We're a week and a half into the new NBA season and we've already seen some remarkable sights: 50 point debut's, buzzer beaters, the most surreal game between the Rockets and Wizards, and of course, a Steph Curry injury.
So there goes one prediction...
Throughout the season, Inside Sport will be bringing you our NBA Power Rankings. These are not necessarily ranking based on records. This is a purely subjective assessment of how a team is progressing, projected and playing.
All records are as of Thursday night Australian time.
30. New York Knicks (1-4 Record)
The Knicks are awful, but we expected that. The Point Guard Mecca has perhaps the most depressing PG 'battle' ever. This team isn't as young as you may think: Julius Randle, Marcus Morris, Elfrid Payton and Bobby Portis are all receiving significant playing time. The lone spark at the Garden is RJ Barrett. The rookie's unsustainable 3 point shooting aside, looks the real deal on offense.
29. Sacramento Kings (0-5)
It hasn't started well for one of last seasons League Pass darlings. The offensive talent is there, but the Kings just can't stop anybody. They've had blowout losses to the Suns and the Jazz as well as losing at home to Charlotte. Losing Marvin Bagley to injury has hurt, but this malaise runs deeper. Only this morning, the Kings declined the 4th year option on his backup Harry Giles. Contract issues have hung over the team through preseason. That cloud seems to have followed into the season proper. Coach Luke Walton needs to find a way to right this ship in a hurry.
28. Golden State Warriors (1-3)
You almost certainly know a Dubs fan who has their fingers in their ears, screaming at the top of their lungs 'IT'S ALRIGHT! WE'VE STILL GOT STEPH' over and over. Find that person. Give them a nice cup of green tea and a biscuit. Break the news to them gently. Steph is injured. Draymond Green is injured. Their reign is over. Be the best friend you can be – Warriors fans need you right now.
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27. Chicago Bulls (1-4)
A slow start for a team that should be on the rise. Lauri Markannen is averaging a double double despite some shooting woes. Coby White looks like a steal at #7 in the draft. The talent is there, but it just hasn't quite clicked yet. The Bulls are a wait and see team.
26. Charlotte Hornets (2-3)
Coach James Borrego has made the youngsters his focus. Rookie PJ Washington looks really good. Miles Bridges and Devonte Graham have been solid, too. 'Big' off season addition Terry Rozier has been fine, but the team will expect more as he settles in. Cody Zeller – a man who looks like he could roll up to your local B grade league - has had an excellent start to the season. It's a shame he's made of shortbread.
25. Cleveland Cavaliers (2-2)
The Cavs have started solidly on the back of veteran front court duo Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson. The two lead the team in points, rebounds, assists, steals blocks and fg%. The throwback feel is great, but is it what the Cavs need? Should they be wanting another high draft pick? Keep an eye on the Cavs as a trader. Thompson is in career form & Love is still a borderline all star when healthy. Expect that they'll trade high on those veterans.
24. Memphis Grizzlies (1-3)
Only one win, on an OT buzzer beater at that. But what a win! Ja Morant scored 17 of his 30 in the final quarter to drag his team back into the contest, then blocked Kyrie Irving's potential game winner. This kid is something else. The combination of Morant and Jaren Jackson III could be special.
23. Detroit Pistons (2-3)
Contract year Andre Drummond is a beast of a player: 21 points, 17 boards, 1.7 steals and 2 blocks per game. He can't do it all, though. As a team, the Pistons rank 17th in rebounding, despite Drummond's presence. Blake Griffin can't come back from (another) injury fast enough. Luke Kennard is developing nicely. Derrick Rose has been a boon off the bench, averaging 20 points and six assists.
22. Washington Wizards (1-3)
The Wiz started the year banged up and aren't deep in any case, so this record is expected. Bradley Beal is again leading from the front with 26.8 points 7.8 assists and 1.8 steals. Japanese rookie Rui Hachimura looks very promising. His partnership with Thomas Bryant is intriguing. Davis Bertans looks like an astute addition. Shout out to former NBL veteran Jordan McCrae, who scored 11 points in the season opener before breaking a finger. Get back out there soon, man,
21. New Orleans Pelicans (0-4)
Why rank a winless team so high? Zion; that's why. The absence of the freight train from Duke threw the Pels plans into disarray. All of their losses have been close. Three of those are to likely playoff teams and the other was to a Curry/Draymond led Warriors. The record is poor but my no means disastrous. Having said that, are these guys in danger of stopping anybody? Not right now. As spectacular as they are going downhill, the team is horrible on defence. If nothing else, it's an entertaining watch! Brandon Ingram is showing out.
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20. Oklahoma City Thunder (1-4)
Shai Gilgeous Alexander shone on defense as a rookie in LA. Since coming over as the jewel of the Paul George trade, he's show that he might develop into a #1 option at the other end, too. There has been some hiccups transitioning into a sans-Westbrook world for the Thunder, as expected. The team is reinventing itself, though. They're passing the ball sooooo much more. And Steven Adams finally gets to claim a rebound.
19. Brooklyn Nets (1-3)
The hype coming into the season was a bit over the top, what with Kevin Durant not playing this season. But this still isn't the start that the Nets faithful were hoping for. They've been in all of their games late, but an inability to see the game out is concerning. On a positive note, Kyrie Irving appears to be in a really positive frame of mind, leaving the morose of his final Celtics season behind.
18. Indiana Pacers (1-3)
A rough start for the Pacers, who are incorporating three new starters around an front court pairing of Myles Turner and Domantas Sabonis, that might not fit together themselves. Throw in the continued absence of talisman Victor Oladipo and it paints a very muddled picture for Indiana. On a positive note, Malcolm Brogdon has fitted in seamlessly thus far and looks one of the better off season additions throughout the league.
17. Orlando Magic (2-2)
Steady as she goes for Orlando. Nik Vucevic and Evan Fournier continue to do their thing. Terrance Ross will always bring the fire from the bench. Coach Steve Clifford will always conjure up a solid defense. The positivity comes from Jon Isaac showing out – especially on defense – and the incredibly encouraging development of former #1 overall pick Markelle Fultz. Fultz is splitting time with incumbent starter DJ Augustin at the moment. Whilst the jumper is still a work in progress, he's outplaying the veteran in most other facets of the game. This is great news for the player, the team, and for basketball as a whole.
16. Phoenix Suns (3-2)
What have we here? A competent NBA side in Phoenix? It appears so. There is something to be said for having solid players on the floor at all times and the Suns roster is deep. Whilst Devin Booker is developing into a star, the rest of the roster is solid – there's really no scrubs in the rotation. Every player is competent. Keep in mind that this start is coming without last years #1 pick DeAndre Ayton, serving a drug suspension. Aussie big Aron Baynes – who has developed a nice chemistry with Ricky Rubio - has filled that break admirably.
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15. Atlanta Hawks (2-2)
Trae Young is breathing fire this season, to the tune of 26.8 ppg with 50% 3 point shooting. He sprained his ankle earlier this week, but it's not considered serious – he should return to the line up over the weekend. John Collins has been a great foil as a pick and roll/pop partner, averaging 18 points. Much like the Suns, the roster is stacked with solid young players. If a couple of them pop this season, the Hawks could make a playoff push.
14. Milwaukee Bucks (2-2)
It's early doors, but the Bucks have looked a little sluggish early in the season. Giannis Antetokounmpo is on track for back to back MVP's, but the rest of the team haven't looked nearly as good. Was Malcolm Brogdon that important to them? The team should find their groove and once that happens, they'll shoot up these rankings.
13. Portland Trailblazers (3-2)
The Blazers are what they are. They'll score at will with the best current back court in the NBA and a cadre of shooting bigs. But they'll give up those points at the other end with a defensively limited back court and bigs that are not strong enough. Zach Collins is the man the Blazers are relying on to chance that, but his dislocated shoulder is already putting strain on a front line that is already missing Jusuf Nurkic. Expect Dame Lillard to continue his borderline MVP play.
12. Minnesota Timberwolves (3-1)
Check out Karl-Anthony Towns' early numbers: 27.3 ppg, 11.5 boards, 4 assists, 2.5 steals, 1.8 blocks and 4.5 made 3's per game on over 50% shooting. The man is en fuego! He's also taken some time to get into MMA. But he can't do it all. Aside from some occasional signs of life from Andrew Wiggins, this isn't a deep roster. If the Wolves want to make a run to the playoffs, a trade looks likely (is that D'Angelo Russell's music?).
11. San Antonio Spurs (3-0)
The Spurs just keep on keeping on. A soft start has helped that early record, but Gregg Popovich keeps finding ways to knit his talent together, no matter how miss-mash it may seem. Vets DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge continue to lead the way with their Old Mam Basketball. The back court has been solid. Dejounte Murray is looking good coming off knee surgery and Bryn Forbes continues to shoot the lights out.
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10. Dallas Mavericks (3-1)
This is all about the Euro pairing of Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis. The two have already developed a lovely on court chemistry. Their unselfishness and creativity has spread through the team. Throw in coach Rick Carlisle's inventiveness with the clipboard, and you have one of the best teams to watch for the basketball purist. If you want some memories of the ball movement of those peak Warriors or Spurs teams from earlier in the decade, sit yourself down and take in some Mavericks action.
9. Toronto Raptors (4-1)
The reigning champs have picked up right where they left off, thanks to Most Improved Player winner Pascal Siakam. He could seriously win this award back to back! Currently 28 points and 9.2 boards, he's stepped into former running mate Kawhi Leonard's shoes seamlessly. Sure, Leonard's departure lowers the Raptors realistic ceiling, but they might just be better than most people thought thanks to Siakam's continued development.
8. Miami Heat (3-1)
Ladies and Gentlemen, let me introduce you to Kendrick Nunn. The 24 year old undrafted rookie has taken the league by storm so far, averaging 21 points and shooting 44% from deep. The return of incoming superstar Jimmy Butler from injury may derail some of the Nunn vibes, but lets bask for the moment. Bam Adebayo has also started hot. The Most Improved candidate over 15 and 10 to start the campaign.
7. Boston Celtics (3-1)
Kemba Walker – opening night aside – has filled in the Kyrie shaped on court hole perfectly, whilst being a model teammate off the court. Somehow, an interior defense that lost Al Horford and Aron Baynes, and picked up Enes Kanter is holding firm. There is a definite house-of-cards feel to it, though. Will coach Brad Stevens experiment with smaller lineups if things go south?
6. Utah Jazz (4-1)
Mike Conley was the headline addition in Salt Lake. Whilst he broke out against the Clippers, it's Bojan Bogdanovic that has been the headline act. Averaging 21.3 points on 44% shooting from deep, he has given Utah the stretch option they've longed for. Throw in some stout defense against the conferences phalanx of big wings and this is looking like a killer signing. The Jazz are on track
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5. Los Angeles Lakers (3-1)
How good does Anthony David look in purple and gold? Averaging 28 points, 12 boards and 3 blocks per game so far, it's looking more and more like this might be AD's team, not LeBron's. The supporting cast is still suspect, outside of Danny Green, but there are positive signs. The centre position was supposed to be a huge problem, but a combination of AD's willingness to play more minutes at the 5 and an Indian Summer from Dwight Howard have put pay to those early concerns.
4. Houston Rockets (3-1)
Well, would you look at that. Russell Westbrook is efficient. Turns out that supreme spacing and a genius offensive coach can do wonders for a man. Brodie has fit right in so far, averaging a triple double (again). James Harden looked out of rhythm before getting in the groove to the tune of 59 points in that absurd game against Washington. A small thing to note: Clint Capela has a series of bonuses in his contract relating to defensive rebounding. Kiss that money goodbye, big fella. There's a Kiwi bloke in OKC that you could probably talk to if you need a sympathetic ear.
3. Denver Nuggets (3-1)
For every action there is a reaction. When your team experiences strong continuity, the downside is that you're a relatively known quantity. These Nuggets are not going to tip-toe to a high seed like last season, but it they keep playing like this they won't have to. MVP candidate Nikola Jokic has starting the season a little slowly, as he often does. Jamal Murray has stepped up and looks to be that 2nd start that the front office was hoping he'd become. Averaging 18.5 points and making clutch buckets, Murray is the perfect foil for Jokic's languid genius.
2. Los Angeles Clippers (3-2)
It's all falling into place, isn't it? Kawhi Leonard is now the best player in the world. The supporting cast is deep. Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell continue to burn defences down the stretch. Doc Rivers is back to his swaggering best on the sidelines. And Paul George is still to return. Wow!
1. Philadelphia 76ers (4-0)
Speaking of a plan coming together the Sixers Death Lineup is exactly as advertised. They are freaking huge and teams are just unable to score on them. When Embiid sits, Horford takes over at the 5 and noting changes. Ben Simmons seems back on track after a disappointing post season. Josh Richardson hasn't settled on offense yet, but once he does, this team will be a nightmare.
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