Evaluating Every Contender In The NBA Right Now
With many of the league’s best teams in action last night, I think it’s a good idea to evaluate the best of the best. This NBA season has again proved to us that nothing is certain. Not to jinx anything, but it feels like there’s a parody in the NBA. For the first time since the dinosaurs haunted Devin Booker, there isn’t a clear-cut favorite to win it all.
The uncertainty of this season makes it that much more exciting. Not having an inevitable champion makes things much more fun as a viewer. Currently, I think there are eight contending teams in the NBA.
Today, I will go over each contender and give my thoughts. I’ll evaluate their strengths, weakness, and where I could see them ending up come playoff time. Let’s talk about contenders.
My Contender Criterias
It’s no easy task to be a contender. Not only do you have to be good, you have to have the makeup of a team that can make a run in the playoffs. Chemistry matters. Defense matters (talking to you Utah). Star power matters. Coaching matters.
All of the little things we tend to gloss over in the regular season suddenly become life and death when we talk about who’s a contender and who’s not. In my mind, a contender is someone who can make the NBA Finals. Not only that, but you wouldn’t be surprised to see them there.
With that in mind, I think there are currently eight contenders in the NBA, ranked from best to “worst”;
- Golden State Warriors
- Milwaukee Bucks
- Phoenix Suns
- Brooklyn Nets
- Chicago Bulls
- Memphis Grizzlies
- Miami Heat
- Utah Jazz
I don’t think there’s much debating this list. If you disagree with this list, make like a tree and get out (I mean leave).
Golden State Warriors
Record: (31-11)
Offensive Rating: 110.9 (10th)
Defensive Rating: 102.3 (1st)
Net Rating: 8.7 (1st)
Despite their recent struggles, the Warriors continue to be a cut above everybody else. I get that the Suns have a better record, but the Warriors are better than the Suns. It’s not just that the Warriors have beaten the Suns twice this season. I think that they’re the better overall team.
Now, this recent stretch of play from the Warriors has proven to me that they’re human. Before they thrashed the Bulls on national TV (shoutout Jonathan Kuminga), the Warriors’ offense was sputtering. I think there are a few reasons for this.
Firstly, Draymond Green has been dealing with a calf injury. This season, the Warriors average 110.9 points per game with Draymond. In eight games without him, that drops to just 106.9 points a night. Draymond’s playmaking makes this offense hum, so not having him on the floor is a huge reason for this dropoff in production. A healthy Draymond means a better Warriors offense.
The other reason for this dropoff, in my opinion, has been the return of Klay Thompson. Like you, I was entranced with the idea of Thompson joining this team. But, I think we’re learning it will take a while for the two sides to click.
Last night, without Thompson, the offense looked a lot better. There were more passes, more possessions that led to good shots. Instead of Thompson chucking up ill-advised shots during his short court stints, the Warriors offense was back to what it normally is.
I think that Thompson will realize this and his shot intake (14 FGA in 20 minutes a night is insane), and when he does, things will go back to normal.
If not for this recent offensive slump, the Warriors would easily be the best team in the NBA. It’s good to have struggles like they’ve been having. Having the resolve to figure things out is what makes championship teams better. They have the most talented roster in the NBA.
Their bench, featuring Jordan Poole, Otto Porter, and Andre Iguodala, is on par with some team’s starting units. Their movement, coaching, and elite defense make them the same Warriors we’ve come to get used to over the past 5 years. Unfortunately, the Warriors are back.
Not to mention that they have this guy called Steph Curry. Dread it, run from it, the Warriors are;
Milwaukee Bucks
Record: (27-17)
Offensive Rating: 111.4 (7th)
Defensive Rating: 107.4 (7th)
Net Rating: 4.0 (6th)
I love how people are just ignoring how good this team is. From a pure talent standpoint, when healthy, this team is about as good as it gets. Giannis is a game wrecker on both ends who demands so much attention on offense. Middleton and Holiday are the perfect 1-2 punch behind Giannis.
The cast of supporting players is oozing with talent. Bobby Porter, Grayson Allen, Donte DiVincenzo, Jordan Nwora, Pat Connaughton, Brook Lopez, George Hill, and Rodney Hood are all viable options.
People look at the Bucks’ overall record and immediately think they’re struggling. The only thing this team is struggling with is health. When their big 3 is on the floor, they’ve been the best team in basketball. A 16-3 record when Holiday, Middleton, and Giannis all start exhibits this point perfectly.
Sleep on this team all you want. When healthy, the Bucks are arguably the best team in the league. The most important thing for this team is to find a way to keep their Big 3 healthy. That and making sure Mike Budenholzer doesn’t revert to his 2020 form.
That sums things up well.
Phoenix Suns
Record: (32-9)
Offensive Rating: 111.2 (9th)
Defensive Rating: 104.0 (2nd)
Net Rating: 7.2 (3rd)
Using the powers of dinosaurs, the Suns are the best team in the West. While I have them third on my contender tier-list, they are a great team on both ends.
On defense, they have great defenders everywhere. Ayton, Bridges, and Crowder anchor a defense that has been consistently great all year.
Offensively, Booker and Paul are one of the best backcourts in the NBA. The Suns never lose close games. They are one of the more efficient teams in the NBA.
My one issue with the Suns is their bench. Cam Johnson, Landry Shamet, and JaVale McGee are fine. But Cameron Payne? Payne’s new playstyle of jacking up shots isn’t working. He’s shooting just 40% from the field on a career-high 9.8 field goal attempts.
To contend with the Warriors, the Suns need more offensive firepower. I’ve pondered with them trying to trade for someone like Terance Ross, aka instant offense. Other players available are Harrison Barnes and Buddy Hield from the Kings. A move might be on the horizon for the Suns.
Other than that, the Suns are on cruise control. Last year’s final run may have had some lucky breaks, but it wasn’t a fluke. This team is proving that they belong in the West.
Brooklyn Nets
Record: (26-15)
Offensive Rating: 111.2 (8th)
Defensive Rating: 108.8 (14th)
Net Rating: 2.4
The Nets are a weird team to evaluate. From a talent perspective, they have everything you could dream of. Similar to a fantasy team, there is scoring galore on this juggernaut. With Durant, Harden, and sometimes Kyrie Irving, it’s damn near impossible to stop this trio.
Irving has been great in his return. Irving hasn’t tried to force things, not chucking up bad shots like Klay Thompson. When Joe Harris gets back, this offense will hit another gear. The Nets have sorely missed Harris, a reliable shooter, and an off-ball presence. Instead of having David Duke shooting those corner 3’s, it will be Joe Harris.
The defense has fallen back to earth. Teams are starting to hit more open shots against the Nets. It seems like the Nets’ defense will remain around the middle of the pack, which is fine. They don’t need a top-10 defense to be elite. Similar to last season, it’s about being passable.
The problem with the Nets is their depth, which is looking ghastly thin right now. There are only a few guys I trust off the bench. Other than that, it’s filler that can’t be trusted with the games meaning something. No offense to David Duke, DeAndre’ Bembry, and James Johnson, but they can’t be this team’s bench. They just can’t be.
LaMarcus Aldridge is decent, but injuries have slowed him down this season. Joe Harris coming back helps this problem. When the Nets are on the road and have Kyrie Irving, this problem also isn’t as severe. But depth remains an issue for this team nonetheless.
Again, the Nets are a team you don’t want to play in the playoffs. The Nets’ big 3 is an offensive bonanza that never stops. Joe Harris returning will make this offense not just hum, but sing.
My worries with this team are its depth and coaching. Can Steve Nash outcoach guys like Budenholzer and Spoelstra? Can the bench hold up against teams like Milwaukee?
Come playoff time, what version of the Nets will we get? The unstoppable force or the team that scrapes by due to high-end talent? Only time will tell.
A ten from Krusty is a ten from me.
Chicago Bulls
Record: (27-13)
Offensive Rating: 112.1 (5th)
Defensive Rating: 109.4 (18th)
Net Rating: 2.7 (8th)
Despite being outscored by 68 combined points in their last two games, both on National TV, the Bulls are good. Injuries have ravaged their frontcourt, a problem that has sat with him for most of the year. Other than that, there’s a reason they sit atop the Eastern Conference.
DeMar DeRozan and Zach Lavine are the best 1-2 scoring punch in the league. Lavine’s knee injury shouldn’t be too serious, but these two mid-range killers have been doing damage. Nikola Vucevic is a fine third option.
The backcourt of Ball, White, and Caruso has been surprisingly brilliant this season. Ball’s shooting improvements continue to shine. Coby White is a natural scorer. Caruso helps Ball lock down opposing guards.
With the injuries to this team, other guys have had to step up. Javonte Green and Ayo Dosumnu are two spark plugs off the bench at Billy Donovan’s disposal. This team’s offense is elite. The problem lies on the other side of the ball.
The Bulls’ defense started off the season strong, but with their ravaged frontcourt, things have been going downhill. They don’t have the size to deal with teams like Milwaukee. The Nets and Warriors both torched them, a big reason why they’ve lost by a combined 70 points the last two times out.
It’s not surprising that the defense is bad, but it’s coming at the worst possible time. For the time being, it’s time to hold on and try to get healthier.
Memphis Grizzlies
Record: (30-15)
Offensive Rating: 111.6 (6th)
Defensive Rating: 108.1 (9th)
Net Rating: 3.5 (7th)
The Grizzlies have been the surprise team of 2022. After years of slowly building a deep, young, and talented roster, everything has come together.
Ja Morant has become a superstar in front of our eyes. Youngsters like Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr are blossoming with expanded roles. When healthy, Dillon Brooks was having a great season. The help around these guys is immense.
When you talk about depth, you have to talk about the Grizzlies. Look at how many weapons they house;
- Ja Morant
- Desmond Bane
- Dillon Brooks
- Jaren Jackson Jr
- Steven Adams
- Brandon Clarke
- John Konchar
- De’Anthony Melton
- Kyle Anderson
- Ziaire Williams
- Xavier Tillman
- Tyus Jones
All of these guys can do so many different things. The offense is taken care of with Morant at the helm. With so many weapons, Morant just has to make the ball moves around the court. The defense has returned to form after a slow start. The Grizzlies have been the best defense in the NBA since December 1st.
This team is 11-1 in their last 12 games, rolling through every team they face. This team is tough, exciting, and scrappy. Taylor Jenkins does a marvelous job making sure everybody gets minutes.
The Grizzlies are a team to be worried about in the playoffs. With 11 players getting 17+ minutes per game, it’s impossible to deal with everybody on this team. With so much depth, it’s hard for this team to get tired. Memphis is bathing in their luxurious depth.
They’ve proven they can win without Morant, who is playing just 32 minutes per game. Depth is king in the playoffs, and right now, Memphis is deeper than anybody. They are a team with momentum and someone I don’t want to see any time soon.
Miami Heat
Record: (27-15)
Offensive Rating: 112.3 (2nd)
Defensive Rating: 107.5 (8th)
Net Rating: 4.8 (5th)
Somehow, the Heat are 2nd in the East. Despite missing Adebayo and Butler for long stretches of time, this team is fine. They are 12-6 without Jimmy Butler this season. They are 17-7 without Bam Adebayo. Teams aren’t supposed to be this good without their two best players.
Both Butler and Adebayo will share the court soon, so now it’s time to be afraid of the Heat. After relying on Max Strus, Omer Yurtseven, Tyler Herro, Gabe Vincent, and Kyle Guy for the past few weeks, they are back and healthy.
I have questioned this team’s depth for months, but they’re starting to warm on me. Like they’ve always done, the Heat find guys to give them good production. It would have been easy for them to give up after missing their best players for such a long time.
Instead, they are in striking distance for a top seed in the East. Such is life for Miami.
Utah Jazz
Record: (28-14)
Offensive Rating: 116.3 (1st)
Defensive Rating: 108.7 (12th)
Net Rating: 7.6 (2nd)
Weird Stat: 1-4 Without Rudy Gobert – Worst Defense In The NBA Without Gobert
In the words of Rudy Gobert;
“When I watch some of these other teams like the Suns or the Warriors, those guys are a step ahead of us in terms of winning habits. They take every game personally. Devin Booker is playing his ass off defensively. Ive been watching him compared to two years ago. Guys like that, they buy in, and you can tell they take pride in playing defense and stopping their man, doing whatever they can defensively to stop the other team and be part of a winning culture. I think we’re not there yet, but I think were gonna get there.”
Yikes
I mean, he’s not wrong, but that Devin Booker part sure sounded like a shot at Donovan Mitchell. That relationship between Gobert and Mitchell has already been through a lot, so it’s interesting to see if this quote does anything to worsen it.
Again, Gobert isn’t wrong. The Jazz are terrible defensively outside of him. The Jazz have gone all-in with this roster, a roster that is immune to defense.
This team can’t win a title with their lack of good defenders. They just can’t. No matter how good their offense is, the defense holds them back.
What Are Your Thoughts On These Contenders? Leave A Comment Down Below!
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