MY NEW NBA POWER RANKINGS

GIANNIS FOR MVP; LAKERS TAKE A TUMBLE WITHOUT LEBRON

In this week’s NBA Power Rankings, Giannis for MVP is gaining steam and the Los Angeles Lakers takes tumble after losing LeBron James

As we begin to head into the New Year, there are plenty of storylines that have caught our attention through roughly the first half of the 2018-19 NBA season. There are a number of narratives that could in fact summarize the first half of the year; however, one of the most interesting is the top of the Eastern Conference.

Somewhat quietly, the Milwaukee Bucks have risen to the top of the East, and roughly 35 games into the season, I think it’s fair to say that this is not simply a hot streak.

Led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks have the best record in the East and might actually be the best team in the conference. Considering where this team was last season, and losing in the first round of the playoffs in back-to-back seasons, it’s quite amazing that this team might be ready to contend on the brightest of stages in the NBA.

The Bucks are for real, and quite possibly have the NBA MVP at the moment. Giannis is averaging a career high 27 points, 13 rebounds and six assists on nearly 60 percent shooting from the field. He’s been sensational for the team this season, and how vaulted them to the top of the conference.

As the Bucks continue to rise, let’s take a look at the rest of this week’s NBA Power Rankings.

30. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (8-29)

The Cleveland Cavaliers continue to spiral at the bottom of the NBA standings, but there might be help on the way. Tristan Thompson is expected to make his return to the team soon, and he should help in the front-court.

However, I’m not sure this team is going to really make any move up the standings until we see Kevin Love return this season. And there’s really no guarantee that we are. Love is expected to make a return at some point in January, but it also wouldn’t be surprising for the team to just sit him out in an attempt to secure the worst mark in the league.

After all, Love returning wouldn’t help much and would hurt their chances at possibly landing a generational talent in Zion Williamson. This is the new NBA.

29. NEW YORK KNICKS (9-28)

The New York Knicks have quietly been the best tankers in the NBA. They certainly don’t have the worst roster in the league by any stretch of the imagination, and actually have some really nice young prospects, but they have the second-worst record in the league at nearly the halfway point.

And assuming that Kristaps Porzingis doesn’t make a return this season that will continue to be the case. Dave Fizdale is playing his young guys, and giving them the experience that they need to get better as overall players, and giving him the look he needs to evaluate.

Can you imagine the Knicks winning the NBA Draft Lottery and then landing Zion Williamson? So insane.

28. PHOENIX SUNS (9-28)

Many have been waiting for the Phoenix Suns to breakout at any given moment. This team has the talent to be better than they’ve been, but there seems to be something missing, and I’m not sure anyone knows what it is.

Maybe it’s experience. Maybe it’s veteran guidance. Or perhaps it’s the right head coach. Whatever it is, it doesn’t seem to be in the locker room right now. Devin Booker is an absolute star, and would probably be a superstar if the Suns were winning more.

If the Suns land another top 5 pick, it’s going to be interesting to see what this team elects to do with it. Could they shop it for a star? Don’t be surprised.

27. CHICAGO BULLS (10-26)

It’s been a couple weeks since it was reported that the Chicago Bulls were shopping Jabari Parker. While there have been reported teams interested, it appears that the Bulls are going to wait it out a bit and try to create a market for him.

That’s smart. At the same time, it’s also been reported that the team is now looking to move Robin Lopez ahead of the NBA Trade Deadline. While Lopez is no longer a game-changing player at the center position, is still good enough to help a contender out there.

It’s pretty clear that the Bulls are shopping players. Question is will any teams out there bit on the bait that they’re using?

26. ATLANTA HAWKS (11-24)

Over the last couple of weeks, the Atlanta Hawks have played more like a playoff team than like one that will be picking in the top 5 of the 2019 NBA Draft. Over the last six games, the Hawks are 5-1 and have solid wins over the likes of Timberwolves, Pistons and Wizards.

Even though no one is expecting the Hawks to make a last-season run towards the playoffs – they’re actually only six games back of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference – this has to be an encouraging stretch for the team.

There’s still a lot of work to be done for the Hawks, but there’s no question that this team is headed on the right direction.

25. WASHINGTON WIZARDS (14-23)

This is no longer just a rough start for the Washington Wizards. We’re roughly at the midway portion of the season, and the Wizards still haven’t begun to turn it around. It’s time to admit that Washington just might be bad. Really bad.

To make matters worse, it was recently announced that John Wall will undergo season-ending left heel surgery. The next time we’ll see Wall will be when he’s prepping for his $38 million year payday. Yikes.

The Wizards are a mess right now, and have no clear direction. This will likely get a lot worse than it gets better for the franchise. Don’t be surprised if we begin to hear some of this team’s veterans in the rumor mill.

24. ORLANDO MAGIC (15-19)

After a real solid start to the season, the Orlando Magic have really struggled during the month of December and have fallen out of the top 8 in the Eastern Conference. And it’s going to take some real work for them to make a return.

During the month of December, the Magic are 4-7. They also have the NBA’s second-worst offense and a middle of the pack defense over that span. They’re still on pace to perform better than expected this season, but with the way they started the year it would be a real shame if they can’t work their way back into the playoff race.

Sadly, as is almost always the case, it appears that the Magic are still a year away from being real players in the East.

23. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES (16-19)

Despite playing a little better after trading Jimmy Butler away, the Minnesota Timberwolves have been really bad as of late. And perhaps that culminated with a loss at the hands of the lowly Hawks a few days ago.

Don’t get me wrong, the Wolves are not one of the worst teams in the league. Or at least they shouldn’t be. This team has a good roster. They have nice young talent, and really good role players.

They just can’t seem to get it right. The combination of Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns should be better, but they continue to struggle in leading this team to wins.

22. NEW ORLEANS PELICANS (16-21)

As the New Orleans Pelicans continue to struggle, and there’s nothing to suggest that they won’t, the Anthony Davis whispers are only going to grow louder. And for the last two weeks, that’s exactly what has happened.

A dinner with LeBron James turned into an entire column from the national media. This is going to be more of the norm moving forward for Davis, so the Pelicans should get comfortable with it. Either that or they better start shopping him.

The end is going to be painful for the Pelicans here. We’ve seen this movie many times before in the NBA, and it almost never ends with a happy ending for the franchise.

21. BROOKLYN NETS (17-21)

I don’t think it should be overlooked, what the Brooklyn Nets have done over the last two seasons is nothing short of remarkable. This team is no longer the punchline of the NBA, and is quickly becoming a potential landing spot for stars heading into the summer.

Heck, forget the summer; the Nets are in the 9th spot of the East and only one game out of the final playoff spot. The fact that we even mentioned the playoffs for this team is insane, and even more impressive considering this team is playing without its best player, Caris LeVert, who remains out with injury.

There’s a real chance that the Nets could make the playoffs this year.

20. DETROIT PISTONS (16-17)

Even though the Detroit Pistons have fallen off their early season pace, there’s still a really good chance that this team makes a return to the playoffs in the Eastern Conference this season. But, they’re going to need some help.

And not just from a few other teams that might be playing better as of late that are quickly climbing the standings. The Pistons needs to make a deal before the NBA Trade Deadline. If the plan is to make push towards the playoffs, this team needs help on the wing.

If they can land a solid 3-and-D wing, that might be enough to solidify this team as one of the top 8 teams in the East.

19. DALLAS MAVERICKS (16-18)

The Dallas Mavericks might have the next NBA Superstar on its roster. Luka Doncic has everything that you want in a young star. He can do it all on the floor, and even has the swagger that a player needs to be special.

While the Mavs have struggled over the last couple of weeks, this team is still within striking distance of a playoff spot in the West. It has even been reported that they’ll be looking to make a deal in the weeks leading up to the NBA Trade Deadline in an effort to improve.

The Mavs could be one really good veteran player away from making a late-season push towards the playoffs. And what would be more fun that Doncic in a playoff series?

18. UTAH JAZZ (18-19)

Winners of four of their last six, the Utah Jazz are beginning to play a little more like a team that is destined to make a second-half push towards the playoffs. They are currently only two games back of the final playoff spot in the West, but I think it’s safe to say that they have their eyes on a spot higher than 8th.

This is a team that many expected to see in the top 4 of the West, but because of one factor or another got off to a real rough start.

Don’t be surprised if the Jazz really get hot during the second-half of the season. If any team is starting to go streaking, it’s the Jazz.

17. CHARLOTTE HORNETS (17-18)

The Charlotte Hornets continue to play on a level that suggests this team will probably make the playoffs in the Eastern Conference this season. Assuming that they don’t sustain a bad injury to a key player…

(Cough) Kemba Walker (cough)

…this team is going to make a return to the playoffs. And just in time for Walker to get his big payday, to remind the franchise during the summer that without him this team doesn’t even sniff a playoff spot.

The Hornets may not make much noise when they get to the post-season, but even simply getting there with this flawed roster is impressive.

16. MIAMI HEAT (17-17)

Ever since they inserted Justise Winslow into the point guard position, the Miami Heat have looked like a different team. Since he’s started at the position, the Heat are 5-1. Over the last three games, Winslow is averaging 22 points, six rebounds and five assists.

During the month of December, the Heat is 9-3. This team appears to have turned a corner, and is currently sitting in the 7th spot of the Eastern Conference. Taking into account their schedule, it doesn’t look like this run is going to end anytime soon.

The team’s next four games are against teams under .500 and three of them will be played at home.

15. MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES (18-17)

The Memphis Grizzlies are struggling as they keep their head above water. The Grizzlies have really struggled over the last few weeks, and is only 5-9 during the month of December. This pour month has seen them drop from a top 5 team in the West to out of the playoff picture entirely.

The only real bright spot for the Grizzlies this season has been the play of Jaren Jackson Jr., which should give them a calming thought about the future of this franchise. The sky is the limit for JJJ, and he’s been one the best rookies this season.

While they have some big decisions to make on a few of their veterans, they do have some nice young talent.

14. SAN ANTONIO SPURS (20-17)

Credit where credit is due, the San Antonio Spurs have really proved me wrong over the last few weeks. Just when I thought this team was dead in the water and in need of a rebuild, they turn around and win nine of their last 12 games.

The Spurs have the look of a team that still has yet to play its best basketball, and one that will likely be in contention for one of the final playoff spots in the Western Conference.

Gregg Popovich is once again working his magic on a flawed roster, and is getting the most out of his players – something that he seemingly does year in and year out.

13. SACRAMENTO KINGS (19-16)

We’re nearly halfway through the 2018-19 NBA season, and the Sacramento Kings are still playing well as a team. De’Aaron Fox is looking like a future star, and Buddy Hield is quietly having a career year with the Kings.

Sacramento is not the laughing stock that many expected this team to be this season, and is still getting better. Even if the Kings don’t qualify for the playoffs this season, I don’t think many will blame them.

This team has certainly made some strides this season and should be one of the teams to watch heading into next year.

12. LOS ANGELES LAKERS (20-16)

It’s a shame that the Los Angeles Lakers lost LeBron James during their big Christmas Day win over the Warriors because this team was really starting to put it all together as a team, considering their roster.

Losing LeBron, it’s only natural for this team to fall down the standings a bit, especially if he missed a couple of weeks, but the fact that we have seen this team play some really good basketball this early in the season is a great sign.

Perhaps the Lakers will be bigger factors than what we all predicted before the season, and that would only help the NBA as a whole.

11. PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS (20-16)

If there’s one thing that we’ve learned about the Portland Trail Blazers over the last few weeks, it’s that Damian Lillard is still clutch. And that has proven to be invaluable in the NBA, especially in the playoffs when it matters most.

Something that has also proven to be invaluable is depth, and that’s just not something that this team has at the moment. The Blazers will make the playoffs, and probably be a top 6 team in the West when this season is all over with.

However, I simply can’t expect this team to do much when they get there. Sadly, it’s what we’ve come to expect with this team.

10. HOUSTON ROCKETS (20-15)

The Houston Rockets have won nine of their last 10 games, and are one of the hottest teams in the NBA right now. James Harden has been so good as of late, and is averaging 36 points, eight assists and six rebounds during the month of December.

The team has been able to survive without Chris Paul in the lineup, too. It’s tough to say whether this team has solved all of their issues, because it’s almost impossible to admit that at this point. But you can say that they are playing much better.

Expect the Rockets to still survey the trade market and seek a quality bench player to add for the stretch run.

9. LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS (21-15)

Like many of the other teams that we simply didn’t expect to be here at this point in the season, the Los Angeles Clippers continue to impress. And I believe that it’s fair to say that this team is good, and will be a factor in the playoffs.

They are sitting top 4 in the West, and are led by one of the best coaches in the NBA. Doc Rivers has done a wonderful job this season, and has perhaps changed his reputation a bit after some flak he received while coaching the Chris Paul, Blake Griffin teams in Los Angeles.

The future is bright for the Clippers, and could be even more so depending on what happens during the summer.

8. PHILADELPHIA 76ERS (23-13)

Despite losing to the Celtics on Christmas Day, the Philadelphia 76ers continues to prove that they’re going to be a huge factor in the playoffs. There are some growing pains that need to take place, and the hope is that everything will be sorted out come playoff time.

Jimmy Butler is the guy you want to go into battle with, and has already paid dividends for the Sixers so far this season by hitting a number of game-winners.

Keep an eye on the Sixers because I firmly believe that they have yet to play their best basketball collectively as a group.

7. BOSTON CELTICS (21-14)

The fact that the Boston Celtics have yet to play their best basketball this season and are still ranked in the top 7 of our NBA Power Rankings should tell you all you need to know about what we think about this team.

And it’s that their ceiling is high. Really high. Still, it is somewhat concerning that we’ve gotten to the midway point of the season and this team is still struggling to find their identity. They’ve begun to play a bit better as of late, but still leave much to be desired.

The hope is that this team is playing their best basketball during the playoffs. If they can achieve that, they might be the favorites to come out of the East, no matter what the Raptors or Bucks may look like.

6. INDIANA PACERS (24-12)

The Indiana Pacers are one of the most interesting teams in the Eastern Conference, and almost no one seems to be talking about them. But that could prove to be a mistake as this team has the talent to make a run to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Victor Oladipo is arguably a top 15-20 player in the NBA and the Pacers have one of the best big combos (Domantas Sabonis, Myles Turner) in the league. They’ll both ideal in today’s pace-and-space game.

This team could be one quality veteran to being in the conversation of finishing the regular season with the best record in the East. And that would be something.

5. GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (24-13)

If there’s one thing that this team is really missing at the moment, it’s a good version of Draymond Green. Putting in flatly, and honesty, Green has been bad. Really bad. He’s averaging eight points, eight rebounds and seven assists – all good – but he’s shooting just 41 percent from the field and 23 percent from 3-point range.

He’s becoming less and less of a threat on the offense end, and team’s will begin playing off him on that side of the ball as an attempt to shift the defense more towards Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry.

I’m not sure this is how the end of the Warriors will take place, but this could be where it begins. The less of a factor Green is, the more he’s going to become a minus by having him on the floor – no matter how good he may be on the defensive end.

4. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER (22-12)

Despite losing their big Christmas Day matchup with the Rockets, the Oklahoma City Thunder are still steadily second in the Western Conference. They are 10 games over .500, even despite the fact that Russell Westbrook is still struggling with his shot in the month of December.

Paul George has done most of the heavy lifting lately, and it’s been enough for this team to continue on this hot streak. Nevertheless, if the Thunder are going to be big factors in the playoffs, they’re going to need Westbrook to get back on track.

For now, though, there’s really no need to worry about Westbrook. Although, if he can’t turn it around sooner rather than later, then perhaps it might be time to worry. Now, though, no.

3. DENVER NUGGETS (23-11)

The Denver Nuggets continue to impress as they await the return of a few of their most rotation players, who are out with injuries. The hope is that Will Barton and Gary Harris will return in the next week or so, and that Paul Millsap isn’t too far behind.

The fact that this team has been able to remain on top of the West despite their injuries is quite impressive, and should tell us everything we need to know about this team and whether they are a real threat in the conference.

It may still sound a bit weird to hear, but the Nuggets will be a factor in the playoffs. That’s not something that I would’ve believed before the season. Amazing.

2. TORONTO RAPTORS (26-11)

The Toronto Raptors may have struggled over the last couple of weeks, but this is still one of the most complete teams in the NBA. This is a team that will be in the running to win the East, and will likely be one of the favorites to finish as the top seed in the conference.

This team’s game-changer, though, is Kawhi Leonard. And when he’s on top of his game, there aren’t many other players in the NBA that can match his talent. Even though Kawhi seems to get all the recognition for this team’s great start, the job that Pascal Siakam has done this season shouldn’t be overlooked.

There’s a good chance that he wins the NBA’s Most Improved Player of the year award, and he could be a secret weapon for this team come playoff time.

1. MILWAUKEE BUCKS (25-10)

Perhaps this is an overreaction, but over the last couple of weeks the Milwaukee Bucks have been the best team in the NBA. They have the third best offense and defense in the NBA, and the best Net Rating in the league.

Giannis should be the favorite to win the NBA’s MVP right now, and what’s even more amazing is the fact that he’s doing much of his damage without a 3-point shot in his arsenal. In an era where teams live and die by the 3, it’s quite amazing that Giannis has been almost unstoppable without it.

The Bucks are for real, and this is not just a good start to the season. It’s time we start taking them seriously, and not only as a threat to win the Eastern Conference. This team’s length and athleticism might just be the recipe to give the Warriors fits.