Chuddy’s NBA Power RankingS
December 26
Welcome to the fifth installment of King Chuddy’s weekly NBA power rankings. These rankings will fluctuate based on the team's performance during the previous week and any changes in personnel, health, schematics, or overall quality of play. These rankings are NOT predicting for the future, or used to determine odds of ultimately winning the title, they are just based on what the team has done recently and what is their immediate outlook. For example, the Nuggets have the best future outlook to win the title and at full strength in a playoff setting they are the “best” team in the league. But they have not been playing their best basketball in recent weeks, so they are not #1 in the rankings. Think of these rankings as something more like the top 25 rankings in college basketball/football and they should make more sense. Feel free to leave your comments/opinions and tell me why I’m wrong, or why I am a genius. Without further ado…
Boston Celtics (23-6, Last week: 1) - After blowing a game in Golden State, they rebounded by smoking the Kings, Clippers, and Lakers to wrap up a dominant west coast holiday trip. They are putting it all together and still have room to improve.
Minnesota Timberwolves (22-6, Last week: 2) - Despite a loss in Philly, they’ve still been head and shoulders above the rest of the crowded west so far.
Denver Nuggets (22-10, Last week: 7) - They’ve won 5 straight and seem to be rounding back into championship form. They’ve also managed to get healthy while getting important reps for their young players. Should be a scary sight for the rest of the west.
Philadelphia 76ers (20-9, Last week: 4) - They fell short in Miami without Joel Embiid, but they’ve been nearly unbeatable with the MVP in the lineup, including a hugely impressive home win over the best defense in the NBA, the T-Wolves.
Oklahoma City Thunder (18-9, Last week: 3) - Even with a tough schedule, they’ve maintained their standing as a top 3 team in the west and look ready for true title contention in the immediate future.
Milwaukee Bucks (22-8, Last week: 5) - They continue to beat up on the NBA’s lower class and round into form, but looked unable to slow down the Knicks in MSG on Christmas day.
Miami Heat (18-12, Last week: 13) - Another big rise for the Heat as they keep quietly moving up the standings. Jaime Jaquez Jr. has been one of the most impactful rookies in the league, Herro is back and looking good, and Duncan Robinson has taken a leap as an overall player. This team is never going away SMH.
Sacramento Kings (17-11, Last week: 10) - They took a couple of tough losses on the second night of back-to-back’s against the Celtics and Wolves, but have otherwise steadily risen up the standings and now sit at 4th in the west.
Los Angeles Clippers (17-12, Last week: 6) - After starting the first 26 games of the season, Kawhi has now missed back to back games that have each resulted in losses. But at full strength they’ve been rolling.
Dallas Mavericks (18-12, Last week: 8) - They had hit a bit of a skid and have been missing guys with injuries, but Luka has been absolutely masterful and keeps carrying them to wins regardless of his running mates.
Orlando Magic (17–11, Last week: 9) - They hit a rough patch, but bounced back with a nice win over the Pacers and have held their top 4 spot in the east.
Golden State Warriors (15-15, Last week: 19) - They lost a tight one in Denver on Christmas day, but that came on the heels of a 5 game winning streak. They’ve figured some things out with their bench and young guys and are getting great production from Podziemski and Kuminga, while Klay and Wiggins have started to look better. We’ll see what happens if/when Draymond gets back in the mix…
New Orleans Pelicans (17-13, Last week: 11) - The vibes still seem a bit off and every loss feels worse than the wins, but this team is still loaded with talent and can play much better.
Houston Rockets (15-12, Last week: 14) - They were slumping a little but have gotten off the schneid on the road, and since picked up some impressive wins, as they’ve now won 7 of 10.
New York Knicks (17-12, Last week: 15) - The Knicks got a huge win over the Bucks on Christmas, but losing Mitchell Robinson for the season is just a massive blow to their defense and rebounding.
Memphis Grizzlies (9-19, Last week: 25) - Ja Morant is back and everything has immediately changed. They look like the hard nosed defensive team from last year with their offensive engine leading the way. They’ll also get Marcus Smart back this week and they’ll now enter every game with a playoff mindset.
Los Angeles Lakers (16-15, Last week: 12) - Things have gone from bad to worse since winning the IST, as they’ve now lost 5 of 6 and it seems to take maximum efforts from LeBron and AD to hang with any decent team.
Cleveland Cavaliers (17-13, Last week: 20) - Despite the injuries piling up - even Donovan Mitchell has been out for the past few games - the Cavs just keep winning and now trade talks have centered around buying instead of selling.
Chicago Bulls (13-18, Last week: 21) - After a dreadful start, the Bulls have climbed up into the 10 spot and continue to look like a solid team without Zach Lavine. Coby White has miraculously played his way into All-Star consideration and appears to be on a great value contract going forward.
Brooklyn Nets (14-15, Last week: 18) - They’ve managed to play roughly .500 ball even with guys in and out of the lineups and playing a pretty tough schedule. They are who they are, but remain poised to go star-hunting should the right player come available.
Utah Jazz (12-18, Last week: 22) - The Jazz have won 3 straight and look like a solid and deep team with Lauri Markkanen in the lineup. It is still unclear what their future plans/goals are, but there are many teams with a MUCH worse long term outlook.
Indiana Pacers (14-14, Last week: 17) - Post IST struggles have continued for the Pacers and aat a certain point they are going to need to find ways to get stops if they want to be a serious playoff team.
Phoenix Suns (14-15, Last week: 16) - The worst vibes in the league belong to the Phoenix Suns. They’ve lost 3 straight, 7 out of 10, and now internal frustrations have seeped out into the national media. This could get UGLY.
Atlanta Hawks (12-17, Last week: 24) - The Hawks have badly underwhelmed this season to the point where now it seems they may be sellers, with Dejounte Murray’s name being at the forefront of rumors as they slip further down the standings. Trae Young’s brilliant streak of 30+ points/10+ assists games has been a bright spot.
Toronto Raptors (11-18, Last week: 23) - Another place where the vibes are off would be in Toronto. It is becoming more apparent by the day that this team is not destined for the playoffs and they’d be best suited to look to sell players like Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby.
Portland Trailblazers (7-21, Last week: 27) - They aren’t exactly compiling wins, but they’ve actually seen some promise from young players and mostly looked competitive. Jerami Grant and Malcolm Brogdon have both played very well also and would likely fetch a haul at the trade deadline if the team opts to go that route.
Charlotte Hornets (7-20, Last week: 26) - They’ve looked mostly hopeless in the absence of LaMelo Ball and now there are rumblings about changes in the front office as they head towards yet another season in the lottery.
Washington Wizards (5-23, Last week: 28) - Somehow they’ve actually won 2 of their last 5 and that’s better than can be said about any of these other bottom feeders.
San Antonio Spurs (4-24, Last week: 29) - Since snapping their 18 game losing skid they’ve promptly started a fresh 4 game losing streak!
Detroit Pistons (2-27, Last week: 30) - Well at least they can rewrite the history books!