NBA Power Rankings: Week 7
Week 7 of the NBA Power Rankings, Chris Paul was just sent home by the Clippers after not speaking with Ty Lue for 3 weeks, it's not going well in Clipper land.
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
Last: #1
The Thunder are 21-1, J-Dub is back and this team looks unstoppable. You know what is even scarier? They have a potential to get two top ten picks, from Utah and the lifeless Clippers.
2. Denver Nuggets
Last: #2
The Nuggets have started to slip a bit with some injuries to the starting line up. They are 14-6, but that puts them just one loss behind the Lakers who are the two seed as I write this. Denver will be fine as long as Jokic is playing.
3. Houston Rockets
Last: #3
Are we talking about the Rockets enough? They have the 2nd rated defense and the 2nd rated offense. This franchise is so un-lucky with their timing with powerhouse Western Conference teams during their peaks.
4. Los Angeles Lakers
Last: #5
The Lakers had a loss to the rising Suns (not of Ares), this is a test to see if Tyler reads my power rankings. But, the Lakers are 15-5 to start the season and have an MVP candidate and Austin Reaves might be the most valuable trade piece in the NBA if they decide to go that direction.
5. Detroit Pistons
Last: #4
The Pistons were eventually going to lose a game, but a thirteen game win streak is always a fun time in the motor city. They are 2.5 games above the Raptors for the 1st seed in the East and they are legit.
6. New York Knicks
Last: #10
The Knicks are 13-7, and have the third best offensive rating in the game. They are starting to play some better defense during their recent 4-1 stretch, Mike Brown will need to figure out the best lineups when everyone is back healthy.
7. San Antonio Spurs
Last: #7
San Antonio is 5-2 without Wemby and after coming back from 18 down to beat the Nuggets tells me one thing, the Spurs have arrived. De’Aaron Fox does not get the love that he deserves, helping carry the team while the alien is off planet (aka hurt).
8. Phoenix Suns
Last: #8
When do we tell ourselves that we were wrong about the Suns? They had a 31.5 prediction for wins, they are almost half way there already. They are taking care of business against weaker teams, but going 1-3 against the Lakers, Rockets, Thunder and Nuggets.
9. Orlando Magic
Last: #13
My pick to win the East is back, they have climbed back into the 5th seed in the East. Winning eight of their last ten and taking down the Pistons. Top ten in offense and defense, the Magic are back.
10. Minnesota Timberwolves
Last: #12
The Timberwolves have won three in a row, and are back in the top 6. They could easily be tied for 2nd or 3rd if they hadn’t collapsed in some late game issues. Anthony Edwards is an MVP candidate and Julius Randle is playing at an all-star level.
11. Toronto Raptors
Last: #9
This might be a little harsh for a Raptors team that is 8-2 in their last ten and are 2nd in the East. But, blowing a rest advantage game to Charlotte is a bad look for a Raptors team trying to prove that they are real.
12. Cleveland Cavaliers
Last: #6
I have dropped Cleveland down my rankings, they are 6th in the East and 5-5 in their last ten. But they can’t stay healthy or remain healthy. I think the Cavs are in survival mode, stay out of the play-in and get healthy for the playoffs.
13. Miami Heat
Last: #11
Similar to Toronto, this might be slightly disrespectful to the Miami Heat, who are 7-3 in their last ten and sit third in the East. Tyler Herro made his season debut, and Andrew Wiggins is back after missing three games. Miami is better than we expected.
14. Atlanta Hawks
Last: #14
Atlanta should trade for Giannis, I am just going to say it. Jalen Johnson is an emerging star, they could let Trae Young and Porzingis go and some picks and vault themselves to a true Eastern Conference contender.
15. Boston Celtics
Last: #NR
Boston is making their debut in my top 15 for the season. 7-3 in their last ten, and good wins over the Pistons, Magic and Cavs recently. They still have an incredible offense, but the defense leaves something to be desired.