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687 sats \ 27 comments \ @grayruby 19 Dec Stacker_Sports

NBA Power Rankings- Post the NBA Cup

Precisely 6 weeks ago, I released my now world renowned "way too early and not too serious NBA Power Rankings". Now that the exciting NBA Cup tournament has ended, I thought it would be a good time to update my power rankings and hopefully @Undisciplined will do the same, so we can tell each other why we are wrong on the pod. I also hope @gnilma, our true resident NBA expert on SN, will weigh in and explain why my rankings are far superior (or potentially far inferior, but that seems unlikely).

So here goes, my not so early and somewhat serious NBA Power Rankings!!! (along with where I had each team last time)

Boston Celtics (previously 3)
OKC Thunder (previously 2)
Cleveland Cavaliers (previously 1)
Dallas Mavericks (previously 7)
Houston Rockets (previously 10)
Milwaukee Bucks (previously 29)
New York Knicks (previously 12)
Orlando Magic (previously 19)
Denver Nuggets (previously 6)
Memphis Grizzlies (previously 13)
Minnesota Timberwolves (previously 9)
Golden State Warriors (previously 4)
Phoenix Suns (previously 5)
Atlanta Hawks (previously 17)
Miami Heat (previously 15)
LA Clippers (previously 16)
Sacramento Kings (previously 8)
LA Lakers (previously 14)
San Antonio Spurs (previously 20)
Detroit Pistons (previously 25)
Chicago Bulls (previously 24)
Indiana Pacers (previously 11)
Philadelphia 76ers (previously 30)
Brooklyn Nets (previously 18)
Charlotte Hornets (previously 23)
Portland Trailblazers (previously 21)
Toronto Raptors (previously 26)
Utah Jazz (previously 28)
New Orleans Pelicans (previously 22)
Washington Wizards (previously 27)

Teams I rewarded the most: Milwaukee Bucks 29-->6 Orlando Magic 19-->8 Philadelphia 76ers (yuck) 30-->23

Teams I punished the most: Indiana Pacers 11-->22 Sacramento Kings 8-->17 Phoenix Suns 5-->13/Golden State Warriors 4-->12

Sats for all, GR

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421 sats \ 2 replies \ @gnilma 20 Dec

Ok, here is my rankings. I tried not to be influenced by your lists by doing this without looking at your lists. But although I don't remember you guys' exact rankings, I saw your lists already, so I'll say I'm probably subconsciously influenced.

There are a lot of big movements, a couple +10's and -8's, several + or - 6's. Looks like biggest winners in my list, compared to last time, are Bucks and Magic, and biggest losers are Warriors and Pacers.

Regarding the Rockets, I have them at 10, same as my last ranking. I think this young Rockets team have a lot of talent, but they need to take better shots. From the few times that I watched them play, I think they seem to like to force questionable shots instead of trying to create better shots. They play great defense though, number 2 defensive team of the league this season says it all. GR, I agree with Undisciplined that you got the Rockets a bit too high at 5. I think 8-10 is where they belong.

OKC +4
Celtics =
Cavs -2
Knicks +4
Mavs +1
Bucks +10
Magic +10
Nuggets -4
Grizzlies +5
Rockets =
Warriors -8
Suns -3
Twolves -6
Heat +1
Hawks +3
Clippers +4
Lakers -6
Kings -5
Spurs =
Pacers -8
Pistons =
Bulls +3
Hornets +1
Raptors +4
Trail Blazers +1
76ers -4
Nets -4
Jazz +1
Pelicans -2
Wizards =

61 sats \ 1 reply \ @Undisciplined 20 Dec

I'd say you pretty much nailed it.

Why are you two so high on the 76ers, though? I bet against them every chance I get and I've yet to regret it.

40 sats \ 0 replies \ @gnilma 20 Dec

The 76ers suck, but I think they can still beat the bottom teams with Maxey, PG, and the sometimes show up Embiid.

Oh, and big night tonight for KAT. First time back at Minny, right? Showed the they shouldn't have traded him with 32-20-6.

78 sats \ 7 replies \ @gnilma 19 Dec

Having breakfast with my wife and then have to drive her around for errands. I'll try to come up with something when I get home. But from a quick eye test, I think my rankings are probably more aligned with yours than Undisciplined's. I wouldn't put the Rockets that high up though.

our true resident NBA expert on SN

Nope, just a self proclaimed expert that makes a lot of wrong predictions.

44 sats \ 3 replies \ @grayruby OP 19 Dec

I might have the Rockets a little high as a hat tip to how well they performed in the tournament but outside of the top 10 is an affront to all that is decent in the world.

61 sats \ 2 replies \ @Undisciplined 19 Dec

You're putting a lot of stock in a contest that the best players don't give a poop about.

45 sats \ 1 reply \ @grayruby OP 19 Dec

Rockets have the 5th best record in NBA.

I am just acknowledging 5 is their peak, they could be a couple spots lower but not out of top 10.

I am pleased you see the magic of the Magic though.

11 sats \ 0 replies \ @Undisciplined 19 Dec

I'll admit to having a hard time sorting through my 6-11. I could have had any of those teams switched with any other.

51 sats \ 2 replies \ @Undisciplined 19 Dec

What? Our main point of departure is how high he put the Rockets. You aren't making any sense, man!

45 sats \ 0 replies \ @grayruby OP 19 Dec

Gnilma is our NBA expert. I defer to his brilliance in selecting the clearly superior list.

30 sats \ 0 replies \ @gnilma 19 Dec

You are right. I have to list out my own rankings to do a proper comparison. Just got home and I'll do that now. Will post it and see where we differ and who's rankings mine is actually closer to.

136 sats \ 2 replies \ @grayruby OP 19 Dec

@BlokchainB how do you feel about your Knicks placement this time around?

40 sats \ 0 replies \ @BlokchainB 20 Dec

It’s above the pacers!!! plus the knicks have depth issues

40 sats \ 0 replies \ @Undisciplined 19 Dec

Insulted, I imagine. And, rightly so.

457 sats \ 8 replies \ @Undisciplined 19 Dec

Once again, I'm going to try to do this from scratch, without looking at anything. Keep in mind that I've been largely out of the loop for a couple of weeks.

Thunder (same)
Celtics (same)
Knicks (+4)
Bucks (+12)
Cavs (-2)
Mavs (same)
Magic (+11)
Grizzlies (+5)
Nuggets (-1)
Warriors (-6)
Rockets (+1)
T-Wolves (-7)
Suns (+1)
Heat (+1)
Clippers (+9)
Kings (-5)
Lakers (-7)
Hawks (-1)
Pacers (-10)
Spurs (same)
Pistons (same)
Bulls (+6)
Raptors (+3)
Hornets (-5)
Blazers (+4)
Nets (+1)
Pelicants (-5)
Jazz (-5)
76ers (-4)
Wizards (same)

This is basically in order of who I'd expect to win a game right now.

Other than your inexplicable love for the 76ers and overcorrection on the Rockets, it looks like we're closer together this time.

22 sats \ 3 replies \ @grayruby OP 21 Dec

Cavs beat the Bucks tonight.

40 sats \ 2 replies \ @Undisciplined 21 Dec

I was watching some of it. I joined a few minutes late and it was already a ten point lead.

Once again, I’m immediately regretting my Cavs skepticism.

29 sats \ 1 reply \ @grayruby OP 21 Dec

gnilma agreed with me that they are 3.

40 sats \ 0 replies \ @Undisciplined 23h

Oh, I'm aware. I've been doing quite a bit of analytics on our power rankings.

Some of it will have to go into a post, because I think we actually have some interesting stuff to dive into.

78 sats \ 0 replies \ @BlokchainB 20 Dec

Let’s go Knicks

29 sats \ 2 replies \ @grayruby OP 19 Dec

Knicks 3, Cavs 5, Rockets out of the top 10, while the Warriors still in. You are simply out of control sir.

40 sats \ 1 reply \ @Undisciplined 19 Dec

KAT would roast those Cavs bigs. Who's guarding Brunson? Garland? C'mon.

Given that they just played, I can see why the Rockets should be ahead of the Warriors. I would still expect the Warriors to win against them, though.

38 sats \ 0 replies \ @grayruby OP 19 Dec

I am open to the notion that the Knicks can surpass the Cavs later in the season but I don't think they are ahead of them right now. I am trying to project a little with the rankings but also stay grounded in what we have seen thus far.