New Year's Power Rankings (20-11)
Mar 20, 2021 16:18:15 GMT
Ian Noble, Walt Frazier, and 7 more like this
Post by Jerry West on Mar 20, 2021 16:18:15 GMT
20 – New Orleans Pelicans
Despite Jaren Jackson Jr injury, the Pelicans started the season with a 13-15 record, led by Gordon Hayward and Trae Young who are backed up by one of the youngest rosters in the league, but the question will start being if they have the star power to me more than just a playoff team. With possibly two lottery picks in the upcoming draft, the Pelicans might be looking to trade up or make a splash in Free Agency to compliment Trae Young, or at least they need to. With Gordon Hayward being 31 years old when Free Agency looms around and with Jaren Jackson Jr injury problems, it’s fair to ask if he will look somewhere else to finally make the playoffs in D5, but only time will tell. That said, the Pelicans are full of assets that they could probably consolidate and turn into an All-Star level player if that’s direction they are aiming for.
19 – Portland Trail Blazers
Unfortunately, for them, things have clearly not worked out, despite Kyle Anderson having a career year, Winslow is coming slow off the gates after his injury averaging just 5 points and 4 rebounds in 24 minutes per game, not only that but doing it incredibly inefficient on 29/20/75 splits.
The Blazers aren’t in an easy position, fighting with the Lakers, Pelicans and Mavs for 2 playoff spots, where they clearly lack the star power outside of Jonas Valanciunas to rival the other teams. If not for the Lithuanian big man playing like a top 5 center in the league, averaging 22 points with 12 and 2 blocks, it’s easy to question what their position in the standings would be.
Expect the Blazers to probably be sellers at the trade deadline if things don’t change for the better.
18 – Toronto Raptors
Siakam surrounded by the best rebounder in the league in Drummond and defensive studs Eric Bledsoe and OG Anunoby plus great shooters coming off the bench, should on paper lead to a playoff spot but it just hasn’t happened yet. Maybe due to Toronto refusing to solidify their assets despite not having their 1st round pick this year. That said, if there’s one team, I think it will turn around the season, it’s them.
17 – LA Lakers
That being said, the Lakers look like an incredibly competitive team with a chance to fight past the first round, or at least that is, until you look at their center position.What the Lakers have in talent, they lack in roster construction, owing 63 million to Bojan Bogdanovic while at the same time starting Ed Davis at center. The Lakers could make a move for a Center, but their lack of first round picks and numbers on the contracts outside of their starting lineup not making it easy to possibly match with other Centers.
Without their first round pick this year and only one Center away from possibly going from outside the playoffs to a possible first round win, I would expect the Lakers to be on the market for a Center.
16 – Chicago Bulls
It’s hard to pinpoint the situation of the team standing at 14-16 and looking like a long shot to make the playoffs, but at this point it’s just looks like a floating boat, slowly letting water in, with the depths of mediocrity staring at them below.
15 – San Antonio Spurs
Led by Luka Doncic and SGA, the Spurs look to have found their starting 5 for their next 5 years, pairing them up with Rookie Patrick Williams and “Star” role players in Tobias Harris and Christian Wood. The latter being acquired recently and making already a clear impact on the team who struggled off the blocks this season without a good defensive presence on the inside.
The Spurs are the first team to show up on these rankings that have a “locked” playoff spot for this season, finishing the month of December on a 3 game winning streak. And despite what their long term program might be, they are ready to make an impact on the league now.
14 – Indiana Pacers
It’s a weird situation for the Pacers, who seem to always come to FA with money to spend and then continuously strike out on the big fish, leading to a path of mediocrity given that Larry Bird is to good a drafter to let the team tank naturally despite not having early picks.
If you need to buy this deadline, Indiana might be the place to look at, and they are showing why on the court.
13 – Cleveland Cavaliers
Led by their 2 young stars and a good supporting cast, Cleveland finds themselves in a playoff position once again, not only that but with Zion and LaVine they look like they might be there to stay.
Maybe it’s time for the system to step in again.
12 – Miami Heat
The good news is, the move seems to have worked out for Miami, with a more well-rounded roster they picked up the pace and are back at above .500 and in a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. But is a playoff spot what you are aiming for when you don’t have picks for the next 3 years? I don’t think so, Shaq is a winner and he probably won’t be satisfied by it, expect more moves from Miami.
11 – Golden State Warriors
Move forward to 2021, Klay gets re-injured, the Warriors made questionable draft choices and their Free Agency period was assuring themselves they would be over the Hard Cap next season despite needing to re-sign Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson and Serge Ibaka, which is less than ideal.
All of this lead to a dysfunctional Warriors team who are possibly 1 year away from breaking apart and sitting with a slightly above average 17-14 record and 5th place in the Eastern Conference with possibly the Spurs on track to catch up to them.
The Warriors need to make a move, and it’s not a matter of if, but when.