NBA Power Rankings: Preseason
The NBA season starts this week. We’ve got two key matchups to start off the season. Defending Eastern Conference Champs, Boston and their crazy offseason face off against my pick to win the East, the Philadelphia 76ers. Followed by NBA Champion Golden State Warriors taking on the Los Angeles Lakers.
10. (0-0) Miami Heat
Jimmy Butler and Kyle Lowry are both in their mid 30’s now, Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo are 25 or younger, but somehow this feels like the last push for this Heat team that finished at the top of the Easter Conference after the regular season last year. What are they going to do with Duncan Robinson? Lots of questions, not as many answers for Miami to start the season off.
9. (0-0) Memphis Grizzlies
How far can Ja Morant and Desmond Bane take the Grizz? The supporting cast of Tyus Jones, Steven Adams, and Dillon Brooks is good, but with Jaren Jackson Jr. (JJJ) out for the start of the season what load will that put on their two young stars? I still think Memphis can be one of the best teams in the league
8. (0-0) Dallas Mavericks
Dallas made a somewhat surprising Western Conference Final last year. Jalen Brunson bolted for the bright lights and big money on NYC, but Christian Wood and a healthy Spencer Dinwiddie, can offset some of the secondary playmaking. Just like Steph, Giannis, or LeBron , if you have Luka you’ve got a shot.
7. (0-0) Phoenix Suns
Oh Phoenix, after making the NBA finals two years ago and having the best record in the NBA last year the Suns, flamed out in the second round. (See what I did there? Suns, Flame) Now their owner is saying racist things and selling the team, Deyandre Ayton is barely talking to his head coach and Chris Paul is a year older, is this two years Suns run already over? Oh and they lost to an Australian basketball team.
6. (0-0) Los Angeles Clippers
Is this the biggest “IF” team in the association? IF Paul George and Kawahi Leaonard are healthy they are title contenders, IF John Wall can be John Wall of 2015 or so this team can be incredible. But, if they get hurt again and John Wall can’t turn his career back around they might be in trouble.
5. (0-0) Philadelphia 76ers
Joel Embiid and James Harden can be on the best duos in the NBA, the 76ers were in the 99th percentile of points per 100 possessions when they were both on the court. Can Tyrese Maxey, Tobias Harris, and P.J. Tucker help the duo? Or is James Harden going to disappear into another Atlanta strip club come playoff time?
4. (0-0) Denver Nuggets
Back to Back MVPs, back to back playoff disappointments. Nikola Jokic is getting his partners in crime Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr back, both out last season with injuries. They also added Kentavious Caldwell- Pope and Bruce Brown over the offseason, there are high expectations in Denver this year, and that’s not just the weed.
3. (0-0) Boston Celtics
Boston, what are you doing baby?? Ime Udoka has been suspended for the season after being a creep at work, Robert Williams and Danilo Gallinai are both hurt already, they tried to trade Jaylen Brown to Brooklyn for Kevin Durant. But with Jayson Tatum, Brown, Marcus Smart, newly acquired Malcom Brogdon and the always reliable Al Horford, Boston should be one of the best teams in the East.
2. (0-0) Milwaukee Bucks
Giannis almost took the Bucks to the ECF without Khris Middleton, if he had been healthy would we have had the Steph/Giannis finals matchup? If Middleton, Giannis and Jrue Holiday are healthy they are favorites in the East. Don’t forget Brook Lopez, Bobby Portis, Pat Connaughton, Grayson Allen, and Joe Ingles as the supporting cast. Fear the Deer is real.
1. (0-0) Golden State Warriors
When will the Dynasty end? They all do right? Steph, Klay and Draymond can’t keep doing this forever? Can they? Steph, Klay, Draymond, and Andre Iguadola could pass LeBron and Shaq and tie Kobe and Tim Duncan with 5 championships if they win again. Draymond already punched Jordan Poole this offseason, so he's ready to go I guess. Poole, James Weisman and Moses Moody need to be the depth pieces so Golden State can go for five.