NBA Team Rankings: The Lakers are alive!

The way I always like to look at rankings in any sport can be simplified into one question: if the playoffs started today, who is going to win the championship? I begin by answering that question which gives me my number one team. I continue the rankings by comparing teams until I get to the last one.

In the NBA things are always changing rapidly. The Utah Jazz were at the top of the Western Conference just a couple of weeks ago and now sit as the 8 seed. The Los Angeles Lakers started 2-10, but are 7-2 since. I want to start documenting these changes by ranking all thirty teams weekly. Let’s get into the rankings!

1. Boston Celtics (19-5)

The Celtics are unquestionably the best team right now. They have won fifteen of their last seventeen and Jayson Tatum looks like the frontrunner for MVP. How about this…. they have four players shooting at least 45% from three: Malcolm Brogdon, Al Horford, Sam Hauser, and Grant Williams.

2. Milwaukee Bucks (16-6)

If I had to decide which player is leading the defensive player of the year race so far, I might go with Brook Lopez. Every time I watch Milwaukee it stands out to me. Also, they just got Khris Middleton back which obviously elevates their ceiling.

3. Phoenix Suns (16-7)

Even with Chris Paul missing over half the games so far, Phoenix is at the top of the Western Conference. The biggest reason for that is Devin Booker’s spectacular play as he’s averaging 29.5 points per game.

4. Golden State Warriors (13-11)

The Warriors are 7-3 in their last ten games after the slow start. Klay has been more efficient and Curry continues to put up numbers that rival his unanimous MVP season. I’ll be interested to see if the Warriors look to make moves around the edges to improve their depth at some point before the deadline.

5. Cleveland Cavaliers (15-9)

Jarrett Allen is very important to this Cavs team and if I’m a Cavs fan I’d be slightly concerned with him missing games. In games where Allen plays at least 15 minutes, the Cavs are 12-4.

6. New Orleans Pelicans (15-8)

The Pelicans haven’t really had everyone healthy at the same time. Despite that, they’ve looked great and have quite a few convincing wins against good teams including their latest win over the Nuggets 121-106 in which Jose Alvarado came off the bench and scored 38 points while making 8 threes!

7. Denver Nuggets (14-9)

Well, unfortunately, Michael Porter Jr suffered another injury and we don’t have a timetable for his return. Hopefully, he has a speedy recovery because I love watching him out there with Jokic and Murray.

8. Memphis Grizzlies (14-9)

Ja Morant is the most exciting player in the NBA. Last night he had 21 points in the third quarter in another win over the Pistons.

9. Philadelphia 76ers (12-11)

For me, the 76ers mark the start of a new tier because I do think there is a slight drop-off after the Grizzlies. Embiid and Tobias Harris each had triple-doubles in their loss to Memphis on Friday.

10. Brooklyn Nets (13-12)

The Nets are playing better as of late. They won four in a row before losing to the red-hot Celtics and Durant is quietly having yet another great season averaging 29.8 points per game on 55.4% shooting.

11. Atlanta Hawks (13-10)

In the Hawks most recent win over Denver, Dejounte Murray had 34 points and 8 assists. Really solid win for Atlanta in the absence of Trae Young.

12. Miami Heat (11-12)

Jimmy had to save the day once again against Boston on Friday. A really important win in the midst of a rocky season so far.

13. Toronto Raptors (12-11)

O.G. Anunoby continues to get better. He is averaging 19.3 points and 2.3 steals this season. A contender for first-team all-defense.

14. Los Angeles Clippers (13-11)

Kawhi and Paul George are on the injury report almost daily. They have solid depth and Tyronn Lue continues to make it work, but I’m not sure how I could trust Kawhi to get through multiple rounds in the playoffs.

15. Dallas Mavericks (11-11)

Luka can’t do it all. His usage is through the roof and the loss of Jalen Brunson is proving to be a big one. Get that man some help!

16. Sacramento Kings (13-9)

Sacramento now has won three in a row with another win over the Bulls. This one was a very well-rounded effort with seven players in double figures.

17. Portland Trailblazers (13-11)

Damian Lillard is back in action as the Blazers beat the Pacers Sunday night. I have to mention Anfernee Simons’ 45-point night in a win over Utah on Saturday though with 33 of those coming in the first half.

18. Indiana Pacers (12-11)

I just really enjoy watching this team. My favorite college basketball player last season Ben Mathurin is now taking the league by storm as a rookie and has a real shot of winning both rookie of the year and sixth man of the year.

19. Utah Jazz (14-12)

Seeing Lauri Markkanen have this level of success so far this season has been special. He’s averaging 22.2 points and 8.5 rebounds.

20. Los Angeles Lakers (10-12)

The Lakers started from the bottom and now they are 20th in my rankings. Do me a favor and go watch Anthony Davis highlights from Sunday’s Wizards game and/or Friday’s Bucks game. You will thank me.

21. Minnesota Timberwolves (11-12)

The vibes with Minnesota are just bad. I’ve heard plenty of people talk about body language, and they are giving up a lot of points. On Saturday, they gave up 135 to the Thunder.

22. Chicago Bulls (9-14)

The Bulls weirdly have some good wins, but they are dropping the ball against some of the worst teams. LaVine is not playing as well so far this season and their defense has dropped off after being pretty solid early on.

23. New York Knicks (11-13)

The Knicks seem to not really have a concrete plan of what they want to do. One good thing is that they got a solid win against the Cavs at home really slowing down Mitchell and Garland.

24. Washington Wizards (11-13)

It’s the same story with the Wizards. They are somewhere in the middle treading water. I like how Kuzma and Porzingis are playing, but the ceiling here is a play-in team.

25. Oklahoma City Thunder (10-13)

Sha Gilgeous-Alexander’s play is one of my favorite stories this season so far. He’s been very impressive and the fact that he is doing it without taking a lot of threes is pretty wild.

26. Charlotte Hornets (7-16)

With LaMelo out, Terry Rozier has thrived for Charlotte. He had 26 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists in a losing effort to the Bucks on Saturday.

27. Houston Rockets (6-17)

The Rockets came back from a big deficit to get an impressive win over Phoenix on Friday. Jalen Green had 30 points and Jabari Smith Jr chipped in 17 points and 6 rebounds.

28. Detroit Pistons (6-19)

Killan Hayes just had one of the best games of his young career in an overtime win over the Mavs. 22 points, 8 assists, and 5 rebounds on 10-13 shooting.

29. Orlando Magic (5-19)

Despite their record, the Magic are fun. Paolo Banchero has had a really solid start to his rookie season, they have both Franz and Mo Wagner and most importantly….. they have Bol Bol!

30. San Antonio Spurs (6-18)

The Spurs have now lost eleven straight games. They must be distracted by the Wemby highlights.