It is power ranking time! We gathered five writers from the website (Cole Huff, Aidan Baller, Sheikh Uddin, Darian Thomas, and Joey Barrett) and had each vote on how the would power rank each team 1-30. Below is the averaged list of the five writers. For each team we also included what was the highest that team was voted amongst our writers, what the lowest they were voted amongst our writers and what they were last month. The rankings were done on 11/28 and also the descriptions on these teams were mostly written on some point in the past four days so information is only as accurate as where the league was when it was written. Yes it is now Decemeber. My fault but here is what we got.
30. Houston Rockets
Highest Rank: 29
Lowest Rank: 30
Last Month’s Rank: 28
This team is very bad right now. Christian Wood and Eric Gordon may be the only actually good basketball players on the roster. They are playing better as of recent but it doesn’t take much viewership to see that this team is and will contiue to be bad. The Rockets should focus on devolping Jalen Green, Kevin Porter, Alperan Sengun Josh Christopher, and Usman Garuba, and think about dealing veterans.
-Joey Barrett
29. Orlando Magic
Highest Rank: 27
Lowest Rank: 29
Last Month’s Rank: 27
The Orlando Magic have one of my favorite young cores in the league. With a core of Cole Anthony, Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs, Wendell Carter Jr., and others, they’re a core to watch out for. I love the play by Cole Anthony and think he’s going to be an All-Star one day if the Magic can put the right pieces around him to succeed.
-Sheikh Uddin
28. Detroit Pistons
Highest Rank: 26
Lowest Rank: 30
Last Month’s Rank: 29
Okay so we can stop the initial overated reactions on Cade Cunningham. We used to give young players two years before we judge them now we give them ten games. Cunningham has been really good as of late and has shown where his potential lies. The Pistons have Jerami Grant and some promising youg players but besides that the roster is very bleak. The Pistons should continue to lose and add talent in next year’s draft.
-Joey Barrett
27. New Orleans Pelicans
Highest Rank: 25
Lowest Rank: 29
Last Month’s Rank: 24
Honestly there isn’t much to say. The one thing I really want to mention is the fact that Jonas Valanciunas shot 7/7 from three in the first half against the Clippers a couple games ago. That’s something I never would’ve guessed in a million years. But besides that, at least New Orleans is expecting the return of Zion Williamson soon. It’s going to be tough for him to return to stellar play immediately though. In the end, it’s basically another season down the drain for the Pelicans. Maybe they’ll go on a historic run when Zion comes back.
-Cole Huff
26. San Antonio Spurs
Highest Rank: 24
Lowest Rank: 27
Last Month’s Rank: 22
I feel bad for Pop. Greg Popovich is easily one of the greatest coaches of all time and he has to go through dealing with this Spurs team. Not that this team is bad, great quality role players, and he has this team playing very mature and efficient. Problem is that the team is just so young. Only one player over 30 in Thad Young and their youngest player is Josh Primo is literally 18 years old until December 24th. This is a great team on paper and a very enjoyable team to watch as they just went into the Chase Center and beat the Golden State Warriors snapping their 11 game home win streak. I could see this team possibly not making the playoffs but definitely beating some teams down the stretch causing the Western Conference standings to change a few times before the season is over.
-Darian Thomas
25. Oklahoma City Thunder
Highest Rank: 25
Lowest Rank: 28
Last Month’s Rank: 30
The Thunder just suffered the largest loss in NBA history. Yeah, there’s not really much else to say to be honest. They’re a very young team with minimal experience, just riding along and hoping to develop some players while tanking for a top 3 pick next season. Giddey, SGA, and Dort could be the start of a good core and if they can add Chet or Banchero next draft that this team could have a true identity.
-Sheikh Uddin
24. Sacramento Kings
Highest Rank: 21
Lowest Rank: 24
Last Month’s Rank: 23
Sacramento are just outside the play-in with an 8-13 record. In November, they fired Head Coach Luke Walton and haven’t improved much since. They are 3-7 in their last 10 games and should soon have to make some important decisions about their roster, I’m talking about you Marvin Bagley.
-Aidan Baller
23. Indiana Pacers
Highest Rank: 18
Lowest Rank: 25
Last Month’s Rank: 20
The Pacers have been somewhat disappointing so far. Actually, I don’t think anyone really expected Indiana to be good. I, personally, didn’t expect them to be this bad though. There is definitely still time for a turnaround. One positive thing for Indiana, I would say, is the way Chris Duarte has been playing. He has lived up to his expectations and more. Pacers fans were definitely skeptical of the selection, but it has proved well.
-Cole Huff
22. Toronto Raptors
Highest Rank: 20
Lowest Rank: 23
Last Month’s Rank: 25
Scottie Barnes. That is all. If I am not watching my favorite team or watching a primetime game, I find myself watching a lot of Toronto Raptor games. Scottie Barnes has been an excellent rookie and has really been a swiss army knife for this team. He is not the only reason the Raptors are fighting for a play-in spot however. Their defense has fallen off from the start of the season but this team is a very competitive team with a good unit of role players. This team is truly missing a star like player and they could easily be in talks for a top 7 seed in the East. OG Anunoby has stepped up and has shown us how much he has improved and Fred VanVleet is showing us that he is worth his contract. With Pascal Siakim only playing half the teams games and Goran Dragic who would have been the perfect fit for running the second unit being out, this team has faced injury struggles like many teams have but I wouldn’t be surprised if the Raptors are patiently waiting for a star/superstar type player to become obviously available.
-Darian Thomas
21. Cleveland Cavaliers
Highest Rank: 18
Lowest Rank: 23
Last Month’s Rank: 26
Garland/Mobley duo could end up being one of the best in the league someday, yes I’m serious. Mobley looks like this generations Kevin Garnett and Darius Garland has the crafty shooting abilities that lead you to think that one day he could be an absolute superstar. The team is currently 13-11 and they look like they could make some noise either in the playoffs or in the play in.
-Joey Barrett
20. Minnesota Timberwolves
Highest Rank: 14
Lowest Rank: 21
Last Month’s Rank: 19
Minnesota is in the middle of the pack in the Western Conference at 11-10. They are within half a game of both the 4th seed and the 10th seed. The trio of Anthony Edwards, DeAngelo Russell, and Karl-Anthony Towns are playing extremely well, averaging about 65 points between the three of them.
-Aidan Baller
19. Memphis Grizzlies
Highest Rank: 16
Lowest Rank: 20
Last Month’s Rank: 16
Memphis is built as a team that does not know what path they want to pursue and they are acting as such. Ja Morant is incredible but the rest of the roster is stuck between young and competiting. Desmond Bane has been a plesant surprise for the team but the roster still seems a bit to akward to form a playoff contendor. The Grizzlies could be an interesting team around the deadline as they decide if they want to compete this season or get more assets.
-Joey Barrett
18. Denver Nuggets
Highest Rank: 14
Lowest Rank: 19
Last Month’s Rank: 7
Other than Jokic, no one is having a good season on the Nuggets it seems. Getting inconsistent play from Will Barton, Aaron Gordon, and very underwhelming play from Michael Porter Jr. has not helped the cause. They are sitting at 7th in the West right now at a .500 record. They can still rack up some wins and prove to be relevant, but are going to need some of their role players to step it up.
-Sheikh Uddin
17. Boston Celtics
Highest Rank: 14
Lowest Rank: 21
Last Month’s Rank: 14
If there was one word to describe the Celtics season thus far, it would be: meh. There hasn’t been anything super exciting happening with this team. Right now they look like a 1st Round exit to me. Apparently there were rumors of the Celtics trading for Ben Simmons but the 76ers wanted Jaylen Brown. As if! Brown and Tatum have looked good this year. For some reason this team just isn’t clicking enough to be top 5 in the East.
-Cole Huff
16. Los Angeles Lakers
Highest Rank: 10
Lowest Rank: 22
Last Month’s Rank: 4
What is there to say about the Lakers? The Russell Westbrook experiment is not horrible but it’s not great either and that can be said about his other two stops in Houston as well as Washington. However, the Lakers’ struggles are not because of Westbrook. The Lakers have dealt with LeBron missing significant time, Anthony Davis not being a reliable pick and pop threat and the bench just being completely reliant on Malik Monk and Carmelo Anthony. Still lack of a good center hurts this team as well because between Dwight Howard and Deandre Jordan, there is not enough production from those two for them to hold down that position for a champion contending team. The Lakers are going to struggle until they find the right rotation of players but I still wouldn’t be too worried. I learned a long time ago to never doubt a LeBron James led team especially before the All Star break.
-Darian Thomas
15. New York Knicks
Highest Rank: 13
Lowest Rank: 20
Last Month’s Rank: 11
The Knicks have been somewhat disappointing this season, currently a play-in team at the 7th seed with an 11-9 record. One of their off-season acquisitions, Kemba Walker, was recently removed from the rotation and potentially placed on the trade block.
-Aidan Baller
14. Portland Trail Blazers
Highest Rank: 12
Lowest Rank: 19
Last Month’s Rank: 18
The Blazers have struggled to get past the .500 mark all season. They’ve posted the worst road record in the NBA at 1-10. Dame was underperforming a few games in, but has seemed to pick things up recently. Portland’s goal this season should be to avoid the play-in tournament. But with a stacked Western Conference, it will be difficult. Right now the team’s focus is to keep its head above water with Lillard missing the next few games.
-Cole Huff
13. Philadelphia 76ers
Highest Rank: 8
Lowest Rank: 20
Last Month’s Rank: 10
The 76ers have kind of been on a downward spiral, losing 6 of their last 10 games and not having Joel Embiid and Tobias Harris for a good portion of the season. They’re going to have to figure out what they’re going to do with Ben Simmons to best get the right players for this team. One thing is for certain, as long as they have Joel Embiid on the roster the Philadelphia 76ers can compete everynight.
-Sheikh Uddin
12. Atlanta Hawks
Highest Rank: 11
Lowest Rank: 15
Last Month’s Rank: 9
Atlanta has climbed its way back to the .500 mark. They haven’t made a lot of noise since their deep playoff run last season. But, they have won 8 of their last 10. It looks like they might have figured something out because they look like a completely different team as compared to the beginning of their schedule. Trae Young has continued to play like the star he is, averaging around 26 points per game. I’d expect Atlanta to be around the same spot when the next power rankings come.
-Cole Huff
11. Los Angeles Clippers
Highest Rank: 7
Lowest Rank: 13
Last Month’s Rank: 15
As of late the Clippers have really been struggling with losing games to the Pelicans (twice) and Kings (twice). They had a healthy win over the Lakers for whatever that is worth but I don’t think that win alone will solve all their issues. They are struggling offensively averaging 105.4 points per game in their last 5 games and only averaging 105.9 this season which is good enough for 21st in the NBA. While what Paul George and Reggie Jackson do is commendable, it is safe to say it’s hard to judge this team that was built for Kawhi Leonard who is out for a considerable amount of time with an injury. The Clippers are in a good spot considering their dilemma and all you can hope for as a Clipper fan is that your team can make the playoffs without having to go through the play-in with Kawhi being out. Also hearing Kendrick Nunn’s laughable comments should put a little fire underneath this team which could lead to them having a decent December.
-Darian Thomas
10. Charlotte Hornets
Highest Rank: 8
Lowest Rank: 12
Last Month’s Rank: 17
A very polarizing team. Especially for a fan of this team. This team has shown they can rise and dip with their competition. Wins against the Warriors, Wizards(twice), Nets and yet tough losses against the Rockets and the Kings. Lack of a true big man has really hurt this team as they are one of the worst defensive teams in the league. However, now lack of depth throughout the roster is going to be exposed considering LaMelo Ball, Terry Rozier, Mason Plumlee and Jalen McDaniels are all entering health and safety protocol. The only good thing out of this possibly is that 11th overall pick from UConn, James Bouknight could get some minutes and really prove himself. The Hornets are going to have a rough beginning to December and it’s expected that they may drop significantly in the rankings.
-Darian Thomas
9. Dallas Mavericks
Highest Rank: 8
Lowest Rank: 10
Last Month’s Rank: 12
The Mavericks are sitting at the 6th seed currently, even though they are at .500 right now. They haven’t been on a good run in the past 10 games, losing 7 out of the last 10, but it’s nice to see Porzingis playing well again. Porzingis is averaging nearly 20 and 8 this season and is starting to play like that 2nd star next to Luka again.
-Sheikh Uddin
8. Washington Wizards
Highest Rank: 6
Lowest Rank: 11
Last Month’s Rank: 21
The Wizards have far exceeded preseason expectations. They are currently tied for 3rd place in the Eastern Conference with a 13-8 record. Bradley Beal and the entire supporting cast are playing very well for a team that was believed to be a fringe playoff team.
-Aidan Baller
7. Milwaukee Bucks
Highest Rank: 5
Lowest Rank: 10
Last Month’s Rank: 1
The Bucks are playing as they played in their championship run last year again. After starting off the season kind of rough, they have won 9 of their last 10 games and are sitting at 3rd in the East behind the Bulls and Nets by just a few games. The Bucks still must be viewed as a serious contendor in the East and as a team that has a real chance to repeat as NBA Champions.
-Sheikh Uddin
6. Utah Jazz
Highest Rank: 5
Lowest Rank: 7
Last Month’s Rank: 6
Not many would have expected the struggles the Jazz are having this year. But at the same time, to be “struggling” at 3rd place in the Western Conference with a 14-7 record would be a blessing for plenty of other teams in the league. Expect the Jazz to pick it up and to yet again be a good playoff team.
-Aidan Baller
5. Miami Heat
Highest Rank: 4
Lowest Rank: 7
Last Month’s Rank: 5
The Miami Heat are struggling and they are going to continue to struggle for a while since Bam Adebayo is out as well as marksman Duncan Robinson being far from his normal self this season. As of late, Jimmy Butler has been dealing with injuries as well and with him out along with Bam, this is something that not even the Heat Culture can avoid. It is going to be tough for this team going forward until they are healthy once again. The Heat will fall a few spots in the standings but a real test for this team is to see how they handle the turn around after being lower in the standings when they are healthy. Even with all the talent on the team, we are getting later into the season where your bench unit becomes more important to a team’s success and with these injuries, their lack of bench depth could be critical.
-Darian Thomas
4. Chicago Bulls
Highest Rank: 4
Lowest Rank: 7
Last Month’s Rank: 13
The Bulls are sitting at 2nd place in the Eastern Conference at 14-8. DeMar Derozan is playing like a top-5 MVP candidate and the other stars on Chicago are playing very well. They have dipped off a little bit, having only won 6 of their last 10, but they are still one of the current favorites.
-Aidan Baller
3. Brooklyn Nets
Highest Rank: 2
Lowest Rank: 3
Last Month’s Rank: 3
Harden has been an incredible dissapointment and Kyrie Irving has not played a game but yet the Nets are the favorites to win the Eastern Conference. Harden is averaging 20.6 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 9.5 assists, while shooting a shocking 40.3% from the field and 34.7% from three. Harden has been underwhelming and at times just bad but Kevin Durant has been incredible. Durant’s MVP chase has elevated his team and if they can add a superstar (Harden or Irving) the team could be deadly.
-Joey Barrett
2. Phoenix Suns
Highest Rank: 2
Lowest Rank: 3
Last Month’s Rank: 8
Scorching hot. That seems to be the only appopriate way to describe the Phoenix Suns as of late. The Suns won 18 games in a row with impressive wins over the top teams in the league like Golden State and Brooklyn. The streak was ended by the only team ranked ahead of the them, the Golden State Warriors. Chris Paul somehow is still not aging and the Suns look just as deadly if not more deadly than the Suns team that made the NBA finals just last year.
-Joey Barrett
1. Golden State Warriors
Highest Rank: 1
Lowest Rank: 1
Last Month’s Rank: 2
The Warriors have had quite the start to the season to say the least. Curry has quickly picked up where he left off last season and sits at #1 on the MVP ladder. Needless to say this team is easily top 3 in the West if not the NBA. Golden State was projected to be a very solid team, but nobody expected them to be this good. They look like they are on pace to win another championship and they don’t even have Klay Thompson back yet. This squad is an easy #1.
-Cole Huff
