 vs. Jazz, 92-83 vs. Celtics
Notable Wins: 107-106 OT at Trail Blazers, 115-108 at Jazz
1. Miami Heat (7-4)
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The Miami Heat is the most entertaining team in the NBA and they will only become more entertaining as they build more chemistry.
There is no arguing that LeBron James and Dwyane Wade were two of the top five most entertaining players to watch over the last few years.
The combination of those two plus Bosh makes Miami's games must-see events.
The Heat also have a large target on their chests. That means that each night, their opponent is giving it their best effort to prove that the Heat are frauds.
Some fans think it is enjoyable to see the Heat get beat, while others love to see great talent working together and producing amazing plays.
Notable Losses: Two against Boston Celtics, 116-114 OT vs. Jazz
Notable Wins: 96-87 vs. Magic, 123-96 vs, Suns
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