Unlike other NBA Power Rankings, I have no ties nor connections to any team/athlete, and this will be a completely objective article. These rankings are not based upon the overall beliefs on the league (or the outcome), rather it will be subject to change on a week-to-week basis. It will be intended to truly capture and maintain the exact “pulse” of the NBA.
1. Oklahoma City Thunder (5-1): Even with the loss to the Mavericks, KD35 is still off to an MVP start, Westbrook still can’t maintain his emotions (at times), but does it matter? Expect this team to hover near or in this spot throughout.
2. Miami Heat (5-1): An early-season home loss to the Hawks isn’t the worst thing in the world. Giving up 33 points down the stretch may worry Coach Spoelstra, but McGrady (13 of 16 points in the 4th quarter) is known for spurts of that nature from time to time.
3. Chicago Bulls (4-1): The Bulls respond to a disappointing loss to the Warriors with 3-consecutive victories over Western Conference foes, culminated by a 40-point blowout of the Memphis Grizzlies. No, that wasn’t a typo…Forty. Good to know, for Bulls fans, Coach Thibodeau’s squad can still call upon that vaunted defense to hold a team (Memphis) to 64 points, when needed.
4. Indiana Pacers (4-1): Have these Pacers beaten anyone? Not remotely…but then again, this is a weekly ranking, and this young/upstart team is worthy of some mentioning. Will they end up in this position? Of course not. They will, however, fight and compete on a nightly basis. I don’t expect them to make a true run at the East, but they should be “on the radar “for the next couple seasons.
5. Orlando Magic (4-2): The question shouldn’t be “if” the Magic trade Dwight Howard, it should only be “what assets will they be able to acquire?” All played out “Ron Jeremy” or “Mario Brothers” references aside, Stan Van Gundy will have his hands full with simply trying to keep this team focused, let alone remain a viable contender for the East. My money is on them competing (regardless of whether they move Dwight), but facing a 2nd round exit regardless.
6. Denver Nuggets (4-2): A George Karl team will always compete…unfortunately, for Denver fans, that might be all they can do…without an entire starting front-line (contractually stuck in China). I expect a breakout seasons from Ty Lawson and Aaron Afflalo, but sub-par seasons out of Gallinari and Rudy Fernandez.
7. Los Angeles Lakers (3-3): Not a familiar place for Lakers fans, but this is the current reality for this proud franchise. Understandably, with all going on in LaLa Land, Kobe has been a bit surly and combative with his recent comments to the media. Sure, he had a poor shooting performance, but it actually seemed indicative of things to come. Having to adjust to a new system, new roster, new head coach (Mike Brown), recent marital changes, yet…another injury, when will things simply become “too much” to endure for a 16-year veteran? Did we mention the trade rumors that continue to “hang” over this year’s Lakers squad? Rough times ahead?
8. Los Angeles Clippers (2-2): With a 2-2 record, it would be easy to pass off a “C” grade for this squad…but I am actually going to simply wait to judge such a new mix of talent. Yes, they still have their franchise-altering force in Blake Griffin, but this year’s Clippers went out and pulled off something few teams have ever done, let alone, these infamous Clippers: They punched the proverbial “bully” (Los Angeles Lakers) in the mouth and landed the most prized off-season acquisitions in Chris Paul, Caron Butler, and Chauncey Billups. Time will tell whether they live up to expectations, but this is the most talented Clippers roster I’ve ever seen. If youth and lack of depth in the middle don’t upstage them, then I expect success for this new Clippers roster…and all their newfound fans.
9. Portland Trailblazers (3-1)): Even though they lost to the Clippers in their first (road) test of the season, I felt obligated to mention this year’s Blazers if for no other reason than to mention the retirement of Brandon Roy. Not only will he be missed as a rising star as an elite scorer, but league will sorely miss an individual with the character of this young man. On a basketball note, Porty is still left in good hands with LMA, Matthews, and Gerald Wallace leading the way. I know it is a sore spot, but I almost feel obligated to mention it once a year…imagine if this team had Kevin Durant?
10. Atlanta Hawks (4-1): I know folks will immediately ask, “How is ATL ranked 10, when they have a BETTER record…you’re a HATER…yadda, yadda, yadda” Allow me to save you the efforts and let you know I am far from a hater, and much more of a realist than you are…as a fan of whatever team you support. Simple truth is, prior to their victory over the Heat (impressive, for sure), the Hawks hadn’t beaten anyone.
Again, this will be a weekly assessment of the league. You may ask, “why not do a full rundown of all 30+ teams?” Why waste your time reading/talking about teams with absolutely no chance of winning a title? Not a dis, but I’m sure I will find the time to mention your team or your at least one of your stars if they do something noteworthy, earn recognition of a top-10 team, or get clowned/abused by one of the actual top teams. Patience, my fellow fans…as this whirlwind season will undoubtedly make for plenty of excitement throughout the league.
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