2038 NBN Power Rankings - Statistical Based Rankings
Dec 31, 2018 10:23:40 GMT
A. Silver, vanimmer, and 1 more like this
Post by lynchcats on Dec 31, 2018 10:23:40 GMT
It's been quite a few seasons since I've done this, but since I had some time, I thought I would bring it back. Instead of having just subjective opinions on power rankings, I'm bringing a statistical based analysis on who the best teams are, and who quite frankly sucks. This isn't an exact science, but it does give a pretty decent picture of where teams stand. The lower the point total, the better the ranking.
1. Brooklyn Nets (27-4, 9-1 L10, 61 points)
Not surprisingly, the team with the best overall record is the top team in the power rankings. They're also the hottest team in the league with their 9-1 in their last 10. There is very little that this team doesn't do extremely well, and in fact the only ranking that this team isn't in the top ten in is 3pt percentage (which they are merely 12th - get it together!!). This could finally be the year that the Cavs have a true challenger in the East.
Key statistic: Brooklyn has a dominant twin towers in the middle defensively with Edwards and Bitazde combining for 8 blocks a game, sitting at 2nd and 4th respectively among the league leaders.
2. Seattle Supersonics (23-6, 7-3 L10, 67 points)
Again, not surprisingly, the Sonics are in the second spot in the rankings, and I don't think there would even be a subjective argument over this. The Sonics are another team that does almost everything at an elite level (only their 0.0 SPG margin ranks outside the top 10), and they are clearly the class of the Western Conference yet again.
Key statistic: PG Bob Cousy could be very well on his way to a fourth straight MVP award this season, as he leads the league in PPG and is sitting just outside the top ten in assists.
3. Portland Trailblazers (21-9, 7-3 L10, 135.5 points)
@jelly has this team blazing in the Pacific Division. Unfortunately, the distance between the Nets and Sonics and everyone else in the league is as wide as the distance between the Blazers and the 15th and 16th best teams in the league. The Blazers only real weaknesses are in FT and 3PT shooting, both on offense and defense, but they are just as elite as the Sonics and Nets in every other category.
Key statistic: Portland leads the league in assists per game, and in the top five in scoring margin, SPG margin, BPG margin, and TO/G margin.
4. Washington Wizards (17-8, 8-2 L10, 151 points)
The Wizards surprised me a little bit being in the top five in the league, but the numbers don't lie. While statistically their backcourt is among the lower ranked teams in the league, their inside offensive game is among the best in the league, ranking in the top three in both scoring margin and rebounding margin. They won't catch Brooklyn in the Atlantic Division, but Washington could be a team that makes some noise come the postseason.
Key statistic: Bob Pettit and Neil Johnston are the most profilic rebounding duo in the league, combining to average almost 30 rebounds a game between the two.
5. Los Angeles Clippers (14-10, 7-3 L10, 152 points)
Now we're in the first real surprise of the top ten. The Clippers have only the 11th best record in the league, which means that statistically, this team is underperforming and losing a lot of close games. However, upon a closer look the Clippers have had a lot of big wins, and a lot of big losses. The Clippers do have a top ten scoring margin, but their strength is in forcing turnovers, as they rank in the top four in SPG and TO/G margin.
Key statistic: Other than in minutes per game, the Clippers have no one individually ranked in the top ten in any major statistical category, which is unusual for a top five team.
6. Orlando Magic (19-8, 6-4 L10, 160 points)
The Magic are the third team from the Atlantic Division to reach the top six, and statistically this team is as good as their record makes them out to be. Other than their struggles from the line and their inability to rebound, the Magic are a solid team, ranking in the top ten in most of the other categories.
Key statistic: Jordan Toles is having a career year efficiency wise at age 34, hitting FT and threes at a career high, while his FG% is the second highest of his illustrious career.
7. Vancouver Grizzlies (16-11, 6-4 L10, 164 points)
Another team whose rankings are slightly above their record, but that's not to say the Grizzlies don't belong here. The Grizzlies are fifth in scoring margin, and are one of just a few teams outshooting their opponents from deep by more than 50 percentage points (the Sonics, Pacers, Heat and Celtics are the only other teams that can claim that).
Key statistic: If anyone is going to challenge Cousy for the MVP award, Booboo McAdoo might be the guy to do it, as he leads the league in assists and is 2nd in steals while averaging over 24 PPG.
8. Denver Nuggets (20-8, 6-4 L10, 164.5 points)
The Nuggets on the whole are probably better than the Grizzlies, but there is one glaring reason why they are below them in the rankings (as well as below the Magic): this team is incapable of forcing turnovers, and they turn it over themselves too much. They are among the bottom five in forcing turnovers, and only the bottom six teams in the league turn the ball over more than the Nuggets. It hasn't cost them in the regular season, but it could come playoff time.
Key statistic: C Dino Meneghin is one of just two players in the top ten in the league in both rebounding and blocks, making him an early contender for Defensive Player of the Year.
9. New York Knicks (19-10, 5-5 L10, 176.5 points)
The Knicks are the fourth Atlantic team on the list in the top ten (what is in the water on the East Coast??), and other than an inability to defend the three or block shots, the Knicks are as legit as it comes statistically in not just the Eastern Conference but in the league. This Atlantic Division race (other than the Nets) should be a fun one to watch as the season goes along.
Key statistic: SF Cliff Hagan is making a case to finally win an All-League award, as he leads all small forwards in scoring at over 31 PPG, increasing his PPG by nearly 6 a game from last season.
10. San Antonio Spurs (18-9, 7-3 L10, 187.5 points)
The Spurs' record and their ability to shoot is probably the only reason they are in the top ten right now, as statistically it looks like they are out-performing their stat line. They are outside the top ten in every margin except for turnovers, and are among the lower ranked teams in the league defensively. I don't expect this ranking to hold as the season goes on, as they appear to be more in line of a 15-12 team than 18-9.
Key statistic: Every key contributor outside of George Mikan for the Spurs is shooting over 45% from the field, and they have five guys averaging at least 18.3 PPG.
The Rest of the League:
t11. Indiana Pacers (18-9, 6-4 L10, 195.5 points)
t11. Miami Heat (15-11, 5-5 L10, 195.5 points)
13. Philadelphia 76ers (15-13, 8-2 L10, 199.5 points)
14. Detroit Pistons (14-15, 7-3 L10, 203 points)
t15. Golden State Warriors (13-10, 7-3 L10, 204 points)
t15. Dallas Mavericks (16-16, 6-4 L10, 204 points)
17. Cleveland Cavaliers (15-14, 4-6 L10, 209 points)
18. Charlotte Hornets (12-18, 4-6 L10, 220.5 points)
19. Atlanta Hawks (13-14, 6-4 L10, 225 points)
20. Boston Celtics (10-16, 2-8 L10, 257 points)
21. Milwaukee Bucks (14-14, 3-7 L10, 275 points)
22. Los Angeles Lakers (11-18, 4-6 L10, 295 points)
23. Minnesota Timberwolves (9-21, 4-6 L10, 298.5 points)
24. Sacramento Kings (8-18, 5-5 L10, 314 points)
25. Chicago Bulls (8-19, 1-9 L10, 351.5 points)
26. Toronto Raptors (5-16, 3-7 L10, 354 points)
27. Houston Rockets (2-20, 2-8 L10, 359.5 points)
28. Phoenix Suns (4-28, 0-10 L10, 366.5 points)
29. Utah Jazz (4-25, 1-9 L10, 379 points)
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