Should We Be Worried About The Nets? Week 15 Power Rankings!
Are the Nets in trouble? Who is the NBA version of Jimmy Garoppolo? I answered these questions and more in my weekly power rankings.
Should we be worried about the Nets? Who is the Jimmy Garoppolo of the NBA? Who is winning the Super Bowl? I broke down all those questions and more in my weekly power rankings.
Week 15 Power Rankings
Another week, another power rankings. We’ve seen a lot of movement in the top 10 over the past few weeks and week 15 was no different. Here are the ten best teams in the NBA.
#10 – Denver Nuggets
Record: (28-21)
Offensive Rating: 111.3 (10th)
Defensive Rating: 109.3 (13th)
Net Rating: 2.0 (11th)
The Good
This team has quietly remained excellent without two of their best players. Nikola Jokic continues to do incredible things offensively, holding this team upright.
The help around him isn’t terrible, but it could be better. Aaron Gordon and Monte Morris have helped steady the offense when Jokic isn’t on the floor.
The defense has rounded back into form, with Denver being a solid all-around team. I’m just counting down the days until this team is fully healthy again.
The Bad
The Nuggets outscore opponents by 9.9 points per 100 possessions with Nikola Jokic on the floor.
Jokic’s on-off plus/minus per 100 possessions is +22.6. Denver loses by 12.7 points per 100 possessions when their MVP isn’t on the floor.
This tweet, albeit from a couple of days ago, sums up my point perfectly;
The non-Jokic minutes are the most pivotal for Denver during any given game. To be successful, they have to win those minutes.
#9 – Brooklyn Nets
Record: (29-20)
Offensive Rating: 112.0 (7th)
Defensive Rating: 110.0 (17th)
Net Rating: 2.0 (12th)
The Bad
Other than the return of Kyrie, there isn’t much to say here. With Kevin Durant out with injury, this team is falling apart. Namely, their switching-oriented defense is failing them.
The Nets simply don’t have enough impactful individual defenders to make all that switching work. Other than Claxton, Durant, and Bruce Brown, be wary of the defense.
The offense has exploded with Irving returning, but the Nets have fallen to sixth in the East. Their defense is struggling. Kevin Durant is going to miss more time. But wait, there’s more.
So far, the Nets have had the easiest schedule in the NBA. To end their season, they will have the toughest schedule in the NBA. Have fun!
#8 – Milwaukee Bucks
Record: (31-21)
Offensive Rating: 111.4 (9th)
Defensive Rating: 108.5 (10th)
Net Rating: 2.9 (7th)
The Bad
Like Brooklyn, there’s not a lot to say here. Yeah, the Bucks are good, but they should be way better.
They lost by 36 points to the Nuggets last night. Even though they are 19-5 with their big three healthy, the Bucks aren’t as dominant as they should be.
The health of their big 3 is a topic for another day, but this team looks dead. They aren’t standing out on either side of the ball. It’s hard to describe them, but they aren’t playing as well as I think they can. That’s about as simple as I can put it.
The defending champs have some wrinkles to iron out for the remainder of the season.
#7 – Philadelphia 76ers
Record: (30-19)
Offensive Rating: 111.2 (11th)
Defensive Rating: 108.5 (9th)
Net Rating: 2.7 (10th)
The Good
Joel Embiid is an animal. He’s the only thing keeping this team from mediocrity. Embiid has been other-worldly to kick off the 2022 calendar year;
14 games – 34.0 points – 10.8 rebounds – 5.1 assists – 2.0 stocks – 64% TS – (11-3 record)
Along with decent contributions from Seth Curry, Maxey, and the overpaid Tobias Harris, the 76ers’ offense can be lethal. When Embiid is playing like this, it’s nearly impossible to stop them.
Embiid aids Matisse Thybulle on the other end, where Philly has been surprisingly good even without a certain someone playing this year.
For a while, it looked like the 76ers would be average. Right now, they’re third in the East. Not too bad.
The Bad
If the 76ers don’t make a move at the deadline to aide Embiid, it will be another mistake for their organization. They still don’t want to trade Ben Simmons, leaving a prime asset on the table as Embiid has a season for the ages.
The 76ers have already failed Embiid time and time again. They’ve never given him an ample co-star. They let Jimmy Butler, who was supposed to be his co-star, walk in free agency. Embiid is healthy (for now) and doing marvelous things.
It’s time for the 76ers to hold up their end of the bargain and get him some real help.
#6 – Cleveland Cavaliers
Record: (30-20)
Offensive Rating: 110.1 (17th)
Defensive Rating: 105.3 (3rd)
Net Rating: 4.8 (4th)
The Good
The Cavaliers will not stop impressing us all. They continue to be the underdog team from Ohio that proves everybody wrong after being bad for years. Where have I heard that one before?
(Shoutout Joe Cool)
Darius Garland should be an All-Star. Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley are the best defensive frontcourt in the NBA. The Cavs are weird. Their offense seems clunky with all that size, but it’s that same size that makes their defense elite.
The Cavs have a very easy second-half schedule ahead of them. If they play their cards right, they’ll be a top seed in the East.
The Bad
While I love what the Cavs are doing, I can’t ignore some of their flaws.
- No ball-handlers outside of Garland
- Not enough shooting – especially with Markkanen out
- I don’t love their bench options
It’s fascinating that the Cavs are ten games over 0.500 with all those flaws, but they need to make moves at the deadline. Trading an expiring contract like Ricky Rubio or Collin Sexton for immediate help would make them more likely to win a playoff series.
#5 – Chicago Bulls
Record: (31-18)
Offensive Rating: 112.2 (6th)
Defensive Rating: 110.4 (20th)
Net Rating: 1.8 (13th)
Not Looking Good
The Bulls are still recovering from their devastating stretch with injuries. Their defensive backcourt of Ball and Caruso will miss weeks. Derrick Jones Jr is a ways away from returning. Patrick Williams has hardly played this season.
The Bulls can remain competitive with DeRozan, Lavine, and Vucevic, but it’s not going to be easy. Their defense has already started to slip with their absences. Their schedule isn’t doing them any favors, so these next few weeks with a thin roster will define their season.
Will they survive or crumble? Only time will tell.
#4 – Miami Heat
Record: (32-18)
Offensive Rating: 112.3 (5th)
Defensive Rating: 107.6 (7th)
Net Rating: 4.7 (5th)
The Good
The Heat have emerged from the depths of injury hell unscathed, ready to take over the East. Butler and Adebayo have returned, the Heat getting back to full strength alongside them.
Miami is one of the most physical teams in the league. Their offense is powered by ball movement and shooting. They have elite defenders with the capabilities to shut down any elite offense.
I have not been overly fond of this team, but they’re leading the East, so what do I know?
The Bad
More depth couldn’t hurt. Unless Victor Oladipo comes back and is great (unfortunately unlikely), I don’t see this team as comparable to the Bucks.
I love guys like Max Strus and Gabe Vincent, but I think some more depth couldn’t hurt.
#3 – Memphis Grizzlies
Record: (35-17)
Offensive Rating: 111.8 (8th)
Defensive Rating: 108.3 (8th)
Net Rating: 3.5 (6th)
The Good
The Grizzlies are the best show in basketball. Ja Morant’s gravity-defying plays and cabbage patch dances are fueling the Grizzlies. Their run-and-gun style is mixed with an elite defense, led by JJJ and Steven Adams down low.
The Grizzlies have one of the deepest rosters in the league, filled with weapons, defenders, and scorers. They are well-coached, electric, and did I mention fun to watch? Memphis has put the pieces together this season. Now it’s time for a deep playoff run.
The Bad
nothingfound.exe
#2 – Golden State Warriors
Record: (37-13)
Offensive Rating: 110.9 (12th)
Defensive Rating: 102.7 (1st)
Net Rating: 8.2 (1st)
The Good
The Warriors are still adjusting to life without Draymond Green. Similar to the human body, it’s not the same without the heart. Unlike the human body, the Warriors aren’t dead.
Even with Steph Curry shooting historically bad from distance, the Warriors are average without Green. K-Pop star Andrew Wiggins has been great. Klay Thompson is rounding back into form. Hell, Jonathan Kuminga looks like a star.
The Warriors are the best team in the NBA when healthy. Sorry, Phoenix.
The Bad
That’s not good.
#1 – Phoenix Suns
Record: (40-9)
Offensive Rating: 112.8 (3rd)
Defensive Rating: 104.9 (2nd)
Net Rating: 7.8 (2nd)
The Good
The Suns, similar to the San Francisco Giants, won’t give in. Even if the Warriors have a better roster, the upstarts from a less glamorous market continue to win. They haven’t even lost ten games yet and are embarking on their second double-digit winning streak.
The offense hums thanks to Devin Booker’s hatred for mascots. Nobody can beat this team in the clutch with Chris Paul leading the show.
The frontcourt has been weakened as Deandre Ayton’s health has slipped, but it doesn’t matter. This team is proving the narrative that last year was a “fluke” wrong.
The Bad
The Suns are 18-3 without Deandre Ayton this year, but Ayton missing 21 games is the key there. I don’t care how good Bismack Biyombo has been, Ayton needs to get healthy.
Some more scoring off the bench couldn’t hurt, either.
Comparing The NBA To The NFL Playoffs
Believe it or not, I watch sports that aren’t basketball. It’s shocking, I know. This year’s NFL playoffs have been memorable for many reasons. The Divisional Round, in particular, had enough drama to win an Emmy.
With the Super Bowl set (go Bengals), I think it’s time to make the comparison between the NFL Playoffs and the NBA. Here we go!
Team Comparisons
We’ll start by comparing every NFL playoff team to their NBA counterpart. Things like injuries, salary cap, expectations, and talent will be factored into this highly-accurate study.
Tennessee Titans = Chicago Bulls
Despite major injuries, they keep the ship upright. Everybody hypes them up before the playoffs, only for them to burn out fantastically.
Sorry Bulls fans, but this sounds eerily similar to your season arc. I think the Bulls are good, but if there were to be a team to lose in the first round, it would be you.
I could be wrong about Chicago, but experience matters. All the other Eastern Contenders have more experience than they do. I will stand with this prediction, even if I like the Bulls.
Kansas City Chiefs = Golden State Warriors
Two dynastic teams in the peak of their powers. You either love or despise them. Despite their dominance, they showed cracks throughout the season. They weren’t the same.
The Warriors, like the Chiefs, have been sluggish at times this season. Kansas City had a turnover & defense problem to start the year. Without Draymond Green, Golden’s State offense is stagnant.
Now, do I think the Warriors will get upset before the Finals? It’s unlikely. I think it’s especially unlikely that they lost after having an 18-point lead in a conference championship game. Too soon, Chiefs fans?
Buffalo Bulls = Memphis Grizzlies
The team that everybody likes. A team that already has their franchise superstar to guide them. A team that loses in gut-wrenching fashion to the upper class of their conference.
Both teams are on the rise thanks to their superstars. Both teams are trying to undo their legacies of shortcomings. They’re trying to become the new class of their conference, trying to under root the mainstays already in power.
It’s easy to root for both these teams. We just have to hope that Memphis doesn’t lose because of a coin toss. That is all.
(How do you lose in 13 seconds? Anybody?)
Cincinnati Bengals = Cleveland Cavaliers
Both teams are in Ohio. Both teams have been rebuilding for years. Now, all of a sudden, they’re in a position to win. They’re fun, exciting, and did I mention fun?
I don’t know if the Cavs are as good as Joe Cool and Ja’Marr Chase, but they’re pretty close. Darius Garland is the fearless leader of this team. It’s hard for him to be as cool as Joey B, but his swagger is noticeable.
The state of Ohio should enjoy its sports teams. One is playing in the Super Bowl and the other is going to the playoffs.
Las Vegas Raiders = Sacramento Kings
Teams that always appear better than they are. Both organizations are filled with overall crappiness. Suck at drafting. Never can find a way to breakthrough. Luckily, one of them has better luck off the field.
Both of these teams are extremely familiar. They haven’t been good since the early 2000s when they again came up short. Both had a coaching change mid-season, although for two completely different reasons.
Did I mention that they both suck at drafting? Alex Leatherwood and Tyreke Evans would like a word.
New England Patriots = San Antonio Spurs
Both their dynasties are things of the past. Their old, legendary coaches aren’t revered as they once were. Once their franchise stalwart retired (or almost retired), things haven’t been the same.
Both are ok right now, but they have a ways to go before returning to the top. If they want to succeed, they need to determine the future of their young stars (Mac Jones / Dejounte Murray).
Pittsburgh Steelers = LA Lakers
Both franchises are trying to win one final title before their star ages out. Both don’t understand the fundamental flaws of their team. Always trying to hit a home run instead of trying to get on base (baseball-reference).
Both are trying to relive the glory days, becoming desperate to please a large, restless fanbase.
I get that Lebron James isn’t Big Ben, but these franchises are eerily similar, which isn’t a good thing. Drafting Najee Harris and Pat Friermouth with your top two draft picks is akin to trading for Westbrook.
And best of all, both of these teams are unbearable. There’s a reason everybody hates them.
Green Bay Packers = Utah Jazz
A regular-season team that always comes up short in the playoffs. Both teams love Joe Rogan and hate their vaccines. Damn you and your science, they scream.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers = Toronto Raptors
Teams that were never good enough to win on their own enlisted the help of superstars to help them win a title. But, that success was short-lived as their superstar left/retired almost immediately after winning that title.
The Raptors have been mediocre since Kawhi Leonard left. They haven’t been the same since 2020, a fringe playoff team at best.
Tom Brady might not be retiring, but I have a hard time believing that the Bucs win another ring.
Dallas Cowboys = New York Knicks
“America’s Team”
That sums things up well. Both these franchises have owners that are way too involved. They receive way too much hype, only for them to crash and burn when the going gets tough.
And one of them runs a QB draw with 14 seconds left.
Los Angeles Rams = Miami Heat
Both teams traded for a floor general that took them over the top. The Rams are in the Super Bowl because their quarterback isn’t Jared Goff. The Heat are good because Kyle Lowry is their point guard.
With that logic, the 2022 NBA Champions are the MIAMI HEAT!
Arizona Cardinals = Washington Wizards
They started off hot, making us believers, and then unraveled like string. Both teams have some stars, but not great overall teams.
They still need a lot to figure everything out.
San Francisco 49ers = Denver Nuggets
Injuries always get in the way, but they find ways to be good. They have great offenses with weird schemes and a lot of movement.
And while we’re on the topic of the 49ers, let’s talk about Jimmy Garoppolo. While Jimmy G wins games, there’s no denying he is one of the worst quarterbacks in the NFL. Not even his great Italian looks can save him from that label.
The NBA equivalent of Jimmy Garoppolo is Jevon Carter. Hear me out.
Over the last two seasons, Carter has played for the Suns and Nets. He has played 1139 minutes across 97 games. He’s averaging 3.7 points on 38% shooting over that span. Yikes.
But, Carter has been on teams that win 66% of their games. Ladies and gentlemen, we have found the NBA version of Jimmy Garoppolo. I don’t know if he has the same charming looks as Jimmy, though.
Philadelphia Eagles = Charlotte Hornets
Young teams that somehow made the playoffs despite major flaws. The Eagles played a weak schedule. The Hornets can’t play defense. Both teams have somewhat bright futures, but they need a lot of molding to become better.
Is Jalen Hurts their quarterback of the future? Will the Hornets ever learn how to play defense? Is Nick Siriani an idiot? Find out next time on Dragon Ball Z!
(I am very cultured)
My Super Bowl Predictions
To end of my weekly power rankings, it’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for. Who will win the Super Bowl?
Will it be Joe Shiesty and the Bungals or Matt Statford and the Rams? Both these teams are evenly matched, but I can’t pick against this face;
Bengals forever.
What Are Your Thoughts On My Weekly Power Rankings? Leave A Comment Down Below!
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