We’re here! This is Part 2 of this year’s bi-weekly NBA power rankings.
The criteria of these rankings include, in no particular order:
- Team Record
- Net Rating (Point Differential Per 100 Possessions)
- SRS (Combination of Strength of Schedule and Net Rating
- Sprinkle of where teams are trending
With that said, since we are so early in the season, I emphasized team records slightly more than advanced stats, since they fluctuate so much at the start.
Editor’s Note: Stats are accurate as of November 17.
Honorable Mentions
Minnesota Timberwolves, Milwaukee Bucks, Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers
10. Toronto Raptors
We start off with a team that I was very low on to start the season. They have talent, but the way their roster is constructed is very awkward. This is because they have three wings (Brandon Ingram, Scottie Barnes, and RJ Barrett), all of whom play very similarly and not necessarily at elite levels. With that said, all of them are averaging around 20 points per game and playing pretty well together. I am not sure if playing this well without one of them taking the lead is sustainable, but Raptors fans are enjoying it for now.
9. Atlanta Hawks
Up next, we have another team that I was lower on. They are the complete opposite of the Raptors. Even though they do not have much talent, they have built a very good team around Trae Young. However, Young has missed his last nine games, and the Hawks are on a five-game win streak. So, are the Hawks better without Young? Of course not, but it shows how deep they are. It should be interesting to see how they play when he comes back.
8. Cleveland Cavaliers
Now, we have a team that I was (and still am) extremely high on. They have both the talent and the roster construction to contend this season. In addition, Donovan Mitchell has been awesome to start the year. However, Darius Garland has only played three games and has not been at his best. With all that said, they are still tied for second in the East and have shown flashes of looking like one of the best teams in the league. I doubt this team will win 64 games again, but do not be surprised if you see them go further in the playoffs if they stay healthy.
7. Los Angeles Lakers
Up next, we have another team that has been without an All-Star all season. Not only has LeBron James been out all season, but Luka Doncic has also missed four games. Even with their injuries, they have had no problem being one of the best teams in the West. This is largely because of Austin Reaves. I have been lower on him than the general public, but he has proved me wrong the past few weeks.
6. San Antonio Spurs
This is a team that will most likely be lower on the list for the next few weeks, because Victor Wembanyama is now sidelined due to a left calf strain. This is super unfortunate, not only because Wembanyama has looked awesome, but because De’Aaron Fox just came back from his injury. I am not sure how long he will be out for, but this is more time that Wembanyama and Fox will not be playing together, and that is less than ideal.
5. New York Knicks
The Knicks have quietly been one of the better teams in the league this season. Even though Jalen Brunson has not been as loud, he has been just as good. He is averaging his career-high in points while maintaining good efficiency. Who knows? Maybe this is finally the year the Knicks make it out of the East.
4. Detroit Pistons
Up next, we have the hottest team in the league. After starting 2-2, the Pistons have won nine in a row. This has been primarily because Cade Cunningham has been playing his best basketball, averaging his highest in points and assists per game. I am not sure how sustainable this level of success is, but do not be too surprised if you see this team making it to the Eastern Conference Finals this year.
3. Houston Rockets
These three teams are debatably the best in the league — not just for this season, but overall. The Rockets are currently 9-3 and on a four-game win streak. A lot of people were concerned with how weird the Rockets would fit together with the absence of Fred VanVleet, but Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun have been one of the best duos in basketball. I am not sure what this team’s ceiling is, but they are at the very least going to be fun to watch.
2. Denver Nuggets
Coming in at No. 2 is the team that I have winning the NBA Finals. After a relatively slow start to the season, the Nuggets have won seven straight. This is mainly because Nikola Jokic has taken yet another jump. It seems like the only way that they will be slowed down this year is if they run into the team that I have at No. 1.
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
Any questions? There should not be. Even without their second-best player, the Thunder are looking like a dynasty at the peak of their powers. It’s going to take a whole lot to not go their way in order for them to fall short of back-to-back titles.
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