Injuries have dominated the NBA landscape so far this season. We will be discussing it on the Podcast this week, but there does seem to be a huge uptick in injuries to star players and weirdly a lot of calf and achilles injuries. But hey teams have depth for a reason and this is a great time for guys to step and make the best of the opportunity. Let’s get it!
1 - Houston Rockets (Last #4)
The Houston Rockets have shot themselves to the top of the power rankings, yes pun intended. They have the best rated offense in the Association and have started the season off 6-1. Boston, Minnesota and Phoenix this week for Houston
2 - Detroit Pistons (Last #2)
Detroit remains as my top Eastern Conference team this week. Similar to the Rockets they have only lost one game to start the season and they have the highest rated defense in the league. They did lose to the Knicks in a great game last week, but are still off to their best start in over a decade.
3 - Philadelphia 76ers (Last #5)
The 76ers have also only lost 1 game to start off this new era and new season. All of their wins have come in tight close games, but hey that is good to know they can close out games that are within 5 points when it comes playoff time. Surprisingly their defense is much better rated than the offense, but the offense will come around.
4 - San Antonio Spurs (Last #6)
After starting 0-2, the Spurs have rattled off 4 wins in a row. Sure one of those wins was against the Kings and Wemby did not hit the over on 41.5 points, rebounds, and assists and lost me money but whatever. This Spurs team is for real, but somehow we want to see more from Wemby?
5 - Memphis Grizzlies (Last Unranked)
Well we all knew it was coming somewhere. The Memphis Grizzlies are 6-0 and pushed their way into the top 5. Since the NBA expanded to 30 teams, the Grizzlies are now the 21st team to start 6-0, all of those previous 20 teams made the playoffs and all but 2 won a first round series. History is on the side of the Grizzlies.
6 - Boston Celtics (Last #8)
Remember when the Celtics embarrassed themselves in the opening game of the NBA season? Well since then they have won 5 in a row. The interior defense has been incredible and they are getting the line better than most teams. Top 6 in both offense and defense to start the season.
7 - Oklahoma City Thunder (Last #1)
No team has been hit by the injury bug like this team, and it might be my fault for picking them to win the West and make another trip to the NBA finals. Chet Holmgren, Cason Wallace and Jalen Williams are out for a good chunk or potentially the entire season. Their defense is struggling without some of their best defenders and their two losses have been blowouts.
8 - Los Angeles Lakers (Last #7)
An ugly loss to the Warriors on Halloween Eve, is that a thing? They had beat the Clippers the night before without Luka, but blew a 20 plus point lead to the Warriors the following night. They are the second rated offensive team in the league and Luka and Walker Kessler are fitting together like peanut butter and jelly, but the defense needs a little work.
9 - Cleveland Cavaliers (Last #11)
I am not really sure what is going on with this team. They have already blown leads of 15+ twice in losses and seem a little disjointed at times. Some of the role players are off to a slow start, but Evan Mobley shooting well from three to start the season is fun. Tough week with the Thunder twice, the 76ers and the Knicks.
10 - Portland Trail Blazers (Last #15)
If the Grizzlies weren’t a thing, the start for the Blazers would be the storyline of the NBA season so far. 4-1 to start the season, including a great win to beat the Lakers. Bad news though Ja Morant injury woes continue, he will be out at least a month. Deni and Dame can and should be able to lead this team fine without Ja.
11 - New York Knicks (Last #10)
The Knicks are 2-4 and had another ugly game against the 76ers. They have trailed in every single game they have played and could honestly be 1-5 if they didn't have a great comeback against the Pistons. The offense has just not been there for the Knicks to start the season, but again they might just be tired.
12 - Minnesota Timberwolves (Last #3)
This is the biggest injury of them all. Anthony Edwards is out, after scoring 47 points the night before. A knee issue will keep Ant out for 2-3 months and James is so sad. They beat the Clippers (yay I guess) but have lost the other 2 without Edwards. LaMelo is only playing about 25 minutes a game and without Ant the offense is struggling.
13 - Denver Nuggets (Last #12)
Does this feel like the end for the Nuggets? They are the 14th best offensive team and bottom 10 in the league on the defensive end. Jamal Murray is having a great season from beyond the arc, but that is kind of it, while Jokic is doing normal Jokic things. This team really doesn’t strike fear in their opponents like they did in previous seasons.
14 - Dallas Mavericks (Last Unranked)
Cooper Flagg is a superstar, they beat both the Thunder and the Rockets. Kyrie is playing well coming back from injury. I mean hey they are the 12th rated offense and 14th rated defense. This Dallas team should and will be fighting for a play-in spot and maybe just maybe a top 6 seed.
15 - Golden State Warriors (Last Unranked)
Yaxel Lendeborg is one the most fun rookies in the NBA this year. He went off for a career high 37 (yes his career is only 7 games but whatever). Steph Curry is still Steph and special, but with Yaxel it does seem like Steph won’t have to do everything all the time for this team.