I’m Losing Faith In The Hawks; Week 9 Power Rankings
Hopefully, Covid doesn’t crash this week’s edition of my power rankings. From a face at the top of my top-10 teams to (interesting tidbit), here are my week 9 power rankings.
Week 9 Power Rankings
After 9 weeks of action, the Top 10 teams in the NBA have changed drastically. Some surprise teams have sneaked up on us, while some regulars are slowing down.
Let’s see who the ten best NBA teams are.
#10 – Atlanta Hawks
Record: (14-15)
Offensive Rating: 112.8 (3rd)
Defensive Rating: 111.2 (24th)
Net Rating: 1.6 (10th)
The Bad
This might be the last time I put the Hawks on this list. As much as I loved them coming into this season, 30 games is a good sample size.
While they’re still in the hunt for the playoffs, 2022 has been very similar to how they started 2021 with Lloyd Pierce. Even with their talented, deep roster, things aren’t the same.
The defense has fallen off a cliff. Bogdanovic, Huerter, and Gallinari have all flopped after the Hawks shelled out money for them the past two seasons.
Even with Trae Young’s brilliance, this team is barely afloat. Given how good the Eastern Conference is, the Hawks better their stuff together, and fast.
#9 – Cleveland Cavaliers
Record: (19-12)
Offensive Rating: 109.3 (17th)
Defensive Rating: 103.3 (2nd)
Net Rating: 6.0 (3rd)
The Good
The Cavs have been one of the best teams in basketball over the past two weeks. Their defense, anchored by the new-age twin towers of Mobley and Allen has been stout.
Darius Garland is the conductor of one of the hottest offenses in basketball. With Collin Sexton out for the season, the Cavs’ season was supposed to be over. Instead, they’ve gained a second life.
The Bad
Relying on Cedi Osman and Dean Wade for bench production isn’t ideal. The Cavs also don’t have many ball-handlers. Other than Garland and Rubio, there’s nobody they can use.
And, similar to the question I posed with the Wizards earlier this season, is this all sustainable?
#8 – Memphis Grizzlies
Record: (19-12)
Offensive Rating: 111.2 (5th)
Defensive Rating: 109.1 (16th)
Net Rating: 2.1 (9th)
The Good
Without Ja Morant, the Grizzlies haven’t missed a beat. A 10-2 record without your franchise superstar is rare, but Memphis is pulling it off.
Jaren Jackson Jr and Desmond Bane have led a very balanced attack for Memphis. The depth has been Memphis’ saving grace, and it will continue to be all year long.
The defense has been the best in the NBA over the past 10 games. Not a whole lot going wrong in Memphis right now.
The Bad
Can the defense hold serve with Morant returning soon? With Morant on the floor this season, Memphis has a 118.2 defensive rating. That is beyond awful, so can their reinvigorated defense keep things up when Morant returns? We’ll see.
#7 – Miami Heat
Record: (18-13)
Offensive Rating: 110.1 (8th)
Defensive Rating: 107.1 (10th)
Net Rating: 3.0 (6th)
The Good
Even with their extensive injuries, the Heat have stayed afloat. Jimmy Butler has played one game in December. Bam Adebayo hasn’t played at all in December. The Heat have slowed down, there’s no debating that, but they’re still 5th place in the East.
The Bad
The Heat’s questionable depth is starting to hurt them. With their All-Stars out, they are relying on Max Strus and Marcus Garrett off the bench.
Miami lost to Detroit yesterday, scoring just 90 points. Kyle Lowry had to play 42 minutes, a sign of things to come. Without great depth, the Heat’s older players, like Lowry, are going to be asked to do too much.
This problem worried me before the season started, but now with all these injuries, Miami isn’t going to experience a pleasant holiday season.
#6 – Chicago Bulls
Record: (18-10)
Offensive Rating: 109.7 (11th)
Defensive Rating: 106.8 (7th)
Net Rating: 2.9 (7th)
The Good
Somehow, this team is still alive. Even with enough Covid to shut down a small country, somehow, someway, they’re still breathing.
Most of their team is back from Covid with a few exceptions, but things got hairy there for a second. They are still elite on both ends of the floor. When healthy, the duo of Lavine + DeRozan has been the best scoring combo in the NBA.
The Bad
The forward depth is still iffy without Patrick Williams. They have been rumored to be in the markets for Jerami Grant/Thaddeus Young, so we’ll see if that goes anywhere.
#5 – Milwaukee Bucks
Record: (19-13)
Offensive Rating: 109.9 (10th)
Defensive Rating: 107.1 (9th)
Net Rating: 2.8 (8th)
The Good
The Bucks have been rolling after a 4-6 start to their season. Even with their recent Covid problems, I think they are the best team in the East.
They have great depth, Giannis, versatility, and even more Giannis. If Mike Budenholzer doesn’t screw the pooch, they’ll be fine.
The Bad
Can somebody give Brook Lopez a new back?
#4 – Utah Jazz
Record: (20-9)
Offensive Rating: 117.2 (1st)
Defensive Rating: 106.8 (6th)
Net Rating: 10.4 (1st)
The Good
The Jazz have one of the best offenses ever. No team is close to the offensive firepower they possess. Donovan Mitchell is rounding into form, taking the Jazz with him.
Rudy Gobert anchors a defense rounding into form. Rudy Gay has been a wrinkle to the offense off the bench.
Not a whole lot to be mad about if you’re Utah.
The Bad
They still don’t have perimeter defenders. I still don’t like them, if that counts for something.
#3 – Brooklyn Nets
Record: (21-9)
Offensive Rating: 109.5 (14th)
Defensive Rating: 106.1 (5th)
Net Rating: 3.4 (5th)
The Good
The Nets are getting back Kyrie Irving. Even with all the Covid they are dealing with, the light at the end of the tunnel is bright.
Kevin Durant has been awesome. Adding Kyrie will make things easier for a struggling offense. Nobody can stop this team. Just wait until Joe Harris gets healthy.
If Nicolas Claxton can stay healthy, I think he’s their answer down low.
The Bad
They need better options off the bench. No offense, but Jevon Carter isn’t my favorite.
Also, could we get some better frontcourt depth? I don’t like them using two over-the-hill veterans Aldridge and Millsap. Blake Griffin is fine, but not as their starter. Thaddeus Young would make this team a lot better.
And Steve Nash is your coach.
#2 – Golden State Warriors
Record: (24-6)
Offensive Rating: 111.7 (4th)
Defensive Rating: 101.3 (1st)
Net Rating: 10.4 (2nd)
The Good
The Warriors are still an elite team. It took me a lot to not put them as the number one team. This section would be too damn long if I got into everything the Warriors do well. That’s just the reality of how good they are.
The Bad
While it’s not as bad as last year, the offense relies on Steph Curry heavily. They need Curry to shoot better than the 39% he’s been shooting over the past 13 games. Even though he’s beaten the 3-PT record, for some reason, shots haven’t been falling.
I’m not worried or anything, but it’s clear the Warriors have struggled alongside Curry over the past two weeks. Once he inevitably gets past this cold stretch, so will the Warriors.
#1 – Phoenix Suns
Record: (24-5)
Offensive Rating: 110.6 (6th)
Defensive Rating: 103.5 (3rd)
Net Rating: 7.1 (3rd)
The Good
The Suns are #1 just because the Warriors have slowed down. I’m sorry Suns fans, I’m just telling the truth. Not that the Suns aren’t good, because they are.
With Devin Booker coming back, the Suns can kick things up a gear. They are immune to Covid. They have a great coach. I like their bench. What’s not to like about what the Suns are doing?
The Bad
nothingfound.exe
Rookie of the Year Ladder
How are the best youngsters doing around the NBA? They’re about the hit the infamous rookie wall, but who is still standing out after 9 weeks of action? Let’s find out.
#5 – Josh Giddey (OKC)
From his precision passing to his herky-jerky movements, Josh Giddey is a very fun player. He’s a great playmaker and rebounder. He’s a very smart player, able to read defenses very well. All he’s missing is a perimeter jump shot.
10.6 points – 7.2 rebounds (1.5 ORB) – 6.0 assists – 45% TS
#4 – Franz Wagner (ORL)
Franz Wagner is one of the only good things about the Magic. He’s just a solid all-around player. He’s a solid team defender. He’s one of the better passing forwards in the NBA. He’s become a long-range bomber.
Just a few days ago, against Miami, he started attacking people off the dribble. He’s evolving.
14.5 points – 1.3 ORB – 1.1 steals – 53% TS
#3 – Scottie Barnes (TOR)
It pains me to do this, but Barnes hasn’t improved after a hot start to his career. That’s not to say he still hasn’t been great.
He’s a great defender. His 3-PT shot is coming along nicely. But other rookies have been on more of a tear. That’s why Barnes is 3rd this week, not 2nd.
15.6 points – 8.3 rebounds (3.0 ORB) – 2.1 stocks – 55% TS
#2 – Cade Cunningham (DET)
I get that Barnes has better all-around numbers than Cade. But over the past month, Cade has perhaps been the best rookie in the NBA.
His offensive game is blossoming. The Pistons have given him the keys to the car. He’s currently on cruise control. The shooting, the IQ, and the pace he plays at are all impressive. He’s just a fun player to watch.
Cade Cunningham in December
19.3 points – 5.3 rebounds – 6.0 assists – 2.5 stocks – 55% TS
#1 – Evan Mobley (CLE)
He’s an alien. Even aliens can get Covid.
13.8 points – 8.3 rebounds (1.7 ORB) – 2.7 stocks – 54% TS
Interesting Tid-Bits
Last week, I looked at some stats. My goal was to find interesting stats. Here’s the second edition of that journey.
The Collapse of the Wizards
I am proud to announce that I wasn’t fooled by the Wizards. Even with their 10-3 start, one of the best in franchise history, everybody called them good. I did not. I am a profit.
The Wizards have lost 7/10 games. They are back to being mediocre. Their freefall has been simple to follow. Their defense is no longer the second rendition of the 1985 Bears.
Washington’s “Defense” Over The Past 10 Games
115.6 DRtg (26th)
48.3 Opp FG% (26th)
21.7 Opp FTM (30th)
113.3 Opp PPG (27th)
I don’t think the Wizards will stop being bad. Their start to the season was a pipe dream, an oasis in a desert of mediocrity. Good thing you extended your GM after a fluke start.
Lebron James Is Ridiculous
After spending half his life in the NBA in the NBA, you would think that the King would slow down. On the contrary, James has once again evolved. He’s shooting more outside shots than ever, attacking less, and it’s working.
25.9 points – 6.6 rebounds – 6.8 assists – 60% TS
James is still shooting 75% from the field in the restricted area, but he’s been lethal as a jump shooter. 48% from the mid-range? 35% shooting on above the break 3-pointers while shooting 7.3 of them per game? What the actual hell is that?
With AD set to miss a lot of time, expect more Lebron explosions. He’ll play at center more. He’ll play more minutes. He’s set to turn 37 in a few days (happy early birthday). Excuse my french, but how is he still doing this shit?
What Are Your Thoughts From This Weeks Edition of Power Rankings? Leave A Comment Down Below!
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