The 140: NBA Power Rankings, Week 11 - Warriors still on top, Cavaliers drop to 16th
We'll have passed the halfway point of the NBA season by this time next week. Where does the time go?
Anyway, let's rank. Power is influence.
1. Golden State Warriors (29-5)
(Last Week: 1)
The Warriors are atop The 140 for the fifth week in a row because the Warriors are the best team in basketball.
2. Portland Trail Blazers (30-8)
(Last Week: 2)
Good read on the Blazers trusting the process - and now playing elite defense. And shout out to Nicolas Batum:
3. Atlanta Hawks (29-8)
(Last Week: 2)
The Zach Lowe wrote about Al Horford - "The Godfather" and his desire to win - and Spurs East, and it's very much worth your time.
4. Houston Rockets (27-11)
(Last Week: 6)
Josh Smith's PER with the Rockets: 10.6. That's down, somehow, from 14.2 with the Pistons.
5. Los Angeles Clippers (25-13)
(Last Week: 7)
Steve Ballmer's moves during a Fergie performance have the Clippers moving up two spots:
6. Dallas Mavericks (26-12)
(Last Week: 5)
Dirk Nowitzki is shooting 53.2 percent on long twos. Dirk Nowitzki is 36 years old. Dirk Nowitzki is forever.
(H/T: @uuords)
7. Chicago Bulls (26-13)
(Last Week: 4)
Bulls have only a 1.4 net rating with Gasol/Noah on the floor. It's not working.
— Nate Duncan (@NateDuncanNBA) January 13, 2015
8. Memphis Grizzlies (26-11)
(Last Week: 9)
I like this t-shirt:
9. Toronto Raptors (25-12)
(Last Week: 8)
The Raps have gone from ninth on defense with DeMar DeRozan to 22nd without him. He means so much - more than I thought - to this team.
10. Washington Wizards (25-12)
(Last Week: 10)
Sometimes, when I'm alone, I doodle John Wall's name.
11. San Antonio Spurs (23-15)
(Last Week: 10)
The Spurs are 15-7 with Kawhi Leonard and 8-8 without him. Their defense is elite with him, and below average without him.
12. Milwaukee Bucks (20-19)
(Last Week: 15)
The Bucks are moving up in the world thanks to their now fifth-ranked defense. How can you not be impressed?
13. Oklahoma City Thunder
(18-19)
(Last Week: 12)
Kevin Durant asked one of the most important questions of our time Tuesday:
Why do you post on Twitter?
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) January 13, 2015
14. Phoenix Suns (22-18)
(Last Week: 14)
15. New Orleans Pelicans
(18-19)
(Last Week: 16)
If Anthony Davis' Pellies miss the playoffs and the Heat and Nets don't, I'm writing a harshly-worded letter to Adam Silver. Enough.
16. Cleveland Cavaliers (19-19)
(Last Week: 13)
Words to live by from the inimitable J.R. Smith: "When in doubt, shoot the ball."
17. Sacramento Kings (16-21)
(Last Week: 18)
I asked DeMarcus Cousins if losing Michael Malone hurt more than anyone realized: "It’s clear. We’re not the same team."
— Jason Jones (@mr_jasonjones) January 5, 2015
18. Indiana Pacers (15-24)
(Last Week: 19)
Excellent piece on how the Pacers are taking and making more threes yet have a bottom-three offense. Spoiler: It's Roy Hibbert's fault.
19. Denver Nuggets (17-20)
(Last Week: 21)
The Nuggets may do away with morning shootaround because they're a young team, and young guys party, and young guys need sleep. Radical.
20. Detroit Pistons (14-24)
(Last Week: 26)
The Pistons are this week's biggest movers. I don't believe in much, but I believe in Stan Van Gundy.
21. Charlotte Hornets (15-24)
(Last Week: 25)
Kemba Walker is that dude:
22. Miami Heat (16-21)
(Last Week: 20)
Never mess with a man who has the Heat logo tattooed to his face.
(Courtesy: local10.com)
23. Brooklyn Nets (16-22)
(Last Week: 17)
I can't wait for Kevin Garnett to retire.
24. Utah Jazz (13-25)
(Last Week: 23)
Gordon Hayward's 37-of-70 on isolation plays, according to Mr. Lowe. So, there's that, Jazz fans. Enjoy it.
25. Boston Celtics (13-23)
(Last Week: 22)
Nate Robinson, traded back to Boston, had his finest moment in Celtics green:
26. Orlando Magic (14-27)
(Last Week: 24)
I will remember Pau Gasol fondly.
27. Philadelphia 76ers (7-29)
(Last Week: 28)
The 76ers have been better than the Pacers, Kings, Heat, Magic, Timberwolves, and Knicks since Dec. 1.
28. Los Angeles Lakers (12-26)
(Last Week: 27)
Brian Phillips, the best writer on the Internet, wrote about Kobe, his suffering, and his inevitable end. You should read it.
29. Minnesota Timberwolves (5-31)
(Last Week: 29)
The Wolves may never win again, but the Canadian in me loves Andrew Wiggins' "Maple Jordan" nickname.
30. New York Knicks (5-35)
(Last Week: 30)