The 140: NBA Power Rankings, Week 16 - Grading all 30 teams at the All-Star break
We are without basketball until Thursday, thanks to the longest All-Star break in recorded history. We're still going to power rank, because that's what we do. There's only one change to the rankings since last week: the Golden State Warriors are back on top. They have the NBA's best winning percentage, and - remember - math don't lie.
If you're joining us for the first time, The 140 is simple in format. Each team gets no more than 140 characters. This week, we're grading each team at the break. Shall we?
1. Golden State Warriors (42-9)
Grade: A+
In some other universe, Steve Kerr is the coach of the New York Knicks, who are the league's best team with the best Net Rating (12.3).
2. Atlanta Hawks (43-11)
Grade: A+
The Hawks will win 60 games, and this squad will go down as the best in Atlanta history. Budenholzer Tha God.
3. Memphis Grizzlies (39-14)
Grade: A
This is the third straight year the Grizzlies will win 50 or more. We'd argue no team is more deserving of a trip to the finals.
4. Houston Rockets (36-17)
Grade: A
What if Dwight Howard was healthy? James Harden deserves more credit, as crazy as that seems.
5. Cleveland Cavaliers (33-22)
Grade: B
We've learned a valuable lesson in LeBron's return to Cleveland: never underestimate the power of bowling.
6. San Antonio Spurs (34-19)
Grade: B+
The dude Blake Murphy said it best: With Kawhi, they're still the Spurs.
7. Toronto Raptors (36-17)
Grade: A-
The bar's low in Toronto, so low that a second-round appearance will be considered a successful season. It'll happen.
8. Dallas Mavericks (36-19)
Grade: B+
Dallas boasts the NBA's third-best Net Rating (6.4). Their offense is as good as the Warriors'. But offense doesn't win you games in May.
9. Portland Trail Blazers
(36-17)
Grade: A-
This is the best defensive squad in Portland in a decade, and Aldridge playing through his thumb injury is what title dreams are made of.
10. Chicago Bulls (34-20)
Grade: B+
No team has more what ifs than the Bulls.
11. Washington Wizards (33-21)
Grade: B
John Wall gets an A+ and is the Valedictorian.
12. Los Angeles Clippers (35-19)
Grade: B-
They have the fourth-best Net Rating, yet it's impossible not to think they should be better. The roster's flawed.
13. Milwaukee Bucks (30-23)
Grade: A-
A high grade, yes, considering their ranking, but credit must be given to the Association's second-best defense.
14. Oklahoma City Thunder
(28-25)
Grade: A-
That they're above .500 while missing KD and Westbrook for so long is all you need to know. The team to watch in the unofficial second half.
15. Phoenix Suns (29-25)
Grade: B
If the season has been any indication, they're going to miss the playoffs in the most heartbreaking fashion possible.
16. New Orleans Pelicans
(27-26)
Grade: C+
Nothing against the Suns or Thunder, but if you're a fan of basketball, you want to watch Anthony Davis play ball in the postseason.
17. Charlotte Hornets (22-30)
Grade: C-
Eight games below .500 and and in seventh in the East. How the hell do you grade that?
18. Miami Heat (22-30)
Grade: C-
Where would they be without Hassan? They need a healthy Wade to make the playoffs, and a healthy Wade may no longer exist.
19. Detroit Pistons (21-33)
Grade Pre-Josh Smith Release: F
Grade Post-Josh Smith Release: B
Releasing Josh Smith changed everything. Stan Van Gundy will lead the way, and you're a fool if you wouldn't follow.
20. Boston Celtics (20-31)
Grade: C+
The best thing for the Celtics would be to miss the playoffs, so they'll probably make it. That's how this stuff works.
21. Indiana Pacers (21-33)
Grade: B-
Another high grade for a low-ranked team, but there are no lost seasons in Indiana, and I respect that.
22. Brooklyn Nets (21-31)
Grade: D+
Over $91 million should get you a better team. The Nets don't deserve to make the playoffs.
23. Sacramento Kings (18-34)
Grade: D+
Remember the Kings' hot start? Life was simpler then. It's hard to imagine anyone being able to fix Sacramento, but Karl's worth a shot.
24. Philadelphia 76ers (12-41)
Grade: C-
They have the league's worst Net Rating (-10.3), but their defense is 12th. Plus, the 76ers are an experiment. That matters.
25. Utah Jazz (19-34)
Grade: C-
The Jazz could be worse.
26. Denver Nuggets (20-33)
Grade: D-
27. Orlando Magic (17-39)
Grade: D
Considering the talent on the roster, this season's undoubtedly a failure.
28. Minnesota Timberwolves
(11-42)
Grade: C-
They're awful, but they're supposed to be. They're headed in the right direction, and that's what matters.
29. New York Knicks (10-43)
Grade: F
Melo playing 30 minutes in the All-Star Game, shooting 6-for-20, and now set to have knee surgery, is Peak Knicks.
30. Los Angeles Lakers (13-40)
Grade: F
This is the worst team in Lakers history, and Kobe still thinks Los Angeles can win the title next year. Crazy.