November Power Rankings (30-21)
Jan 7, 2019 12:54:14 GMT
Ian Noble, Walt Frazier, and 7 more like this
Post by Jerry West on Jan 7, 2019 12:54:14 GMT
30 - Detroit Pistons:
It's tough to find bright spots in this Pistons team, they started the year by drafting Deandre Ayton with the number one pick (which I won't question until later down the road), but you can't be sure if his stats are great due to himself or the lack of quality in the rest of the team, Jerian Grant seems to be their second best player, and that says a lot about this team. Without great trade assets to sell and no 2nd round pick, Detroit needs to hit the jackpot with their first round pick this year.
The Pistons have already faced a lot of the teams at the bottom of the table, and have only beaten the Suns (in a matchup between Bamba and Ayton) and the 76'rs. Let's hope for their sake that at least we stop seeing them getting blown out so often.
29 - Atlanta Hawks:
Currently the team with the worst record in the league, at the least the Hawks have more to look forward to in the future. Despite only having a win so far in the season, they have a guy that can be the cornerstone of their franchise in DeAaron Fox, their best player so far this season in Nikola Mirotic, and 2 solid players in Elfrid Payton and Dario Saric. That Hawks won't make the playoffs this year, but don't count on them to stay as the bottom team of the league for long.
28 - Los Angeles Clippers:
Did you know Carmelo Anthony will be getting paid 35 million dollars in the 2020/21 season? Well now you know. This Clippers team could actually make the playoffs 3 years ago, but now they can't even manage to be mediocre, they currently sit with a 2-13 record, and are in the same spot as the Pistons, in not having their second round pick or any valuable assets besides from their own first round pick, the difference is that they still have the better team (for now). Enjoy those Duke games.
27 - Phoenix Suns:
Injuries to Kris Dunn and Caris LeVert have been tough on the Suns, and without their first round pick this year, there isn't a lot of hope for the near future of a franchise who at best have 2 great third string players in Kuzma and Dunn. Without first round picks, and with Wade contract still looming over their cap space, it's hard to find good things to say about them. They at least have 2 20 point wins vs the Grizzles and Nets, and are managing to keep some games close. Maybe putting Dunn who only started 1 of his 13 games this season in the starting lineup might give this team a boost.
Quick note: THEY HAVE 5 2ND ROUNDERS THIS YEAR.
26 - Dallas Mavericks:
The Dallas Mavericks are one Reggie Jackson trade away from having all the cap space in the world in the 2020/21 off-season. Problem is, Reggie Jackson is their best player (altough he won't be worth the 35 million a year). Dallas are in a difficult spot, with 2 of their starters injured and Dirk who is contributing with 18/9, being injury prone and needing rest due to his age. That makes you wonder, does Dallas wanna make that playoff push? Or just embrace their destiny of mediocrity during their next few years? We'll just have to wait and see.
25 - Washington Wizards:
With no draft picks this year, the Wizards put together some trades to get better, and it worked, they got better. It just hasn't panned out yet. But being so early in the season, and with only 5.5 games back from the Knicks (on who we will leave the controversy aside this month) and the small ball Cavs, there might still be hope for the Wizards who boost a solid core of Russel, Hardway Jr, Barnes, MKG and Larry Nance Jr.
24 - Philadelphia 76'rs:
Jordan Clarkson is averaging 20 points per game, I just wanted to get that out of the way early. Philly doesn't have a lot of talent in their roster, but somehow managed to win 4 games already this year. But we all know what their season is about. And that's praying for MPJ health, while watching Duke games (I heard from reliable sources that their scouts sit next to the Clippers).
23 - Brooklyn Nets:
So much young talent in a team, and yet they are ranked this low, the Gods have not been kind to the Nets. With KP out for the season, and the incognito over Fultz head, this franchise seems destined to just miss out on the playoff this year, Devin Booker is good enough to get them some wins by himself, but it really feels like that with KP, and with an average Fultz, there wouldn't even be a question about this team making the playoffs. On the bright side Sabonis is looking great, and they might fill their hole in the backcourt with their lottery pick this year.
22 - Indiana Pacers:
This one hurts to write, but with their starting backcourt out, Indiana just hasn't impressed. They have been playing some good teams but that isn't excuse for their current 4-10 record. At least it seems that they found gold with Portis at the 4, and that seems to be what this team is about, a lot of really good role players (with the exception of Galo), and for now, that hasn't been enough, expect them to climb up the standings during the season.
21 - Utah Jazz:
Jayson Tatum is good, and they seem to be up to something with their 2 first round picks this year in Bagley and Sexton, but they just aren't good enough to fight for the playoffs right now in the West. But expect this team to flourish sooner or later, with 2 first rounders this year, the Utah Jazz are definetly on the right track to be a really good team in 2 or 3 years. Did I told you already that they have good players and will be good in the future? Good.
It's tough to find bright spots in this Pistons team, they started the year by drafting Deandre Ayton with the number one pick (which I won't question until later down the road), but you can't be sure if his stats are great due to himself or the lack of quality in the rest of the team, Jerian Grant seems to be their second best player, and that says a lot about this team. Without great trade assets to sell and no 2nd round pick, Detroit needs to hit the jackpot with their first round pick this year.
The Pistons have already faced a lot of the teams at the bottom of the table, and have only beaten the Suns (in a matchup between Bamba and Ayton) and the 76'rs. Let's hope for their sake that at least we stop seeing them getting blown out so often.
29 - Atlanta Hawks:
Currently the team with the worst record in the league, at the least the Hawks have more to look forward to in the future. Despite only having a win so far in the season, they have a guy that can be the cornerstone of their franchise in DeAaron Fox, their best player so far this season in Nikola Mirotic, and 2 solid players in Elfrid Payton and Dario Saric. That Hawks won't make the playoffs this year, but don't count on them to stay as the bottom team of the league for long.
28 - Los Angeles Clippers:
Did you know Carmelo Anthony will be getting paid 35 million dollars in the 2020/21 season? Well now you know. This Clippers team could actually make the playoffs 3 years ago, but now they can't even manage to be mediocre, they currently sit with a 2-13 record, and are in the same spot as the Pistons, in not having their second round pick or any valuable assets besides from their own first round pick, the difference is that they still have the better team (for now). Enjoy those Duke games.
27 - Phoenix Suns:
Injuries to Kris Dunn and Caris LeVert have been tough on the Suns, and without their first round pick this year, there isn't a lot of hope for the near future of a franchise who at best have 2 great third string players in Kuzma and Dunn. Without first round picks, and with Wade contract still looming over their cap space, it's hard to find good things to say about them. They at least have 2 20 point wins vs the Grizzles and Nets, and are managing to keep some games close. Maybe putting Dunn who only started 1 of his 13 games this season in the starting lineup might give this team a boost.
Quick note: THEY HAVE 5 2ND ROUNDERS THIS YEAR.
26 - Dallas Mavericks:
The Dallas Mavericks are one Reggie Jackson trade away from having all the cap space in the world in the 2020/21 off-season. Problem is, Reggie Jackson is their best player (altough he won't be worth the 35 million a year). Dallas are in a difficult spot, with 2 of their starters injured and Dirk who is contributing with 18/9, being injury prone and needing rest due to his age. That makes you wonder, does Dallas wanna make that playoff push? Or just embrace their destiny of mediocrity during their next few years? We'll just have to wait and see.
25 - Washington Wizards:
With no draft picks this year, the Wizards put together some trades to get better, and it worked, they got better. It just hasn't panned out yet. But being so early in the season, and with only 5.5 games back from the Knicks (on who we will leave the controversy aside this month) and the small ball Cavs, there might still be hope for the Wizards who boost a solid core of Russel, Hardway Jr, Barnes, MKG and Larry Nance Jr.
24 - Philadelphia 76'rs:
Jordan Clarkson is averaging 20 points per game, I just wanted to get that out of the way early. Philly doesn't have a lot of talent in their roster, but somehow managed to win 4 games already this year. But we all know what their season is about. And that's praying for MPJ health, while watching Duke games (I heard from reliable sources that their scouts sit next to the Clippers).
23 - Brooklyn Nets:
So much young talent in a team, and yet they are ranked this low, the Gods have not been kind to the Nets. With KP out for the season, and the incognito over Fultz head, this franchise seems destined to just miss out on the playoff this year, Devin Booker is good enough to get them some wins by himself, but it really feels like that with KP, and with an average Fultz, there wouldn't even be a question about this team making the playoffs. On the bright side Sabonis is looking great, and they might fill their hole in the backcourt with their lottery pick this year.
22 - Indiana Pacers:
This one hurts to write, but with their starting backcourt out, Indiana just hasn't impressed. They have been playing some good teams but that isn't excuse for their current 4-10 record. At least it seems that they found gold with Portis at the 4, and that seems to be what this team is about, a lot of really good role players (with the exception of Galo), and for now, that hasn't been enough, expect them to climb up the standings during the season.
21 - Utah Jazz:
Jayson Tatum is good, and they seem to be up to something with their 2 first round picks this year in Bagley and Sexton, but they just aren't good enough to fight for the playoffs right now in the West. But expect this team to flourish sooner or later, with 2 first rounders this year, the Utah Jazz are definetly on the right track to be a really good team in 2 or 3 years. Did I told you already that they have good players and will be good in the future? Good.