November Power Rankings (10-1)
Jan 9, 2019 16:12:16 GMT
Ian Noble, Brian Scalabrine, and 2 more like this
Post by Jerry West on Jan 9, 2019 16:12:16 GMT
10 - Sacramento Kings
The Kings have a player in the Top 10 of all meaningful stats (Points, Rebounds, Assists, Steals, Blocks), and they barely miss on having one in each top 5, that's crazy. And it's all thanks to the spectacular play of Damian Lilliard and Andre Drummond.
Altough they finished the month in only the 7th place in the Western Conference, Sacramento is a team to keep your eye on, specially if they manage to upgrade on the wings. (Bjelica is still a Free Agent)
9 - Orlando Magic
The Magic have a really good starting 5 followerd by Evan Fournier has their 6th man, but without much depht on the roster, the Magic can only keep being the best of the rest in the East.
The good news is 4 of their starting players are 26 or younger, with Paul Millsap being the odd man out, so this will be another year of giving valuable playoff experience to their players, but will they ever break the glass ceiling with this core of players? Is Oladipo good enough to be a first option on a championship team?
Jimmy Butler is on the market, maybe it's time for Orlando to start buying in to a win-now mentality.
8 - Minnesota Timberwolves
Are the Wolwes the Magic of the West? Or are Magic the Wolwes of the East? Both have a solid starting 5 with still relatively young players, but is Blake Griffin good or young enough to lead this team to a championship has the first option? Doesn't seem likely. For now the Wolwes are the best of the rest out in West.
Maybe they should give some competition to Orlando in the Jimmy Butler market.
7 - Boston Celtics
The first team on the list with championship ambitions (at least realistic), the Celtics have a young core that actually looks like has a number 1 option in a championship team, but that doesn't mean this team doesn't have questions marks.
Between Embiid health, Simmons shooting, Parker defense and Ingram ceiling, there's a lot to talk about, but that doesn't mean they don't have the brightest future in the league. Even if some of their young players end up flopping, the Celtics are still good enough to be the best team in Dynasty5ive in 3 to 4 years time.
They finished the month 10-5, but were 7-1 against team at or under .500, and had a negative record vs. the teams above, that's why they land last of the contenders in this month Power Rankings (unless your Charlotte, in that case Boston is number 1).
6 - Houston Rockets
It's Giannis world and we are just living in it. Without Kevin Love, Giannis took the spot at Center for Houston, and he has carried this team to the 2nd seed in the West, while arguably being the best defender in the league and being a rebound away of featuring in the Top 10 of 4 of the 5 major categories.
Houston only ranks this low due to quality of their starting roster, Kemba is more than good enough to be the 2nd fiddle in a championship roster, but until Love comes back the Houston Rockets aren't at the level of the Hornets, Warriors or Nuggets.
But it's good to see them getting a good start and not falling behind in a race for home court advantage.
5 - Toronto Raptors
I didn't expect the Raptors to finish the month Top 3 record wise in all of the league, but here they are. With Draymond Green almost averaging a triple double per game and over 2 steals and a block per game, it's hard to make a case that Kyrie is the best player in the team, but for how long will this last?
Draymond won't be able to keep this pace during the entire season, and with an aging Dwyane Wade, it's fair to ask if the Raptors are at the level of the other 3 teams in the East.
But they shouldn't concern themselves for now, they finished the month strong and will try to keep their momentum heading into December, but if I had to pick a team to drop out of the Top 5, it's this Raptors team.
4 - Golden State Warriors
LeBron James is on this team, and he wasn't even their best player in November, that was Stephen Curry, how many times can you say that? And shoud that even be a suprise? They are both Top 5 players in the league.
But stars aside, the Warriors are getting the job done against the teams at the bottom of the barrel, with all of their 4 losses coming against opponents over .500, 2 of them against the Bucks and 1 vs the Raptors, team who have notoriously good big man.
It's time for the Warriors to start asking themselves if Pau Gasol is still good enough to get the job done at Center, specially on the defensive side of the ball.
The Warriors finished the month outside of the Power Rankings Top 3, but you can still make the case for them being the best team in the league.
3 - Charlotte Hornets
Charlotte is counting the days until they play Boston again, it's not easy to have a direct rival beat you twice so early. Meanwhile Charlotte seems to suffer from the same problem Golden State does, dominant, rebounding big man. With losses to Embiid x2, Capela and Whiteside, it's good to question wether Robin Lopez or Nerlens Noel are the answer at Center.
The advantage the Hornets have against the Warriors tho, is boosting a real Big 3 in Durant, PG and Westbrook, joined by the perfect glue man in Kris Middleton.
A final rematch would definetly be exciting, specially when you add Durant to the mix (feels like I already heard that story before somewhere else).
The Hornets still have to be the favourites to win the title this year, they just didn't get out to the hot start that the two teams at the top of this list did.
2 - Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks finished the month has the number one team in the East, they arguably have the best player in the league in Anthony Davis, and clearly have the defending champions number already, and altought they don't have the same star power has Charlotte, their big man will clearly take advatange of their weakness.
They have the perfect mix of youth and veterans, and boost maybe the best 6th man in the league in Lou Williams, it's just unfortunate for them that Murray will be out for the season, he might've made a difference and help them come closer in quality to the Hornets, but that doesn't mean that the Bucks don't have one of the best bench in the league with Myles Turner, Markannen and Lou Williams.
Milwaukee is already contending for a championship, but maybe moving one or 2 of their young guys in order to make an upgrade to their starting lineup, might be just what they need to take the next step in winning the title.
1 - Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets have been the best team in Dynasty5ive to start the season, period. The fact that their only loss came against the Wizards is head scratching, but it would probably raise more eyebrows if it came vs a top team, now it just feels like an off game.
They are a team built for the modern NBA with shooting at every single position, including 3 points marksman Brook Lopez, and with a young bench who have great defenders in OG Anuoby, Paskal Siakam and JaMychell Green, this teams looks on pace for at least making the Conference finals. Their only hole seems to be the backup Point Guard position, they don't have a guy good enough to be a starter in a championship team at either of the guard positions in their bench, but it's hard for them to make moves with their cap situation.
Expect the Nuggets to be as good as everybody else, at least while CP3 is healthy.
The Kings have a player in the Top 10 of all meaningful stats (Points, Rebounds, Assists, Steals, Blocks), and they barely miss on having one in each top 5, that's crazy. And it's all thanks to the spectacular play of Damian Lilliard and Andre Drummond.
Altough they finished the month in only the 7th place in the Western Conference, Sacramento is a team to keep your eye on, specially if they manage to upgrade on the wings. (Bjelica is still a Free Agent)
9 - Orlando Magic
The Magic have a really good starting 5 followerd by Evan Fournier has their 6th man, but without much depht on the roster, the Magic can only keep being the best of the rest in the East.
The good news is 4 of their starting players are 26 or younger, with Paul Millsap being the odd man out, so this will be another year of giving valuable playoff experience to their players, but will they ever break the glass ceiling with this core of players? Is Oladipo good enough to be a first option on a championship team?
Jimmy Butler is on the market, maybe it's time for Orlando to start buying in to a win-now mentality.
8 - Minnesota Timberwolves
Are the Wolwes the Magic of the West? Or are Magic the Wolwes of the East? Both have a solid starting 5 with still relatively young players, but is Blake Griffin good or young enough to lead this team to a championship has the first option? Doesn't seem likely. For now the Wolwes are the best of the rest out in West.
Maybe they should give some competition to Orlando in the Jimmy Butler market.
7 - Boston Celtics
The first team on the list with championship ambitions (at least realistic), the Celtics have a young core that actually looks like has a number 1 option in a championship team, but that doesn't mean this team doesn't have questions marks.
Between Embiid health, Simmons shooting, Parker defense and Ingram ceiling, there's a lot to talk about, but that doesn't mean they don't have the brightest future in the league. Even if some of their young players end up flopping, the Celtics are still good enough to be the best team in Dynasty5ive in 3 to 4 years time.
They finished the month 10-5, but were 7-1 against team at or under .500, and had a negative record vs. the teams above, that's why they land last of the contenders in this month Power Rankings (unless your Charlotte, in that case Boston is number 1).
6 - Houston Rockets
It's Giannis world and we are just living in it. Without Kevin Love, Giannis took the spot at Center for Houston, and he has carried this team to the 2nd seed in the West, while arguably being the best defender in the league and being a rebound away of featuring in the Top 10 of 4 of the 5 major categories.
Houston only ranks this low due to quality of their starting roster, Kemba is more than good enough to be the 2nd fiddle in a championship roster, but until Love comes back the Houston Rockets aren't at the level of the Hornets, Warriors or Nuggets.
But it's good to see them getting a good start and not falling behind in a race for home court advantage.
5 - Toronto Raptors
I didn't expect the Raptors to finish the month Top 3 record wise in all of the league, but here they are. With Draymond Green almost averaging a triple double per game and over 2 steals and a block per game, it's hard to make a case that Kyrie is the best player in the team, but for how long will this last?
Draymond won't be able to keep this pace during the entire season, and with an aging Dwyane Wade, it's fair to ask if the Raptors are at the level of the other 3 teams in the East.
But they shouldn't concern themselves for now, they finished the month strong and will try to keep their momentum heading into December, but if I had to pick a team to drop out of the Top 5, it's this Raptors team.
4 - Golden State Warriors
LeBron James is on this team, and he wasn't even their best player in November, that was Stephen Curry, how many times can you say that? And shoud that even be a suprise? They are both Top 5 players in the league.
But stars aside, the Warriors are getting the job done against the teams at the bottom of the barrel, with all of their 4 losses coming against opponents over .500, 2 of them against the Bucks and 1 vs the Raptors, team who have notoriously good big man.
It's time for the Warriors to start asking themselves if Pau Gasol is still good enough to get the job done at Center, specially on the defensive side of the ball.
The Warriors finished the month outside of the Power Rankings Top 3, but you can still make the case for them being the best team in the league.
3 - Charlotte Hornets
Charlotte is counting the days until they play Boston again, it's not easy to have a direct rival beat you twice so early. Meanwhile Charlotte seems to suffer from the same problem Golden State does, dominant, rebounding big man. With losses to Embiid x2, Capela and Whiteside, it's good to question wether Robin Lopez or Nerlens Noel are the answer at Center.
The advantage the Hornets have against the Warriors tho, is boosting a real Big 3 in Durant, PG and Westbrook, joined by the perfect glue man in Kris Middleton.
A final rematch would definetly be exciting, specially when you add Durant to the mix (feels like I already heard that story before somewhere else).
The Hornets still have to be the favourites to win the title this year, they just didn't get out to the hot start that the two teams at the top of this list did.
2 - Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks finished the month has the number one team in the East, they arguably have the best player in the league in Anthony Davis, and clearly have the defending champions number already, and altought they don't have the same star power has Charlotte, their big man will clearly take advatange of their weakness.
They have the perfect mix of youth and veterans, and boost maybe the best 6th man in the league in Lou Williams, it's just unfortunate for them that Murray will be out for the season, he might've made a difference and help them come closer in quality to the Hornets, but that doesn't mean that the Bucks don't have one of the best bench in the league with Myles Turner, Markannen and Lou Williams.
Milwaukee is already contending for a championship, but maybe moving one or 2 of their young guys in order to make an upgrade to their starting lineup, might be just what they need to take the next step in winning the title.
1 - Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets have been the best team in Dynasty5ive to start the season, period. The fact that their only loss came against the Wizards is head scratching, but it would probably raise more eyebrows if it came vs a top team, now it just feels like an off game.
They are a team built for the modern NBA with shooting at every single position, including 3 points marksman Brook Lopez, and with a young bench who have great defenders in OG Anuoby, Paskal Siakam and JaMychell Green, this teams looks on pace for at least making the Conference finals. Their only hole seems to be the backup Point Guard position, they don't have a guy good enough to be a starter in a championship team at either of the guard positions in their bench, but it's hard for them to make moves with their cap situation.
Expect the Nuggets to be as good as everybody else, at least while CP3 is healthy.