It’s Good To Have Klay Thompson Back; Week 12 Power Rankings
From the decline of the Nets to Klay Thompson’s return, here are my week 12 power rankings.
From the decline of the Nets to Klay Thompson’s return, here are my week 12 power rankings.
Week 12 Power Rankings
Where does the Bulls’ recent hot streak put them? What is wrong with the Nets? Are we sleeping on the Grizzlies? Here are my top 10 teams in the NBA.
#10 – Cleveland Cavaliers
Record: (22-18)
Offensive Rating: 109.8 (15th)
Defensive Rating: 104.8 (3rd)
Net Rating: 5.0 (4th)
The Good
The Cavaliers are remaining afloat despite major injuries. Ricky Rubio was having a career season before tearing his ACL. Isaac Okoro should be back around February.
Their towering lineup of size is working. It’s nearly impossible to score on them down low with Mobley and Allen lurking around every shot. Darius Garland is playing like an All-Star.
They might be weird, but the Cavs remain a solid squad having a great season.
The Bad
God does their bench need help. Trading for Rajon Rondo is like putting a band-aid on a corpse. They need a lot more firepower to do real damage in the East. Relying on quasi-scorers like Cedi Osman, Lamar Stevens, and Dylan Windler is a recipe for disaster.
As we saw last night when they got thrashed by the Warriors, teams can run against them. When you play faster, the Cavs’ tall defense becomes less effective.
#9 – Philadelphia 76ers
Record: (22-16)
Offensive Rating: 110.9 (10th)
Defensive Rating: 109.1 (16th)
Net Rating: 1.8 (11th)
The Good
I thought the 76ers were dead a few weeks ago, but here they are. Over their last eight games, where they’ve won seven times, Philly has been outscoring opponents by (stat).
Joel Embiid continues to be an MVP-caliber force down low, this time with some help. The backcourt of Maxey and Curry continues their brilliance. Tobias Harris has picked up the pace after a rough shooting start to 2022.
The 76ers have had a top-6 defense over their last eight games, proving that they aren’t hopeless on that end of the floor.
The Bad
Is this recent play sustainable? They’ve played teams like San Antonio, Orlando, Houston, and Boston during this winning streak. Sure, wins against Brooklyn and Toronto are nice, but can they keep this defensive play up?
What is up with Tobias Harris? After shooting 39% from three last season, he is now shooting a tick below 30% this season. His TS% has dropped by five percentage points. A more efficient Harris would help this team a lot.
#8 – Miami Heat
Record: (25-15)
Offensive Rating: 111.9 (6th)
Defensive Rating: 107.6 (7th)
Net Rating: 4.3 (5th)
The Good
Excuse my french, but how the f— are the Heat still this good? Jimmy Butler has missed 17 games. Bam Adebayo has missed 22 games. Kyle Lowry has missed 4 games. Look at their splits when their stars don’t play;
Heat Without Jimmy Butler: 11-6
Heat Without Bam Adebayo: 15-7
Heat Without Kyle Lowry: 3-1
I would love to call this the Ewing Theory, but this is more than that. The Heat have continued to find diamonds in the rough. Players who not many other teams would want, but Miami has turned them into saviors as their roster is consumed by injuries.
Look at the names they’ve been relying on for the past few weeks;
Max Strus / Omer Yurtseven / Caleb Martin / Gabe Vincent / Kyle Guy
The Heat have survived better than anybody could have expected without their stars. When their All-Stars are back and healthy, look out for Miami.
The Bad
For once, I will not complain about Miami’s depth. Granted, I still think there are improvements to be made off the bench, but for now, I will let the Heat enjoy their moment.
#7 – Memphis Grizzlies
Record: (28-14)
Offensive Rating: 112.2 (4th)
Defensive Rating: 108.2 (12th)
Net Rating: 4.0 (6th)
The Good
The Grizzlies have won their last nine straight games. I would put them up there for the deepest roster in the NBA. They can do no wrong.
Ja Morant has burst onto the scene as an All-Star. Brooks, Bane, and Jackson are emerging as suitable secondary options. The Grizzlies defense has fixed itself after being the worst in the league weeks ago.
Memphis is 14-5 against teams above 0.500. Their depth is immense. They are currently set to have homecourt advantage in the playoffs. Here come the Grizzlies.
The Bad
Dillon Brooks, who was having a great season, is set to miss multiple weeks with an ankle injury. Other than that, this team is on the right track.
#6 – Brooklyn Nets
Record: (25-13)
Offensive Rating: 110.6 (12th)
Defensive Rating: 108.0 (10th)
Net Rating: 2.6 (9th)
The Good
The Nets are still near the top of the Eastern Conference. They just got Kyrie Irving back. Kevin Durant is an MVP frontrunner. The defense has slowed down recently but remains a solid unit.
The Bad
Oh, where to begin? The Nets are 13-11 against teams above 0.500 this season. They are 0-6 against the Warriors, Suns, Bulls, Grizzlies, Heat, and Bucks. I get that Irving hasn’t played in any of those games, but still.
The Nets have also been struggling at home. Before barely beating the Spurs in overtime yesterday, the Nets had lost four straight games at home. They are a paltry 11-10 in Barclays Center this season.
James Harden continues to not be as good as the Nets need him to be. Joe Harris remains out with ankle surgery.
The Nets are a bit of a mess right now. On top of that, they have to try and adjust to this new Kyrie situation, which I’m sure will be no headache at all.
#5 – Utah Jazz
Record: (28-12)
Offensive Rating: 116.8 (1st)
Defensive Rating: 108.0 (11th)
Net Rating: 8.8 (2nd)
The Good
The Jazz’s offense doesn’t make any sense. The difference between them and 2nd place (3.9) is the same as the difference between 2nd and 18th. Offense will never be a problem for a team with this much shooting.
The Bad
Without Rudy Gobert, you saw how easily Domantas Sabonis was able to score down low. The Jazz defense is good, but they lack good individual defenders.
We’ve been saying this about them for the past two seasons. They aren’t winning a championship with their best perimeter defender being Royce O’Neale.
#4 – Milwaukee Bucks
Record: (26-16)
Offensive Rating: 111.7 (7th)
Defensive Rating: 107.9 (9th)
Net Rating: 3.8 (7th)
The Good
The Bucks are 16-3 when their big 3 plays. Injuries have hampered this team, but no matter. Good luck trying to stop this team in the postseason.
Giannis continues to be brilliant. The roster around him is the best it’s ever been. The Bucks are a juggernaut. It’s just a matter of staying healthy.
The Bad
Along with trying to stay healthy, the Bucks could use another body down low. Brook Lopez has played just one game this season. DeMarcus Cousins, brought in as a backup, was recently released.
Having just two centers in Lopez and Portis might work in the playoffs, but it wouldn’t hurt to add another veteran for the regular season.
#3 – Chicago Bulls
Record: (26-11)
Offensive Rating: 112.0 (5th)
Defensive Rating: 108.5 (13th)
Net Rating: 3.5 (8th)
The Good
The Bulls are 9-1 in their last 10 games. After surviving a brutal battle with Covid, they are back to rolling. DeMar DeRozan and Zach Lavine are the best scoring duo in the NBA. The backcourt of Ball, Caruso, and Coby White gives the Bulls differing play styles.
The offense is one of the best units in the league. The bench features some unknowns like Javonte Green, Ayo Dosunmu, and Troy Brown Jr. You might not know them, but they have kept the bench afloat.
The Bad
The defense has been slowly declining. After being a top-10 unit for most of the season, the Bulls’ defense has been ranked 23rd over the last 15 games.
The paint defense hasn’t been as good. Over that same 15-game stretch, no team has allowed more makes at the rim than Chicago.
I still think the defense is fine with Caruso and Ball on the floor, but not having Patrick Williams hurts their versatility on that end.
#2 – Phoenix Suns
Record: (30-9)
Offensive Rating: 111.2 (8th)
Defensive Rating: 104.2 (2nd)
Net Rating: 7.0 (3rd)
The Good
The Suns are leading the Western Conference. They have been dealing with lots of injuries, particularly in the frontcourt. But, they are still outpacing the Warriors, which is impressive.
The offense has weapons galore. It’s nearly impossible to beat this team in close games. Monty Williams is a great coach. The depth is solid. Things are going well for the defending Western Conference champs.
The Bad
The offense hasn’t been great lately. I know the Suns have had injuries, but it’s something to look at. The frontcourt is also extremely thin with injuries/Covid. Ayton, Kaminsky, and McGee have spent time with injuries.
#1 – Golden State Warriors
Record: (30-9)
Offensive Rating: 110.8 (11th)
Defensive Rating: 101.9 (1st)
Net Rating: 8.9 (1st)
The Good
The Warriors’ defense has been carrying them. Even with Steph Curry in a shooting slump, their supreme depth has kept them afloat.
Their veterans are playing great, proving to be a massive upgrade over the youngsters from last season. Klay Thompson coming back gives them even more depth, adding more perimeter defense to the best defense in the NBA.
The Warriors are doing a lot of good right now.
The Bad
The offense is still reliant on Steph Curry. Again, Curry not playing at an MVP level hasn’t slowed them down, but their offense has plummeted.
Klay Thompson coming back will be an adjustment for guys like Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins, but I don’t think it’ll be a major problem down the line for this juggernaut.
It’s Good To Have Klay Thompson Back
941 days. That’s how long it’s been since Klay Thompson made his triumphant return to the floor. The last time the other Splash Brother was on the floor was on June 13, 2019, Game 6 of the NBA Finals.
Kevin Durant was Thompson’s teammate. Kawhi Leonard was on the Raptors. Kyrie Irving was a Celtic. Paul George was in Oklahoma City. Anthony Davis was rotting away in New Orleans. Zion Williamson, Ja Morant, Lamelo Ball, and Anthony Edwards had yet to enter the league. Donald Trump was still the president. Nobody knew what this thing called Covid-19 was.
After two devastating injuries, tests to not only Thompson’s body but also his will, he made his return to the new Chase Center. After months of waiting, the Warriors welcomed back a cherished member of their three title runs over five years.
The moment was surreal. Seeing videos of Thompson slowly getting back into form didn’t put goosebumps on your body as his debut did. When Franco Finn, the Warriors’ longtime hypeman said, “Heeeeeeeee’s baaaaack,” we all knew it was time for Game 6 Klay to return.
Thompson’s return was a blur. Playing in small bursts of time by design, he made the most of his time on the floor. In just 20 minutes of action, Thompson shot 18 times and scored 17 points. Steve Kerr might have not wanted Thompson to be force-fed, but that’s what transpired.
The highlight of the night wasn’t Thompson playing. The highlight was not Draymond Green playing 7 seconds while injured, just to be there for Thompson’s return. The highlight of the night was Klay Thompson, after 941 days of not playing basketball, DUNKING.
Dunking for someone is already an impressive achievement, but considering everything that Thompson has gone through, the moment was perfect.
When those lights are the brightest,” Thompson said, “I just felt bouncy. It felt so good to throw that down. I did not expect that. … And luckily for me, I threw it down with authority.
Klay Thompson on his dunk postgame
Thompson compared the moment to winning a championship. Thompson said he was happy to see his name in the box score again. 941 days of pain, doubt, anguish, and longing have led to his return. As Klay Thompson so eloquently put it;
There’s always light at the end of the tunnel,” Thompson said. “That’s what I learned. And take things one day at a time. Because I was really looking forward to this moment but I didn’t skip any steps. And maybe during the first rehab, I was overeager. I was probably playing too soon. And no one’s self-made. I had a lot of help. A lot of help. So just lean on your loved ones and just lean on those who care about you most. Tough times don’t last. Tough people do.
Welcome back, Klay.
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