NBA Power Rankings: Week 4
Week 4, the spooky season is over and it’s time to fatten up for the winter, or at least that’s how I explain getting Taco Bell after recording last week's pod. Diablo Sauce isn’t the only spicy thing, this week is the first time we have multiple Eastern vs Western Conference games. This will be a big show to see what conference seems stronger, the East last year had the better record head to head for only the 2nd time in 23 years.
10. (6-4) Toronto Raptors
Previously NR
Oh, Canada. The Raptors are making their first appearance in the top 10. Great news! Bad News, Pascal Siakam, your best player has a groin injury and will be out at least two weeks. Groin injuries can be a lingering and frustrating thing to deal with especially for basketball players. This is a huge blow for the Raptors and hopefully their depth can carry the team while their Cameroonian baller is sidelined.
9. (7-3) Memphis Grizzlies
Previously #9
Maybe the Grizzlies really don’t like spooky season, after having one of the league's worst defenses to start the season, Memphis has locked down as the calendar has turned to November. Memphis is now averaging 99.7 points per 100 possessions the 4th best in the league, on the offensive side Desmond Bane looks like an all-star and that complimentary piece to superstar Ja Morant.
8. (5-3) Dallas Mavericks
Previously #10
Head Coach Jason Kidd is doing a good job so far with the Mavs being in a lot of close games. After blowing out the Grizzlies in their opening night win, the other seven games have been within 5 points with 5 minutes to go. Luka and Spencer Dinwiddie have started playing less together and a starting lineup change has helped the Mavericks have the best bench in the league, with Norman Powell taking over for JaVale McGee, two capitalized third letters? C’mon Javale.
7. (6-3) Denver Nuggets
Previously #8
Here comes the Nuggets, Jamal Murray is starting to become his old self averaging 19.3 points in less than 30 minutes. It will take some time for Murray to trust his knee to finish in the paint like he used to, but he’s on track. Murray and Jokic are making the connection again with 17 assists to each other last week. They start a 4 game road trip this week, which should be a fun test.
6. (6-3) Portland Trail Blazers
Previously #5
The Blazers go down a spot in my rankings this week, because they went 2-2 last week. That isn’t too shabby with 3 out of the 4 of those against the Grizzlies and Suns. Dame still hasn’t returned but Jusuf Nurkic and Jerami Grant have helped with big games last week. Grant had a game winner to beat the Suns after Nurkic had two big buckets to keep it close. Hopefully Dame and Anfernee Simons injuries aren’t too bad.
5. (8-3) Utah Jazz
Previously #7
FINE. Fine, the Jazz can be in the top 5. Why? I don’t know. What are they doing here? I don’t know. Why do they have 12 million first round picks and keep winning games? I don’t know. Why are vets like Jordan Clarkson and Mike Conley still on the team? I don’t know. When the Jazz outshoot their opponents from 3, they are 8-0, when they don’t they are 0-3. The theme - I Don’t Know.
4. (6-3) Boston Celtics
Previously #3
I have mentioned this before, the Celtics made it to the NBA finals on the back of their defense last year. It has started a bit slowly, but their win over Washington seems to have fixed the problem. The offense has picked up the slack with a franchise record 27 threes in their win over the Knicks. Their defense will be put to the test with a matchup with the Grizzlies this week.
3. (7-2) Phoenix Suns
Previously #2
Cam Johnson tore his meniscus and it is requiring surgery and he will be out indefinitely. That is a blow to the Suns, especially with Jae Crowder sitting at home. Two things to keep an eye on in Phoenix, with Johnson out will Torey Craig or Dario Saric step up? In clutch games, they are 1-2, 5-0 in all others, the Chris Paul effect?
2. (8-1) Cleveland Cavaliers
Previously #4
The Cavs lost their opening night game in Toronto and haven’t lost since. They got Darius Garland back after he missed 5 games and he just scored 29 with 12 assists, then “non-superstar” Donovan Mitchell just added 33 pts against the Lakers. I think we missed the mark on the Cavs.
1. (9-0) Milwaukee Bucks
Previously #1
Can anyone stop the Bucks? Right now, the answer is no. Even with early MVP front runner Giannis sitting in a back to back the Bucks are still the only undefeated team in the association. 34 year old Brook Lopez is playing some of the best defense of his career and don’t forget Khris Middleton hasn’t laced up his shoes yet this season. Watch out Eastern Conference, the Fear is real.