1. Boston Celtics
2019-2020 Record 9-1 Previous Rank: 11Boston comes into this update, ranking first in offensive efficiency (111.4), and are 12th in defensive efficiency (103.1). Since losing on opening night, they have rattled off nine straight wins. They are playing clean team basketball, and even with the Gordon Hayward injury, the next man up approach is still there. Boston also is averaging just 10.1 turnovers per game this season, which is the lowest in the league.
2. Los Angeles Lakers
2019-2020 Record 9-2 Previous Rank: 3The Lakers are one of those teams we would have gave an early pass to if they did struggle. The combo of Anthony Davis and LeBron James is clicking, and while they will need to figure things out after that still, they are still putting together wins. Defensively this team is tremendous, and rank first in defensive efficiency (96.8).
3. Milwaukee Bucks
2019-2020 Record: 8-3 Previous Rank: 2Milwaukee is averaging 120 points per game so far this season, and Giannis Antetokounmpo has gone to another level. The Bucks are still one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference, although they have some company right now. Defensively, they are also still strong. However, I have concerns about the bench.
4. Denver Nuggets
2019-2020 Record 8-3 Previous Rank: 4Denver is 8-3 at the moment, and I still don’t believe they have hit their peak yet this season. That mainly stems from Nikola Jokic looking a bit overweight, and everything not clicking just yet. The Nuggets were a highly touted team before the season, and they rank 6th in defensive efficiency, and 25th in offensive efficiency. I expect them to get going offensively soon.
5. LA Clippers
2019-2020 Record 7-5 Previous Rank: 1Paul George just came back, and we haven’t seen this team at full strength yet. The injury management continue to linger for Kawhi Leonard. The Clippers are going through a growing pain, but still are a top five team in the league right now. Expect Los Angeles to move up over the next few weeks with George back.
6. Miami Heat
2019-2020 Record 8-3 Previous Rank: 13Miami has been tremendous this season, and maybe a few thought they would be at this rate, but overall they have been a surprise. The roster construction heading into the year was a bit up in the air, but things look good. Tyler Herro looks the real deal, and Jimmy Butler is back to being Jimmy
Butler.
7. Utah Jazz
2019-2020 Record 8-3 Previous Rank: 6Utah is already showing that they are one of the top teams in the league, and Mike Conley hasn’t gotten fully going yet. They are one of the top defensive teams, ranking 2nd in defensive efficiency, which has always been the staple in Utah basketball. At the moment they are one of two teams allowing less than 100 points per game.
8. Toronto Raptors
2019-2020 Record: 8-3 Previous Rank: 16Injuries have hit Toronto, but overall the Raptors have showed little fall off from last season. I didn’t quite expect the hot start to the year, but Pascal Siakam’s elevated play has gone to another level. Offensively the Raptors have been a top ten team, and once again Toronto is winning games with their strong defense.
9. Houston Rockets
2019-2020 Record: 8-3 Previous Rank: 7Houston’s easy schedule has helped the hot start, because as much as they are scoring (118.6) points per game, they are allowing 116.1 points per game. Not loving that. James Harden has been James Harden, for those who were questioning how he would be with Russell Westbrook there. Houston seems to get lost in the thick of the west right now, despite them being second.
10. Philadelphia 76ers
2019-2020 Record 7-4 Previous Rank: 5The 76ers have had a few bad losses already this season, and I believe there are some concerns for how this team is built. Offensively they have not been great, but can rely on the defense to keep games close where they don’t need to force offense late. This is still a team that has had to deal with some suspensions, and newly acquired players, so they will figure things out.
11. Phoenix Suns
2019-2020 Record 7-4 Previous Rank: 30I don’t find the Suns start to be any sort of a fluke. They rank 11th in defensive efficiency, after being one of the worst defensive teams in the league the last few year. Phoenix also ranks 4th in offensive efficiency, averaging 117.6 points per game. Deandre Ayton’s suspension hasn’t effected them too much as Aron Baynes has played well. Rubio and Booker have generated a nice backcourt duo, but Booker has taken another step forward.
12. Dallas Mavericks
2019-2020 Record 6-5 Previous Rank: 17Consistency is going to be an issue with Dallas, but Luka Doncic has entered the MVP category through the first few weeks. Dallas is playing well offensively, averaging 114.2 points per game, but defensively they have had issues. Kristaps Porzingis hasn’t quite found his groove yet, but we have to remember this is a guy who hasn’t played basketball in over a year.
13. Minnesota Timberwolves
2019-2020 Record 7-4 Previous Rank: 21At the pace that Andrew Wiggins is going, the Timberwolves are a team to not take lightly. A lot of people had them outside of that bubble of teams who could sneak into the playoffs. They have entered that bubble. Karl-Anthony Towns has been tremendous, and overall this team is scoring a ton (117.2), but are allowing 116.2 points per game.
14. Indiana Pacers
2019-2020 Record 7-4 Previous Rank: 12It was a slow start to the season, but the Pacers have turned things around of late. Indiana is top ten in offensive and defensive efficiency this season. Malcolm Brogdon’s addition is one of the better moves of the offseason, and it is already showing. Victor Oladipo is still on the shelf, and that should scare teams if he comes back fully himself.
15. San Antonio Spurs
2019-2020 Record 5-6 Previous Rank: 14San Antonio hasn’t been great defensively, but have actually been one of the stronger offensive teams this season. The Spurs are likely going to stay in this ranking range, and also be on the bubble for the western playoff race. The young guards continue to be one of my favorite aspects of this team to watch.
16. Portland Trail Blazers
2019-2020 Record 4-8 Previous Rank: 8We get into a tier of teams that should be playing better, but the record indicates how poorly they have played. Portland has had a lot of bad losses this season, and there is growing concern here. Simmons has been a bright spot, but the bench is not good. After a few weeks, I won’t overreact here, but time will be ticking in a tough west.
17. Brooklyn Nets
2019-2020 Record 4-7 Previous Rank: 10Brooklyn was never going to be a solid defensive team, but allowing 119.5 points per game is on par with bottom five teams in the league. They have had a tough stretch of games, and much like Portland, I expect this team to turn things around a bit.
18. Oklahoma City Thunder
2019-2020 Record 4-7 Previous Rank: 27I still feel this is a team that blows things up a bit with their offseason veterans that they acquired. Oklahoma City has remained a competitive bunch despite losing two key players. Defensively is where I have been impressed, as they are allowing 106 points per game and rank 10th in defensive efficiency (102.2).
19. Atlanta Hawks
2019-2020 Record 4-7 Previous Rank: 19The Hawks have improved defensively, after being a bottom five defense last season. They are it of a one or two trick offense with Trae Young and John Collins, but it has been fun to watch. Out of the remaining eastern teams, I love their potential moving forward. They have a deep young team with plenty of upside.
20. Orlando Magic
2019-2020 Record 4-7 Previous Rank: 20The Magic are relying on their defense to keep going, because this is a bad offense. They rank 29th in offensive efficiency, but 4th in offensive efficiency. I think this is a playoff contender, but they are going to need to find a go-to in the offense, and I don’t see a player on the roster that can take that over.
21. Detroit Pistons
2019-2020 Record 4-8 Previous Rank: 22Blake Griffin is on his way back from injury, which will make a big difference for a team that has struggled so far. I believed the Pistons were a playoff team before the season, and still stand by that. Derrick Rose was a good pickup and when healthy he has shown to be a great offensive weapon. This was something they desperately needed.
22. Cleveland Cavaliers
2019-2020 Record 4-7 Previous Rank: 29John Beilein has a bunch of young talent, that may or not be a fit at their specified positions, but he has made this team at least fun to watch. Tristan Thompson looks interested and playing strong basketball, alongside Kevin Love. Cleveland is in a group of these fun young teams that may not win games, but are fun to watch.
23. Charlotte Hornets
2019-2020 Record 4-7 Previous Rank: 25The Hornets have not been as bad as people believed heading into this season. Much like a lot of teams in this range with a lot of young upside, we are starting to see some names emerge, like Devonta Graham. Once Brooklyn and Detroit start to get going, we will likely see the Hornets fall into place within the standings.
24. Sacramento Kings
2019-2020 Record 4-6 Previous Rank: 18The Kings look worse than last season, and that is a concern for a team that was growing. The Kings rank 26th in defensive efficiency which isn’t a surprise. They are also 19th in offensive efficiency. We might be figuring out who is in the Kings plans for the next few years right now.
25. Memphis Grizzlies
2019-2020 Record 4-7 Previous Rank: 23Ja Morant plays like an 80’s business man after 20 minutes of finishing off some blow. The Grizzlies are scoring 110 points per game with a lot of craziness, but that Memphis trademarked defense is done. They are allowing 118 points per game, and rank 24th in defensive efficiency. No real surprise to see this team going through growing pains.
26. New Orleans Pelicans
2019-2020 Record 3-8 Previous Rank: 15The Pelicans had an extremely tough schedule to open things up, and overall injuries have been a struggle. We haven’t seen Zion Williamson yet, but Brandon Ingram is already in the MIP running. The defense was going to be bad, but the offense has been putting up a ton of production.
27. Chicago Bulls
2019-2020 Record 4-8 Previous Rank: 24Chicago’s record could actually be better than the 4-8 they have at the moment. They are improved defensively, but the offense still is a big question mark. Colby White has flashed potential, but we haven’t seen all the pieces come together yet. I like the names in Chicago, but overall this team is what it is, which is a young growing club.
28. New York Knicks
2019-2020 Record 3-9 Previous Rank: 26Not much to say about the Knicks, as they were going to be one of the worst teams in baseball. They rank dead last in offensive efficiency, averaging 100 points per game, and rank 21st in defensive efficiency. The roster build was already a weird one coming into the year, so it is no surprise seeing them struggling.
29. Washington Wizards
2019-2020 Record 2-7 Previous Rank: 28We can point to their positives, as Washington is at least fun to watch. Rui Hachimura could be a big hit after what many called to be a reach, myself included. Defensively this was going to be a bad team, and overall the 2-7 start isn’t a surprise.
30. Golden State Warriors
2019-2020 Record: 2-10 Previous Rank: 9There isn’t a worst starting lineup being put out than the Warriors right now, and that is saying something. Injuries have destroyed this team, which was already the case starting before the season. It is what it is as the Warriors will go through a bump before likely getting back on top when healthy again.
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