NBA Power Rankings: Cleveland Cavaliers ruin Christmas
Christmas has come and gone in about a blink of an eye — or about the same amount of time it takes for Richard Jefferson to get a taunting technical. While many fans were unwrapping the latest gizmos and gadgets that Santa Claus delivered, the NBA gave us five games to whet our appetite for the rest of the season.
In the marquee game, a rematch of the last two NBA Finals, the Cleveland Cavaliers were able to fight back from a late 14-point deficit to upend the Golden State Warriors at home. The final possessions had some questionable calls and non-calls (shouts to the Last 2 Minute Report), but the matchup lived up to the hype and then some.
Elsewhere, we saw the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks go down to the wire, the San Antonio Spurs handle the Chicago Bulls with ease, a 30-point and 15-assist performance from Russell Westbrook carried the Oklahoma City Thunder to a double-digit win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, and to cap it off the Los Angeles Lakers played the role of the Grinch and snatched away a victory from a Los Angeles Clippers team that was playing without Chris Paul and Blake Griffin. With the new year fast approaching, let’s take a look at where the 30 NBA teams stand heading into 2017.
30. Brooklyn Nets (8-22)
There really isn’t much to say here. Kenny Atkinson has seemingly had enough of coaching to win every game as the young players are starting to get more and more run for this team, which is probably best for their future.
29. Philadelphia 76ers (7-23)
TRUST. THE. PROCESS.
28. Dallas Mavericks (9-22)
Even though the Dallas Mavericks might not have the worse record in the league, some of their cheap shots against the Houston Rockets last night were pretty low. Dallas will continue to hang around the bottom of these rankings for the remainder of the year. The only questions for this team are how many games Dirk Nowitzki will play and who will they trade Andrew Bogut for at the deadline.
27. Phoenix Suns (9-22)
The Phoenix Suns are well on their way to garnering another high lottery pick and if they keep playing this way they’ll waltz right back into the top of the lottery. This is a team that will likely move some of their veterans at the deadline to get the full feel on just exactly what they have in their young pieces.
26. Minnesota Timberwolves (10-21)
Year one under Tom Thibodeau isn’t going as expected for the young Minnesota Timberwolves. Zach LaVine and Karl-Anthony Towns have looked the part on the offensive end, but the main problem for this team has been adjusting to the strict “ICE!” principles of Thibs defensive schemes.
25. Miami Heat (10-22)
Just like the rest of us, the Miami Heat watched in awe as Russell Westbrook torched them for his 15th triple-double of the season. Hassan Whiteside and his max contract got thoroughly roughed up by Steven Adams. The lottery will be here soon enough South Beach residents.
24. New Orleans Pelicans (12-21)
Anthony Davis can only do so much for your team. The Pelicans have been much better, but they still can’t tally up consecutive wins as of yet. The Alvin Gentry era hasn’t gone as planned and if it keeps on the downward trajectory it won’t last much longer.
23. Los Angeles Lakers (12-23)
Even with their Christmas Day win, the Los Angeles Lakers have gone 2-13 in the entire month of December. Their hot start is way off in the rearview mirror and Luke Walton’s coach of the year hopes are even further back down the road than that.
22. Orlando Magic (15-18)
The fact that this team still has the hope of making the playoffs is comical. If their GM has smartened up from the summer they can make a move or two and actually field a team that makes sense.
21. Portland Trail Blazers (13-20)
The Portland Trail Blazers bet on themselves this summer and so far that bet has yet to pay off. Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum have been great again, but they haven’t consistently gotten help from the rest of their roster.
20. Washingon Wizards (14-16)
John Wall needs to be freed. Let the Washington Wizards become Bradley Beal’s team and let us all watch him beautifully stroke the ball from the perimeter 20-25 times a night –though he probably won’t make more than 11 of those 25 shots.
19. Denver Nuggets (13-18)
WILL THE REAL NIKOLA JOKIC PLEASE STAND UP?! The second-year player is back to looking like the guy we all analytically fell in love with a year ago. Some of his passes are just down right artistic. This team will definitely be connected to many rumors in February as they are loaded with tradable pieces.
18. Detroit Pistons (15-18)
The Detroit Pistons stopped hating each other long enough to push the Golden State Warriors to the brink. However, things could blow up just as quickly in this team’s face. Finding the right balance between shot creation and playmaking will go a long way for Reggie Jackson.
17. Chicago Bulls (15-16)
The Rajon Rondo signing is already a failure for the Chicago Bulls. The hope is that they’ll be able to unload him on some poor sap by the trade deadline. Meanwhile, the Marquette connection between Dwyane Wade and Jimmy Butler is powering this team to a potential playoff run.
16. Sacramento Kings (14-17)
This new power rankings format means no more guaranteed creative DeMarcus Cousins’ reaction images unless the Sacramento Kings find a way to make it into the top-15. However, Cousins’ 55-point ejection rescinded game against the Portland Trail Blazers might just be the most Boogie thing that Boogie has ever done in the NBA.
And now let’s get to teams 15-1.