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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Dropping Dimes 