20. Brooklyn Nets (Down 2)

(4-6) Last week: 1-2

The great American writer & podcaster Bill Simmons popularised the 'Ewing Theory' back in 2001. We don't have nearly enough space to go into that here, but.....is there a sneaky Ewing Theory happening in Brooklyn and Boston? Kyrie Irving is tied for 3rd in the league with 29.7 ppg. He's shooting a career high number of free throws and seems to have bought into the Nets team ethos. Yet.....they're just not that good. Meanwhile, up in Boston....

 

19. Atlanta Hawks (No change)

(1-2) Last week: 1-2

He might not play defence, but Jabari Parker is lighting it up at the other end. Since stepping in for the suspended John Collins, Parker is averaging around 22 points, 8 boards and close to 2 blocks and steals per night. Always a canny mover off the ball, he's developing a lovely chemistry with Trae Young.

 

18. Sacramento Kings (Up 6)

(4-6) Last week: 2-0

The Kings are getting back on track – or at least they were before D'Aaron Fox went down with an ankle sprain that's expected to sideline him for 2-3 weeks. The Kings will lean heavily on Bogdan Bogdanovic to run the offence in Fox's forced absence. The Serbian is not a natural point guard, but has the handles, craft and vision to run the team for stretches at a time. How he adapts will have a huge bearing on how the Kings hold up without their star lead guard.

 

17. Oklahoma City Thunder (No change)

(4-7) Last week: 1-3

These guys are frisky. The Thunder haven't had the easiest early schedule, so the record isn't completely indicative of where they sit as a team. Still, it's more likely than not that the team continues to shed talent towards the trade deadline. Danilo Gallinari is a perfect stretch four for a playoff team (Portland or Boston, anyone?) and Kiwi Steven Adams could get 'dutched' (sorry) for a good draft pick, too. I'd love to see him on the Clippers, but after the Paul George trade, what else can the Clips give OKC?

 

16. San Antonio Spurs (No change)

(5-6) Last week: 1-3

After a hot start, the Spurs have regressed back to – at best - .500 ball. Whilst there are some impressive building blocks in Dejounte Murray and Derrick White, the rest of the team is starting to look it's age. LaMarcus Aldridge (34) and Rudy Gay (33) have both been wildly inconsistent. When they can bring it, the Spurs look good, but when they can't too much falls on DeMar DeRozan, who is the definition of a good, not great basketballer.

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