NBA Power Rankings: Boston, San Antonio and The Lakers Lead The Title Contenders
This year, the NBA has more contenders than in the past decade. Any of the top 8 teams can legitimately make the Finals. So here's the the NBA's 30 teams ranked from best to worst, regardless of record.
No team is deeper (6 players avg between 11 and 19 points per game) and they're playing with that "eff you" attitude they had in '08 almost every night. Once Perkins is healthy, this team will be extremely difficult to beat in the playoffs. At this point, I don’t even think you could make an argument that any other team is better.
The resurrected Spurs look like they've steeped back in time, and newly single Tony Parker is quietly having his best season. This team can legitimately knock the Lakers off if they can stay healthy.
Four straight losses certainly isn't a good sign. These are "power" rankings though, and I'd still take them over anyone not listed above in a best of 7 series. I think it’s time to upgrade the PG position though as they will have to worry about a Fisher/Blake vs. Parker/Hill match-up in the playoffs. Kobe needs to stop reverting back to ’07 Kobe.
#4 Miami Heat
The Lebrocile—LeBron's dominance/torture of Cleveland—was the turning point of the season. That game is the type that people expected to see from the Heat when "The Decision" was made. Interesting note: they haven’t lost since their players-only meeting. I get the feeling Spolestra hasn’t been in control the past five games and that has made all the difference.
The Mavs are always good in the regular season, but something is different about this team. That something appears to be Tyson Chandler, who has been great and putting the d in "Big D".
#6 Utah Jazz
Deron Williams has been amazing thus far, and the players on this team know exactly what their roles are. Millsap has more than adequately replaced Boozer, and Jefferson has been a great fit. Jerry Sloan deserves to be Coach of the Year if they finish in the top four in the West.
This may seem like a low ranking, given their success the past several years. But unless they make a move, I just can't see a team that relies on Rashard Lewis and Vince Carter doing anything special in the playoffs, especially in a year with so many talented players and teams.
It has been an up and down season thus far in Okie City. However, no team has a better 1-2-3 scoring punch than Durant (27 ppg.), Westbrook (24) & Green (18), not even the trio in South Beach. They'll get it together and be down-right scary come playoff time.
As the Melo drama has quieted down (at least for now), the Nuggets look more like the team that pushed LA in the Western Finals two yrs ago than the one who was knocked out in the 1st round last year. I still get the feeling Melo will have a new address come February. Denver can’t afford to get nothing for him like the Cavs and Raptors. We’ve seen how well that’s worked out.
#10 Chicago Bulls
Boozer coming back could elevate this team over Orlando, but they're a veteran wing player away from being serious contenders to Boston and Miami. It’s time to phone Detroit about the availability of Rip Hamilton.
Such a promising start has unraveled faster than the stability of the ownership of this team. CP3 simply doesn't have enough talent to play with and the off-court distractions could mean the NBAs last unbeaten team could end up missing the playoffs.
#12 New York Knicks
Finally! NY fans can get over the Issiah Era. Small ball is working in NY as Danilo, Chandler and Amare give this team a versatile front-court. I would still like to see them make a move, even if they can’t get Melo.
#13 Atlanta Hawks
I have no idea what to make of this team. I wouldn't be surprised if they were to win in San Antonio one night and follow it up with a home loss to the Kings the next. Joe Johnson’s max deal made it so this team won’t make it far in the playoffs, but won’t miss them either. They’re stuck in 1st round purgatory for the next five years.
#14 Phoenix Suns
As long as you have Nash, you have a chance; even if you have 6 small forwards currently playing in the rotation. Seriously! Trade one or two of them for Greg Oden, you have nothing to lose.
#15 Indiana Pacers
This year's Bucks? This team doesn't look great on paper sans Granger, but they're getting production from different players every night (see Brandon Rush). I could see them giving one of the top teams in the East all they can handle in the first round of the playoffs.
The injuries have finally caught up. Brandon Roy does not look like the player who has become an NBA elite the past two seasons. If something doesn't change quickly, they'll be in the lottery for the first time since the Oden over Durant debacle.
It’s time to start seriously considering trading Mayo for some depth. This team SHOULD make the playoffs this year in a less-deep than usual West.
#18 Milwaukee Bucks
The East only has 7 decent teams. Hopefully a healthy Bogut can transform the Bucks into the 8th. This team has been the biggest disappointment in the league thus far. Jennings is having a major sophomore slump.
#19 Houston Rockets
Eight have their losses have been by seven points are less. They could make a move once Brooks gets healthy, and Andre Iguodala should be on their radar.
#20 Golden State Warriors
Monta Ellis' trade value may never be this high again. The Warriors were a nice story early, but realistically they aren't making the playoffs this year. They need to strongly considering moving Ellis for some future pieces to build around Curry and Lee.
#21 Toronto Raptors
Jay Triano should be the Coach of the Year if this team makes the playoffs. John Calipari had more talent at Kentucky last year than this team in Toronto has right now.
Don't laugh, but this team has played decent basketball of late and I wouldn't be surprised if they end up near .500. Blake Griffin is an absolute beast and delivers a highlight on a nightly basis.
If not for Blake, John Wall would be having a R.O.Y. type of season. They need to dump Gilbert and start looking forward. This team could squeak in as the #8 team in the east.
#24 Detroit Pistons
They have created the Blueprint for how to turn a contender into a perennial lottery team. This team has no toughness, no legit #1 scorer and quite frankly no identity whatsoever.
Kevin Love is a top 20 player in this league (Yes, he's THAT good) and Beasley has been a pleasant surprise. That being said, their guard play is atrocious
Despite making the playoffs last year, I often forget Charlotte has an NBA team.
This team played at their maximum level for about 12 games, and then realized they just don't have talent. Getting dominated by the Wolves after the LeBrocile couldn't have felt good. Fans need to turn their attention to the college game and hope Harrison Barnes, Terrence Jones or Kyrie Irving can give them back some star power in next year's draft.
#28 New Jersey Nets
I really thought this team would be better, especially in a conference with so many bad teams. Not getting the Melo trade done prior to the season is looking like an epic fail. At this point, I don't think there's any way he would want to come here.
#29 Sacramento Kings
They’re 1-14 after a 3-1 start. I really thought this would be an upstart team, but Cousins has proved to be more headache than talent thus far. Reke is having a sophomore slump similar to Brandon Jennings.
I'm not sure Doug Collins knew what he was getting into. Game plan: trade Iggy so you can see what you have in Turner, unload Brand's contract to a contender for an expiring contract and hope you get a top 3 pick in next year's draft. Jrue Holliday has been a bright spot, and a good pick could give them 3 good young players to build around.
