The NBA is already six weeks in believe it or not and we're starting to see which franchises are the cream of the crop. The defending champions Celtics are continuing their dominance but the Cavaliers (17-1 record) and Thunder (13-4 record) could be coming for the top spot this year.
However, some things never change: Nikola Jokic is still the best player on planet earth, Zion Williamson is hurt again, and the Lakers don't have enough depth but believe they can contend because of the greatness of LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Nonetheless, here are The Sporting Tribune's first NBA Power Rankings of the season. Happy Holidays!
30. Washington Wizards (2-14)
The Wizards are easily the worst team in the league so far this season. They are last in defensive rating (118.8), 29th in offensive rating (105.1), and are 26th in team eFG% have a at 50.9. They have made it no secret they are tanking for Cooper Flagg, Ace Bailey, or VJ Edgecombe, but there are a few positives from the season so far.
The young guys are developing at a decent rate, especially Bilal Couilbaly (123.8 PSA, ranked in the 79th percentile forwards) and Cartlon "Bub" Carrington (9.5 PPG and 1.2 SPG with a TS% of 54). Second overall pick Alex Sarr has his his share of struggles offensively, but he entered the league a top tier defender and has been playing better as of late on offense as well.
29. Utah Jazz (4-13)
The Jazz are still the midst of their multi-year rebuild so it's no shock to see them performing the way they are. The Jazz rank 26th in offensive rating at 108.9 and 27th in defensive rating at 117.8 and Lauri Markkanen (19.9 PPG, 6.5 RPG, eFG% of 58.7) has looked good but not at the same level of his All-Star season a few years back. If Markkanen can't be the #1 on this team, they may struggle to continue their rebuild without a true #1 option.
Perhaps second-year guard Keyonte George (14.9 PPG and 5.7 APG with a TS% of 49.5) can become that player but his PSA (points per 100 shot attempts) is just 101.4 which ranks in the 19th percentile among combo guards this season.
George struggles with efficiency and both Cody Williams and Isaiah Collier are too young and inexperienced to take on a big role yet so it remains to be seen how far along in the rebuild the Jazz actually are.
28. Toronto Raptors (4-14)
The Raptors just welcomed back their franchise player Scottie Barnes, but they are in a big rebuilding year again. Though Barnes has been awesome when he's played and they've gotten major contributions from RJ Barrett (22.8 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 5.9 APG with a TS% of 51.8) they still can't pull out games against better teams.
They rank 24th in defensive rating (116.4) and 19th in offensive rating (111.1) which should mean they are due for some positive regression in their record, but they also are 24th in TOV% (16.0) and 24th in team eFG% (54.8).
Another reason why the Raptors aren't competing on a nightly basis is their abysmal 3PT shooting (34.4%, ranked 23rd in the NBA) and if you can't shoot 3's you won't compete on a nightly basis without an elite defense.
Second year guard Gradey Dick has taken a leap this season (18.1 PPG on 55.6 TS%) and Jakob Poeltl is playing the best basketball of his life (16.7 PPG, 12.3 RPG, and 1.4 BPG). Still, it's gonna be tough for this team to win games this year.
27. Philadelphia 76ers (3-13)
The 76ers are the most dysfunctional team in the NBA. A preseason popular NBA Finals pick, the 76ers have dealt with their fare share of injuries but even when Joel Embiid and Paul George have played, they've looked like fragments of themselves. If it wasn't for Rookie sensation Jared McCain (16.6 PPG with a 3PT% of 40, a TS% of 61.1, and an impressive PSA of 122.9) the 76ers may be winless on the season, and I'm not even exaggerating.
The 76ers have the 2nd worst team eFG% in the league at 49.6 and if it wasn't for McCain we could be witnessing the worst shooting team in NBA history. That's how bad they are. Their offensive rating of 105.6 is ranked 28th, only in front Washington and Portland, and their defensive rating of 114.1 is ranked 18th in the NBA. 3-13 is hard to come back from even in a weaker Eastern Conference.
26. New Orleans Pelicans (4-14)
The Pelicans have caught the injury bug with Zion Williamson and Dejounte Murray being out indefinitely right now, but that hasn't stopped them from staying in games (close loss to the Warriors over the weekend). That's because Brandon Ingram (22.9 PPG on 55.3 TS%) Trey Murphy (18.3 PPG on 54.9 TS%), and Brandon Boston Jr. (12.5 PPG on 52.3 TS%) have been bright spots in an otherwise grim situation.
The Pelicans rank 29th in defensive rating (118.3) because their best defender Herb Jones, has also been out most of the year, and their offensive rating of 106.8 is ranked 27th in the NBA.
Their team eFG% of 53.7 is 27th in the league as well so the Pelicans rank close to dead last in almost every important advanced statistic. Even with their obvious talent at full strength, these losses are piling up quickly and it may be too late when Murray and Zion eventually come back.
25. Portland Trail Blazers (7-11)
Portland has the best win differential in basketball (+2.5 wins) meaning they should really be 4-14 or 5-13 at this point. The Blazers have a defensive rating of 112.7 (ranked 15th in the NBA), but an offensive rating of 104.8 (ranked last in the NBA).
Jerami Grant (16.4 PPG with a TS% of 52.7) is the leading scorer on this team but it's been Robert Williams III (10.2 PPG, 6.2 RPG, and 1.7 BPG with a TS% of 80.3) and Toumani Camara (8.9 PPG and 1.6 SPG with a TS% of 52) that have been the bright spots as of late.
24. Charlotte Hornets (6-11)
LaMelo Ball (31.0 PPG and 6.9 APG with a TS% of 57.5) is a BONAFIDE MVP candidate and is coming off back-to-back 50-point and 44-point performances, Brandon Miller (19.8 PPG and 1.5 SPG with a 3PT% of 37.3 and a TS% of 55.3) has taken a leap and Tre Mann (14.1 PPG with a 3PT% of 40.0 and a TS% of 53.7) is a force off of the bench.
However, the Hornets still have an offensive rating of 109.6 (ranked 24th), a defensive rating of 114.4 (ranked 19th), and an eFG% of 52.0 (ranked 23rd) on the year and aren't excellent at anything as a basketball team. Can they make the Play-In in a wide open Eastern Conference? If Ball continues to play like an MVP ABSOLUTELY.
23. Brooklyn Nets (8-10)
The Nets over/under in Vegas before the year was 19.5 and they've already won 8 games. The tank for Cooper Flagg has been paused at the moment with the Nets picking up wins against the Warriors last night and the Kings and Grizzlies (two possible playoff teams) already this season.
Cam Thomas (24.7 PPG with a TS% of 59.8), Dennis Schroder (18.0 PPG and 6.5 APG with a TS% of 59.9) and Cameron Johnson (18.3 PPG with a 3PT% of 43.1 and a TS% of 66.8%) have been an unexpected big 3 for the Nets, but their defensive rating of 117.3 ranks 25th and has been a problem all year long. Surprisingly, the Nets have a top 10 offense (offensive rating of 115.0 ranked 8th and eFG% of 55.9 ranked 6th) so perhaps they'll continue surprise people the entire year if they can keep it up.
22. Atlanta Hawks (7-11)
Trae Young (21.9 PPG and 11.9 APG with a TS% of 54.9) and Jalen Johnson (19.9 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 5.1 APG with a TS% of 56.2) have been the stars of the team, but they just don't play enough defense to win on a nightly basis (115.7 defensive rating, ranked 22nd).
Somehow, even with Trae Young and Jalen Jonson the Hawks offensive rating of 110.1 is ranked 23rd in the NBA and even worse than their defensive rating. If their offense doesn't improve it's gonna be a long season for the Hawks.
21. Chicago Bulls (7-11)
The Bulls were dead set on trading franchise player Zach LaVine (22.4 PPG with a 3PT% of 44.7 and a TS% of 64.8) but it remains clear he's their best player by a mile on a nightly basis and is increasing his trade value dramatically.
Coby White (19.2 PPG with a 3PT% of 39.3 and a TS% of 60.8) and Nikola Vucevic (20.4 PPG, 9.8 RPG with a 3PT% of 45.8 and a TS% of 67.6) have been playing excellent basketball and could be trade pieces at the deadline if the Bulls want to move in that direction. However, the Bulls haven't moved on from Vuc, White, or even LaVine in the past and with the Eastern Conference as a whole underperforming it's likely they won't do anything at the deadline again.
20. Detroit Pistons (8-11)
The Pistons finally have a pulse. Cade Cunningham (23.5 PPG, 7.2 RPG, and 8.9 APG with a TS% of 53.3) has become a bonafide STAR, Jaden Ivey (18.4 PPG with a 3PT% of 37.2 and a TS% of 54.6) has improved immensely from last season, and Malik Beasley (15.5 PPG with a 3PT% of 37.8. and a TS% of 55.3) has been a difference maker on a nightly basis.
Their offensive rating of 110.6 isn't great (ranked 21st) but this is the best defense a Pistons team has had in recent memory (defensive rating of 111.9, ranked 12th in the NBA) and that is why they will make the Play-In this season. If Cunningham stays healthy they can win any given game with their defense.
19. Indiana Pacers (8-10)
The Pacers haven't been able to replicate last year's early success and part of that is due to Tyrese Haliburton's regression (16.8 PPG and 8.8 APG with a 3PT% of 32.9 and a TS% of 52.8). Haliburton was unreal last season, averaging 20.1 PPG, 10.9 APG with a 3PT% of 36.4 and a TS% of 60.5, but he's clearly taken a step back to start this season.
As a result, the Pacers once 2nd ranked offensive rating of 120.5 last season is now ranked 18th at 112. The Pacers aren't good enough defensively to make up for this huge step back in offensive production and if Haliburton doesn't improve, it could be a long season for Indiana.
18. San Antonio Spurs (9-9)
The Spurs knew Chris Paul still had some juice in him and it's paying off. Pivotal for the development of Victor Wembanyama and the other young key players' success, Paul is averaging 10.9 PPG, 8.3 APG, 1.4 SPG, and a TS% o 63.5. His PSA of 126.4 ranks in the 94th percentile among Point Guards and is the best mark of Paul's career.
When healthy, Wemby (23.6 PPG, 10.0 RPG, and 3.6 BPG with a TS% of 59.6) has been dominant on both ends of the floor and the Spurs have the 9th best defense in the NBA (defensive rating of 110.6) as a result.
The Spurs offense (offensive rating of 110.8, ranked 20th) is a work in progress, but the depth on this team has been great. Julian Champagnie (11.2 PPG with a TS% of 57.6), and Harrison Barnes (11.3 PPG with a 3PT% of 43.1. and a TS% of 65.4) have been the difference in this team competing on a nightly basis. Last season's Spurs team didn't have the supporting role players around Wemby to compete every night but this team does and they are well on their way to a successful year 2 of Wemby.
17. Miami Heat (7-8)
The Heat don't care about the regular season so it's tough to rank them right now, but they are ranked 17th in offensive rating at 112.2, 11th in defensive rating at 111.7 and 21st in team eFG% at 52.5. Jimmy Butler (19.2 PPG with an abysmal 3PT% of 21.4 and eFG% of 53.1) and Bam Adebayo (16.5 PPG, 9.6 RPG, and 1.7 SPG with an atrocious eFG% of 46.7) have severely underperformed this year, and Terry Rozier (12.9 PPG with an eFG% of 46.8 and a PSA of 102.6, ranked in the 29th percentile for point guards) has been even worse if that's possible.
It doesn't matter how much depth they have if their best players aren't performing on a nightly basis. I do think that Kel'el Ware and Nikola Jovic deserve more minutes and perhaps Rozier, Duncan Robinson, and a few other pieces get moved at the deadline to free up some of those minutes.
16. Sacramento Kings (8-10)
DeAaron Fox (28.1 PPG and 5.7 APG with a TS% of 60.5 and a PSA of 120.6, the best mark of his career) and Domantas Sabonis (20 PPG, 12.9 RPG, 6.3 APG with a TS% of 70.4) have been the only consistent players on this Kings team this season. DeMar DeRozan is averaging 22.9 PPG with a TS% of 58.2 but he isn't a good defender and isn't necessarily helping the Kings dramatically on a nightly basis.
I always questioned the DeRozan signing because this was a team that already had a great offense and needed more defensive players that could shoot 3's. Not only is DeMar a subpar defender, he also is a horrible 3PT shooter (29.3% this year).
Keegan Murray was supposed to take a big leap but is having an atrocious season (29.3% from 3, 13.2 PPG) and 6th Man Of The Year candidate Malik Monk (28.5% from 3PT range and just 12.7 PPG) is struggling immensely as well. As a result the Kings are 25th in team 3PT% at 33.7
15. Minnesota Timberwolves (8-9) (playing Tuesday)
Anthony Edwards (28 PPG, 5.5 RPG, and 1.3 SPG with a 3PT% of 42.6 and a TS% of 60.8) has turned into Steph Curry from beyond the arc all of a sudden this season, leading the league in 3PM per game with 4.8 on average. Besides Edwards though, the Timberwolves aren't that good of a basketball team.
They traded away an MVP candidate in Karl Anthony-Towns because they were cheap and didn't want to extend him and eventually enter the second apron (the first issue is they paid Jaden McDaniels a massive contract and then Rudy Gobert and neither have lived up to those contracts) and Julius Randle has been ...well...Julius Randle.
Some nights Randle (21.8 PPG with a 3PT% of 35.4 and a TS% of 61.3) looks like a top 20 NBA player and other nights he's basically playing for the other team with his inefficiency on offense and lackluster defense. It doesn't help that one of the pivotal pieces they got in the KAT trade, Donte Divincenzo (9.6 PPG with a 3PT% of 33.3 and a TS% of 50.3), is struggling immensely as well.
Perhaps with more time adjusting to the new scheme he can find a rhythm, but the rest of the team looks fine...just fine. Not elite by any means and Towns not being there is the biggest factor. The Wolves surprisingly are a balanced team, with an offensive rating of 113.6 (ranked 12th), a defensive rating of 111.9 (also ranked 12th in the NBA), and an eFG% of 55.4 (ranked 9th), but they may need to make some moves around the deadline to improve on both ends of the floor. If they can somehow move Randle that would be the first step.
14. Milwaukee Bucks (9-9)
The Bucks have won five games in a row and seven out of their last eight games overall. Giannis Antetokounmpo (32.4 PPG, 11.9 RPG, and 6.4 APG with a TS% of 62.4) looks even better than last year, and Damian Lillard (26.0 PPG and 7.7 APG with a 3PT% of 34.8 and a TS% of 61.0) stepped up and scored 37 points in Antetokounmpo's absence against the Heat to pick up a signature win on Tuesday night.
The Bucks have the 13th ranked offensive rating (113.0), the 15th ranked defensive rating (112.7), and the 4th ranked team eFG% (56.1) in the NBA and have been much better in all of those categories over the last two weeks. Gary Trent Jr. (9.1 PPG with a 3PT% of 40.1 and an eFG% of 54.5) was a great signing off of the bench to replace Malik Beasley, and Bobby Portis and Brook Lopez are playing great basketball as well.
13. Los Angeles Lakers (10-7)
The Lakers are an absolute mess. After going on a 6 game winning streak and having the 3rd-best record in the Western Conference at 10-4 last week, they proceeded to lose three straight games (two of which by 20+ points) to the Magic, Nuggets, and Suns. For the Lakers, offense isn't the issue (115.9 offensive rating, ranked 4th, team TS% of 59.0, ranked 6th).
They can score with whoever they play and Anthony Davis (29.8 PPG, 11.4 RPG, and 2.1 BPG with a 3PT% of 38.4 and a TS% of 63.4) and LeBron James (23.3 PPG, 8.1 RPG, and 9.2 APG with a 3PT% of 41.2 and a TS% of 60.8) are still arguably the best duo in basketball.
Austin Reaves (17.3 PPG and 5.1 APG with a 3PT% of 36.5 and a TS% of 58.1) is having the best season of his career and Rookie Dalton Knecht (11 PPG with a 3PT% of 44 and a TS% of 65.9) is already one of the best shooters in the NBA, but it doesn't matter.
None of it does if the Lakers continue to not make defense a priority. The Lakers have the 27th ranked defensive rating in the NBA at 118.2 and no team in recent memory has gotten close to competing for a championship that low in defensive rating.
For context, in 2021 the Lakers had the best defensive rating in the NBA and the last two years they've been ranked at the very least in the top 17. Perhaps when Jared Vanderbilt returns the defense will improve, but the Lakers still have the worst bench in the entire NBA and no team wants to trade for D'Angelo Russell...meaning it will be incredibly hard to get pivotal depth pieces by the deadline without giving up both first-round picks in 2027 and 2029.
12. Memphis Grizzlies (11-7)
Ja Morant (20.8 PPG and 9.3 APG with a TS% of 56.6) was welcomed back into the starting lineup on Monday night and dominated, scoring 22 points and dishing out 11 assists in just 23 minutes. Jaren Jackson Jr. (22.8 PPG and 1.8 BPG with a 3PT% of 37.8 and TS% of 63.9) is having the best offensive season of his career and we know what Desmond Bane can do when he's given a high usage percentage. However, the reason why the Grizzlies are going to win 50 games is their depth.
Former Laker Scotty Pippen Jr. (12.1 PPG and 5.8 APG with a TS% of 58.1), second-year wing Jake LaRavia (8.4 PPG, 5.1 RPG, and 4.0 APG with a TS% of 58.8) and rookies Zach Edey (11.1 PPG, 6.9 RPG, and 1.0 BPG with a TS% of 65.3) and Jaylen Wells (12.1 PPG with a 3PT% of 39.5 and a TS% of 57.3) have provided insane production on a nightly basis off the bench.
If you still don't think the Grizzlies are contenders here's some information for you: They are the ONLY TEAM IN THE NBA with a top 6 offensive (115.9, ranked 5th) and defensive rating (108.9, ranked 6th).
11. Phoenix Suns (10-7)
The Suns went through a rough patch without Kevin Durant (27.1 PPG and 6.5 RPG with a 3PT% of 43.5 and a TS% of 66.7) over the last few weeks, but when Durant returned on Wednesday night against the Lakers, the Suns looked like title contenders.
None of the advanced metrics jump off the board for Phoenix (13th in offensive rating 113.3, 12th in team eFG% at 54.9, and 19th in defensive rating at 114.2), but if Durant and Devin Booker (24.2 PPG and 6.6 APG with a 3PT% of 34.4 and a TS% of 58.4) can stay healthy, they'll have a chance in the postseason. Mike Budenholzer is one of the best regular season coaches in recent memory and should be able to secure Phoenix a top 4 seed in the West so they avoid the Play-In.
10. Dallas Mavericks (10-8)
Luka Doncic (28.1 PPG, 7.6 RPG, and 7.6 APG with a TS% of 55.6) is hurt right now, but the Mavericks are still winning games. Why is that? Well, Kyrie Irving (24.6 PPG and 5.4 APG with a 3PT% of 47.7 and a TS% of 63.1) is the biggest reason why, and both Naji Marshall (11.3 PPG with a TS% of 62.6) and PJ Washington (11.6 PPG and 8.8 RPG with a TS% of 52.4) have been great as well.
The Mavericks have the 6th best offense in basketball (115.5 offensive rating) and and the 7th best defense in basketball (110.8), making them one of the most balanced teams in the entire NBA. Once Doncic is back this team may put together a string of 5-6 wins in a row.
9. Los Angeles Clippers (11-7)
The Clippers are never going to wow you with star power or efficient shooting (offensive rating of 110.1, 22nd in the NBA, eFG% of 53.5, 18th in the NBA), but they are always going to be in games because of their elite defense (108.4 defensive rating, 5th in the NBA). They have moxie, they play tough, and they have a boatload of depth with Amir Coffey, Jordan Miller, Kevin Porter Jr., Nicolas Batum, and Kris Dunn coming off the bench and providing a spark.
James Harden (20.5 PPG, 8.7 APG, and 7.3 RPG) and Ivica Zubac (15.6 PPG and 12.4 RPG with a TS% of 60.3) have been great on both ends of the floor but the most impressive player on this team is Norman Powell (23.3 PPG with a 3PT% of 48.7 and a TS% of 63.8) is possibly an All-Star this season. He's taken over scoring duties from Paul George and it doesn't look like he's slowing down.
The Clippers also have a bunch of signature wins (2-0 vs. the Warriors, 1-0 vs. the Magic, 1-0 against the Nuggets, and 2-0 against the Kings) and they'd be ranked even higher if they could find a way to beat the Rockets who just beat them in back-to-back games last week.
Once Kawhi Leonard is back this team has sneaky contender written all over them because they play defense and are tough as nails.
8. Houston Rockets (13-6)
The Rockets aren't just a playoff team, they are a serious contender. Alperen Sengun (18.5 PPG, 10.5 RPG, and 5.2 APG with a TS% of 53.1) has been unreal, Amen Thompson (11.5 PPG, 6.7 RPG, and 1.2 SPG with a TS% of 62.9) and Tari Eason (11.8 PPG, 2.2 SPG, and 1.1 BPG ) have been wreaking havoc on opposing offensive players, and the bench is one of the best in all of basketball overall.
They play defense at an elite level (2nd in defensive rating at 103.8) and can compete with a anyone on a nightly basis because of that. Their offensive rating of 112.3 is ranked 16th, but their team eFG% of 53.8 is ranked 27th is somewhat concerning. However, none of the offensive metrics will matter if they continue to defend at a high level.
Remember, 12 out of the last 15 NBA champions have had a top 11 defensive rating and the Rockets have a chance because of that. Ime Udoka is one of the best coaches in basketball and this team has a chance to contend for years to come with this core.
7. Denver Nuggets (9-7)
Nikola Jokic (29.6 PPG, 13.4 RPG, and 10.9 APG with a 3PT% of 52.7 and a TS% of 66) is playing arguably the best basketball of his career and should be well on his way to his fourth MVP award in the last five seasons. Christian Braun (16.1 PPG with a 3PT% of 46.7 and a TS% of 67.1) has taken a massive leap this season and even Russell Westbrook (12.3 PPG and 6.0 APG with an eFG% of 46.4) has been better as of late, but the Nuggets simply don't have the same depth they've had the last few seasons.
As a result, they get killed in the non Jokic minutes and sometimes it's too late for Jokic to put on his cape and take over when no one else can make a shot. The Nuggets have a defensive rating of 114.0 (ranked 17th), an offensive rating of 114.6 (ranked 9th), and a team eFG% of 54.6 (ranked 14th) so they aren't excellent at anything.
They were much better on offense the last few years and if they don't make a move for some depth before the deadline they could be in massive trouble.
6. Orlando Magic (12-7)
Franz Wagner (23.4 PPG, 5.5 RPG, and 5.6 APG with a 3PT% of 35 and an eFG% of 53.5) has been taking over basketball games single-handedly for the Magic without Paolo Banchero the last few weeks and once Banchero is back this team will be a force to be reckoned with. They play elite defense (104.6 defensive rating, ranked 3rd in the NBA) and have enough depth on both ends of the floor to make a deep playoff run this year.
I'm not that concerned about their 25th ranked offensive rating of 109.4 because a lot of that will be fixed once Banchero returns. The key to this team improving is Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who is shooting just 22.4% from 3PT this year and has an eFG% of just 47.3 as well.
They paid him a ton of money in the offense, but perhaps it just might have been easier to get wide open looks with Nikola Jokic and is substantially tougher now without an elite playmaker.
5. New York Knicks (10-7)
The Knicks are still the 2nd or 3rd best team in the Eastern Conference, sorry Magic fans. The Knicks have the 2nd best offense in the NBA (offensive rating of 122.4 and team eFG% of 58.6, both only behind Cleveland) and it's been their defense that has been the downfall so far (defensive rating of 115.9, ranked 23rd in the league).
Having a weak defense is very uncharacteristic of a Tom Thibodeau team and once Mitchell Robinson and Precious Achiuwa come back to sure up the interior defense, they should start trending up toward top 10 in that category. the defense is fixed this team will be a juggernaut.
Karl Anthony-Towns (26.3 PPG and 12.6 RPG with a 3PT% of 47.1 and a TS% of 66.2) is an MVP candidate no one is talking about and Jalen Brunson (24.9 PPG and 7.9 APG with a TS% of 60.1) and Mikal Bridges (15.6 PPG a 1.1 SPG with a TS% of 53.4) haven't even hit their stride yet.
4. Golden State Warriors (12-5)
The Warriors are BACK. One of few teams with a top 10 offensive (115.3 ranked 7th) and defensive rating (107.5, ranked 4th), the Warriors play hard on both ends of the floor and use their depth to wear out teams on a nightly basis.
Steph Curry (22 PPG with a 3PT% of 44.4 and a TS% of 65.2) has obviously been fantastic, but Andrew Wiggins (17.4 PPG with a 3PT% of 41.3 and a TS% of 60.5) and Buddy Hield (15.9 PPG with a 3PT% of 43.0 and a TS% of 63.2) have contributed heavily this season so far. If the Warriors continue to play their game, they'll cruise to a top 3 seed in the Western Conference.
3. Oklahoma City Thunder (13-4)
Jalen Williams (22.1 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 5.2 APG with a TS% of 60.9) is the most underrated STAR in the league. The guy can absolutely take over games on offense and is one of the best on-ball defenders in the league already. Williams' dominance is the reason the Thunder have been able to stay afloat without Center Chet Holmgren, who will be out for at least a few more months with a broken hip.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (29.2 PPG and 6.5 APG with a TS% of 61.9) is an MVP candidate yet again and the additions of Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein have done wonders for this team already, especially defensively (Thunder are 1st in defensive rating at 103.2). At 13-4, they are tied for 1st in the West and should be able to win 55+ games even without Holmgren for most of the season.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers (17-1)
Donovan Mitchell has been SPECIAL per usual (24.4 PPG with an eFG% of 56.8), but the emergence of Evan Mobely (17.6 PPG, 8.9 RPG, and 1.5 BPG) on the offensive end has opened up EVERYTHING for the Cavaliers (1st in offensive rating at 122.8 and team eFG% at 60.7).
Ty Jerome (12.6 PPG on 54.4% from 3PT range with a 73.6 TS% overall) has been a revelation off the bench and the team's defensive rating also ranks top 10 in the league (110.9, ranked 10th). I would rank them higher but I can't put them at #1 since they lost to the best team in the NBA, the Boston Celtics.
1. Boston Celtics (15-3)
The Celtics are the class of the NBA and it's really not close. They are ahead of the 17-1 Cavaliers because they simply beat them in their head-to-head matchup last week. Jayson Tatum (28.4 PPG and 8.2 RPG with a TS% of 60.7) is an MVP candidate, Jaylen Brown (25.6 PPG and 6.6 RPG with a TS% of 55.4) may be on the All-NBA 2nd team, and Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, and Payton Pritchard have all been awesome as well.
Tatum also has the best PSA mark of his career at 123.8 (ranked in the 77th percentile), which is incredible considering his usage % of 32.5 is top 5 in the entire NBA. Boston is 3rd in team eFG% (56.7), 3rd in offensive rating (120.9), and 8th in defensive rating (110.2) but those numbers will all improve even more as the season goes along.
With Kristaps Porzingis' return on Monday night vs. the Clippers, the Celtics could get even better believe it or not.
Note: Statistics used in this article are from Cleaningtheglass.com Statmuse.com and NBA.com and are updated as of Wednesday, November 27th.