The NBA season is almost two weeks underway, which means I am due for my first power rankings of the season!!! I will rank each team based on three factors: (1) Who I think is playing the best right now; (2) Who I think is best overall; and (3) Who I think has the most potential to be good. Not all factors will be weighted evenly, but it should be noted that when I rank teams, all three of these factors get factored into the equation to determine who's #1, #2, etc.
#1. Indiana Pacers (6-0): The Pacers are playing the best basketball in the NBA right now, and their 6-0 record speaks for it as they are the only undefeated team in the NBA. Paul George is emerging into a superstar before our eyes scoring 20+ points in each of the Pacers' 6 games, and the supporting cast around him (Roy Hibbert, David West, Luis Scola, and George Hill) are all doing what they need to be doing.
#2. San Antonio Spurs (5-1): Father time doesn't really seem to be catching up with the Spurs too much since as Tony Parker, Tim Duncan, and Manu Ginobili age, Danny Green, Kawhi Leonard, and Tiago Splitter get more experienced. The Spurs are off to a terrific start and haven't seemed to miss a beat from where they left off last season. I expect them to be dangerous, but if they keep at the pace they are going, they will find themselves back in the NBA Finals. Especially if Tony Parker keeps playing the way he is (19.3 points and 6.7 assists per game).
#3. Miami Heat (4-2): It's been a bit of an underwhelming start for the defending champions, but lets not act like there isn't a beast waiting to be unleashed with this team. They still have LeBron James, the best player in the NBA, and so far Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh are playing on par with their usual all-star form. The one concern for this team has to be that Greg Oden hasn't seen the floor yet (in the regular season) and Michael Beasley has only played 4 minutes total. The additions of both guys were supposed to be big splashes, and so far neither guy is making much of an impact. Should this trend continue, this means that this Heat team is the same as last year's team only older, which certainly gives hope to the Pacers and other teams in the Eastern Conference.
#4. Golden State Warriors (4-2): So far, the addition of Andre Iguodala seems to be just what the doctor ordered for the Warriors. They now have a great perimeter defender to go along with their great perimeter shooters Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. One concern for this team is that Stephen Curry has already missed a game due to an ankle injury. Even though it's minor, that isn't a good sign for a team whose chief concern is keeping their star point guard healthy.
#5. Oklahoma City Thunder (4-1): The biggest concern I had for this team going into the season was the prospect of Russell Westbrook being out for 4-6 weeks. Well, he ended up only missing a couple of games, and so far, he looks like he's 100% healthy, playing like he did before the injury. In addition, the team is off to a great start, and won't at all be impacted in the standings as a result of Westbrook's injury. However, one general concern is how the team so much relies on Westbrook and Durant to score the basketball. They combine for 50 points a game, and after that, the scoring really drops off with Serge Ibaka being the third option averaging only 10 points per game. They need a better third scoring option to be a threat to win the whole title, but that's more of a concern at the macro-level rather than at the micro-level, which deals with these first five games. Through these five games, the Thunder have looked tough and poised to be a factor again come playoff time.
#6. Minnesota Timberwolves (4-2): I don't know if the Timberwolves will be this high in the rankings for long, but so far they deserve it. Kevin Love is playing hall of fame level basketball, averaging 27.2 points per game and 14.7 rebounds per game. Plus, Kevin Martin is looking like a solid pick up with his 23 points per game. This team has it all: a great post game with Kevin Love and Nikola Pekovic; a great backcourt with Ricky Rubio and Kevin Martin; and a solid supporting cast of role players like Corey Brewer, Derrick Williams, and J.J. Barea. This team has the pieces to not only make the playoffs, but eventually be a team that could win the Western Conference (just not this season).
#7. Houston Rockets (4-2): James Harden is playing like the best shooting guard in the NBA averaging 26.8 points per game, so he definitely is doing his part. However, if you remember in my Southwest Division preview, I said that in order for the Rockets to be contenders, Dwight Howard has to average 25+ points per game. So far, he's averaging an underwhelming 17 points per game. The rebounding and the defense is there, but the foul shooting and the lack of offensive versatility remain weaknesses in his game. So long as he's playing at the level he is, the Rockets will be competitive, but not a team that can come out of the West and reach the NBA Finals.
#8. Los Angeles Clippers (3-3): They've had a disappointing last couple of games on the road, losing against both the Magic and Heat in their Florida road trip. However, with games against the Rockets, Timberwolves, and Thunder coming up, they have a chance to leap frog all three teams by next week's rankings. Chris Paul is showing why he is the best point guard in basketball, averaging 22.5 points, 12.5 assists, and close to 3 steals per game. So long as they have him playing at an elite level, this team is going to be scary.
#9. Dallas Mavericks (3-3): So far, the Monta Ellis experiment is working out really well. I just did an article on "Above The Rim Blog" about why I think the Mavericks are a perfect fit for him in case you want to hear more on my opinion on Ellis in Dallas. Collectively, the team is playing quite well. Monta Ellis is leading the team in scoring with 23.8 points per game, Dirk Nowitzki is right behind him averaging 18.5 points per game, and Shawn Marion, Vince Carter, Jae Crowder, and Jose Calderon are proving to be nice complementary pieces around Dirk and Monta. I still don't know if I see them as a playoff team, but so far they've looked like a playoff caliber team, which is why I have them ranked in the top ten.
#10. Philadelphia 76ers (4-2): I don't think anybody knows where to rank the Philadelphia 76ers in a power rankings list. Especially by my criteria which factors in how good a team is playing right now, how good I think a team can be, and how good I think a team is overall. Right now, I can't argue with the results, which for Philadelphia have been well beyond everyone's expectations. That being said, I also don't think the sample size is big enough to indicate where they truly stand among all NBA teams, and I still think at the end of the season, they will be one of the bottom barrel teams. What I will say that should give 76ers fans optimism, is that I do think that if Michael Carter-Williams continues to average over 18 points, 7 assists and nearly three steals per game, the 76ers could be a halfway decent team given that Evan Turner and Spencer Hawes are playing well.
#11. Chicago Bulls (2-3): The Bulls are still a work in progress with Derrick Rose continuing to find his groove. The Utah Jazz coming to town last night was just what the doctor ordered for this team. They needed a win, and they needed it to come without much pressure.
#12. Portland Trail Blazers (3-2): With Damian Lillard at point guard and LaMarcus Aldridge at power forward, the Trail Blazers have a great one-two punch that can do well in the pick and roll. Both guys are averaging nearly 24 points per game, and they also have Wesley Matthews chipping in 17 points per game. This trio of Matthews, Lillard, and Aldridge is looking as promising as I hoped it would, which means that we could see some playoff basketball up in Rip City come April.
#13. Phoenix Suns (4-2): Like Philadelphia, I didn't think the Suns would be good, and they've ended up being a big surprise. Props to Jeff Hornacek for the coaching job he's been doing thus far. One key statistical thing to note is that this team is incredibly balanced in their scoring. Eric Bledsoe is leading the way with 20 points, but four other guys (Markieff Morris, Miles Plumlee, Goran Dragic, and Gerald Green) are also scoring in the double digits as well, making that five players averaging double figures in scoring in total. If they continue to play balanced and play as a team, they will win games more than expected, though like the 76ers, I think the sample size thus far is still too small to get overly excited.
#14. New Orleans Pelicans (3-3): Anthony Davis is starting to look like a player worthy of being a number one pick. He can score, block shots, and rebound the basketball. He's a jack of all trades type of guy in the paint, which makes him VERY dangerous. I would like to see more out of Tyreke Evans though. 8.5 points off the bench isn't going to cut it when your role is to be your team's offensive spark plug off the bench. Given more time, I think that Tyreke may very well bump up his scoring average become more dynamic off the bench, but for right now whether or not he will remains to be seen.
#15. Charlotte Bobcats (3-3): They're 3-3 and Al Jefferson is still recovering from his ankle injury. When he comes back fully healthy, I think they may have what it takes to sneak through the back door as a playoff team. It isn't likely, but keep an eye on these Bobcats throughout they year. The trio of Kemba Walker, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, and Al Jefferson really isn't that bad of a trio if you look at it on paper.
#16. Brooklyn Nets (2-3): Luckily for them, as they struggle, so do the Knicks, which means that the Knicks' struggles are the headlines of all the papers in New York, and not the Nets. The Nets are still a work in progress, and they should be able to iron out their problems. Their win over the Heat certainly is a confidence booster for this team, but it obviously wasn't an indicator that they wouldn't be off to a rough start. One major concern for them is the underwhelming performance of Deron Williams, who is averaging 9.6 points and 7 assists per game. He has to play better if they want to compete for a title. It should also be noted that Brook Lopez is playing really well, averaging 21 points and close to 6 rebounds a game. His steady play has definitely been a bright spot that they need to continue to build on.
#17. Los Angeles Lakers (3-4): Steve Blake's three point shot to beat the Rockets this week sorta says it all about this Lakers team without Kobe Bryant, which is that they've been surprising. Having players who fit his system has in someways vindicated Mike D'Antoni to a small extent, especially after watching Dwight Howard struggle to hit free throws down the stretch against his former team. That being said, the absence of Kobe Bryant is a problem and how he fits in once he gets back is also a problem. Don't be fooled into thinking that the Lakers will be a playoff team, but also there is reason for Lakers fans to be pleased with how the team has played given the low level of expectations and injuries that they've had to battle.
#18. Orlando Magic (3-3): Nikola Vucevic is a beast in the paint and Victor Oladipo is quietly making his case for rookie of the year. This team has a bright future and also ironically are the big winners out of the Dwight Howard trade.
#19. Milwaukee Bucks (2-2): The team is playing half decently, and their $44M man Larry Sanders isn't doing much to contribute. His minutes have almost been sliced in half (17 minutes per game), and Zaza Pachulia is stepping in as the primary go-to guy in the paint for them. Pachulia is comfortable with head coach Larry Drew's system from their days in Atlanta, and Sanders seems to be frozen out of the rotation as a result. The Bucks' front office need to figure out what to do about this because they didn't give Sanders a huge extension to then have their head coach essentially not utilize him or let him grow. The challenge is figuring out how much of this season is about doing what is best to win games now and what is best for the team's long-term future. If they feel like Sanders is going to be a key part of their future and they think he has the potential to be a big time difference maker for them down the road, then they need to sit Drew down and demand he plays Sanders more. Otherwise their money really is going to waste.
#20. Detroit Pistons (2-3): Their start isn't too strong, but I still expect Josh Smith, Brandon Jennings, and Chauncey Billups to find their groove along with Andre Drummond and Greg Monroe in the paint. Too early to worry about this team, but not to late to place them in the bottom third of the NBA at the moment. Hopefully their ranking shoots up by next week.
#21. Atlanta Hawks (2-3): Paul Millsap and Al Horford are proving to be a quality front line, but will that be enough to get them to the playoffs?
#22. Memphis Grizzlies (2-3): Their first full year without Rudy Gay will truly answer the question about whether or not they made the right move in trading him.
#23. New York Knicks (2-3): They already can't defend with Tyson Chandler, and now he's out 4-6 weeks with a fractured leg. Things are not looking pretty for the Knicks right now, which is why Carmelo Anthony calling an urgent players-only meeting isn't a surprise.
#24. Washington Wizards (2-3): This team was supposed to be a team that could be in the mix for a playoff spot, and so far I'm not seeing it. I still like the Bradley Beal and John Wall backcourt duo, but Nene up front isn't looking like the answer to solve their paint problems (which is why they traded for Marcin Gortat). Perhaps Gortat will make things right for them inside, but it is too early to tell.
#25. Cleveland Cavaliers (2-4): The good news is that Andrew Bynum is able to play. The bad news is that his minutes are still limited and he so far isn't looking anything close to a finished product in terms of regaining full strength. Their playoff chances rest squarely on his shoulders since Kyrie Irving is doing all he can to lead this team, and it clearly just isn't enough. Also, they need more out of Anthony Bennett, the #1 overall pick in this year's draft. The selection raised some eyebrows on draft night, and so far all the skepticism around that selection seems to have some validity to it.
#26. Boston Celtics (2-4): It's going to be a long year in Boston, but the return of Rajon Rondo is definitely something for this team to get excited about.
#27. Toronto Raptors (2-4): This team is really unstable right now knowing that Masai Ujiri is planning on making some changes. The team is in good hands with Ujiri as GM, but he will no doubt shuffle the deck and make some trades by the deadline. This current instability seems to be taking its toll on the players. They don't know which of them is going to be out the door (including Rudy Gay) which will create a challenge for them to find some unity and cohesion.
#28. Denver Nuggets (1-4): I thought these guys were still able to be a playoff team without Andre Iguodala, but with the way he's making an impact on the Warriors, perhaps his absence in Denver is having a polar opposite effect on the Nuggets.
#29. Sacramento Kings (1-4): DeMarcus Cousins isn't a bad piece to have as your foundation for success, but he still has a ways to go in terms of being a "professional". Also, for the life of me I don't understand why Jimmer Fredette is still on this team. They won't trade him, they won't pick up his option, or give any good explanation for why they are essentially holding the young man hostage. Their mismanagement of Jimmer is a reflection on their organization as a whole. A quality organization would have traded him by now and also let him play so as to improve his trade value (which at the moment is as low as it could possibly be).
#30. Utah Jazz (0-6): The return of Trey Burke ought to make things better, and also give us a better sense of what this young Jazz team really has. Without him, they look flat out awful.
---Ben Parker: follow me on twitter @nba_lord
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