State of the NBA

/ sgodfrey630

The All-Star game and weekend has come and gone. The exhibition on Sunday consisted of a close 4th Quarter ball game, with a defensive possession winning the game as LeBron James and Kevin Durant trapped Steph Curry like junior high boys and fortnite. Better yet, we had a Donovan Mitchell dunk party, where he jumped over three little kids – his sister, junior Hart, and Kevin Hart. Mitchell’s dunk were good-looking, but I loved the way he talked about his sister.

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

Let’s break down the ‘State of the NBA’ with the last 25ish games remaining. Who’s hot? Who’s not? What does the playoff picture look like? Award predictions?

ICYMI: Royce O’Neale went from WAC to undrafted to overseas to a key member of the 2018 Jazz team. Who is this ‘other’ rookie and how’d he land a roster spot? Read here. 

Power Rankings

1. Houston Rockets 2017-18 record: 44-13

The Rockets have shot 2,441 threes so far into the season, making 893 which is 36%. Imagine having 2,441 breakfast burritos and 893 of them are amazingly delicious. You’d be bummed it’s not 100%, but at least a good chunk of the time, that burrito delivers. Terrible analogy? True. But imagine being so confident in shooting threes that you designed an entire offense around it, hand-picked specialized players for it, and then went and blitzed the NBA with it. That’s Houston.

2. Golden State Warriors 2017-18 record: 44-14

Why isn’t Golden State #1? Because they are bored and so am I. The Dub’s are so good that I haven’t even watched a full game of theirs yet this season. Why? It’s the same as the last three-years. They are good and it’s not fun to watch them climb up by twenty before halftime. It is fun to see Steph Curry shoot lights out, especially after dancing around defenders at halfcourt. Curry is the catalyst and ESPN points out that the Warrior’s offensive attack is as lethal as ever, running up a gaudy 113.7 points per 100 possessions — an NBA record.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers 2017-18 record: 34-22

Bruce Wayne, aka Batman, once said, “I believe in Harvey Dent” and somewhat similarly, I believe in LBJ and that’s it. Until I see him dethroned from the East with my own eyes, I will pick him over Boston and Toronto. Every. Single. Time. On top of that, I dig the new-look Cavs. Jordan Clarkston can score however and whenever he wants, Rodney Hood is a perfect spot-up shooter for LBJ (basically an upgraded CJ Miles), and George Hill knows how to run an offense for a superstar. In my opinion, however, I think Larry Nance, Jr could be the steal of the trade since he is an athletic big that can hustle, make plays, do the little things, and slide over multiple positions in a potential series with Golden State or Houston. Plus, this side-by-side? B-E-A-utiful.

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

4. Toronto Raptors 2017-18 record: 41-16

The NBA has a stat called Net Rating to measure a team’s point differential per 100 possessions using both their offensive and defensive ratings. It’s a roundabout stat to show a team is well rounded and plays at an elite level on both sides of the ball. You could argue it simply shows who the best teams in the NBA are. The top three teams according to the net rating are Golden State (10.0), Houston (8.6), and then Toronto (8.0). Also: former Utes Delon Wright and Jakob Poetl are for real and legit contributors for the Raptors up North.

5. Boston Celtics 2017-18 record: 40-19

Boston is slipping since their hot start, yet still sits as the league’s top defensive team. Marcus Smart, their bull dog, has been out with injuries, but it hasn’t made a dent with Al Horford backing up the paint and anchoring the D. Kyrie is Kyrie and rumors are that Gordon Hayward could make a late April appearance. Cavs-Boston Eastern Conference Finals is going to be as epic as Black Panther vs Killmonger.

6. Minnesota Timberwolves 2017-18 record: 36-25

Prior to the season, I wasn’t sold on Minnesota being as good as many predicted. They needed to gel and figure it out, I rationalized. It seems they have and I think they are the West’s third best team. Jimmy Butler is an under-the-radar superstar. Despite the young cats on the roster, Butler is the main guy. He averages 22 points a night, in a hefty 37 minutes, but according to ESPN’s advanced stats, he leads all players in Wins – 11.49 – and is third in the league in Real Plus-Minus, behind Harden and Paul of Houston.

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
 7. Milwaukee Bucks 2017-18 record: 32-25

The Bucks are another team I am behind and enjoy watching on a regular basis. Could we potentially get a Giannis vs LBJ first round series? Pass the skittles and SIGN ME UP. Now that Jason Kidd is gone, and Jabari Parker is easing back into health and rotation, I expect the Bucks to charge forward during this last third of the season. Either way, Giannis could be a Top-5 MVP candidate with his buffet of stats: 29 points, a steal, a block, five assists, and 10 rebounds a game. What a freak.

8. San Antonio Spurs 2017-18 record: 35-24

Coach Pop came out and said he would be “surprised” if Kawhi Leonard returned to play this NBA season, which would be the biggest bummer since Fergie’s National Anthem disaster. Without their superstar, the Spurs keep doing what the Spurs do as Pau Gasol and Manu Ginobili are SuperDads, balling in the NBA instead of the YMCA. On the other hand, there does seem to be a slight dip as my Utah Jazz have beat them three times this season, which, like, never happens.

9. Washington Wizards 2017-18 record: 33-24

The good news: The Wizards weathered their storm without John Wall and will get him back mid-March. The bad news: The Wizards have the toughest remaining schedule in the East and third hardest in the NBA, according to BasketballReference.com.  These final 25 games leave no room for error as some local writers think they could slip out of the playoff picture.

10. Utah Jazz 2017-18 record: 30-28

The Jazz have won 11 straight, Donovan Mitchell is the best thing ever in the history of ever, and Derrick Favors and Rudy Gobert are tall. Simply: the Jazz are in a good spot, and if they stay healthy, will be in the playoffs this spring, much quicker than anyone thought when #20 left for greener pastures.

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

11. Oklahoma City Thunder 2017-18 record: 33-26

Coming out of the break, the Thunder are now one of four teams (Golden State, Houston, Toronto) that rank in the top 10 in both offensive and defensive efficiency which should be a really good sign. To be a title contender, you play both ways and to advance in the playoffs, you usually rank in the top 10 of these categories. Why, then, does it feel like OKC is a fluke? They dominate a team one night and the next Carmelo leaves you scratching your head. I may not even pick them to get out of a first-round playoff series.

12. Indiana Pacers 2017-18 record: 33-25

Pop Quiz: how many players can you name on the current Pacers roster? Victor Oladipo is their reclamation project, bust turned All-Star. Lance Stephenson is a cat-on-fire-that-you-can’t-take-your-eyes-off-of, and Myles Turner was supposed to be their young super stud at Center. Did you remember they employ slow-mo Al Jefferson or that Bojan Bogdanovic is their second leading scorer with 13.7 points a game? Well, now you know.

13. Portland Trail Blazers 2017-18 record: 32-26

Portland is scratching at the status OKC claims. Currently, Portland is 11th in the league with a Defensive Rating of 105. On the other side, they are at 14th with an Offensive Rating of 105.4. Neither are quite elite, but both are quite good. What helps is that they connect on 38% of their triples, good for third in the NBA. Damian Lillard leads the charge, CJ McCollum is the perfect second star, but the Blazers still need something else to get them over the hump. Because of awful contracts, it isn’t going to happen for a while, and they just may miss their window with their two studs currently in their primes. I mean, Dame pulls up from logos!

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

14. Philadelphia 76ers 2017-18 record: 30-25

The Sixers are big as Ben Simmons, their point guard, is 6-foot-10, and Joel Embiid, their Rhianna lover, is 7-foot, 250 lbs. Consequently, the boys in Philly lead the league in rebounds a game, 47. Simmons, especially, helps out as he grabs board like a toddler in a candy shop en route to his triple-doubles. He was the front-runner for Rookie of the Year, but Donovan Mitchell has been making a compelling argument. Who would you pick?

??? #roy #thetorturedfan #takenote #utahjazz

A post shared by TheTorturedFan (@thetorturedfan) on

//www.instagram.com/embed.js

15. Denver Nuggets 2017-18 record: 32-26

After the trade deadline, Devin Harris is now their starting point guard which might stabilize their flow and roster. What seemed to be lacking for the Nugs was a floor-general to calm dudes down and make the right passes. They didn’t need a scorer or an athlete but got exactly what they might need in the veteran. Paul Milsap comes back soon, too, which would help the momentum move forward toward the postseason for the first time since 2013.

16. Detroit Pistons 2017-18 record: 28-29

The Pistons sit a game behind Miami for the final playoff spot in the East. You have to think a 20+ game slate with Blake Griffin helps their odds, but ESPN points out that 11 of their next 15 are on the road. Currently, they are 9-17 on the road, which, news flash, isn’t that hot.

17. Miami Heat 2017-18 record: 30-28

D-Wade is back in Wade County and those Miami Vice jerseys are fresh and the only thing that matters from here on out.

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

18. New Orleans Pelicans 2017-18 record: 31-26

The Pelicans play at Smoothie King Arena and had a really scary looking mascot that still haunts me. What’s worse is they lost Boogie Cousins to an Achilles injury and Anthony Davis somehow thinks that with him, they could’ve made a run in the NBA Playoffs. It’s debatable, but what’s not is that NOP is clinging to the 8th seed in the West, but are likely to lose out. AD is stuffing the stat-sheet – 31.3 points, 12.2 rebounds and 2.1 blocks and shooting 42.4 percent from beyond the arc – but I’m starting to wonder when he gets traded to a real team.

19. LA Clippers 2017-18 record: 30-26

The Clips looked like they were ready to rebuild and tank when they shipped Blake Griffin out, but then they extended hot wingman Lou Williams and kept big DeAndre Jordan on the roster. What are they doing? They are probably too good for a high lottery pick, but they certainly aren’t good enough for a playoff spot, either. It’s no-mans land for the Clips, the worst place to be in the NBA.

20. Los Angeles Lakers 2017-18 record: 23-34

La La Land had been showing promise, winning four in a row, but then lost the next three before the All-Star break. Lonzo Ball gets back to activity soon (missed six weeks with a sprained MCL) and that should only help an offense that ranks 11th with 107 points a game and 9th in assists with 23.5. Plus, after the trade deadline they now have cap space in the summer of 2018 to make a splash.

21. Charlotte Hornets 2017-18 record: 24-33

Um, they aren’t that good and they have 120 million in contracts for next year already on the roster so that kind of sucks.

//widgets.sports-reference.com/wg.fcgi?css=1&site=bbr&url=%2Fcontracts%2FCHO.html&div=div_contracts

22. Chicago Bulls 2017-18 record: 20-37

Lauri Markkanen, 7th pick in the 2017 NBA draft out of Arizona, has had a promising rookie season, but has flown under the radar due to all the other talented rookie seasons. Markkanen is a sweet shooting big man, 7-foot, who is averaging 15.3 ppg on 43% from the field and 35% from deep.

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

23. New York Knicks 2017-18 record: 23-36

New York is still a little dysfunctional, even without Phil Jackson running the show. Last June, the Knicks drafted talented rookie Frank Ntilikina out of France. While young at the age of 19, he has length and vision, which means he has potential and needs to be developed. Instead of letting him give it a go, the Knicks traded for Emmanuel Mudiay who is a former lottery talent that Denver originally drafted. Mudiay is only 21, but you won’t find many fans of his game across the league. The Knicks also signed Trey Burke to let him run the second-unit, and admittedly, has been doing well. Guess what? None of those three guys mentioned have been the starting point guard of the season as that title belongs to Jarrett Jack, who is in his 100th NBA season.

24. Brooklyn Nets 2017-18 record: 19-40

The Nets play with heart, you have to at least give them that. Heart, however, doesn’t translate to wins as they’ve lost seven in a row, including 11 of 12. That won’t stop them from letting fly, however, as they shoot 35 threes a game, second to Houston. At least they have some good draft picks coming in soon. Wait…

25. Phoenix Suns 2017-18 record: 18-41

OAKLAND, CA – FEBRUARY 12: Elfrid Payton #2 of the Phoenix Suns reacts to a play against the Golden State Warriors on February 12, 2018 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)

I really like the idea of Elfrid Payton teaming up in the backcourt with Devin Booker for the Suns now. Payton, drafted 10th overall in 2014, was traded at the deadline for a second-round draft pick. His hair is consistently awesome, but his game is anything but consistent. However, his start with Phoenix is promising. Game one was 19 points, nine assists, and six rebounds. In game two he exploded for 29 points. In game three, he collected a triple-double: 13 points, 12 assists, and 11 rebounds. What’s even better is that he is shooting 57% from the field. Even a regression in that production will be beneficial in Phoenix moving forward.

26. Atlanta Hawks 2017-18 record: 18-41

Did you know Atlanta was originally named Terminus and Marthasville? Did you know that there are 55 streets in Atlanta named “Peachtree”? Did you know Atlanta is the only city in North America destroyed as an act of war when General Sherman burnt it to the ground? Yup, all true. Carry on.

27. Orlando Magic 2017-18 record: 18-39

If you were a fan of the Orlando Magic, I truly feel bad for you, son. You had so much promise with Shaq and Penny as the bright future to take you to the promise land and then that quickly dissipated. Next, T-Mac and Grant Hill were a duo on paper that was exciting. Dwight Howard came soon thereafter and gave you playoffs and a Final’s berth, but you still had to deal with Dwight-bola and his departure left you decimated. Now? You are in constant rebuild and get to rebuild around… Aaron Gordon? Cool.

28. Memphis Grizzlies 2017-18 Record: 18-38

Mike Conley is out for the rest of the season with a heel injury, which sucks for me since I drafted him onto my fantasy ball team. Marc Gasol and Tyreke Evans didn’t get traded to contenders so will make games respectable for the Grizzlies, but they need to tank and lose and just get this season over with. PS – remember Chandler Parsons? They still owe him 25 million a year for the next two seasons.

29. Sacramento Kings 2017-18 record: 18-39

Lol.

30. Dallas Mavericks 2017-18 record: 18-40

The All-Star break bore bad news for the Mavs organization as Sports Illustrated unveiled a history of a “hostile work environment – ranging from sexual harassment to domestic violence.” Women within the company felt victimized and powerless. Years went on and the culture continued, with allegations ranging from their CEO, Terdema Ussery, to their beat writer, Earl Sneed. It’s sad to hear these stories, sad to know these situations exist, and sad to continuously hear of women as victims. It’s not right. The Mavs are losing on the court and off it, too.

Playoff Picture

If the NBA Playoffs started today, this is how it would shake out:

 

You notice that Houston snags the #1 seed, which I don’t foresee actually happening at the end of the day. Likewise, I do think Utah takes New Orleans spot and Detroit gets in over Miami.

Things I like? Cleveland vs Milwaukee, which could really happen. Cleveland can’t climb higher but they may play seeding carousel to avoid the Greak Freak. On the West, I love the idea of a shootout with Golden State and Portland. Yeah, Portland would get swept again but think of all the threes! OKC and Minnesota would be extremely competitive so that would be a must-watch as Jimmy Butler and Russel Westbrook go at it at 100 MPH.

According to FiveThirtyEight, a website dedicated to stats, projections, and algorithms, here’s some playoff and record odds that are fun to stare at:

Awards That I Care About

MVP: James Harden. Not much to say here.

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

Defensive Player of the Year: Al Horford. The best defensive player on the best defensive team. Draymond Green has lost a step, Kawhi Leonard has lost an entire season, and Rudy Gobert was lost for a good chunk, too. Here you go, Horford, enjoy the trophy.

Coach of the Year: Brad Stevens. The hot start put him in the driver’s seat and if they can land the #1 seed, he could secure the honor. Steve Kerr has a really talented team and they aren’t as good as they could/should be, Mike D’Antoni won it last year, the Spurs are underachieving a bit. I guess Dwayne Casey deserves some love so I’ll amend my answer that whoever wins the East will win the COY.

Rookie of the Year: Donovan Mitchell. C’mon.

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

What do you think? What playoff matchup do you want to see? Who gets the vote for your awards? What team is overrated and underrated in the rankings? Plenty to comment about, so please do so in the comments section below. Let’s get back to playing ball!

If you like what you’re reading, sign up for my email list, follow me on Twitter @JazzJunkie12 or go like The Tortured Fan Instagram. As always, Go Jazz and #TakeNote. 

Leave a comment