Week 3 NBA Power Rankings

Sorry for skipping last week’s power rankings, but that’s what happens when you have a job and you write about NBA for fun.  They power rankings will most likely be nonexistent again next week, not because I’m busy working, but because I’m busy vacationing.  So yeah, take that.

1. Memphis Grizzlies (10-1)
Week 4-0 (W vs LAL, W vs Sac, W vs Det, W vs Hou)
The Grizzlies were able to sneak away with some closer wins than expected, but I got the benefit of doing power rankings on Tuesdays as the Griz trounced the Rockets in a battle of the West’s top two teams.  Their defense looks outstanding and their offense is the best they’ve had in years with the addition of Vince Carter.

2. Golden State Warriors (8-2)
Week 3-1 (L vs SAS, W vs Bkn, W vs Cha, W @ LAL)
The Warriors continue to be a top defensive team in the league, while the offense looks terrific but is still a work in progress.  Kerr is a much better fit as a coach than Jackson was, but learning a more complex offense with an increased focus on passing the ball has ramped up the Warriors turnovers early on.

3. Houston Rockets (9-2)
Week 3-1 (W @ Min (@ Mex City), W vs Phi, W @ OKC, L @ Mem)
The Rockets have had one of the easiest schedules in the league, but they’ve made the most of it.  They’ve beaten all the teams that they’re expected to beat and until this week, they won all by a comfortable margin.  Philly gave them a major scare (no one wants to be the first to lose to them), and they got obliterated by the Grizzlies defense last night.

4. Toronto Raptors (8-2)
Week 2-1 (W vs Orl, L vs Chi, W vs Uta)
With the national spotlight on the Rapts, they were unable to come away with what would be a huge win against the Bulls at home.  Still, Toronto has impressed and thrust themselves into the mix as the number one pseudo-contender in the East (at least until Beal rejoins the Wizards).  Can T-Dot stay afloat and give the Cavs and Bulls a realistic run for their money?

5. Portland Trail Blazers  (8-3)
Week 4-0 (W vs Cha, W @ Den, W vs Bkn, W vs NOP)
Yes, I sure did.  I sure did drastically underrate the Blazers in the week 1 power rankings after a (somewhat?) sub-par start to their season (I didn’t know the Kings were sort of legit!).  Since that first week, they’ve reeled off 7 of 8 with their only loss coming in a close one at Los Angeles against the “us against the world” Clippers.  I’m sorry Blazer fans.  Forgive me.  It won’t happen again.

Lillard has been on an early season tear for the Blazers.

6. San Antonio Spurs (6-4)
Week 3-1 (W @ GSW, W @ LAL, L @ Sac, W vs Phi)
Pop’s team appears to be the same as ever, and despite only winning 60% of their games, we know they’ll be right up there at the top of the west at the season’s end.  Leonard’s slow start had some worried (especially with the “I can’t effing see” issues), but he’s starting to come alive.  If there is one team that can get off to a semi-slow start and use Aaron Rodgers, “Relax” quote, it’s Greg Popovich and the Spurs.

7. Chicago Bulls (8-3)
Week 2-1 (W @ Tor, L vs Ind, W @ LAC)
It was a bit of a weird week for the Bulls, as they won their two tough games and lost the game that should’ve been a walk in the park, but that’s what happens in early season NBA.  While the Pacers pose some match up problems for the Bulls, this is not a team they’re losing to in March.  The bigger scare coming into play is Rose’s series of injuries and several missed games since the first week’s rankings.

8. Dallas Mavericks (8-3)
Week 4-0 (W vs Sac, W vs Phi, W vs Min, W @ Cha)
Cuban’s squad is finally starting to look alive after a shaky start to the sesaon.  The defense is still the main concern, but it hasn’t been quite as dreadful as it started the first few weeks.  They’ll add Raymond Felton to the lineup soon, and whether or not that’s a good thing will remain to be seen until he starts getting some grind, but they are desperate for some point guard help.

9. Washington Wizards (7-2)
Week 2-0 (W vs Det, W vs Orl)
The Wizards have been able to ride a somewhat easy schedule to a nice first few weeks of the season with their sharp shooter Bradley Beal out of the lineup.  That’s the good news.  The bad news is the cake walk stops here.  The next eight days feature a tough Dallas team, a Cleveland team lo0king to prove they’re not as bad as their record indicates twice, and a trip to Milwaukee to take on the better than expected Bucks on a back to back.

The Wizards look to stay as close to the top as possible until Beal joins Wall back on the court.

10. Cleveland Cavaliers (5-4)
Week 2-1 (W @ Bos, W vs Atl, L vs Den)
This week, Cleveland was able to close the door on Boston despite trailing most of the game (you’re welcome to those who followed the Boston bet).  After absolutely demolishing the Hawks the following night, it seemed that perhaps the Cavs finally had gotten things together.  They followed up that performance with a loss at home to the lowly Nuggets, keeping the questions circulating about chemistry between LeBron and Kyrie Irving.

11. Sacramento Kings (6-4)
Week 1-2 (L @ Dal, L @ Mem, W vs SAS)
After an 1-3 road trip that included the most heartbreaking loss imaginable to the top team in the West, the Kings were able to get back on track with an impressive home win against the Spurs Saturday night.  They continue a three game home stand this week with the Pelicans coming to town tonight in a “Are Either Of These Teams Legit?” battle, followed by the Bulls Thursday night.  It will be a telling week for the Kings.

12. Los Angeles Clippers (5-4)
Week 1-1 (W vs Pho, L vs Chi)
The sexy Western Conference champions pick for many pundits have continued to play haphazard basketball now three weeks in.  Chris Paul doesn’t look quite like the all-world star he has been his entire career, and there has been some gloomy days for the Lakers fans claiming their Clippers fans these last two seasons.  What’s worse is that the Clips have played seven of their nine games at home so far and have a seven game road trip starting tomorrow night in Orlando.

13. New Orleans Pelicans (5-4)
Week 2-1 (W vs LAL, W vs Min, L @ Por)
The Pelicans continue to ride the wings of their MVP candidate, Anthony Davis, throughout the first few weeks of the season.  They’ve bolted out to a nice start considering the expectations with the minimal back court talent surrounding The Brow.  Despite historically poor play from Eric Gordon, the Pelicans look like they’ll make a push to be battling into April for a playoff spot.

14. Atlanta Hawks (5-4)
Week 2-1 (W vs Uta, W vs Mia, L @ Cle)
An up and down season for Atlanta hit it’s low point after a four game winning streak on Saturday, when they traveled to Cleveland a suffered a 33 point blowout to the Cavs.  The Hawks will have a good chance to make things right this week as their two game week includes home games against the Lakers and Pistons.

15. Miami Heat (6-5)
Week 1-3 (L vs Ind, L @ Atl, L vs Mil, W @ Bkn)
After a nice start from the Heat, Rick Ross’ $100k promise that the Heat will finish with more wins than the Cavs took a hit this week with losses in three winnable games before bouncing back last night against the Nets.  The big concern is Wade’s health (missed the last three games), as they can’t afford to sit him like they did last year allowing LeBron to pick up the slack.

16. Phoenix Suns (6-5)
Week 2-2 (W vs Bkn, L vs Cha, L @ LAC, W @ Bos)
The Suns are still trying to figure out how to incorporate three scoring point guards into their style of play.  Thomas has put up nice numbers, but Dragic’s numbers have suffered a bit.  It may be a matter of time before we see one of the three traded, but for now Hornacek will continue to experiment as they try to smooth out the system.

Could Dragic find himself in a new home before the trade deadline?

17. Milwaukee Bucks (5-5)
Week 2-1 (W vs OKC, L @ Orl, W vs Mia)
One of the surprise teams of the early season, the Bucks sit tight at .500 despite a somewhat slow start by Parker in the scoring department.  Scoring hasn’t been as necessary as it typically is in this sport, as the Bucks have trotted out one of the league’s top defenses behind a rejuvenated Larry Sanders (defensive rating of 89!) and the lengthy Alphabet, Giannis Antetokounmpo.

18. Brooklyn Nets (4-6)
Week 0-4 (L @ Pho, L @ GSW, L @ Por, L vs Mia)
Rough week for the Nets as they continue to try to learn their second new system in just a bit over a calendar year.  The first three losses came in the midst of a brutal road trip out West.  The rest of the month includes another three game road trip, and two potentially tough road games.

19. Orlando Magic (5-7)
Week 3-2 (L @ Tor, W @ NYK, W vs Mil, L @ Was, W @ Det)
The Magic have been a surprise as they’ve rolled out to a record just a touch below .500 without their best player.  They’re incorporating their floor spacer, Channing Frye, into the game effectively.  Since entering the lineup, he’s playing a career high 34 minutes per game and shooting a godly .456 from deep.  With Oladipo expected to return soon, the Magic will look to turn some heads and make a surprise playoff run.

20. Charlotte Hornets (4-7)
Week 1-3 (L @ Por, W @ Pho, L @ GSW, L vs Dal)
Going from a surprise team to a disappointing team, the Hornets are still trying to piece together their rotation and get Lance Stephenson to play within the offense.  Lance started the season looking scared to shoot, but since has started to fire up some long balls, but has only hit a quarter of them.  The Hornets have plenty of time to get it together, but this isn’t a ringing endorsement for a team that many thought could be in the top half of the Eastern Conference playoff teams.

Lance is still trying to find his groove in Charlotte.

21. Indiana Pacers (4-7)
Week 2-1 (W @ Mia, L vs Den, W @ Chi)
The Pacers got some nice road wins this week, but suffered a loss in a very winnable game against the Nuggets at home.  They’re still figuring out what players best replace last season’s stellar back court of Paul George and Lance Stephenson, while the truth is they’re irreplaceable.  This still looks like a rebuilding year in Indiana, but the team continues to try to win as many games as possible for a potential playoff push.  As if Frank Vogel was ever going to tank.

22. Utah Jazz (4-7)
Week 1-2 (L @ Atl, W @ NYK, L @ Tor)
The Jazz didn’t fair too poorly on a 5 game road trip (2-3) and their usual home court advantage in the high altitude looks alive and well, although they’ve only played four home games so far.  They play nine of their next twelve games at home which gives them an opportunity to test the home field advantage further as they try to even out their record.

23. Oklahoma City Thunder (3-8)
Week 1-3 (L @ Mil, W @ Bos, L vs Det, L vs Hou)
It remains an attempt to stay afloat with their two superstar players sidelined for the Thunder and so far it’s been a struggle.  There is no one to blame, as the team is built upon the notion that Durant and Westbrook (or at least one of the two) stay healthy, but these early games have extreme importance, because no Western Conference hole is easy to dig yourself out of.

24. Boston Celtics (3-6)
Week 0-3 (L vs OKC, L vs Cle, L vs Pho)
If nothing else, the Celtics look like a fun team to watch so far this year.  For a team that was expected to have a great defense, but struggle to get the ball in the basket it’s been pretty much the opposite.  Rondo has played well, possibly well enough to increase his trade value as the Celts are still likely to look to move him at some point this season.

25. Detroit Pistons (3-8)
Week 1-3 (L @ Was, W @ OKC, L @ Mem, L vs Orl)
It’s been a rocky road for the Pistons as they look to push themselves into the playoff picture in the East this year and it hasn’t gotten much better.  Van Gundy insists that Smith is part of the big picture, but the team continues to struggle in trying to find a way to play him alongside Monroe and Drummond.

SVG is still hopeful about Josh Smith as a Piston, but he needs to learn his role.

26. Denver Nuggets (3-7)
Week 2-2 (L vs Por, W @ Ind, L @ NYK, W @ Cle)
The Nuggets have been one of the most disastrous teams in the first few weeks of the season, but they got a small consolation yesterday as they traveled to Cleveland a were able to take down the Cavs.  The big question is what happened to their always great home court advantage?  They’ve stumbled out to a 1-3 home record, winning only the home opener against the Pistons.

27. New York Knicks (3-8)
Week 1-2 (L vs Orl, L vs Uta, W vs Den)
It’s been the kind of nightmare that Phil is not used to being a part of in New York as they’ve looked incompetent in trying to figure out the triangle.  The Knicks were able to end a seven game skid on Sunday with a home win against the Nuggets.  The only bright spot for the Knicks is that they’ve remained competitive in most of their games after getting demolished in their regular season opener against the Bulls.

28. Minnesota Timberwolves (2-7)
Week 0-3 (L vs Hou (@ Mex City), L @ NOP, L @ Dal)
No one can fault the Wolves for their rough start as it was expected to be a rebuilding year.  After locking up Rubio to an extension, they lost him to a nasty sprained ankle, putting their rebuild year in full effect.  Meanwhile, they’re starting to shop Corey Brewer to not put any hindrance on what will become a tank job season.

29. Los Angeles Lakers (1-9)
Week 0-4 (L @ Mem, L @ NOP, L vs SAS, L vs GSW)
There is not much to say about the Lakers right now, except that they are looking likely to be able to keep their draft pick which is top five protected this season.  If they’re able to finish in the bottom two, then they cement that pick as falling to five would become a worst case scenario.

30. Philadelphia 76ers (0-10)
Week 0-3 (L @ Dal, L @ Hou, L @ SAS)
Another perfect week for the Tankers.  This one should have came easily as they had to travel through the treacherous Texas Triangle, but the Rockets were able to give them a scare.  The Sixers were able to take a three point lead in the final minute, but some late game heroics from Harden kept the perfect season alive for Philly.

Quick Picks – Best NBA Bets of 11/14

Hi all.  Sorry for another brief hiatus and for missing this weeks power rankings.  Simply put, when you’re working a certain amount of hours per week, it becomes more difficult to keep this updated that I would have ever anticipated.  Power rankings will be back next Tuesday, and hopefully another post before that this weekend.

For tonight, I wanted to bring back the wonderful world of gambling and make some picks.  I haven’t officially made any picks all season so far, and have not even bet on a basketball game (shame on me) throughout the first couple weeks of the 2014-15 season.    Today, I’ll make picks and give a brief write up on them.  My source for the lines will be whatever 5dimes.com has at it’s line at the time of writing.

Three picks tonight.  Here.  We.  Go.

Miami Heat @ Atlanta Hawks -5

This just feels like a bad spot for Miami.  Wade is out, hurting their already limited back court depth even more.  With The Fortress being a tough place to play (the Hawks haven’t lost a home game yet this year), this feels like a game that the Hawks take to double digits in the second half and never relinquish.  The front court of the Hawks will be too much of a challenge for the Heat to handle.  While Bosh’s defense is terrific, the Heat have struggled in recent games to get rebounds.  This very well could turn into a board crashing festival resulting in many points right around the basket for Atlanta.

Cleveland Cavaliers @ Boston Celtics +6

The Cavs have finally started to get some offense together.  Tonight they travel to the TD Garden to take on the Celtics.  The Celtics projected to be one of the league’s better defensive teams and so far this year, they’ve been anything but that.  I guess that’s what happens when Kelly Olynyk logs heavy minutes down low.  Still, the Celtics may have just the right ingredients to keep it close with the Cavs.  While Olynyk’s rim protection leave’s much to be desired, he gave the Cavs fits last April scoring.  Combined with great wing defenders and enough scoring punch to keep it close, expect the Celtics to have a chance to win this game in the fourth quarter.  Give me the Celtics and the points.

Philadelphia 76ers @ Houston Rockets – Under 204½

Playing on the tail end of back to back in which they got walloped by the Mavericks, the Sixers will be eager to prove that despite Hinkie’s best effort at putting a terrible team on the court, they can still ball.  Unfortunately tonight, they go to another corner of the Texas triangle and have to try to score against the defensively resurgent Houston Rockets.  The last time these two teams faced was in Philly just a couple weeks ago.  In that game the Sixers kept it closer than many expected, fueled by several runs that included occasional barrages of three point shooting.  Playing against one of the league’s best teams in opponent 3pt% makes it tough to imagine that happening again.  That game finished at a tally of 197 with the over/under set right at 200.  It seems right to expect a similar score tonight.  The Rockets should get up over 100 points again, but the Sixers will not score enough points to catapult the game above 200.  While the Rockets should win in a laugher, 17 points seems a bit worrisome to lay in any NBA game.

Week 1 NBA Power Rankings

With the first week of NBA action behind us, what have we learned that we didn’t already know?  We learned that the basketball gods can be ruthless to star players even in the first week of the season.  We learned that a 36 year old Kobe Bryant can’t single-handedly carry a haphazardly thrown together Lakers team.  And what we already knew about the world’s greatest sport was confirmed, that we really don’t know shit.  Aside from the awful luck that has plagued the Thunder since the Durant injury, I’ll try not to overreact terribly to win-loss records so quickly into the season with teams from which we know what to expect.

Here are the power rankings following the first week of basketball.  For week one, I won’t document the direction in which teams are trending, because all I had up so far was preseason rankings, but that feature will be added next week.

1. San Antonio Spurs (1-1)
Week 1-1 (W vs Dal, L @ Pho)
It just doesn’t feel right to drop the Spurs from the top spot, just because of an opening week loss.  They barely squeaked by the Mavs in the opener, then dropped their next game at Phoenix.  Historically, the Spurs crank out 50 win seasons year after year, so they’re the on squad that gets the benefit of the doubt.

2. Golden State Warriors (3-0)
Week 3-0 (W @ Sac, W vs LAL, W @ Por)
An impressive first week as a head coach involved Steve Kerr and the Warriors going into Sacramento to blow out a (dare I say decent?) Kings team, destroying the Lakers, and sneaking out of one of the toughest places to play in Portland with a win.  It’s happy times in the Bay area as the Splash Brothers appear to be staying together long term.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers (1-1)
Week 1-1 (L vs NYK, W @ Chi)
In a shocker home opener for LeBron’s return to Cleveland, the Cavs looked shaky and out of position as James recorded 8 turnovers.  It will take some time to get it all together, but after the Knicks disastrous home opener, this game caught many by surprise.  The Cavs were able to salvage their spot in the top five with an impressive bounce back overtime win at Chicago.

4. Chicago Bulls (2-1)
Week 2-1 (W @ NYK, L vs Cle, W @ Min)
The Bulls made it look easy, running away from Madison Square Garden with a game that never really was much of a game to begin with.  They had to run into the Cavs their next game, though, in a team that was eager to get a win after losing to the same Knicks team in their home opener.  If it weren’t for some late game heroics from Jimmy Butler, Chicago would be staring down a 1-2 start to the season following that impressive opener.

Here’s to hoping for a quick comeback for Rose.

5. Houston Rockets (4-0)
Week 4-0 (W @ LAL, W @ Uta,  W vs Bos, W @ Phi)
What if I told you that the Houston Rockets are a top five defensive team?  Small sample size, yes, cake walk opening schedule (every opponent is in the bottom ten of my power rankings), yes, but they have looked impressive in every game so far winning each game by double digits.  Ariza has been knocking down threes at an impressively high clip, and making it equally as difficult for opponents to get shots off at the perimeter.  While the schedule has indeed been easy, it’s never an easy feat to go into the high altitude of Utah on the tail end of a back to back and come away with a double digit victory.

6. Dallas Mavericks (3-1)
Week 2-1 (L @ SAS, W vs Uta, W @ NOP, W vs Bos)
The Mavs could very well be looking at 4-0 right now, but dropped a season opening nail biter to the Spurs on ring ceremony night.  Since that they’ve followed up with three straight victories, although the Celtics gave them a scare in what seemed to be a blowout last night.  Dallas, early on has been the most potent offense in the league, but with a shaky defensive back court, has ranked near the league’s worst in defensive efficiency.

7. Memphis Grizzlies (4-0)
Week 4-0 (W vs Min, W @ Ind, W @ Cha, W vs NOP)
Speaking of terrible defense…. just kidding.  The Grizzlies have shown, that once again they’ll be the most intimidating defense in basketball with Gasol manning the interior, and plenty of defense all around on the post.  The offense remains a slight question mark, but this appears to be one of those teams that will at least put up enough points to stay in the game, no matter who they play against.

8. Los Angeles Clippers (3-1)
Week 3-1 (W vs OKC, W @ LAL, L vs Sac, W vs Uta)
A win is a win.  In the power rankings, though, an impressive win nets you a better rank.  While it’s obvious the Clippers will be fine, the way they’ve started the season has been anything but impressive.  Every game has been a single digit victory against less than impressive teams.  Couple that with a home loss vs the Kings gives the Clippers barely enough cred to stay in the top ten.  They’ll be fine, but the start of the season has been a bit shaky.

9. Miami Heat (3-0)
Week 3-0 (W vs Was, W @ Phi, W vs Tor)
Riding on a “see what we can do without LeBron” ecstasy, the Heat have been impressive out of the gate.  With a couple of home wins and a road win vs the Sixers, the biggest test of the season so far comes to town tonight in James Harden and the Rockets.  They may have been bummed out when LeBron left, but no one in Miami is complaining about being the last remaining undefeated team in the East.

Wade and Bosh are trying to show the world what they can do without the world’s best player.

10. Phoenix Suns (2-1)
Week 2-1 (W vs LAL, W vs SAS, L @ Uta)
The Suns started the season by blowing out the Suns, then used their three point guard tandem to stage a furious comeback in an impressive win over the Spurs, before laying an egg in a blowout at Utah.  While the loss to the Jazz comes in a tough spot (tail end of a back to back, tough place to play), the fact that they weren’t even competitive in that game is concerning.  It was a 27 point loss and the Jazz are still… the Jazz.

11. Toronto Raptors (2-1)
Week 2-1 (W vs Atl, W @ Orl, L @ Mia)
It’s looking like a three way fight for being the third best team in the East.  The Rapts have a good opportunity to jump into early contention for that spot with Bradley Beal missing the first month for the Wizards.  The third of those teams was able to win the first battle as the Heat knocked out the Raptors in their first match up.  This came on the road for Toronto and on the second night of a back to back, but the wasted opportunities in this game still raise some concern.

12. Washington Wizards (2-1)
Week 2-1 (L @ Mia, W @ Orl, W vs Mil)
After opening the season with a loss at Miami, the Wiz got ample opportunity to end the week 2-1, as they played two of the league’s worst teams.  They don’t play their first Western Conference team until November 19th, so they’ll have the opportunity for the next couple weeks to gain some headway in the East.

13. Sacramento Kings (3-1)
Week 3-1 (L vs GSW, W vs Por, W @ LAC, W @ Den)
The most surprising team in the first week was the Kings.  After getting run out of their own stadium by the Dubs in the opener, the Kings were able to reel off three straight.  All three of those were impressive wins with the biggest statement game coming as they came into Staples Center and knocked out the Clippers for their only loss of the season.  Can the Kings be this season’s Suns?

14. Atlanta Hawks (1-1)
Week 1-1 (L @ Tor, W vs Ind)
The team that’s a lock to be the NBA TV series in the playoffs (unless they draw the Bulls or Cavs) look to jump into that middle echelon in the East with a healthy Al Horford this season.  Re-integrating Horford into the team’s rotation may start as a work in progress, but Budenholzer is wasting no time giving his star big man minutes.  The Hawks only got two games in the first week of basketball, but will have a tough road next week playing at San Antonio and Charlotte, which they’ll follow with back to back games against the Knicks.

15. New York Knicks (2-1)
Week 2-1 (L vs Chi, W @ Cle, W vs Cha)
Speaking of the Knicks, maybe it wasn’t as bad as it looked in their home opener trouncing they were given by the Bulls.  They were able to take advantage of some early season jitters against the Cavs and followed up with an impressive win against Charlotte.  One blowout loss and two close wins is what ya see on paper, but the important takeaway was that they were able to come out on top in both of the nail biters.

16. Portland Trailblazers (1-2)
Week 1-2 (W vs OKC, L @ Sac, L vs GSW)
I’m guilty of not watching more than give minutes of Blazer basketball in the first week of the season (there was just too much DAMN basketball to watch!) so perhaps I’m not giving them enough love.  An impressive opening night win followed by two losses puts the Blazers in a tough position that may have them playing catch up early this season.  Their next three match ups have them taking on the Cavs, Mavs, and Clips, in a stretch that they’d be very fortunate to be .500 after it completes.

17. Brooklyn Nets (2-1)
Week 2-1 (L @ Bos, W @ Det, W vs OKC)
Going to Boston and being given a beating on opening night gave Nets fans (I think those exist) worries that this team could be even worse this season as they adjust to a new head coach in Lionel Hollins.  Since that, they were able to come away with a comfortable win at Detroit and demolished the depleted Thunder last night.  Better yet, they got back their man down low Brook Lopez who turned in a nice game with 18 points and a career high 6 rebounds (I kid, I kid).

18. Charlotte Hornets (1-2)
Week 1-2 (W vs Mil, L vs Mem, L @ NYK)
Projected by many to be a top four team in the East, it’s been a discouraging start for the Hornets, who were a couple Kemba miracles away from starting the first week of action winless.  There is hope for them as Kidd-Gilchrist no longer looks like his shooting coach growing up was a marionette, and it was expected to take some time to integrate Lance into the offense.  Give it time, this team has talent.

MKG has fared well the first week… both him and his revamped shot.

19. New Orleans Pelicans (1-2)
Week 1-2 (W vs Orl, L vs Dal, L @ Mem)
Anthony Davis looks like a complete beast.  Having him paired with Asik, the Pelicans are making it difficult for other teams to score inside.  Ryan Anderson has been a welcome addition after missing almost the entire season last year.  Figuring out how to pair Holiday, Gordon, and Evans still remains the question mark.  If only they’d known Davis would be out of this world, they could have saved that money to pair them with talent that actually makes sense.

20. Denver Nuggets (1-2)
Week 1-2 (W vs Det, L @ OKC, L vs Sac)
The Nuggets bolster one of the league’s deepest rosters, and after an injury plagued nightmare last season it’s hard to blame them.  While it’s been a struggle to get clicking in the early part of this season, coach Shaw is still plugging and playing guys into the rotation to figure out what works.  All while trying to bring back the injured Gallinari, it’s no surprise that they’ve lacked success thus far.

21. Minnesota Timberwolves (1-2)
Week 1-2 (L @ Mem, W vs Det, L vs Chi)
This League Pass Alert team has actually played surprisingly well so far this season, and could be more than just a League Pass team if they choose to keep their veterans.  Kevin Martin has been ultra effective so far, and if the Wolves do choose to blow it all up, he’ll be a nice trade chip for a contender lacking perimeter scoring.  If it weren’t for a silly foul of Jimmy Butler, the Wolves would be above .500 for probably the only time this season.  There’s always next year.

22. Boston Celtics (1-2)
Week 1-2 (W vs Bkn, L @ Hou, L @ Dal)
Brad Stevens is going to try to win as many games as possible, which may hurt Danny Ainge’s tanking hopes.  Rondo will be the team’s biggest trade chip for any hopes of bottoming out and it still seems most likely that they do trade him.  Smart as had some wonderful flashes early on making Rondo that much more expendable as they look to make Smart the point guard of the future.

23. Oklahoma City Thunder (1-3)
Week 1-3 (L @ Por, L @ LAC, W vs Den, L @ Bkn)
It was a heartbreaking week for the Thunder as they lost Westbrook to a hand fracture in just their second game.  He’ll look to rehab and hopes to be back in action about the same time that Durant gets back.  There have been bright spots.  Perry Jones looks terrific, Steven Adams is still beating guys up, and Lance Thomas appears that he can at least plug away as a rotational player for now.  It’s still scary times in OKC, as they try to stay afloat early season in the Wild Wild West.

All NBA fans hope these two don’t spend too much time sidelined.

24. Utah Jazz (1-3)
Week 1-3 (L vs Hou, L @ Dal, W vs Pho, L @ Lac)
The Jazz proved that they still have one of the most effective home court advantages in basketball as they punked the Suns in the Jazz sole win so far this year.  The young squad will continue to look to run teams off the floor as they gain experience playing together.  They were able to crack the hundred point mark in all games but one so far this year.

25. Indiana Pacers (1-2)
Week 1-2 (W vs Phi, L vs Mem, L @ Atl)
While it already looks like it’ll be a throwaway season for the Pacers, they were able to salvage an opening night win against the league’s worst.  When the majority of your scoring is coming from Chris Copeland, that’s a concern.  Copeland is launching over 8 three point attempts per game (and hitting at an effective clip), and he has played one-third of the total minutes mark that he played all of last season.

26. Milwaukee Bucks (1-2)
Week 1-2 (L vs Cha, W vs Phi, L @ Was)
Still figuring out the Bucks rotation, head coach Jason Kidd has given just about everyone on the roster a little bit of grind early on.  With the fan focus (rightfully) being on rookie Jabari Parker, the most impressive Milwaukee player early in the season has been point guard Brandon Knight.  Kidd will soon trim down the rotation as he figures out which guys work together in an attempt to turn a 15 win team into a playoff team.

27. Detroit Pistons (0-3)
Week 0-3 (L @ Den, L vs Min, L vs Bkn)
An overwhelmingly popular pick as a 2014 lottery team to be a 2015 playoff team, Stan Van Gundy is still piecing together his rotation.  Josh Smith has gotten ample playing time and still seems to think that he’s a shooter, though he’s cut down on his three point attempts (not likely by choice).  Meanwhile, Brandon Jennings has seen his late game minutes cut in favor of DJ Augustin.  It’ll take some time, but the mantra doesn’t change in Detroit, “In Stan We Trust.”

28. Orlando Magic (0-3)
Week 0-3 (L @ NOP, L vs Was, L vs Tor)
The Magic have gotten to see their highly coveted rookies start to get some play time and they’ve shown brilliant flashes despite limited production.  Elfrid Payton has been making rookie decisions, but guess what, he’s a rookie so it’s all good.  Aaron Gordon looks like a future beast.  Vucevic is playing like an All NBA center.  It’s all about development this year between the two rookies, Harris, Vucevic, and Oladipo.  While Oladipo will have to wait a month, there will be plenty of court time for him once his face heals.

29. Los Angeles Lakers (0-4)
Week 0-4 (L vs Hou, L @ Pho, L vs LAC, L @ GSW)
Maybe Byron Scott is on board with making sure that the Lakers keep their 2015 draft pick with his theology that shooting three pointers don’t help win basketball games.  With Julius Randle looking to miss the entire season after breaking his leg in the opener, the Lakers would love to keep their 2015 draft pick, but they only do so if it lands in the top five.  They’ll have heavy competition with the Philadelphia Seventy Tankers if they’re going to make that happen.

30. Philadelphia 76ers (0-4)
Week 0-4 (L @ Ind, L @ Mil, L vs Mia, L vs Hou)
And at last we arrive with those Philadelphia Seventy Tankers.  Week one of the NBA season was a complete success, although they had a couple scares last night against the Rockets when every time it looked at becoming a thirty point blowout, the Tankers were able to make a run.  Brett Brown was able to keep them in check and lead them to losses in all four games so far this year, and he’ll look to build upon that.  Nerlens Noel has made the team semi-watchable.