1. Los Angeles Clippers
Record: 16-6 (5)
PPG: 130.4 (1)
PAPG: 115.7 (20)
APG: 28.5 (2)
TPG: 9.9 (2)
SPG: 10 (2)
RPG: 59 (6)
BPG: 11 (3)
FG% .468 (6)
Ranking the top 4 was difficult and I think they could be ranked in any order right now. The Costello/McDermott/Calder trio are leading the Clippers to the most PPG in the league. They are also getting solid bench production from Groat and Green as well. When you look through their team stats, they are setup almost perfectly. Under 10 TOPG, #1 PPG, top 3 in Steals/Blocks/FG%/APG. There isn’t much more you can ask for. I feel like some of their statistics are inflated by what looks like an easy schedule, but at the same time they’ve only had 8 of their first 22 at home.
2. New York Knicks
Record: 17-2 (1)
PPG: 123.8 (6)
PAPG: 105.2 (2)
APG: 28.3 (4)
TPG: 11.3 (5)
SPG: 8.4 (20)
RPG: 59.7 (4)
BPG: 9.8 (9)
FG%: .474 (2)
The Knicks have begun the season on fire. Walker walked into a great situation and made a great move to acquire Queeley who is on his way to a career year. Besides Queeley this is basically the same roster from last season. They were very good last year, but were hit with one of the worst injury lucks that I’ve ever seen. I thought a Trae/Queeley pairing could lead to a lot of turnovers, but both are averaging career lows and Pazin/Qu having good handles balances it out and they are among the best in the league at limiting turnovers. This team has 3 legit scorers and Qu is playing the best of his career. This team is short on depth and could use an upgrade at PF, but right now I think they need to be considered the favorites in the East and maybe the league.
3. Vancouver Grizzlies
Record: 15-5 (4)
PPG: 128.3 (2)
PAPG: 113.9 (22)
APG: 27.3 (5)
TPG: 11.9 (9)
SPG: 9.9 (4)
RPG: 58.8 (8)
BPG: 12.2 (1)
FG%: .478 (1)
The Grizz have the most complete starting 5 in the league in my opinion. It’s the same lineup that ended last season, but most are just having better seasons. Offensively all 5 of their starters are averaging over 15ppg and really all 5 have the ability to score 20+ on any given night. While Stokes/Clyde have taken a bit of a backseat scoring this season, they are owning the boards and leading the league in blocks. Right now Case/Selvy/Twyman are all shooting over 50% and Case/Selvy have career averages of 46%. They rank 1st in FG%, but is it sustainable? They are relying heavily on their starters, but historically Dyker and Young have proved to be good players.
4. Denver Nuggets
Record: 16-3 (2)
PPG: 122.9 (7)
PAPG: 111.5 (6)
APG: 25.9 (10)
TPG: 14.3 (21)
SPG: 8.7 (13)
RPG: 60.9 (3)
BPG: 11.1 (2)
FG%: .468 (5)
It feels wrong slotting the Nuggets in 4th here, but I did so because I think they have the weakest starting 5 of the 4 teams. Oscar/Pettit/Cruz have been tremendous and the Oscar/Cruz pairing should be dangerous for along time. While they arguably have the best big man duo, their wing duo is the weakest. McMillon/Willy are putting up decent numbers individually, but I think you need more out of the combo in the playoffs. It’s no surprise they are an excellent rebounding team with Cruz/Pettit, but Hauptfuhrer/McMillon combining for 18 is really helpful. The biggest weakness is the turnovers. They have 6 players averaging over 1.7 TOs a game and even the spot minute players are averaging close to a TO a game in limited minutes.
5. Toronto RaptorsRecord: 15-4 (3)
PPG: 125.2 (4)
PAPG: 115.3 (16)
APG: 25.7 (15)
TPG: 13.6 (19)
SPG: 9.1 (9)
RPG: 58.8 (7)
BPG: 9.9 (7)
FG%: .469 (3)
The Raptors have probably been the most pleasant surprise to begin the season, especially with Yardley underperforming prior to his injury. The Booboo resurgence has been the key to the Raptors both this year and last. The 3.3 turnovers are a bit much, but a 22-5-11-2.6 with 48% and 53% 3 from the 38yo is quite impressive. Smawley has given their scoring a big boost in Yardley’s absence and Miki may have taken a small leap offensively. Yuri has to be considered the FA steal of the offseason to far, averaging nearly 19-14.5- 5 stocks. I’m not bitter that he turned down a larger offer from me though. Ellis has some promise, but is definetly the weak link in the roster. It’s too bad they dealt Barlow as he would fit in really nicely with the current group. I think if they can move Ellis to the bench and find a better starter they could leap up into the top 4.
6. Portland Trailblazers
Record: 14-7 (7)
PPG: 118.3 (12)
PAPG: 108.7 (4)
APG: 25.8 (14)
TPG: 10.4 (3)
SPG: 7.5 (24)
RPG: 61.1 (1)
BPG: 10.3 (6)
FG%: .447 (16)
The Blazers started off slow but have turned it around the past few sims. This team doesn’t have a flat out star, but is rather built strategically with good contracts and depth. Brody has taken a step forward after forgoing larger FA offers to remain in Portland. Cliff’s defensive stats continue to decline, but is still as good as ever offensively. The Barlow pickup was big and he forms a very nice defensive tandem with Goga despite Goga’s poor start. This team’s calling card is rebounding (#1 in the league) and defense. I really like depth that Blanchfield/Ferry provide.
7. Brooklyn Nets
Record: 15-6 (6)
PPG: 125.6 (3)
PAPG: 118.1 (25)
APG: 29 (1)
TPG: 11.9 (10)
SPG: 9 (11)
RPG: 58.2 (10)
BPG: 9.5 (10)
FG%: .463 (7)
This season has started off a little better than I expected. Belov was playing at an MVP level the first 5 sims of the season and really carried the team. Dino has returned to his All NBN 1st team form putting up 20-13-4 on 50% shooting and created a nice veteran duo with Belov. Barnett has played as I thought he would and should be the early favorite for 6MOY. 20-4.5-5- .8 TO on 49% FG and 55% from 3. Posey has proven to be an adequate starter and good value on the MLE, but will likely need to be upgraded if the Nets want to make a deep push into the playoffs. The team has assets they are trying to move if anyone wants to deal!
8. Washington Wizards
Record: 15-10 (9)
PPG: 125.1 (5)
PAPG: 120.4 (27)
APG: 25.1 (17)
TPG: 11.7 (6)
SPG: 8.5 (18)
RPG: 61 (2)
BPG: 11 (4)
FG%: .448 (14)
After making the finals with basically the same roster, the Wizards slow start has been a bit surprising. They’ve been without Johnston for 6 games, but otherwise it’s hard to pin point what the difference is between this year and last other than bad luck to begin the season. Giannakis/Galis/Drazen/Perry are all essentially giving you what they did last season. They could miss Schaus some, but their depth players are putting up decent numbers. Overall the Wizards should remain in contention for home court advantage. They haven’t shown much propensity in the past to make major shakeups (except Pettit/Giannakis) and they lack assets outside of their veterans and own picks.
9. Cleveland Cavaliers
Record: 13-8 (8)
PPG: 118.7 (10)
PAPG: 115.6 (17)
APG: 26.5 (7)
TPG: 12.8 (15)
SPG: 9.4 (7)
RPG: 56.4 (12)
BPG: 8.8 (14)
FG%: .451 (13)
Another team that had a slow start and has rebounded. Heading into the season, they were probably considered one of the favorites along with the Hornets (somehow not on the list). This is also another team that is basically running it back from last season. The Nico/Green/Fuzzy/Havlicek backcourt remains very strong. Mejri/Pradilla/Nicholson front court is definitely the weak spot. They don’t really have any remaining assets, but they seem like a good PF away from the top. As a team, none of their stats really jump out as they are middle of the pack in most categories. Nico is having a tremendous season, but isn’t putting up the same numbers as he did last year winning the MVP. Green’s offense has stalled a bit (the defense is awesome though), and Havlicek doesn’t appear to have progressed much from his rookie campaign. Overall this is a good team, but they may have overachieved a bit last season behind Nico’s craziness.
10. Golden State Warriors
Record: 11-8 (10)
PPG: 120.1 (9)
PAPG: 113.9 (12)
APG: 28.5 (3)
TPG: 12.1 (11)
SPG: 8.6 (16)
RPG: 55.2 (19)
BPG: 10.6 (5)
FG%: .469 (4)
I’m curious to see what the Warriors look like at full strength. Zoran missed the end of last season with his PED suspension and has only played 3 games this season. Lumpp missed 13 games last season and is about to miss a handful more with a recent injury. When at full strength this is a deep team with Kiyan/Raga/Wiley providing very solid depth. Lumpp’s PPG has dropped 6 points from last year, but you can’t complain as he’s shooting 52%, 51% from 3, with 2.3 steals and only 1.3 TO. Coleman has also been a big part of their early success without Zoran, posting a 21-14-3 on 49%. Stat wise they are top 5 in FG% and Blocks and have a pretty good +6 point differential.
Honorable Mention
11. Boston Celtics - Really lack depth. Share/Foust isn't good enough pairing with both shooting under 40%
12. Charlotte Hornets - It can't all be West? They have a -3 point differential. Arizin scoring is way down
13. San Antonio Spurs - Young, upcoming team. Should be in the top 10 soon and for the foreseeable future.
14. Seattle Supersonics - Morant is a baller and getting alot of contributions from everywhere. Good up and coming team
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