The Bucks Can’t Be Stopped; Week 11 Power Rankings
From the Bucks’ dominance when healthy to the perfect 2022 All-Star Ballot, here is the 11th week of my weekly power rankings.
Week 11 Power Rankings
Most of the top 10 teams are still being ravaged by Covid & injuries. Unfortunately, we haven’t gotten to see these teams healthy as they enter the new calendar year, but welcome to the NBA.
From the faults of the Jazz to the rise of the Bulls, here are my Week 11 Power Rankings.
#10 – Philadelphia 76ers
Record: (19-16)
Offensive Rating: 109.9 (14th)
Defensive Rating: 109.5 (18th)
Net Rating: 0.4 (13th)
The Good
A decisive win over Brooklyn capped off a 2-0 week for the 76ers. Their season arc has been weird, but they remain three games over 0.500.
With Joel Embiid, the offense remains afloat. The backcourt of Curry & Maxey has been excellent this season, combining for 32.9 points a night.
The defense hasn’t been great, but it’s passable. Matisse Thybulle is an animal on the perimeter, shutting down opposing guards with ease.
Even with their inconsistencies, the 76ers are firmly in the playoff picture.
The Bad
Without Ben Simmons, the defense isn’t nearly as good as it was last year. Relying on the offense has been a mixed bag.
With the onus on the offense, it’s been up and down. The help Philly gives Embiid depends on the night. If Maxey, Curry, and Harris are hitting shots, things are going well. If not, then things go south.
Getting Tobias Harris back to where he was last season would go a long way for Philly.
#9 – Cleveland Cavaliers
Record: (21-16)
Offensive Rating: 110.0 (13th)
Defensive Rating: 104.5 (3rd)
Net Rating: 5.5 (4th)
The Good
The Cavs are winning despite losing every guard imaginable. They beat the Pacers yesterday while playing guys like Kevin Pagnos and Brandon Goodwin.
The size the Cavs have is working. Mobley & Allen form an elite defensive tandem. If that wasn’t enough, Kevin Love is enjoying a revival. Lauri Markkanen is passable.
Darius Garland, when healthy, has been All-Star caliber. He orchestrates this offense beautifully, utilizing his versatile centers perfectly.
The Cavs are young, exciting, and on the rise in the East.
The Bad
They have no ball-handlers outside of Garland. Cedi Osman is a quasi ball-handler. Rajon Rondo can’t be their only option after Garland.
Speaking of limited options, the bench unit as a whole is thin. Even before this slew of injures/Covid, the Cavs don’t have a great bench. An arm injury to Isaac Okoro only makes things more complicated.
The Cavs are struggling to find bodies to fill minutes. Their January schedule features tough opponents like Golden State, Utah, and Brooklyn. I can’t tell you how they’re going to survive this stretch.
#8 – Memphis Grizzlies
Record: (23-14)
Offensive Rating: 111.4 (7th)
Defensive Rating: 108.7 (15th)
Net Rating: 2.7 (9th)
The Good
The Grizzlies are rolling. Ja Morant captains one of the deepest rosters in the league. Breakouts from Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. have Memphis’ offense humming.
After starting the year slow, the tough defense has made a return. Dillon Brooks, Steven Adams, and Kyle Anderson lead a rapidly improving defense.
Memphis has won fourteen out of their last eighteen games. Their young nucleus is blossoming, ready for the big stage. It’s time to make that playoff push.
The Bad
I don’t think there’s a lot to say here. All I ask for is that the defense continues to play as it has been. If that happens, look out for Memphis.
#7 – Miami Heat
Record: (23-14)
Offensive Rating: 111.4 (8th)
Defensive Rating: 107.3 (9th)
Net Rating: 4.1 (6th)
The Good
The Heat are finding ways to win with a depleted roster. Guys like Omer Yurtseven and Jack Harlow 2.0 have fueled the Heat. A loss to the Kings last night isn’t ideal, but it is what it is.
Lowry, Butler, and Herro are having to shoulder the load. Tucker and Adebayo have missed significant time with injury. Even with that, the Heat’s defense is fine.
It’s hard to rationalize the Heat’s success, but they are the 4th seed in the East for a reason.
The Bad
I’m still not a fan of Miami’s depth when healthy. They need more to take on the Bucks, Nets, Warriors, etc. Tyler Herro is the only bench option I like. Other than that, it’s risky to count on Max Strus, Gabe Vincent, and Dewayne Dedmon for production.
#6 – Utah Jazz
Record: (26-10)
Offensive Rating: 117.0 (1st)
Defensive Rating: 107.1 (6th)
Net Rating: 9.8 (2nd)
The Good
The Jazz offense is one of the best in NBA history. In terms of offensive ratings, it ranks 5th all-time. That speaks for itself. Utah’s spacing is impeccable. When they get going, with all their movement and shooting, it’s impossible to stop. The Jazz are running a pawn shop – weapons galore.
Rudy Gobert is a brick wall down low. Next to nothing passes by down low without influence from Mr. Microphone.
This team is deep. Nobody shoots it better than the Jazz. They are on the cutting edge of analytics in the NBA, and it’s working.
The Bad
They don’t have great defenders outside of Gobert. Against the Warriors on Saturday, they had no answer for Wiggins and Otto Porter. I find it hard to believe they can stop any elite perimeter scorers in the NBA.
The Jazz also get stagnant at times. They don’t move the ball, settling for stupid shots. When they play their game, it’s hard to stop them. Getting them to play their game is sometimes a struggle.
I’m also somewhat worried about William Fichtner 2.0’s ability to call plays.
#5 – Brooklyn Nets
Record: (23-11)
Offensive Rating: 110.3 (10th)
Defensive Rating: 106.9 (5th)
Net Rating: 3.4 (8th)
The Good
The Nets are still second in the East despite major problems with their team. Kevin Durant glues them together, with contributions from Patty Mills being the second most consistent thing about this team.
James Harden is back to drawing fouls, meaning the offense has improved. The switching defense hasn’t slowed down. Nicolas Claxton is criminally underrated down low.
With Kyrie’s return looming, the Nets just have to hang in there. The cavalry is coming.
The Bad
After blowing a double-digit lead to a severely undermanned Clippers team, allowing 71 points in the 2nd half, KD didn’t mince words;
“We just relaxed too much,” Durant said. “We get up 10, miss a layup or turn the ball over, and they get a fast break, give up a 3, straight-line drive — like coach [Steve Nash] said, we didn’t deserve to win this game. We came in here with a f—ed-up attitude. Thinking we were just going to walk into a W.”
The Nets can’t afford to lose focus with the return of Kyrie on the horizon. I know that getting Kyrie back makes them better, but they have to hold things down until he returns.
With their meh-bench and inconsistent coaching, the Nets aren’t going to beat teams with their talent. They are good, but not as good as they were last season. Playing hard has to happen every night for this team to reach their potential.
#4 – Milwaukee Bucks
Record: (25-13)
Offensive Rating: 111.8 (6th)
Defensive Rating: 107.2 (7th)
Net Rating: 4.6 (5th)
The Good
The Bucks have won 21/28 games since November 7th. With their big 3 on the floor, they have a dominating 16-2 record (89% W). The Bucks would be 33-5 if their big 3 played all 38 games.
The help around the core is great. Grayson Allen has proved to be a great shooter. Donte DiVincenzo is working himself back into form. Bobby Portis and Pat Connaughton remain solid from last year’s title run.
This team might be the best in the NBA when healthy.
The Bad
If only the Bucks could stay healthy. Both Middleton and Holiday have missed time with nagging injuries. The Bucks have been great, but injuries are slowing them down.
Brook Lopez hasn’t played since opening day, dealing with a back injury from the depths of hell. In his stead, DeMarcus Cousins has been getting minutes. Not ideal.
#3 – Chicago Bulls
Record: (24-10)
Offensive Rating: 112.0 (5th)
Defensive Rating: 108.2 (12th)
Net Rating: 3.8 (7th)
The Good
The Bulls are one of the most fun teams in the league. They are also leading the Eastern Conference. New free agent acquisitions DeMar DeRozan, Alex Caruso, and Lonzo Ball have been amazing. DeRozan is having a career season, regaining his status as an elite scorer.
Add in Zach Lavine, Nikola Vucevic, and Coby White? Now that’s a team. The Bulls play well on both sides of the ball. They have great chemistry. They already seem like a well-rounded team bound for postseason success.
The Bad
Some added depth in the frontcourt couldn’t hurt.
#2 – Phoenix Suns
Record: (28-8)
Offensive Rating: 111.2 (9th)
Defensive Rating: 103.9 (2nd)
Net Rating: 7.3 (3rd)
The Good
The Suns thrashed Charlotte last night, getting back on track after an ugly loss to Boston. The Suns quietly remain right behind the Warriors in the West, but it’s clear they have to be better to beat that team.
The starting lineup is the best part of this team. Chris Paul and Devin Booker take care of things down the stretch. Bridges, Ayton, and Crowder are great defenders who do the dirty work on both ends. Monty Williams is a great coach. With that in mind, the Suns have a problem.
The Bad
The bench is nowhere near as good as Golden State’s. The Warriors have too many weapons and the Suns can’t match that. Cam Johnson is good but doesn’t create his own offense. Neither does Landry Shamet.
Cameron Payne is shooting more on offense this season with poor return numbers. He’s shooting just ___ from the field this season, a steep drop from his 48% mark last year.
If the Suns want to beat the Warriors, they need more firepower off the bench. More guys who can create their shots off the dribble would be perfect. I think I know who they need;
Ross has two years left on his contract, but I think he’s worth it. He can score on his own, something that the Suns need. Similar to Jordan Clarkson, letting him loose for short bursts can spark the offense.
Orlando Receives: Dario Saric – Abdel Nader
Phoenix Receives: Terrence Ross – 2025 Denver FRP
With Dario Saric recovering from his ACL tear last year, the Suns need immediate help. Saric is good, but Ross helps them more. The Magic aren’t giving up much. That first-round pick is from Denver, acquired in the Aaron Gordon deal.
With how badly the Suns need bench help to compete with Golden State, making this move would make them better.
#1 – Golden State Warriors
Record: (28-7)
Offensive Rating: 112.0 (4th)
Defensive Rating: 102.1 (1st)
Net Rating: 9.9 (1st)
The Good
Any and everything
Rookie of the Year Ladder
While we’re still seeing the same five guys in these power rankings, we’ve seen another meteoric rise from a rookie. How will that rise affect the power rankings? Let’s see;
#5 – Josh Giddey (OKC)
Giddey missed time with health and safety protocols to end the year. He returned last night against Dallas, where he had a decent game, nothing special. Not like becoming the youngest player in NBA history with a triple-double is cool or anything. 17 points / 13 rebounds / 14 assists / 4 steals / god
The only thing missing from the Aussie’s game is a jump shot. Other than that, he’s ticked off every box that OKC imagined when they drafted him.
(stats)
#4 – Cade Cunningham (DET)
We haven’t seen Cunningham in a week due to Covid protocols. He was on a tear before entering them, but I fear that the momentum he built up could be gone when he returns. The best-case scenario is that Cade returns to form whenever he gets back in action.
15.3 points – 6.2 rebounds – 5.2 assists – 1.4 steals – 48% TS
#3 – Scottie Barnes (TOR)
Scottie Barnes entered Covid protocols as well but returned last night to help the Raptors thrash New York. Barnes has been perhaps the most consistent rookie in the NBA. His length and versatility are well-used by Nick Nurse. He’s become a better shoot throughout the season, getting more comfortable with shooting 3’s.
Barnes hasn’t been exploding, but that’s not a bad thing. I’ll always take the steady hand over the streaky shooter any day of the week.
(stats)
#2 – Franz Wagner (ORL)
Wagner has been one of the few rookies to avoid Covid this season. However, he’s also got Covid to thank for his recent play. With Orlando decimated by Covid, Wagner has been given the keys to the offense. It’s worked like a charm.
With the ball in his hands, Wagner has been electric. He’s beating guys off the dribble, scoring at the rim with ease, and making everything look too easy for a 20-year old.
(We don’t talk about the Celtics game)
(stats)
#1 – Evan Mobley (CLE)
Evan Mobley still leads this rookie class by a wide margin. His oozing versatility on both sides has made him the perfect fit in Cleveland. He can guard 1-5 on defense and score from anywhere on the court on offense. There’s not a whole lot he can’t do. He’s an alien.
(stats)
The Perfect All-Star Starter Ballot
With All-Star voting in full swing, I think it’s a good time to make the perfect All-Star ballot. Most NBA fans vote for only the players they know, not the players who deserve the spot.
There are a lot of players playing great basketball around the NBA. Here are the ten players who deserve the starting spots in the All-Star game.
Western Conference
The Western Conference has too many good players. To pick just five guys to represent them feels criminal, but we must do it. Here are the All-Star starters from the West.
Guard #1: Stephen Curry (GSW)
Guard #2: Luka Doncic (DAL)
Frontcourt #1: Lebron James (LAL)
Frontcourt #2: Karl-Anthony Towns (MIN)
Frontcourt #3: Nikola Jokic (DEN)
Eastern Conference
The Eastern Conference has become a deeper conference. There are better teams than ever, meaning there are better players compared to recent years. There are so many players you can debate who are in the running to be starting, but there are some guys who are a cut above everybody else.
Here are the All-Star starters from the East.
Guard #1: Trae Young (ATL)
Guard #2: DeMar DeRozan (CHI)
Frontcourt #1: Kevin Durant (BKN)
Frontcourt #2: Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL)
Frontcourt #3: Joel Embiid (PHI)
I don’t think there’s anybody else who deserves a starter spot in either conference. You can make an argument for Paul George in the West, but with his injury, I don’t think he’ll end up being a starter. The same thing goes for Anthony Davis.
The Eastern Conference doesn’t have a lot of fighting at the top. The only guy you can argue who should be a starter is Jayson Tatum over Joel Embiid. Other than that, it’s clear who deserves a starting spot.
What Are Your Thoughts On This Week’s Edition of Power Rankings? Leave A Comment Down Below!
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