30 Words for 30 Teams: NBA Power Rankings, Version 2
Welcome to theScore's biweekly rankings of all 30 NBA teams, where you'll find roughly 30 words on your favorite team every other Monday.
1. Golden State Warriors (15-0)
The defending champs are one of three teams in history to start 15-0, can become the first to reach 16-0 by beating the Lakers Tuesday, and look like the biggest threat yet to the 72-win Bulls.
2. San Antonio Spurs (10-3)
While the Warriors dominate headlines - and rightfully so - the Spurs once again go about their elitism quietly. San Antonio boasts the league's best defense and join the Dubs as the only teams with top-six ranks on both sides of the floor.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers (10-3)
Losses in Milwaukee and Detroit made the Cavs look a lot less invincible, but they're 7-0 at home, still the clear class of the East through one month, and haven't even gotten Kyrie Irving back yet.
4. Miami Heat (8-4)
With Hassan Whiteside looking every bit as good as last season and then some, and Bosh and Wade looking like healthy All-Stars in their 30-32 minutes per night, Miami has put together a No. 2 defense and the same net rating (+6.9) as Cleveland.
5. Chicago Bulls (8-4)
Questions about Derrick Rose's health and on-court value are once again overshadowing Chicago's solid play, as the Bulls have been nearly six points per 100 possessions better with the former MVP on the bench.
6. Oklahoma City Thunder (8-6)
OKC has lost three of its last five, but given the surprising early struggles of the West, have done well to stem the tide without KD.
7. Dallas Mavericks (9-5)
No coach has done a better job so far than Rick Carlisle, whose Mavs are riding surprising contributions from Deron Williams and Zaza Pachulia to complement ageless offense from Dirk.
8. Indiana Pacers (8-5)
If you're wondering how the Pacers are getting it done, look no further than a typically elite Frank Vogel defense and a resurgent Paul George averaging roughly 25, nine, and five.
9. Utah Jazz (6-6)
Don't let the .500 record fool you. The Jazz have only played three home games, boast a top-10 net rating, and are dominating teams (+10.6 per 100 possessions) when Gobert, Favors, and Hayward share the floor.
10. Toronto Raptors (9-6)
The Raptors, who have given the Warriors their toughest test yet, salvaged their West coast road trip with an L.A. sweep after heartbreaking losses in Sacramento, Golden State, and Utah.
11. Atlanta Hawks (9-6)
It was around this time last year that Atlanta took off and separated itself from the rest of the East, but right now they've lost five of seven and are responsible for one of Brooklyn's three wins.
12. Charlotte Hornets (7-6)
Their defense, while mediocre, hasn't plummeted like most assumed it would in MKG's absence, but the real surprise in Charlotte is the usually anemic Hornets running a top-four offence.
13. New York Knicks (8-6)
Winners of four straight and six of eight, including recent W's in OKC and Houston, the Knicks are already about half way to last season's win total. All hail New York's new PorzinGod.
14. Phoenix Suns (7-6)
Few backcourts have been better than the Bledsoe-Knight combination, as the Suns guards are cumulatively averaging roughly 45 points, 11 assists, and nine rebounds.
15. Boston Celtics (7-6)
A 10-point loss in Brooklyn on Sunday has put a damper on an otherwise solid start in Beantown, where Brad Stevens' Celtics are one of seven teams with a net rating of at least +5.0.
16. Washington Wizards (6-4)
The Wizards will soon have an opportunity to prove themselves worthy of more respect, as eight of their next nine games are against teams above them in these rankings.
17. Detroit Pistons (7-6)
The shine of Detroit's 5-1 start is quickly wearing off thanks to five losses in their last seven games, including an ugly defeat at the hands of the Lakers.
18. Memphis Grizzlies (7-7)
Marc Gasol seems to be rounding into shape and the Grizzlies have suddenly won four of five, with their only two losses of the last two weeks coming against the Spurs and Warriors.
19. Orlando Magic (6-7)
The Magic might be slipping closer to the bottom 10, but at least Evan Fournier was responsible for one of the season's most swag-filled moments so far.
20. Los Angeles Clippers (6-7)
What's up, Doc? The Clips have lost seven of nine since their 4-0 start, were embarrassed at home by Toronto after crumbling late against the Warriors, and now face rumors of in-fighting.
21. Portland Trail Blazers (6-9)
Who had C.J. McCollum as one of the league's 20-point scorers after a sixth of the season? Can you say M.I.P.?
22. Minnesota Timberwolves (5-8)
Speaking of awards, Karl-Anthony Towns is on pace to join Tim Duncan, Shaquille O'Neal, Dikembe Mutombo, David Robinson, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Ralph Sampson as the only rookies to average 16 points, 10 rebounds, two blocks, and an assist.
23. Denver Nuggets (6-8)
All things considered, six wins in 14 games still has to be seen as an encouraging start for the overmatched Nuggets, who have played one of the league's tougher schedules.
24. Houston Rockets (5-9)
The early returns post-McHale haven't exactly been encouraging, save for a fourth quarter rally to edge the Blazers last week, but the schedule turns in Houston's favor over the next month or so.
25. Sacramento Kings (5-9)
If you're looking for a silver lining, Sacramento is actually outscoring opponents with DeMarcus Cousins on the floor, just as they did last season.
26. Milwaukee Bucks (5-8)
The East is filled with pleasant early season surprises, but the Bucks and their league-worst defense rank as the conference's biggest early disappointment.
27. New Orleans Pelicans (3-11)
On the topic of disappointments, the only saving grace for New Orleans is that the rest of the West hasn't run away yet. In fairness, they've won two straight against the Spurs and Suns, but their schedule remains brutal into December.
28. Brooklyn Nets (3-11)
The Nets still face the most NBA's most depressing future, but at least they're no longer considered the league's worst team. Progress!
29. Los Angeles Lakers (2-11)
Here's all you need to know about the Lakers: Kobe Bryant, Lou Williams, and Nick Young are a combined 35 percent from the field, but are combining for 34 attempts per game.
30. Philadelphia 76ers (0-14)
While the Warriors chase Jordan's Bulls, the Sixers are approaching history of their own, looking to avoid the record for consecutive losses to start a season, which stands at 18.