NBA Power Rankings: Week 4
Week 4 of the NBA Power Rankings, and as of this morning Nico Harrison is out in Dallas. The most controversial trade of all-time and the Mavericks have started poorly, means Nico is out!
1 - Oklahoma City Thunder
Last: #1
The Thunder did finally lose a game, so they will not go 82-0, but they are 10-1 and off to a fantastic start. The Thunder are the best defensive team in the league, and they should remain at the top of these power rankings for a while.
2 - Denver Nuggets
Last: #2
While the Thunder have started incredible, the Nuggets have also been awesome to start the season. Their two losses have come by a total of 8 points, their 2nd best defensive team and 3rd best offensive team. That is pretty darn good.
3 - Los Angeles Lakers
Last: #3
A blowout loss to the Hawks was not a good sign, but a bounce back win over the Hornets. Just a reminder that LeBron has not played yet, but Reaves and Luka are carrying the team. Huge matchup with the Thunder later this week.
4 - Houston Rockets
Last: #4
Six wins out of their last seven, and most importantly they have the best offensive rating in the NBA. We talked all year last year about how they could defend but could not score, well now they can score. Watch out.
5 - Cleveland Cavaliers
Last: #8
Cleveland is the first team in the East to make my power rankings, and Darius Garland has made his season debut. As they get healthy their offense comes back as well, this Cleveland team is ready to go on a run.
6 - New York Knicks
Last: #6
The Knicks are 6-3 and have won their last 4. They are undefeated at home so far, and the offensive side of the ball is really starting to pick up. Their depth is starting to shine as well, with guys like Josh Hart playing less, because the depth is so good.
7 - San Antonio Spurs
Last: #9
The Spurs are 7-2, Wemby has slowed down a bit, but De’Aaron Fox has returned and dropped 24 in his season debut. A good win over the Rockets, after dropping a game to the Lakers earlier last week. The Spurs are here to stay.
8 - Detroit Pistons
Last: #12
Your Detroit Pistons are the number 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. Yes, they have played some mediocre teams, but you have to beat the teams that you are supposed to beat. Cade Cunningham is a legit MVP threat.
9 - Milwaukee Bucks
Last: #5
Milwaukee has slowed down a bit, they are having some issues getting stops. But, Giannis is still an elite, top 5 player in the NBA. Do the Bucks try to add during the season if they see the opportunity?
10 - Minnesota Timberwolves
Last: #10
The Timberwolves have been a little slow to start the season, but Anthony Edwards is back and they have destroyed on the offensive side. If the Timberwolves want to compete with the other teams in the West they will need to get stops.
11 - Golden State Warriors
Last: #6
This was always my worry with the Warriors. Steph has been out with an illness and they can’t win without him. I do think this team can compete, but I am starting to put them in a lower tier from some of these other NBA teams.
12 - Miami Heat
Last: #NR
The Heat are in my top 15, they are just figuring out ways to get a win. Will they end up the 7-8 seed somehow, yeah probably. I saw this on Twitter and thought it fit really well, the Heat are the current Steelers, always going 9-8 and lose in the 1st round.
13 - Chicago Bulls
Last: #13
The Bulls have started to cool off a bit, but they have lost some close games to other top Eastern Conference teams. I think the Bulls can stick around as a play-in team but I don’t think they are a top tier Eastern team.
14 - Portland Trail Blazers
Last: #14
Yes the Thunder were short -handed, but the Blazers handed them their first loss of the season and that's a big win either way for Portland. An interesting little wrinkle, they are under .500 in rest advantage games.
15 - Philadelphia 76ers
Last: #15
Well, last week the 76ers played three teams in the East with winning records and they went 0-3. The 76ers can compete better than they did last year, but man this team does not feel legit. They can beat anyone on any given night, but they can also lose to anyone on any given night.