NBA Power Rankings: Week 9
Week 9 of the NBA Power Rankings, to be honest I forget what week we are in for these power rankings. We are in the week before Christmas, this is usually the part of the season where we all know where the teams stand.
1 - Oklahoma City Thunder
We have a new number one in the power rankings, OKC has ridden their league best defense to a berth in the NBA Cup Final. They are also on a five game win streak all by double digits.
2 - Cleveland Cavaliers
Honestly the Cavs have not played poorly, but the Thunder have been on such a huge hot streak that it was time they moved down in the rankings. Getting Evan Mobley back will be huge for the Cavs.
3 - Boston Celtics
This is a team that knows when they are better than the teams they are playing, they are 12-1 against teams with losing records. They need to all be healthy at the same time, but this team will cruise to the playoffs.
4 - Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks are really starting to find their groove, yeah they had a down night against OKC, but who doesn’t. The Mavs went across the country multiple times and have played 13 out of 17 on the road.
5 - Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies are here to stay, they had a good stretch there before dropping all their games in California. They need to get healthy and figure out what their rotation might be in the playoffs.
6 - Houston Rockets
A run to the NBA Cup semi-finals was something Houston wanted to show to the NBA that they are for real. Their defense is still what is keeping them in games and they do win some ugly matchups.
7 - New York Knicks
The Knicks have climbed all the way back into third place in the Eastern conference after a win over the Magic. The Knicks offense does get a little too Jalen Brunson-y at times, but once they sort that out, watch out.
8 - Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee is back in the top 10 of my rankings after turning their season around and making a run to the NBA cup final. Weirdly enough I am watching that game while writing this. The Bucks aren’t exactly dominating games, but clutch defense has brought them back into the playoff picture.
9 - Minnesota Timberwolves
Speaking of teams turning it around, Minnesota has climbed from the bottom of the West, to back into the top 6 picture. They have been very efficient on the offensive end and elite on the defensive end.
10 - Miami Heat
Some Jimmy Butler trade rumors have been swirling, but the Heat have been playing well and currently sit sixth in the East. I am not sure that I think of the Heat as true contenders, but we have seen them make deep runs in the playoffs.
11 - Orlando Magic
The Magic were the last team to win every game at home this season, but fell last week to fall to 4th in the East. The Magic need to get healthy and need to start making three’s. They are one of the worst three-point shooting teams in the league.
12 - Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets are back into the top 5 in the West, but man they can’t seem to find any consistency. They haven’t had Jokic, Murray and Gordon on the floor very often this year and once they play more often watch out.
13 - Golden State Warriors
Sorry again Warriors fans, you have lost eight of your last ten and dropped in my rankings. The Warriors did make a trade for Dennis Schröder, which at least shows they are trying something different.
14 - Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks made a good run at the NBA cup, but ended up falling short to the Milwaukee Bucks. They feel more like a mid-level team that has gotten hot, but hey they have beat the Cavs twice.
15 - Phoenix Suns
I’m about to tell you something that shouldn’t seem like too much of a surprise. When Kevin Durant comes back your team gets better. They won both games with KD back in the lineup and have reached the top 6 in the West again.
P.S. I am only doing the top 15 teams, if you want me to talk about you; be better, it’s that simple.