November Power Rankings (20-11)
Jan 8, 2019 11:16:04 GMT
Ian Noble, Allen Iverson, and 5 more like this
Post by Jerry West on Jan 8, 2019 11:16:04 GMT
20 - New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans are exceeding expectations to start the year, they are currently sitting at 6-8 in what should be another rebuilding year, nobody expected a team led by a returning Gordon Hayward and 2 rookies to be so close to .500, specially after their latest run of rough games.
Brian Scalabrine hit the mark with his 2 draft picks, but don't expect them to keep this pace up unless Gordon Hayward keeps playing like a top 10 player in the league, he is currently top 10 in scoring while adding 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block and almost 2 steals per game, while also being close to 50/40/90 club. Good job Gordon, but let's see if you can keep this up.
Worst case scenario, they own both their pick and the Wizards pick, so expect them to be big players in the draft.
19 - Chicago Bulls
You can call them unlucky but this was to be expected, boosting an amazing starting 5 the Bulls were expected to contend for a title this season, if injuries didn't exist. Sooner or later both Cousins and Howard will be back and this Bulls team will take a leap in the standings, but Wall seems to be out for the season.
Will the rest of the team with DJ Augustin at PG be enough to challenge for the title? Will Kawhi finish the year without regaining problems from his previus injury? How will their big man be when they come back from injury?
There is a lot of questions for this Bull team, and it will take a miracle for them to reach their goal, but don't count them out yet.
18 - Portland Trail Blazers
The best friend duo is doing work for the Blazers, but maybe they should expand their friendship circle a little bit. The gap between the backcourt and frontcourt in this team is huge, and that's after the Blazers upgraded at the SF position to Marcus Morris.
Is their backcourt duo enough to push them to playoffs in the Western Conference? It's hard to tell, but not far fetched to think so.
17 - New York Knicks
It's hard to write about the Knicks, they finished November at .500 and in a playoff spot, but decided to cut 2 of their starting 5 players. Apparently they believe Hassan Whiteside, Aaron Gordon and Buddy Hield aren't good enough to win on their own, but the only thing worse than barely making the playoffs is consecutive finishes where you barely miss them and end up with consecutive late lottery picks and find yourself in the position that the Hornets are in the NBA.
This Knicks team was well built and probably a bet to make the playoffs as of the 30th of November, but after the cuts go trough expect them to fall in standings, not Top 5 pick territory tho, unless they also decide to cut Whiteside and Gordon. I'll take one Buddy Hield.
16 - Cleveland Cavaliers
"Small ball" is the word in Cleveland, altought he isn't putting great stats, Robert Covington is getting the job done at Center. It's hard to tell for how long this will work, but you gotta give props to their General Manager for trying something new out, specially when your best center is Dewayne Dedmon and your gunning for the playoffs.
With 2 picks in the first round, including one from the Suns, maybe Cleveland will be able to find a proper Center for the future of their franchise.
15 - LA Lakers
This lakers team isn't great, but they are smartly build around their 2 stars in Mike Conley and DeAndre Jordan, who leads the league in rebounds. With a plethora of shooting around them, this team is in a good spot to make the playoffs, specially without the incentive to tank without their first round pick.
Keep an eye on them this Free Agency, as TJ Warren is one of the biggest question marks as to how much he will get payed, specially now when is averaging 20 points per game.
14 - San Antonio Spurs
Luka Doncic Luka Doncic Luka Doncic Luka Doncic, Luka Doncic Luka Doncic Luka Doncic Luka Doncic Luka Doncic. Luka Doncic Luka Doncic Luka Doncic Luka Doncic Luka Doncic? Luka Doncic Luka Doncic Luka Doncic Luka Doncic Luka Doncic Luka Doncic Luka Doncic Luka Doncic. Luka Doncic Luka Doncic Luka Doncic Luka Doncic Luka Doncic Luka Doncic Luka Doncic.
13 - Memphis Grizzlies
Raise your hand if you thought the Grizzles would finish the month under .500, now put them down you filthy liars. It's hard to put the hand on it, but this team isn't clicking right now, maybe it's time to give a shot and drop Smart for Redick, maybe E'twaun Moore? Maybe Dellavedova is the answer.
There's a lot of maybe's in Memphis right now, and not a lot of answers, but either trought trades or a change in the lineup, Memphis won't stay in this position.
12 - Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder are 8-6, but until they start Horford, Randle, Ibaka, Wendell Carter and Tyson Chandler they won't unlock their true potencial. They can be the Cleveland of the West, but they'll have big balls instead. Jokes aside they have a solid backcourt in Rozier and Gary Harris, but how long will the declining Josh Jackson keep his spot in front of Kevin Knox?
The Thunder are good, but it feels like their full potencial hasn't been shown yet, we'll have to wait and see how the season turns out for them.
11 - Miami Heat
The Miami Heat are one of the most suprising teams to start the season, they currently sit at 9-6, and that's probably due to Steven "MVP" Adams who is averaging a ridiculous 23/12 while adding almost 2 blocks a game, what a man. Having the right fit next to him in Enes Kanter and a great PG in Holiday is definetly helping their status as well, but how far can a team with Austin Rivers starting go?
Shout-out to Shaq for the best waiver wire pickup of the season in Lance Stephenson, who is getting paid less than a million per year and starting on a great team.
The Pelicans are exceeding expectations to start the year, they are currently sitting at 6-8 in what should be another rebuilding year, nobody expected a team led by a returning Gordon Hayward and 2 rookies to be so close to .500, specially after their latest run of rough games.
Brian Scalabrine hit the mark with his 2 draft picks, but don't expect them to keep this pace up unless Gordon Hayward keeps playing like a top 10 player in the league, he is currently top 10 in scoring while adding 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block and almost 2 steals per game, while also being close to 50/40/90 club. Good job Gordon, but let's see if you can keep this up.
Worst case scenario, they own both their pick and the Wizards pick, so expect them to be big players in the draft.
19 - Chicago Bulls
You can call them unlucky but this was to be expected, boosting an amazing starting 5 the Bulls were expected to contend for a title this season, if injuries didn't exist. Sooner or later both Cousins and Howard will be back and this Bulls team will take a leap in the standings, but Wall seems to be out for the season.
Will the rest of the team with DJ Augustin at PG be enough to challenge for the title? Will Kawhi finish the year without regaining problems from his previus injury? How will their big man be when they come back from injury?
There is a lot of questions for this Bull team, and it will take a miracle for them to reach their goal, but don't count them out yet.
18 - Portland Trail Blazers
The best friend duo is doing work for the Blazers, but maybe they should expand their friendship circle a little bit. The gap between the backcourt and frontcourt in this team is huge, and that's after the Blazers upgraded at the SF position to Marcus Morris.
Is their backcourt duo enough to push them to playoffs in the Western Conference? It's hard to tell, but not far fetched to think so.
17 - New York Knicks
It's hard to write about the Knicks, they finished November at .500 and in a playoff spot, but decided to cut 2 of their starting 5 players. Apparently they believe Hassan Whiteside, Aaron Gordon and Buddy Hield aren't good enough to win on their own, but the only thing worse than barely making the playoffs is consecutive finishes where you barely miss them and end up with consecutive late lottery picks and find yourself in the position that the Hornets are in the NBA.
This Knicks team was well built and probably a bet to make the playoffs as of the 30th of November, but after the cuts go trough expect them to fall in standings, not Top 5 pick territory tho, unless they also decide to cut Whiteside and Gordon. I'll take one Buddy Hield.
16 - Cleveland Cavaliers
"Small ball" is the word in Cleveland, altought he isn't putting great stats, Robert Covington is getting the job done at Center. It's hard to tell for how long this will work, but you gotta give props to their General Manager for trying something new out, specially when your best center is Dewayne Dedmon and your gunning for the playoffs.
With 2 picks in the first round, including one from the Suns, maybe Cleveland will be able to find a proper Center for the future of their franchise.
15 - LA Lakers
This lakers team isn't great, but they are smartly build around their 2 stars in Mike Conley and DeAndre Jordan, who leads the league in rebounds. With a plethora of shooting around them, this team is in a good spot to make the playoffs, specially without the incentive to tank without their first round pick.
Keep an eye on them this Free Agency, as TJ Warren is one of the biggest question marks as to how much he will get payed, specially now when is averaging 20 points per game.
14 - San Antonio Spurs
Luka Doncic Luka Doncic Luka Doncic Luka Doncic, Luka Doncic Luka Doncic Luka Doncic Luka Doncic Luka Doncic. Luka Doncic Luka Doncic Luka Doncic Luka Doncic Luka Doncic? Luka Doncic Luka Doncic Luka Doncic Luka Doncic Luka Doncic Luka Doncic Luka Doncic Luka Doncic. Luka Doncic Luka Doncic Luka Doncic Luka Doncic Luka Doncic Luka Doncic Luka Doncic.
13 - Memphis Grizzlies
Raise your hand if you thought the Grizzles would finish the month under .500, now put them down you filthy liars. It's hard to put the hand on it, but this team isn't clicking right now, maybe it's time to give a shot and drop Smart for Redick, maybe E'twaun Moore? Maybe Dellavedova is the answer.
There's a lot of maybe's in Memphis right now, and not a lot of answers, but either trought trades or a change in the lineup, Memphis won't stay in this position.
12 - Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder are 8-6, but until they start Horford, Randle, Ibaka, Wendell Carter and Tyson Chandler they won't unlock their true potencial. They can be the Cleveland of the West, but they'll have big balls instead. Jokes aside they have a solid backcourt in Rozier and Gary Harris, but how long will the declining Josh Jackson keep his spot in front of Kevin Knox?
The Thunder are good, but it feels like their full potencial hasn't been shown yet, we'll have to wait and see how the season turns out for them.
11 - Miami Heat
The Miami Heat are one of the most suprising teams to start the season, they currently sit at 9-6, and that's probably due to Steven "MVP" Adams who is averaging a ridiculous 23/12 while adding almost 2 blocks a game, what a man. Having the right fit next to him in Enes Kanter and a great PG in Holiday is definetly helping their status as well, but how far can a team with Austin Rivers starting go?
Shout-out to Shaq for the best waiver wire pickup of the season in Lance Stephenson, who is getting paid less than a million per year and starting on a great team.