NBA Power Rankings: Week 12
Week 12 of the NBA Power Rankings, holy crap we are 3 months into the NBA season already. We are getting close to the halfway mark, which we all know means the most important ranking of the season. Which two teams in each conference make up the two cheeks of the booty cheeks tier list.
1 - Oklahoma City Thunder
Technically the Thunder have won 15 straight games, since the NBA Cup does not count as a regular season game. They were down in some games, but have made some big comebacks in matchups. They are 9-4 in games when they have trailed by double digits.
2 - Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavs are still playing like the best team in the East, currently in their second streak of double digit wins. They easily have the best offensive diversity in the game, and they just keep winning games.
3 - Boston Celtics
The Celtics are definitely not as dominant as they were last year, but to be honest I don’t think they really care. They have been shooting more threes than ever, but their paint defense has not been as great as it was last year. They are just waiting for the playoffs.
4 - New York Knicks
It has been a minute since I did power rankings, but the Knicks had a nine game win streak ruined by the Thunder. Their offense has really been clicking but the defense is starting to falter a bit. If they want to compete with Boston and Cleveland they will need to shore up the defensive side.
5 - Houston Rockets
Houston is eleven games over .500 and now rank 12th offensively and still top 3 of the defensive side. They have the toughest schedule in January and with some injuries and suspensions they faltered a bit, but they are for real.
6 - Memphis Grizzlies
Ja Morant can’t seem to stay healthy, he has been in and out of the lineup for most of the season. Currently he is missing games due to a shoulder injury. They are still cleaning up against bottom feeder teams, but will need a healthy Ja if they want to make a deep playoff run.
7 - Denver Nuggets
Here come the Nuggets, they have won four out of their last five. Aaron Gordon and Jamal Murray have missed time, but Russell Westbrook has been amazing as the sixth man or starting point guard. A fun matchup with Boston is coming this week.
8 - Los Angeles Clippers
Kawhi Leonard has made his return to the Clippers lineup. He only played 20ish minutes and looked a little rusty, but overall it was a positive debut. If he is Kawhi Kawhi (y’all know what I mean) this team is deeper than we expected and should be intriguing moving forward.
9 - Dallas Mavericks
This is the first power rankings I have written since Luka strained his calf on Christmas day. Since then, the Mavericks are 1-5 and Luka will still be out for a few more weeks. The Mavericks would love to remain in the top 6 and get Luka healthy, a tough task with a deep Western Conference.
10 - Los Angeles Lakers
I don’t know what to think of this team, they have a negative point differential, but sit in the top 6 in the West. They made the first big trade of the year, sending DLo to Brooklyn again! They still need a trade to really consider themselves a contender.
11 - Minnesota Timberwolves
Anthony Edwards scored 53 points during a loss to the Pistons. The Wolves just haven’t really found their footing all year, the defensive is good but the offense needs work. They are a team that could use a trade as well.
12 - Indiana Pacers
The Pacers are in my top 15 for the first time all year, or at least from the beginning of the year. Their offense is finally finding their stride and sit at .500 for the year. They just need to get into the dance and they could make a surprise run.
13 - Orlando Magic
The Magic can’t stay healthy. Banchero, Wagner and now Suggs are all hurt. They started the season hot and are trying to stay afloat. They sit just 3 games ahead of the Pistons in the Eastern Conference. Just keep swimming, Orlando and hopefully you make it 42 Wallaby Way, a.k.a the playoffs.
14 - Miami Heat
What a mess for the Heat. After weeks of rumors Jimmy Butler has requested a trade out of Miami. He is currently suspended while Pat Riley and the Heat decide what to do. Eventually he will be traded, just what does Miami look like after the Jimmy era.
15 - San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs are three games into a stretch where nine out of ten of their games are against winning teams. This stretch should show us if they are for real or not. I think they are a play-in team, but I am not sure they are ready for a deep run.
P.S. I am only doing the top 15 teams, if you want me to talk about you; be better, it’s that simple.