Contenders
(Previous Rankings)
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1. New York Knicks (12)
The Knicks are 4-0 for the first time since 1993. Carmelo Anthony may be the front-runner for league MVP, averaging 27 PPG, 7 RPG and get this…1.3 Blocks PG. MELO IS PLAYING DEFENSE!!!!! The big question is how long can the Carmelo at power forward experiment last? The coaching staff has to love J.R. Smith’s consistent scoring punch from the bench (17.5 PPG). Smith is also shooting 69% from the 3-point line.
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2. San Antonio Spurs (6)
The Spurs have five players averaging 10+ points per game and Manu Ginobili isn’t one of them! Tim Duncan is as steady as ever, but Pop has gotten unexpected scoring production from the likes of Danny Green (11.7 PPG), Gary Neal (11.6 PPG) and Kawhi Leonard (10.3 PPG).
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3. Miami Heat (1)
The can definitely score with ease, but the defending champs have yet to display that suffocating defense from a season ago. After ranking 4th in PPG allowed last year, the Heat have dropped to 2nd in the league. Part of the problem is teams are shooting 39% from the 3-point line against them, ranking the Heat 27th in guarding the 3.
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4. Oklahoma City Thunder (2)
The chemistry isn’t quite there yet, but Kevin Martin has picked up where James Harden left off in bench scoring. Martin is essentially giving OKC the same number that Harden posted from the bench. The problem is KD’s scoring is down 5 PPG and Westbrook’s has dropped by 4 PPG. On a positive note, Westbrook is dishing out 8 APG, up from his 5.5 from a season ago.
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5. Memphis Grizzlies (7)
Fresh off their dominating win over the defending champion Heat, the Grizz have won 5 straight and extended their franchise-record home winning streak to 14 dating back to last season. Zach Randolph and Rudy Gay are finally healthy again at the same time and looking good. The brass will keep their fingers crossed Randolph and Gay will remain healthy for an entire season. “Grit and Grind” is rising up the rankings.
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6. Los Angeles Clippers (4)
The Clippers finally have a bench they can rely on when Chris Paul and Blake Griffin are resting. Former NBA Sixth Man of the Year Jamal Crawford is leading the team in scoring at 20.3 PPG. The Clippers have great wins early in the season over the likes of Memphis, the other LA team and San Antonio, but have inexplicably lost to Cleveland and Golden State. Go figure!
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7. Chicago Bulls (5)
The one constant with Chicago is defense and as long as they play D, they will be in contention until Derrick Rose returns, if he ever returns. Chicago has yet to allow a team to score 100 points and only one opponent has broken the 95 point barrier. Following Monday’s game vs. Boston, Chicago will hit the road for five straight against the Suns, Clippers, Trail Blazers, Rockets and Bucks.
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Sleepers
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8. Philadelphia 76ers (8)
The 76ers bounced back with 3 straight road wins after losing back-to-back games vs. the Knicks. It marked the first time Philadelphia played at least three straight road games and did not lose a single contest since 2003. The bad news is that center Andrew Bynum will miss at least five more weeks because of a bone bruise in his right knee and may not play in a game until early January.
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9. Denver Nuggets (9)
The Nuggets have managed to win four straight after opening the season with three consecutive losses. Kenneth Faried has picked up the slack for a struggling Danilo Gallinari. Faried is averaging a double-double (14PPG-11RPG) and was named Western Conference Player of the Week, while Gallinari is barely shooting 30% from the field. In order for Denver to rise in the rankings, Danilo will have to perform better.
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10. Brooklyn Nets (10)
The Nets have yet to register a quality victory this season with wins over the Raptors and two vs. the Magic. To be the 6th-highest paid player in the league, Joe Johnson is only shooting 36.2 percent through five games this season and is averaging a pedestrian-like 13.6 PPG.
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11. Dallas Mavericks (14)
After winning four of its first five games, Dallas has now lost 2 straight road games. O.J. Mayo is leading the NBA in made 3-pointers while hitting 28 of 46 (60.9 percent) from beyond the arc. Defense will always be key for this squad. The Mavericks lead the NBA in points per game, but rank 25th in points allowed and last in turnovers forced. Injuries are starting to mount as well; Shawn Marion is now sidelined with a MCL sprain.
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12. Los Angeles Lakers (3)
Out with Mike Brown and in with Mike D’Antoni. The Lakers were in shambles playing in Brown’s Princeton system and rumors began Phil Jackson might return. However in a surprise move, the Lakers’ brass hired D’Antoni over the “Zen Master” Jackson. My only issue with D’Antoni at the helm is he doesn’t particularly care about the defensive end of the floor. Steve Nash may know the system, but what happens when Steve Blake has to learn this system? Time will tell. Don’t be surprised if Phil’s name comes back up again.
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13. Boston Celtics (13)
The Celtics opened the season with back-to-back losses, but have won three of their last four games. Rajon Rondo is doing his all to keep the aging Celtics together. Rondo has dished out 10+ assists in 30 straight regular season games. Rondo is also tied for the league lead with 6 double-doubles this season. The Celtics have a busy week ahead, playing three games in four days with two of them on the road.
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14. Milwaukee Bucks (20)
The Bucks surprisingly have been road warriors. They have won each of the two road games and are trying to begin a season 3-0 on the road for the first time since winning the first four games in 2001-02. The bad news is each of is starting guards (Brandon Jennings, Monta Ellis) are shooting below 40%.
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15. Minnesota Timberwolves (17)
Despite the strong start, injuries are starting to decimate their roster. Kevin Love, Ricky Rubio and Brandon Roy have all missed time this season. If that wasn’t enough suits on the bench, now Chase Budinger will be out with a torn lateral meniscus in his left knee. Derrick Williams, time to show you were worth that number 2 overall selection boss!
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16. Houston Rockets (24)
James Harden is living up to expectations as a franchise player for the Rockets. The former ASU Sun Devil is 2nd in the league in scoring at 26.5 PPG. His leadership will now be on display as coach Kevin McHale takes a leave of absence to tend to a family matter.
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17. Indiana Pacers (11)
I don’t wish injury to any player, but I am a firm believer the sooner the Pacers distance themselves from Danny Granger as their number 1 offensive threat, the better the team will become. Really Roy Hibbert, you’re only going to produce 8.7 PPG and 7.7 RPG after signing a four-year, $58 million deal this summer?! You’ve got to do better Roy!
Pretenders
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18. Portland Trail Blazers (16)
The Blazers are allowing opponents to shoot 50.7 percent from the field, the worst in the NBA! If you aren’t fortunate enough to see Portland play much, pay close attention to rookie guard Damian Lillard. His talents may be hidden in the Northwest, but he will definitely be in the Rookie of the Year talks.
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19. Utah Jazz (18)
3-0 at home, but 0-4 on the road. The bad news for Utah is that every game this week is on the road in Toronto, Boston, Philly and Washington. The good news for Tyrone Corbin’s club is he has balanced scoring with six players averaging double-digit points.
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20. New Orleans Hornets (29)
The best thing the Hornets did this off-season was sign Robin Lopez so Anthony Davis could play his natural power forward position. Davis has taken the early Rookie of the Year lead, averaging 17 PPG, 8 boards and 2.67 Blocks PG (3rd in NBA). They made a big jump from 29 to 20.
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21. Golden State Warriors (15)
Here’s another team bitten by the injury bug early in the season. Andrew Bogut has been slowed by a left ankle injury and super-sub Brandon Rush has been sidelined for the season with a torn ligament in his left knee. Each injury is a blow to the depth of Golden State, but the good news is Stephen Curry seems to be healthy. Rush’s injury makes it imperative for rookie Harrison Barnes steps up if they any shot at a playoff spot.
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22. Atlanta Hawks (21)
The Hawks rid themselves of Joe Johnson’s contract and Danny Ferry as the toast of the town for doing so. The only problem is Josh Smith has failed to live up to expectations as the Hawks go-to guy. Smith is averaging 14 PPG on 39% shooting Not good enough boss! Good news for Atlanta is Jeff Teague has seemed to turn the corner. Teague is shooting a solid 57% from the field.
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23. Phoenix Suns (19)
The Suns have yet to formulate an identity this season. One thing is for sure Goran Dragic was a great addition. Now if only Michael Beasley could join the off-season addition party! Beasley, a natural scorer is only shooting 34.7% on the season. It’s strange to see Phoenix struggle offensively first three quarter, only to see them catch fire in the 4th with Shannon Brown leading the way as the Suns 4th qtr. closer. Finally, has anyone seen Wes Johnson?!
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24. Cleveland Cavaliers (26)
The backcourt duo of Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters are fun to watch. The tandem is first and second in team scoring with Irving leading the team at 23 PPG. Waiters is struggling with a nagging injury, so this will be something to keep an eye on.
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25. Orlando Magic (30)
Orlando has lost four consecutive games and Rookie head Coach Jacque Vaughn is playing without veterans Jameer Nelson (groin and hamstring) and Hedo Turkoglu (hand). Orlando would prefer to bring rookie Moe Harkless along slowly, but with Hedo out, his playing time will increase.
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26. Charlotte Bobcats (28)
The young Bobcats earned an impressive win over the Dallas Mavericks in OT Saturday. It may be deceiving with Dirk Nowitzki and Shawn Marion sidelined, but rookie Michael Kidd-Gilchrist scored 25 points and grabbed 12 boards. I’m actually impressed with second year guard Kemba Walker’s assist production. Walker is averaging 6 APG with very limited offensive power surrounding him.
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27. Sacramento Kings (22)
DeMarcus Cousins has in some ways realized his potential on the court. Cousins is averaging 17 points and 9.8 rebounds, but it’s his lack of maturation that prevents him from realizing his full potential as a man on and off the court. Cousin has been suspended again for an altercation with former NBA player Sean Elliott. Go figure! The Kings are slowly turning into the Portland of old with Cousins and Thomas Robinson both receiving letters from David Stern. Robinson was suspended for elbowing Jonas Jerebko.
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28. Toronto Raptors (27)
The Raptors are 1-5 for a second time in three seasons. The Raptors have 3 players averaging 17+ points, but after that the next closest is Jose Calderon at 9.5 PPG.GM Bryan Colangelo could be on the hot seat with several questionable signings during his tenure in Toronto.
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29. Washington Wizards (25)
John Wall envisioned this team could contend for a playoff spot, but his absence has much to do with their 0-5 slow start. Wall is scheduled to return later this month from a knee injury, but the slow start my have ended those playoff aspirations. Rookie Bradley Beal struggled with his confidence early, but has put together 3 straight solid games, averaging 18+ points on 48% shooting from the field.
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30. Detroit Pistons (23)
I will never understand why rookie Center Andre Drummond and power forward Greg Monroe don’t start alongside one another. Monroe is a natural PF and the raw Drummond is averaging 7 points, 5 boards and 1 Block per game in only 16 minutes per game. Drummond’s size would give the Pistons some much needed protection at the rim if nothing else. Time to mix things up Lawrence Franks. You’re looking like the coach who led the Nets to 17 straight losses.
