NBA Power Rankings Updated Apr. 15, 2024.
Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets are the defending champs and are still the No. 1 team in the NBA to me. They won fewer games than Boston, but they are proven and deeper. There is very little seperating Denver and Boston though.
Boston Celtics
The Celtics ran through the East this season, and because the conference is injury-plagued and mediocre, there should be little issue for them in the playoffs. Boston has an incredible starting five, but the team only has an eight-man rotation, which is the only weakness.
Oklahoma Thunder
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is my MVP pick, and Chet Holmgren would be Rookie of the Year in 90 percent of seasons. Meanwhile, Josh Giddey has become a big-time point forward and Jalen Williams has become a second 20-point scorer. And, oh yeah, none of those guys is older than 25. Youth and inexperience are issues in playoff basketball, but you cannot overlook this Oklahoma team.
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves impressed early with their defense and wins, while I kept assuming they would start losing. That just wasn’t in the cards, however. Minnesota’s All-Star duo of Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns is among the elite NBA duos, and with Rudy Gobert, the franchise has the league’s No. 1 defender.
Phoenix Suns
It took too much time, but Phoenix’s All-Star trio started to fit together. The Suns’ depth is pretty poor, and which could really hurt them in the playoffs, but Grayson Allen and Jusuf Nurkic have been huge for them. Still Phoenix’s bench is a huge, huge weakness.
Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers need their four All-Stars healthy if they want to make a real run. They have a nice balance of a near-perfect starting five and a bench that is able to go nine deep, but can go a couple more if needed. Really though, the Clippers’ run depends on Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, as normal.
Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers with a healthy Joel Embiid can win the East. It’s a mediocre conference talent-wise, and beating this Embiid team four times? Only the Celtics and perhaps the Bucks can.
Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks have been mediocre since hiring Doc Rivers; it’s a mess. Lucky for them, they have three All-Stars, although Giannis Antetokounmpo is currently slightly injured. With Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, though it’s impossible to truly doubt Milwaukee.
New York Knicks
Jalen Brunson is coming into the playoffs hot; OG Anunoby is healthy; and Tom Thibodeau’s rotations have been beautiful. Using Donte DiVincenzo and Josh Hart as the excellent secondary talents they are to support Brunson has made the Knicks a stronger team too. However, the Knicks still need Bojan Bogdanovic to play his part.
Golden State Warriors
The Warriors have been playing well recently, and Steph Curry is still Steph Curry. Also they seem to have the right rotations and are healthy. I cannot discard the Warriors, as they’ve won too much, but their playoff road is incredibly difficult.
Sacramento Kings
The Malik Monk injury hurts, but he may return at some point. The duo of Domantas Sabonis and De’Aaron Fox is elite, and the Kings have some nice secondary pieces, but with no Monk, they lack the talent, depth and scoring to win a playoff series. Sacramento has to find a third All-Star-caliber talent.
Miami Heat
The Heat are a different team in the playoffs because Jimmy Butler takes control of the offense. Additionally, they will have Tyler Herro and Terry Rozier healthy. Will the playoff Heat make an appearance? If not, Miami won’t make it far.
Orlando Magic
Orlando has one of the best defensive teams in the NBA, ranking second in defensive rating and fourth in points per game allowed while forcing teams to play inside the three-point line and holding teams to the third-least attempts per game. The Magic’s success this postseason will come down to whether or not Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner can take their offensive games to the next level and carry a lackluster scoring team – 25th in the league in points per game. One of Orlando’s on ball guards will also have to step up and take control, but having to rely on rookie Anthony Black, Cole Anthony or Markelle Fultz does not engender confidence.
Los Angeles Lakers
I have zero faith in this inconsistent playoff team. For one, LeBron James is old and cannot take the beatings. D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves will need to play big in 100% of their games, while Anthony Davis will have to be an animal. I doubt things come together.
Indiana Pacers
With Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam, the Pacers have an incredibly potent offense, which is why they win, but their defense is disgusting, which is why they are not a serious contender. Indiana had a solid season, but needs a defense.
Chicago Bulls
The Bulls lost Zach Lavine, Lonzo Ball and Patrick Williams, three of their starters, but DeMar DeRozan has been his normal stud self and their young guards have been playing ridiculously well. Chicago simply lacks the talent to make noise in the playoffs.
Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks may have Trae Young and Dejounte Murray, but they are a mediocre team that has basically zero chance to win a playoff series. Atlant just isn’t that talented of a team.
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