NBA Preseason Power Rankings -Top 12
NBA Preseason Power Rankings -Top 12
Eight teams from each conference make the playoffs after the play-in tournament, which involves the ninth and 10th seed. However, the top six in each conference automatically make the playoffs, while the 7th and 8th seed must win one play-in game to get in. The 9th and 10th seeds play each other and the loser is out, while the winner must win again to get in the payoffs. Preseason has just begun and rankings shouldn’t change much, barring any late injuries or trade. Let’s take a look at the top 13 heading into the regular season
1)Boston Celtics (64-18 last year). This team could win 70 games this season. They are that good on both ends of the floor, But there is always an injury issue with Kristaps Porzingis, who will miss the first couple of months (possibly) and they should be in decent shape with 38-year-old Al Horford.
2)Oklahoma City Thunder (57-25 LY). The Thunder were close last season, and they add guard Alex Caruso and tough big Isaiah Hartenstein. Defensively, they are unmatched with Chet Holmgren, Lu Dort and now Caruso. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a superstar who will get more kudos when they get to the Finals.
3)Minnesota Timberwolves (56-26 LY). The T-Wolves shocked the NBA world by trading away Karl-Anthony Towns to the Knicks for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo. Point guard Rob Dillingham is a dynamic rookie who could play some right away. Anthony Edwards can’t get much better or can he? It will be interesting to see how Randle’s ISO game work with a young team that loves to run.
4)Dallas Mavericks (50-32 LY). Dallas reached the NBA Finals with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving carrying the team. They got some help with the arrival of Klay Thompson, who can still shoot it. The addition of Naji Marshall was an underrated pickup due to his defense. Young center Dereck Lively II should be a shotblocking machine with an improved offensive arsenal this season.
5)New York Knicks (50-32 LY). The Knicks picked up Anthony-Towns, which is great for a team that desperately needed a center. He doesn’t provide rim protection and they also lose DiVincenzo’s shooting from the perimeter. The addition of Mikal Bridges, playing alongside OG Anunoby, Josh Hart and Jalen Brunson makes the Knicks the biggest competitor to Boston.
6)Denver Nuggets (57-25 LY). Any team with Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray is going to be a playoff contender. But Denver had a weak bench last season and it could be weaker this season with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope off to Orlando.
7)Philadelphia 76ers (47-35 LY). So much for the process. That’s over so now the window is closing. The Sixers picked up Paul George in the off-season as well as Andre Drummond. Joel Embiid is always the key and by losing around 25 pounds, he showed that he was serious about taking this to the next level. But do they have a strong enough bench and defense?
8)Indiana Pacers (47-35 LY). Here’s a team on the rise. I know they got some breaks in the playoffs, but Tyrese Haliburton is the real deal at the point and then he was injured against the Knicks. Pascal Siakam as re-signed, Andrew Nembhard broke out during the playoffs and Bennedict Mathurin was injured. This is a team to watch in the East.
9)Memphis Grizzlies (27-55 LY). No team was hampered by injuries more than the Grizzlies last season. Ja Morant (shoulder) returns and he’ll get a chance to play with Marcus Smart, who can play either guard spot assuming they don’t trade him. Desmond Bane is one of the premier shooting guards and Jaren Jackson Jr. one of the top inside defenders. Brandon Clarke is a great role player off the bench. They just need to stay healthy.
10)New Orleans Pelicans (49-33 LY). This is one of the forgotten teams out West, but you might want to remember the name: Dejounte Murray. He was lost in Atlanta playing next to Trae Young, but still put up numbers. A slimmer Zion Williamson and a lot of long defenders could help them forget they need to acquire a big man to replace Jonas Valanciunas.
11)Milwaukee Bucks (49-33 LY). You can’t forget about the Bucks, even though they appear to be on the decline. Giannis Antetokounmpo was not healthy in the playoffs so the Bucks lost to Indiana. Age is starting to creep in with Dame Lillard, Giannis and Brook Lopez in their thirties. Lillard’s age and lack of defense make him tougher to play, but when the Greek Freak was out, he nearly put the team on his back in the postseason.
12)Phoenix Suns (49-33 LY). This team is too talented not to be in the Top 10. Kevin Durant is a Hall of Famer, and Devin Booker could be one in the future. Brad Beal could have been one had he stayed healthy. The addition of Tyus Jones will help stabilize them on offense, but defense is another story. When Durant, Booker and Beal were on the floor, they outscored opponents by 7.5 points per 100 possessions. Mike Budenholzer takes over as head coach.
