NBA Power Rankings Updated Nov. 8, 2023.
Denver Nuggets
Jokic is still Jokic. The Nuggets still have arguably the NBA’s strongest starting five and are getting help from their young bench. Denver has simply been excellent is an obvious title favorite to me.
Boston Celtics
The Celtics have a title-contending starting five – Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday, Jayson Tatum, Kristaps Porzingis – although I find myself still disliking the Holiday trade. I’d much rather have Robert Williams and Malcolm Brogdon because Boston needs depth and the bench is rather poor, more so than I had assumed after the trade.
Golden State Warriors
So far, the Warriors have excellent offensive and defensive numbers, plus Stephen Curry has been brilliant. Their depth is also far superior, as they have been receiving an excellent quality of play from their first nine rotation players. Golden State looks like a true contender after a few weeks.
Phoenix Suns
I care little about Phoenix’s record given that the team is dealing with injuries to Bradley Beal and Devin Booker, which is basically half of the offense. Due to the way the Suns are built, it is hard to win if they are missing two of their three stars.
Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee has not been perfect, but this is still a 60-win team; the guys just need some time. Regardless, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard have as much talent as a duo since peak LeBron James and Dwayne Wade with the Heat.
Los Angeles Clippers
As of writing, it was a week since the James Harden trade, and if you have not read the grade for the deal, I only gave the Clippers a C+. My reason is simple; I just cannot see the fit because these are four guys who need the basketball. If healthy though, this team will be dangerous in the playoffs.
Dallas Mavericks
Luka Doncic has some of the biggest numbers in the NBA; the team has an incredible offense; Kyrie Irving is playing well; and the team is is winning. Dallas’ season has started about as well as possible really.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Victor Wembanyama was and still is the NBA’s Rookie of the Year favorite, but many, including myself forgot about 2022’s No. 2 pick Chet Holmgren. He has been special. The trio of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, Holmgren trio can help Oklahoma City make the playoffs.
Sacramento Kings
Fox’s ankle injury hurts Sacramento, as he’s quite dependent on his speed and he’s missing some games, but it should not be too big of a deal. A bigger problem might be the team’s defense, which is pathetic. The Kings have the talent to help replace 75% of what their star point guard gives them, so again, they should be fine.
New Orleans Pelicans
Health has been New Orleans’ issue for awhile, but not so far this season. The organization’s all-stars, Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram have started a tad slow, but this team has so many shooters and scorers and can afford this. If the Pelicans stay healthy, they will be special.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers are not much more than the seventh seed they just were. They have LeBron and Anthony Davis, along with a half-dozen really talented role players, but they need a bigger third option than Austin Reaves, who should be a four.
Orlando Magic
Cole Anthony is shooting well and is second in scoring behind Franz Wagner, a great early sign for the Magic. Jonathan Isaac has also played in all three games and shown flashes of the potential we saw from him before the knee injuries. There is some promise for a competitive season in Orlando.
Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers are a lesser team due to the James Harden trade, but have stronger depth and still have two stars. They really have no chance in the East, but they could still be the third seed again.
Cleveland Cavaliers
It took the Cavaliers a couple weeks to get healthy, but they are now, so I have little reason to move them. Donovan Mitchell has been a superstar so far this season, but you want more from Darius Garland and Evan Mobley.
Miami Heat
The Heat haven’t been winning too much, but Tyler Herro has taken one more step and must be considered a legitimate all-star talent. Bam Adebayo has been his normal excellent self, but Jimmy Butler has really struggled this season.
Atlanta Hawks
Trae Young and Dejounte Murray have all-star numbers this season, but Atlanta’s lack of depth is a problem. I’d personally recommend trading both Young and Clint Capela and building around Murray, De’Andre Hunter and Onyeka Okwongu.
New York Knicks
Julius Randle has been embarrassing so far, shooting less than 30% from the field, but Jalen Brunson’s still excellent and the bench has been really productive. The Knicks will improve.
Detroit Pistons
The Pistons have found three keepers and potential all-stars in Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson. Detroit is a tough and uber-talented young team that has a legitimate shot at the playoffs.
Brooklyn Nets
Brooklyn’s starting big men have been hurt, but this has allowed the coaches to go small, making Cam Thomas a key part of the team and letting Ben Simmons not have to score. Mikal Bridges hasn’t quite taken the jump I assumed, but he’s still a star too. The Nets have a more talent than I thought.
Chicago Bulls
The Bulls are just about as average as a team can get. Ninety percent of their offense comes from three guys, and none of the three are playing very well. It’s crazy that the Bulls almost paid Patrick Williams $100+ million, and he’s been trash, so they got lucky there. Chicago should trade DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic before building around Zach Lavine.
Indiana Pacers
The Pacers have an excellent offense, but they are pathetic, bordering on hilarious on the opposite end. Bruce Brown has fit like a glove; Tyrese Hailburton is still playing like an all-NBA point guard; and their depth is elite. Indianan, however, still lacks a first option offensively.
San Antonio Spurs
Victor Webanyama is already playing like an all-star, but Devin Vassell has dealt with health issues and Keldon Johnson has started slowly. I would also be starting Tre Jones so that the Spurs would have an actual point guard, but their starting five is working just fine.
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves have been impressive, but I have zero trust in them. Karl-Anthony Towns has struggled, and arguably Minnesota’s second-, third- and fourth-biggest pieces are centers, which means the team has to trade at least one – likely Towns.
Toronto Raptors
Scottie Barnes seems to have taken the mantle as the Raptors’ main guy from Pascal Siakam, and the third-year three has been excellent. Dennis Schroder has been a steal of a signing as well, as he has continued his incredible play from his MVP-winning international ball. The rest of the team is pretty meh, and Toronto really needs to start to rebuild the roster.
Utah Jazz
The Jazz have started slowly, which was predictable, and their roster continues to annoy me, as it makes no sense. Utah starts two power forwards and one center, which is just weird; literally has no starting point guard; and the shooting guard is a combo guard. The fact the Jazz aren’t playing their young talent – they have three first-round rookies – is ridiculous. Utah needs to start behaving like a rebuilding team.
Charlotte Hornets
With their impressive veterans and young studs in LaMelo Ball and Brandin Miller, the Hornets are actually playing somewhat decently. The problem is their nightmare of a defense and non-existent depth.
Houston Rockets
Houston spent almost $300 million on four free agents who were overpaid, but not someone who could actually help fix the team – ridiculous. The Rockets are still garbage, and their chances still rest with Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith and rookie Amen Thompson – as 99% of basketball people would tell you. The Rockets are just one more team without a clue who they are.
Portland Trail Blazers
Due to riding with a rookie and not Damian Lillard, nobody actually gave Portland a chance at the playoffs. The team still has none. Shaedon Sharpe, Jerian Grant and Anfernee Simons have scored well, which was also assumed, but Scoot Henderson has been ugly, although that should be fixed in a bit. As a team, the Trail Blazers need at least a season or two of maturing.
Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies weren’t expected to be an elite team while Ja Morant is suspended, but they’ve been an embarrassment. A squad with Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane and Marcus Smart should not have just one win.
Washington Wizards
Washington is trash, as forecast, and Jordan Poole and Kyle Kuzma have a green light – the former has been excellent and the latter pathetic. The Wizards are basically what they were assumed to be.