New Year's Power Rankings (10-1)
Mar 22, 2021 15:27:03 GMT
Ian Noble, Andrei Kirilenko, and 8 more like this
Post by Jerry West on Mar 22, 2021 15:27:03 GMT
10 – Sacramento Kings
On paper the Kings would be the favourites alongside the Warriors to get the number 1 at the start of the season, but they started off slow while the roster was shuffling around, but is now hoping to finally find some stability behind their new Point Guard, Russell Westbrook.
9 – Memphis Grizzlies
Soon what seemed to be the year that Memphis might have finally made their way to the Conference Finals, turned into what appears to be another 2nd round exit at best. Hopefully, things will be better next year with everyone healthy.
8 – Utah Jazz
Still, it’s hard to say they are a real threat this season, but nevertheless, the future bright for the 2nd worst team in D5 history in terms of wins, hoping of finally having their first winning season since 2012.
7 – Milwaukee Bucks
The rumour around the league is that the Bucks are exploring every trade option, which possibly might even include Anthony Davis and Bradley Beal, so expect them to be active on the market after finally being able to move Robert Covington for the veteran Paul Milsap in a move to possibly prepare next year’s Free Agency.
6 – Houston Rockets
What seemed to be already a more competitive team this season, quickly became the favourite to reach the NBA Finals from the West with the injuries to Golden State, Memphis and destruction of the long-standing juggernauts Denver Nuggets.
Despite all that it’s fair to ask how truly dominant they are, being only five games ahead of 9th seed after 28 games, and if they’ll pose any kind of threat to whoever comes out of the Eastern Conference. That said, it seems like Giannis has finally been given a reason to lock down his future to Houston this upcoming Summer.
5 – Atlanta Hawks
If there’s a team, I’m expecting to drop in the standings it’s them, but don’t let that take away from the fact that a team that was a question mark to make the playoffs, seemingly already securing a seat with two-thirds of the season to go.
4 – Orlando Magic
Despite that, much like the Hawks I expect to eventually come down and not secure home-court advantage, which seems to be reserved for the Bucks and the three upcoming teams in our rankings.
3 – Charlotte Hornets
What do you do if you make the conference finals 3 years in a row but don’t win a title? Wrong answer, you trade LeBron James and start rebuilding. Or you trade LeBron James and find yourself winning your franchise 2nd title. So what do you follow that up with? Wrong again, you trade your finals MVP. But we are not allowed to question James Kay weird methods, because they work, who know with a completely rebranded team is going to fight for a chance to tie the Warriors with his 3rd D5 title.
2 – Boston Celtics
Despite a disappointing end to last season, the Celtics managed to bring back LeBron James in Free Agency with a 4 year deal. That said, it’s easy to ask which implications that brings to Boston, who will now be unable to keep the entirety of their starting 5 together next season, with Jaylen Brown, Ben Simmons, Jamal Murray and even Shake Milton hitting Free Agency. Which leads to the question, is Boston ready to go all-in this season and let one of them walk, or will they plan ahead for the years they have LeBron locked in to the squad.
1 – Brooklyn Nets
But if the Nets have a whole in their starting 5, their bench makes up for it, a bench that could bolster at points Derrick Rose, Seth Curry, Derrick Jones Jr, Isaac Okoro and Royce O’Neale. That would be better than a handful of starting 5’s in D5.
I expected them and Boston to run away with the season, it’s just a shame we can’t save their matchup until the Finals.