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Post-All-Star Power Rankings

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02        Cleveland Cavaliers

A masterclass in disruptive defense  ...  Numbers don't always tell the full story, but in this case, they do a decent job. Oklahoma City is holding opponents to bottom-five marks in pretty much every offensive metric under the sun: effective FG%, rim FG%, mid-range FG%, three-point%, and TOV% — just to name a few. The Thunder opted not to dip into their cache of draft picks for an extra floor-spacer or secondary creator at the deadline. Time will tell if this offense can scale to the highest levels in April and beyond. 

Record: 56-12

01        Oklahoma City Thunder

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13-4

1

+12.1

RECORD

SEED

NET RATING

OFFENSE

6th

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1st

DEFENSE

A masterclass in disruptive defense  ...  Numbers don't always tell the full story, but in this case, they do a decent job. Oklahoma City is holding opponents to bottom-five marks in pretty much every offensive metric under the sun: effective FG%, rim FG%, mid-range FG%, three-point%, and TOV% — just to name a few. The Thunder opted not to dip into their cache of draft picks for an extra floor-spacer or secondary creator at the deadline. Time will tell if this offense can scale to the highest levels in April and beyond. 

02        Cleveland Cavaliers

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17-1

1

+12.1

RECORD

SEED

NET RATING

OFFENSE

3rd

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14th

DEFENSE

Positioned for a deep run  ...  The Cavaliers continue to monopolize premium real estate atop the Eastern Conference. Coach Atkinson is nuking defenses with spread pick n' rolls — each variation laced with some form of destructive, misnumbering counter that sucks the lifeblood out of opposing coverages. DeAndre Hunter, recently acquired from Atlanta, addresses what's been a valley of size and shooting at the three-spot for years. Preserving homecourt through the Eastern playoffs remains Cleveland's number one priority.

03        Boston Celtics

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14-3

2

+10.6

RECORD

SEED

NET RATING

OFFENSE

3rd

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14th

DEFENSE

Apex predator playing B+ basketball  ...  At its peak, Boston hosts a mind-meld of shooters, playmakers, and athletes that stretch the fibers of opposing defenses while cranking up the heat on the other end. Post-title malaise continues to rear its head for stretches, but that's okay, provided things remain stable and self-assured internally. The "proper" allocation of touches continues to surface as a conversation. The Celtics are 18-1 when Jayson Tatum has a USG rate above 31%.

04        New York Knicks

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14-3

2

+10.6

RECORD

SEED

NET RATING

OFFENSE

3rd

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14th

DEFENSE

Atomic offense, average defense  ...  The Knicks' offensive process makes sense — size and shooting on the wings orbit dynamic, demoralizing two-man actions with Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns. The caveats of a Towns-anchored defense are admissible, given how transformative he can be on the other end, but his lateral agility in space remains a pressure point against the best, most deliberate offenses. Boston, in particular, has made a concentrated effort to weed him out in Tatum-oriented pick n' rolls.

05        Denver Nuggets

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14-3

2

+10.6

RECORD

SEED

NET RATING

OFFENSE

3rd

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14th

DEFENSE

Kicking into gear  ...  After a sluggish start, the Nuggets are quietly patching together a historically productive offense. Nikola Jokic is redefining greatness itself, elevating Denver's eFG by +8.7% and cumulative scoring output by +24.2 points per 100 possessions when on the court. Jamal Murray looks reinvigorated, Michael Porter Jr. can't miss, and Christian Braun is straight-line driving defenses to death. The arrow is pointing up, especially if Denver can tighten some screws on the defensive end, where they remain susceptible on the ball and at the rim.

06        Memphis Grizzlies

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14-3

2

+10.6

RECORD

SEED

NET RATING

OFFENSE

3rd

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14th

DEFENSE

A stamp of excellence for Taylor Jenkins  ...  Memphis is firmly eclipsing the sum of its parts, especially given the crippling injury bug that seems to be neutering Ja Morant. Morant has missed 22 of 54 games, is playing just a tick over 28 minutes a night, and is averaging under 21 points and seven assists for the first time since 2020 — yet the Grizzlies continue to produce at an excellent clip on both ends. They blitz you with long limbs, blistering pace, and a collective penchant for attacking misaligned defenses off the catch. If healthy, this is a dangerous playoff matchup.

07        Houston Rockets

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14-3

2

+10.6

RECORD

SEED

NET RATING

OFFENSE

3rd

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14th

DEFENSE

How far can they drag this offense?  ...  Houston's Jenga tower collapsed when Fred VanVleet and his tidy, no-frills caregiving chops were pulled from the bottom of the stack. The margins are razor thin for an offense that ranks bottom-six in scoring efficiency from all three levels, so it's imperative that they re-establish the nightly upper hand in the possession battle post-All-Star break. The Rockets sit just half a game up on the surging Lakers entering the home stretch of the regular season.

08        Los Angeles Lakers

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14-3

2

+10.6

RECORD

SEED

NET RATING

OFFENSE

3rd

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14th

DEFENSE

A triumphant return to Lakers exceptionalism  ...  For so long, the Lakers appeared suspended in perpetual flux. But the mind-bending, madness-inducing acquisition of Luka freakin' Doncic is as big of an inflection point as exists within reality. That said, losing out on Mark Williams poses a thread of crippling issues that (unfortunately) extends beyond just crunch-time Jaxson Hayes minutes. L.A. will have to tap into the arcane levels of upside in the Luka-LeBron pairing to compete as currently constructed.

09        Minnesota Timberwolves

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14-3

2

+10.6

RECORD

SEED

NET RATING

OFFENSE

3rd

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14th

DEFENSE

Reckonable, but failing the vibe check  ...  Minnesota's expected win total (based on their net rating) ranks fourth in the West at 35-21 entering the All-Star break. The discrepancy lies in recurrent crunch-time woes — teams are readily blitzing Anthony Edwards and forcing the ball out of his hands, exploiting his ever-so-slightly delayed decision-making and the lack of connective playmaking traversing his domain. This defense is good enough to catalyze a winning streak, provided they can clean up their late-game execution.

10        Los Angeles Clippers

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14-3

2

+10.6

RECORD

SEED

NET RATING

OFFENSE

3rd

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14th

DEFENSE

A Kawhi-contingent giant killer  ...  There's a robo-shotmaking-assassin-sized hole in this 22nd-ranked offense that only Kawhi Leonard can fill, and since his return, the Clippers are riding a steady 118.6 offensive rating in 15 games. L.A. was active at the deadline. Bogdan Bogdanovic supplies a welcomed remedy for some second-unit spacing issues, while Ben Simmons — if healthy and motivated — unlocks fast, switchable lineup combinations when Ivica Zubac rests. Shoutout to Ty Lue, who continues to push all the right buttons.

04        Dallas Mavericks

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14-8

3

+7.1

RECORD

SEED

NET RATING

OFFENSE

3rd

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14th

DEFENSE

Decimated in every which way  ...  Luka Doncic's usage rate is at 35.5% through 22 games, marking the first time in his career that it's dipped below the 99th percentile. This reconfigured approach predicates on entrusting complimentary pieces with ball-handling reps to stagger Doncic's incessant attack. Defensively, Dallas continues to funnel opponents off the three-point line before blitzing them with length and activity around the rim.

05        Memphis Grizzlies

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14-3

2

+10.6

RECORD

SEED

NET RATING

OFFENSE

3rd

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14th

DEFENSE

A rejuvenated heavyweight that blitzes you with long limbs and blistering pace  ...  Memphis is a hyper-stimulating watch. All five guys on the floor are authorized to attack off the catch, spelling death for sloppy rotations, late closeouts, and lethargic transition defense. A mass injection of blissful inexperience has done wonders for a wildly self-sufficient second unit. Even when Ja Morant sits, Memphis boasts the requisite offensive punch to dominate for extended stretches.

06        New York Knicks

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13-4

1

+12.1

RECORD

SEED

NET RATING

OFFENSE

3rd

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14th

DEFENSE

A multiangular offensive attack with shallow bench depth  ...  The Jalen Brunson x Karl-Anthony Towns pick n' roll has quickly established itself as the bread and butter for a humming Knicks offense. But that's not where the onslaught stops—OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, and Deuce McBride are all more than capable of capitalizing on the amplified spacing themselves. Defense will continue to be the bellwether for New York as Coach Thibodeau leans on heavy minutes from his starters.

07        Houston Rockets

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14-8

3

+7.1

RECORD

SEED

NET RATING

OFFENSE

3rd

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14th

DEFENSE

A menacing embodiment of their head coach  ...  
With the way that Coach Udoka rips into his team in postgame pressors, you'd think that the Rockets' record was flipped—but that's just the jet fuel behind the hardened defense that's propelled them into the top shelf of the Western Conference. This team is young, ravenous, and all up in your grill for 48 minutes. Houston is way ahead of schedule, and that's despite an offensive attack plagued by the inefficiency of its top scorers.

08        Milwaukee Bucks

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13-4

1

+12.1

RECORD

SEED

NET RATING

OFFENSE

3rd

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14th

DEFENSE

Finally catching pace with expectations after some forced introspection  ...  Milwaukee has weaponized a soft spot in its schedule to regain some mojo after an apocalyptic 2-8 start. Coach Rivers has wisened up from a tactical standpoint, easing the needless friction between Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo by conjoining them in set actions rather than siloing them apart. Insert a healthy Khris Middleton, and the Bucks look a lot more like the team they were supposed to be.

09        Orlando Magic

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14-8

3

+7.1

RECORD

SEED

NET RATING

OFFENSE

3rd

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14th

DEFENSE

They'd be hard-pressed to score 70 points in a game against themselves  ...  Orlando's offense has been completely mutilated by shooting woes and oblique tears, but they've somehow managed to pile wins in the process. It starts (and ends) with their suffocating defense that ranks fifth in guarding the rim and second in preventing 3PAs. A predictable slide down the standings may be in the cards with Franz Wagner sidelined indefinitely, but they'll make for a brutal playoff matchup when fully restored.

10        Denver Nuggets

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13-4

1

+12.1

RECORD

SEED

NET RATING

OFFENSE

3rd

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14th

DEFENSE

Critically flawed, but buoyed by the MVP ...  Nikola Jokic is firmly the best player in basketball and probably good enough to pioneer a top-eight offense with me in the lineup. But two fundamental issues are capping Denver's ceiling: 1) a cratering point-of-attack defense without Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and 2) inefficiency from their second banana, Jamal Murray. I still think Denver has a lot of untapped juice, but their limited financial flexibility makes it difficult to extract via trade.

11        Minnesota Timberwolves

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14-8

3

+7.1

RECORD

SEED

NET RATING

OFFENSE

3rd

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14th

DEFENSE

Don't sell your Wolves stock just yet  ...  It hasn't exactly been suns and rainbows for Minnesota, but they've become an intriguing (albeit remarkably unsexy) bet for a mid-season surge. They've won six of their last seven whilst failing to eclipse 109 points in any game over that span—both a testament to their flourishing defensive identity and a signal of some offensive malfunctions. If they can find some more scoring on the roster or through a trade, they can start stacking wins in a serious way. 

Boston Celtics​
Los Angeles Clippers
Philadelphia 76ers
Golden State Warriors

12        Los Angeles Clippers

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13-4

1

+12.1

RECORD

SEED

NET RATING

OFFENSE

3rd

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14th

DEFENSE

Treading water (admirably)  ...  The Clippers have established a staunch defensive algorithm of length and physicality at the point of attack anchored by size and vigilance on the glass. One thing is clear, however: there's a robo-shotmaking-assassin-sized hole on their 24th-ranked offense that only Kawhi Leonard can fill. This team is armed with sharp coaching and a quality two-way complimentary cast, but Leonard's superstardom will be required to activate their booming dark horse upside.

13        Philadelphia 76ers

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14-8

3

+7.1

RECORD

SEED

NET RATING

OFFENSE

3rd

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14th

DEFENSE

A precarious regular season gamble with highly contingent playoff upside  ...  The Sixers are scraping back from a 2-12 start and now sit just two games behind the eight-seed. Just about every preseason concern has been exacerbated, and yet, I can't quit—this roster is too talented to ignore on the off chance that they enter the playoffs healthy. Joel Embiid's availability is the central focus as they look to reinvigorate their 27th-ranked offense. Keep an eye on Philly!

14        Phoenix Suns

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14-8

3

+7.1

RECORD

SEED

NET RATING

OFFENSE

3rd

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14th

DEFENSE

Stuck in neutral  ...  Coach Budenholzer has contemporized Phoenix's shot diet like I had hoped (6th in 3P rate), but it's yet to translate into sustainable success. Don't let the 14-11 record fool you: the Suns own the ninth-toughest schedule from here on out and have benefitted from the third-best wins over expected in the NBA relative to their net rating (translation: they've been a little lucky). They're too financially depleted to enhance this roster, so the improvement must come internally. 

15        Los Angeles Lakers

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13-4

1

+12.1

RECORD

SEED

NET RATING

OFFENSE

3rd

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14th

DEFENSE

Suspended in perpetual flux  ...  As has been the case for the last few years, the pendulum seems to swing between pleasurably competitive and painfully mediocre by the week for the Lakers. The lack of separation in the middle of the Western Conference has them firmly in contention for a top-six seed, but the ceiling for this group feels capped, given their limited depth and the palpable, albeit gradual, regression of LeBron James. Expect Rob Pelinka to hunt upgrades around the margins at the deadline.

16        Miami Heat

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13-4

1

+12.1

RECORD

SEED

NET RATING

OFFENSE

3rd

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14th

DEFENSE

Competitive on both ends but failing the vibe check  ...  A steady blend of turnover-free maneuvering and some Tyler-Herroics (get it?) has catalyzed a seismic boost in Miami's ninth-ranked offense. For context, their per-possession output ranked 21st and 25th in the past two seasons, respectively. So why aren't things better? Chronic crunch-time struggles, disjointed second-unit production, and howling Jimmy Butler trade rumors are all good places to start. 

17        Atlanta Hawks

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14-3

2

+10.6

RECORD

SEED

NET RATING

OFFENSE

3rd

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14th

DEFENSE

An optimized orbit for Trae Young's playmaking alchemy  ...  Young is extracting the best version of his teammates, and vice versa. They've established themselves as giant killers out East, conquering the Cavaliers (2x), Celtics, and Knicks on separate occasions. This group doesn't shoot the lights out (outside of DeAndre Hunter, apparently), but their secret sauce comes in the form of rim frequency (ranked 3rd), free throw rate (7th), and offensive rebound% (7th).

18        Indiana Pacers

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13-4

1

+12.1

RECORD

SEED

NET RATING

OFFENSE

3rd

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14th

DEFENSE

Heliocentric antithesis trying to rekindle the flame  ...  Three distinct hiccups are delimiting Indiana's offense from the face-melting potency of a year prior: a) underwhelming production from its conductor, Tyrese Haliburton; b) a devolved shot diet that's supplanted rim and three-point attempts with mid-ranges; and c) ghastly results from Coach Carlisle's platoon-subbing pattern—five-man bench lineups are getting mauled. The Pacers are 8-3 in their last 11 games—I'm holding my glut of preseason stock.

19        San Antonio Spurs

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13-4

1

+12.1

RECORD

SEED

NET RATING

OFFENSE

3rd

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14th

DEFENSE

Laying the blueprint  ...  San Antonio is exercising a measured approach to building a championship-level foundation around Victor Wembanyama. The roster isn't brimming with blue-chip talent just yet, but they've accumulated a steady dosage of shooting, playmaking, and defense while stacking picks and veteran leadership. They'll have plenty of ammo to resolve their lack of secondary creation through the draft, trade, or free agency, but its current absence likely caps their short-term ceiling.

20        Golden State Warriors

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14-8

3

+7.1

RECORD

SEED

NET RATING

OFFENSE

3rd

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14th

DEFENSE

Can Dennis Schröder resuscitate the non-Curry lineups?  ...  Golden State weaponizes the pervasive shooting gravity of Stephen Curry as an alternative to dribble penetration in engineering offensive advantages—but their scoring attack drops dead the moment he hits the bench. Thus, the front office nabbed Schröder from the Brooklyn Nets to inject a more conventional source of rim pressure into second-unit lineups. It's worth noting that the Dubs have faced the third-toughest SOS so far this season.

15        Phoenix Suns

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12-4

2

+9.7

RECORD

SEED

NET RATING

OFFENSE

3rd

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14th

DEFENSE

Fatally fragile with minimal financial latitude for improvement  ...  Most of Phoenix's issues can be traced to an overdependence on their 36-year-old superstar and his spotty health record in recent years. There's no substitute for his rim protection on the roster, and the Suns are handcuffed to the ironclad team-building constraints of the Second Apron—making it virtually impossible for them to address issues via trade or the buy-out market.

02        Oklahoma City Thunder

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Interior Reinforcement

OKC ranked 29th in D-REB% last

year. That mark should skyrocket

with Hartenstein in the fold.

Spotlight Player:

Isaiah

Hartenstein:

12-3

2

+9.7

RECORD

SEED

NET RATING

OFFENSE

DEFENSE

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4th

3rd

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It's micro-ball time  ...  The Thunder have scored at a ho-hum rate through eight games, but it's not going to matter for as long as they're surrendering 93.7 points per 100 possessions. Yes, you read that right, and no, this is not 2007. The only issue: both Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein are sidelined Opponents are shooting 55.2% at the rim (worst in the league), 35.6% from the mid-range (third-worst), and 28.7% from the perimeter (second-worst). Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will always be the steady hand that guides the ship, but Chet Holmgren is generating some individual buzz as a future superstar and formidable DPOY prospect in his own right.

03        Cleveland Cavaliers

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Ascending Star

The Mobley star-leap is the next logical step for Cleveland to eclipse mid-playoff teams in the East

Spotlight Coach:

Joel

Embiid:

Record:

49-33

Wins O/U:

50.5

12-3

2

+9.7

RECORD

SEED

NET RATING

OFFENSE

DEFENSE

4th

3rd

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This team is humming  ...  Cleveland's firepower belies delicate balances within their accredited backcourt and frontcourt pairs. Maximizing the individual talents of both Darius Garland *and* Donovan Mitchell, as well as both Evan Mobley *and* Jarrett Allen has been a struggle over the past two years, but Kenny Atkinson seems to have found a middle-ground where everybody eats. The pace at which the Cavaliers are transitioning between actions in the halfcourt has been crucial in keeping defenses in rotation; thus widening gaps for dribble penetration and ensuing spray-outs to corner three-point shooters. Caris LeVert going scorched-earth mode off the bench (73.1% TS) certainly doesn't hurt either.

04        New York Knicks

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Connector

A seamless inside-out fit within

NY's desired offensive framework, provided he excels in the short roll.

Spotlight Player:

Karl-Anthony

Towns:

Record:

50-32

Wins O/U:

53.5

Net rating:

+4.9

OFFENSE

DEFENSE

4th

3rd

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Jalen Brunson's haven: an open canvas ripe with complimentary spacing, littered with defensive buoys, and tailored to his shotmaking virtuosity  ...  New York skirted the looming Julius Randle puzzle by swinging big for Karl-Anthony Towns, whose prowess as a rim-roller and spot-up shooter are much more compatible with the ball dominance of Brunson. The defensive tandem of Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby is manufactured to disrupt Boston on the wings, but the inevitable head-hunting of Brunson and Towns will necessitate creative off-ball coverages from Coach Tom Thibodeau. Deuce McBride will play a pivotal role in orchestrating second-unit offense and assuming marquee defensive assignments in spot starts.

04        Minnesota Timberwolves

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Ascending Star

The Towns trade paves a runway for Reid to seize closing-five minutes and tap into his big-time scoring upside

Spotlight Player:

Naz

Reid:

Record:

56-26

Wins O/U:

53.5

Net rating:

+7.1

OFFENSE

DEFENSE

4th

3rd

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Anthony Edwards spearheads a vault of depth and defense with endless lineup optionality; and potential role obscurity  ...  Whispers of doubt concerning the playoff reputability of Boston's rather simplistic, three-point-oriented system are somewhat sensible, but tell-all metrics support this iteration of the modern Celtics as the best we've seen. Whispers of doubt concerning the playoff reputability of Boston's rather simplistic, three-point-oriented system are somewhat sensible, but tell-all metrics support this iteration of the modern Celtics as the best we've seen. tell-all metrics support this iteration of the modern Celtics as the best we've seen. 

05        Dallas Mavericks

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POA Reinforcement

Marshall may become a crunch-time fixture as Dallas' best point-of-attack defender. Can he up his 3P volume?

Spotlight Player:

Naji

Marshall:

Record:

50-32

Wins O/U:

50.5

Net rating:

+2.6

OFFENSE

DEFENSE

4th

3rd

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irc (31).png

My defensive concerns have been assuaged  ...  Luka Doncic's slow start has been an offensive hindrance for the collective, especially given his prominence in Dallas' heliocentric framework, but things should

06        Philadelphia 76ers

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Please Stay Healthy

Philadelphia's title hopes bank on the playoff availability of Embiid. Don't expect to see him in back-to-backs.

Spotlight Player:

Joel

Embiid:

Record:

47-35

Wins O/U:

48.5

Net rating:

+2.8

OFFENSE

DEFENSE

4th

3rd

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irc (36).png

A fragile regular season gamble, but potential playoff giant if healthy  ...  Philadelphia pried open their contention window with an excellent offseason. Paul George adds a legitimate third star who meshes wonderfully with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. Caleb Martin, Eric Gordon, and Andre Drummond are veteran depth pieces who can plug holes with their two-way, shooting, and rebounding chops, respectively. And Jared McCain is an exciting investment as a supporting figure with wisdom beyond his years. The caveat: the wheels stop turning without Embiid and George, both of whom are capricious health bets. Expect a conservative regular season approach as Philadelphia optimizes for April and beyond.

07        Phoenix Suns

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New Skipper

Budenholzer loves his 3s, and Phoenix needs to shoot more of them this year to stay afloat in the math game.

Spotlight Coach:

Joel

Embiid:

Record:

49-33

Wins O/U:

50.5

Net rating:

+2.7

OFFENSE

DEFENSE

4th

3rd

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irc (46).png

An immensely talented offense with booming upside if Mike Budenholzer can shake its archaic tendencies  ...  Last season felt like the floor for Phoenix's offense, and it still ranked ninth in points per possession. Their shot diet included heavy doses of mid-range jumpers and low frequencies from the paint and the perimeter. While they scored exceptionally well relative to their shot quality, it's imperative that they generate more attempts from high-efficiency areas of the court. This is why Bradley Beal's health is so important: he's their most reliable source of rim pressure and perhaps the only one consistently capable of triggering inside-out opportunities. Hopefully, Coach Budenholzer imports the three-point happy philosophies from his Milwaukee days.

09        Denver Nuggets

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Double Life

Which Murray are we getting: the '23 playoff edition or his alter ego from the Olympic flame-out?

Spotlight Player:

Joel

Embiid:

Record:

57-25

Wins O/U:

50.5

Net rating:

+5.9

OFFENSE

DEFENSE

4th

3rd

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The fractured, yet prevailing stomping grounds of the NBA's best player  ...  The Nuggets' projection as a 50+ win team despite the steady depletion of its roster is a testament to the greatness of Nikola Jokic. Last year, Denver was +12.6 per 100 possessions, a 67-win pace, with Jokic on the court, and -11.1, a 16-win (!!) pace, with him off. If anything, that margin could expand in light of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope's departure. Christian Braun will be the surrogate starter as their remaining defensive counter at the point-of-attack, but he needs to boost his 3PA rate to avoid compounding Denver's pre-existent spacing issues. Their collective success swings largely on a) second-unit stability from Julian Strawther, Russell Westbrook, etc. and b) the reinvigoration of Jamal Murray.

10        Milwaukee Bucks

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Please Stay Healthy

Middleton's tertiary playmaking is vital, but he's played in just 88 games over the past two seasons.

Spotlight Player:

Joel

Embiid:

Record:

49-33

Wins O/U:

48.5

Net rating:

+2.7

OFFENSE

DEFENSE

4th

3rd

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My inclination to believe in Giannis is being tested  ...  The Bucks have the top-end talent to flourish as currently constructed, but it may require a few sips from the fountain of youth. They suffered from classic symptoms of old age last year: injury spells; marginal regression; and an inability to create extra possessions (25th in ORB%; 30th in DEF TOV%). You could also argue that there's more juice to be squeezed from the Giannis Antetokounmpo x Damian Lillard pairing. For such a hypothetically synergistic duo, they were oddly siloed in their work. Look for Giannis to up his 1.9 roll-man possessions per game considerably. Oh, and Khris Middleton needs to be at least somewhat healthy. The remaining roster isn't good enough to coast in his absence.

11        Orlando Magic

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Central Sun

Dual-functioning as a forward on defense and pseudo-point on offense. He's their first pillar for success.

Spotlight Coach:

Joel

Embiid:

Record:

46-36

Wins O/U:

48.5

Net rating:

+2.7

OFFENSE

DEFENSE

4th

3rd

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irc (53).png

A battering defensive unit banking on internal improvements to iron out some offensive wrinkles  ...  Orlando has increased their win total by 12 games in consecutive seasons -- a steep, but absolutely sustainable trajectory if everything breaks right developmentally. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is a nice enhancement to their spacing issues, but not enough to dismiss their shortage of high-level on-ball playmaking. That insertion needs to come from within, which necessitates improved floor-processing abilities from Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Jalen Suggs -- all of whom have flashed cause for optimism. The good news: their switchability and physical imposition on defense offer an extremely high floor regardless.

12        Indiana Pacers

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Curveball

Whirlwind playmaking is Indiana's primary weapon, but Mathurin's self-creation offers some fun diversification

Spotlight Coach:

Joel

Embiid:

Record:

46-36

Wins O/U:

47.5

Net rating:

+2.7

OFFENSE

DEFENSE

4th

3rd

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irc (57).png

An eccentric point-churner, heliocentric antithesis, and embarrassment of second-unit riches  ...  Indiana has regular-season powerhouse potential, driven by a combination of impeccable offensive coherence and boundless supply of bench depth. As absurd as it sounds, you could argue that the minutes distribution actually makes more sense with a couple of injuries. There's only so much floor time to go around, but shaving off the end of the rotation would expense meaningful contributors. Regardless, lock them in as a high-octane scoring group with league-best potential if Tyrese Haliburton rediscovers his top gear as a flame-thrower and passing virtuoso. The other end is more of a question mark, especially with the incremental regression of Myles Turner's defensive output.

13        Memphis Grizzlies

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Please Stay Healthy

Ja Morant is one of the most scintillating players in the

leaugue ... when he plays!

Spotlight Coach:

Joel

Embiid:

Record:

46-36

Wins O/U:

47.5

Net rating:

+2.7

OFFENSE

DEFENSE

4th

3rd

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irc (48).png

A revitalized heavyweight with sharp teeth and dashing bravado, but one too many potential pitfalls until proven otherwise  ...  I'm inches from loving this Memphis team, but I can't get all the way there just yet. I'd argue their ceiling is as high as any rendition of the Morant-led Grizzlies to date. They're uniquely equipped to veer between brisk pace-pushing and a slower, skull-mashing approach predicated on brick-wall screens, low-post creation, and unrelenting rim deterrence from Jaren Jackson Jr. and Zach Edey. Ultimately, too many questions enter the season unresolved. Will stylistic motives clash? Will their stars stay healthy? Can the youngsters be relied upon for meaningful contributions?

14        Los Angeles Lakers

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Please Stay Healthy

Ja Morant is one of the most scintillating players in the

leaugue ... when he plays!

Spotlight Coach:

Joel

Embiid:

Record:

46-36

Wins O/U:

47.5

Net rating:

+2.7

OFFENSE

DEFENSE

4th

3rd

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A tug-of-war between elite top-end talent and a soul-less supporting cast  ...  L.A.'s projected starting lineup was +6.8 per 100 possessions last year, 

MOST NOTABLE DEVLOPMENTS...

02

BOSTON CELTICS

BOSTON CELTICS

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A walking shotmaking-tsunami paired with a staunch defensive nucleus. Whispers of doubt concerning the playoff reputability of Boston's rather simplistic, three-point-oriented system are somewhat sensible, but tell-all metrics support this iteration of the modern Celtics as the best we've seen. 

39-12

RECORD (1st)

121.3

OFFENSIVE RATING (2nd)

111.6

DEFENSIVE RATING (3rd)

Boston isn't blitzing teams off the floor to the extent we saw earlier this season, but they remain in cruise control as the Eastern Conference 1-seed and minimally, within the innermost circle of title contenders. Bad habits of the old have leaked into some recent play. An inconcievable home loss to a LeBron-less, AD-less Lakers squad saw Boston's offense sputter completely out of order, morphing away from structure and intention in favor of freelancing and iso-ball... ...and yet, the way in which fans and media amplify and extrapolate each individual C's loss speaks volumes to their standing within the NBA landscape. Letdown games are met with disproportionate criticism, when in reality, their season-wide constitency remains unparalleled. A stronghold on the throne in net rating and record while boasting a top 3 offense AND defense undoubetdly bodes well for Boston's championship aspirations.

03

DENVER NUGGETS

DENVER NUGGETS

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A synergistic closing five spearheaded by an unrelenting 7-foot offensive virtuoso, paired with the NBA's most prolific playoff riser. Denver's ghastly -10.3 net rating with Jokic off the court looms large over their title hopes, but the defending champs are a force to be reckoned with regardless. 

35-16

RECORD (4th)

118.9

OFFENSIVE RATING (8th)

114.6

DEFENSIVE RATING (12th)

Denver is a known quantity: the stomping grounds of NBA's best player, an uncoquerable starting-five with minimal bench support, and practically a shoe-in to pop back up into contention come April. The non-Jokic minutes remain a chink in the armor, especially without the stablizing second-unit presence of Bruce Brown, but the head of Denver's rotation remains as talented and well-oiled as anybody's.

04

Oklahoma City Thunder

OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER

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A cavalcade of dynamic young complementary pieces guided by the steady hand of the uber-talented Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Newly-acquired Gordon Hayward adds a veteran presence with savvy playmaking chops at either forward spot. OKC remains vulnerable on the boards, a potential pressure point for opponents come playoff time.

35-16

RECORD (2nd)

120.4

OFFENSIVE RATING (5th)

112.7

DEFENSIVE RATING (5th)

No team has leapfrogged the obligatory growing pains of a rebuild quite like the Oklahoma City Thunder, whose trajectory from bottom-feeder to title-threat has been nothing short of remarkable. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has ascended into the pool of super-mega-stars and, check this, has scored under 20 points just three times in 51 games this year. Jalen Williams is due to rip off 20-5-5 on marvelous shooting splits while guarding the opposing first option on a nightly basis. Chet Holmgren is a two-way stud with arms extending into space and a 40% 3PT stroke. What's not to love? The Thunder face an inevitable long-term predicament with Josh Giddey, who I still value as a meaningful asset rightfully miscast in OKC. Giddey's skillset necessitates reps as the lead offensive orchestrator, but simply doesn't warrant touches next to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams. Lu Dort, Cason Wallace, and Isaiah Joe slot into that 4th/5th option spot more seamlessly as floor-spacers and point-of-attack defenders. Gordon Hayward is an enticing deadline acquisition. He offers tertiary creation and playmaking but, unlikely Giddey, can favorably blend his skillset with an off-ball role while leveraging viable three-level scoring.

05

NEW YORK KNICKS

NEW YORK KNICKS

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A bruising, resilient embodiment of the tenacity of New York City. The Knicks balance an immensely talented 10+ man rotation with the pragmatism of their drillmaster, Tom Thibodeau. Jalen Brunson's heroics warrant MVP contention and Donte DiVincenzo is breathing fire from behind the three-point line.

33-18

RECORD (8th)

119.1

OFFENSIVE RATING (7th)

113.0

DEFENSIVE RATING (7th)

OG Anunoby has been a seamless compliment to New York's rugged brand of basketball, offering a trusty hand from beyond the arc (39% on 1.8 3PM with NYK) while doing what he does best: blowing up screens, caging handoffs, and stifling isolations on the other end. He's been a gamebreaker with the Knicks, who have slingshotted from the play-in picture to the upper shelves of the Easter Conference. But OG has been FAR from the only driver of recent success. Jalen Brunson has been a hot knife through butter, generating volume offense out of thin air. Isaiah Hartenstein was a man-possessed for a stretch of weeks, hunting side swipes, safeguarding the rim, and terrorizing opponents at the rim -- all at once. Oh, and Donte DiVincenzo? He's BURRYING teams from behind the arc right now. A recent myriad of injuries have nerfed New York just a bit, but the newly-acquired Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks are welcomed reinforcements.

NBA
MVP
LADDER

BY JACKSON BOAKE
UPDATED: 02.05.2024

A bi-monthly (ish) canvassing of the NBA landscape, polling the respective power of all teams nestled above the league's playoff equator. The criteria is somewhat blurred, but considers recent success

MOST NOTABLE DEVLOPMENTS...

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ALEXANDRE SARR

Big                    Perth Wildcats, NBL

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10.5

POINTS / GAME

5.2

REBOUNDS / GAME

1.3

BLOCKS / GAME

31%

THREE-POINTERS

Supersized forward with gobs of defensive talent and a maturing offensive arsenal

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AGE:            19

WT:            220

HT:           6'11"

WS:           7'4"

Sarr marks another huge hit from the French pipeline as a modernized, multipositional big. The defensive upside is frightening: a towering, lengthy frame complimented by sharp instincts and fluid mobility. His refined understanding of varying coverages and rotations make for a seamless fit within pretty much any defensive scheme. Sarr isn't a "freak" athlete, per se, but his space-warping ubiquity as a weakside rim protector warps through space space-warping ubiquity jumps through the television. The offense isn’t nearly as far along, but Sarr wields a diverse skillset with tangible traces of the prototypical modern big man. Proper utilization will be key– while flashes of self-creation chops should be explored, Sarr’s toolsy skillset is best optimized in the short roll. If proficient ball skills materialize, he has genuine upside as a suffocating downhill attacker who can both score at the rim and spray passes to open shooters. Sarr gets end-to-end quickly and demonstrates a willingness to rip defensive rebounds from the sky to ignite opportunities in transition. Ideally, he’d land in an uptempo ecosystem furnished with athletic running mates. There's some Holmgren-esque coast-to-coast intruige here, but Sarr's ball-handling isn't nearly as far along. The reservation: most of the offensive promise is hypothetical. He'll be way overstretched in a primary (or even secondary) shotmaking role as a rookie, which is why fit is *especially* important here. NBA teams typically froth over Sarr’s archetype, but not necessarily with the top pick. He's the guy you want in the movie, but maybe not on the poster. In a draft lacking upper-eschelon talent, do you swing for the guy with the highest median-outcome? If so, Sarr is probably your pick.

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NIKOLA TOPIC

Point Guard                    Crvena Zvezda, Serbia

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10.5

POINTS / GAME

5.2

REBOUNDS / GAME

1.3

BLOCKS / GAME

31%

THREE-POINTERS

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AGE:            18

WT:            200

HT:           6'6"

WS:           7'4"

Zippy straight-line creator with prodigious playmaking instincts 

Sarr marks another huge hit from the French pipeline as a modernized, multipositional big. The defensive upside is frightening: a towering, lengthy frame complimented by sharp instincts and fluid mobility. Sarr demonstrates a refined understanding of varying schemes, coverages, and rotations. His space-warping ubiquity and quick second jumps mirror the likes of Jaren Jackson Jr. and Chet Holmgren– a pair of proven NBA shot-stuffing stalwarts. Perhaps indisputably, Sarr is equipped with all the tools of a defensive ace. The offense isn’t nearly as far along, but Sarr wields a diverse skillset with tangible traces of the prototypical modern big man. Proper utilization will be key– while flashes of self-creation chops should be explored, Sarr’s toolsy skillset is best optimized in the short roll. If the ball skills materialize, he has genuine upside as a suffocating downhill attacker who can both elevate near the rim and spray passes to open shooters. Sarr gets end-to-end quickly and demonstrates a willingness to rip defensive rebounds from the sky and manufacture transition opportunities. Ideally, he’d land in an uptempo ecosystem furnished with athletic running mates. The reservation: most of the offensive promise is hypothetical. Foreseeable day-one struggles in an overstretched role aren’t uncommon, but leaps and bounds stand between Sarr and efficient shotmaking. NBA teams typically froth over Sarr’s archetype, but not necessarily with the top pick.

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ZACCHARIE RISACHER

Forward                    JL Bourg, France

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10.5

POINTS / GAME

5.2

REBOUNDS / GAME

1.3

BLOCKS / GAME

31%

THREE-POINTERS

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AGE:            18

WT:            200

HT:           6'6"

WS:           7'4"

Fluid 6'9" playmaker with a rapidly ascending perimeter skillset

Sarr marks another huge hit from the French pipeline as a modernized, multipositional big. The defensive upside is frightening: a towering, lengthy frame complimented by sharp instincts and fluid mobility. Sarr demonstrates a refined understanding of varying schemes, coverages, and rotations. His space-warping ubiquity and quick second jumps mirror the likes of Jaren Jackson Jr. and Chet Holmgren– a pair of proven NBA shot-stuffing stalwarts. Perhaps indisputably, Sarr is equipped with all the tools of a defensive ace. The offense isn’t nearly as far along, but Sarr wields a diverse skillset with tangible traces of the prototypical modern big man. Proper utilization will be key– while flashes of self-creation chops should be explored, Sarr’s toolsy skillset is best optimized in the short roll. If the ball skills materialize, he has genuine upside as a suffocating downhill attacker who can both elevate near the rim and spray passes to open shooters. Sarr gets end-to-end quickly and demonstrates a willingness to rip defensive rebounds from the sky and manufacture transition opportunities. Ideally, he’d land in an uptempo ecosystem furnished with athletic running mates. The reservation: most of the offensive promise is hypothetical. Foreseeable day-one struggles in an overstretched role aren’t uncommon, but leaps and bounds stand between Sarr and efficient shotmaking. NBA teams typically froth over Sarr’s archetype, but not necessarily with the top pick.

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