Our rankings are molded after Ric Flair's famous quote "to be the man, you gotta beat the man." The week's ranking are based solely on the week's results so if a lower ranked team defeats a higher ranked team, the two teams automatically swap rankings.
The Eastern Conference reigns supreme in this week's standings, with the Raptors, Bucks, and Celtics, which are the three widely considered as having the best odds of winning the Eastern Conference Finals, claiming the top 3 spots in the rankings. The Raptors and Bucks have been especially impressive, possessing the top two records in the NBA up to this point. (Side note: at least for this week, the Timberwolves have established themselves as the top team in the Western Conference, thanks to a huge road win over the Thunder.)
The New Orleans Pelicans are not as fortunate as the other teams mentioned. Despite having an MVP-frontrunner on their roster in Anthony Davis, they can't seem to pull together any wins, and are now in the Western Conference's cellar alongside the Phoenix Suns. The Charlotte Hornets are also showing how inconsistent they have been this year, taking the number 29 spot this week after being in the top 3 last week.
Here are the current NBA Power Rankings, as determined by Ric Flair's legendary quote, "To be the man, you gotta beat the man":
1. Toronto Raptors +13
(26-10)
2. Milwaukee Bucks -1
(23-10)
3. Boston Celtics +26
(20-13)
4. Minnesota Timberwolves +9
(16-18)
5. Houston Rockets
(18-15)
6. Utah Jazz
(17-18)
7. Indiana Pacers
(23-12)
8. Brooklyn Nets +13
(17-19)
9. Detroit Pistons +2
(16-16)
10. San Antonio Spurs
(19-16)
11. Atlanta Hawks +4
(9-24)
12. Chicago Bulls
(9-26)
13. Oklahoma City Thunder -9
(21-12)
14. Philadelphia 76ers +4
(22-13)
15. Washington Wizards +4
(13-22)
16. Memphis Grizzlies +8
(18-16)
17. Phoenix Suns -9
(9-26)
18. Miami Heat -16
(16-17)
19. Los Angeles Lakers -3
(20-14)
20. Portland Trail Blazers
(19-15)
21. Orlando Magic -4
(14-19)
22. Los Angeles Clippers +4
(20-14)
23. Dallas Mavericks +4
(16-17)
24. Golden State Warriors +6
(23-12)
25. Cleveland Cavaliers
(8-27)
26. Denver Nuggets -17
(21-11)
27. Sacramento Kings -5
(18-16)
28. New York Knicks
(9-26)
29. Charlotte Hornets -26
(16-17)
30. New Orleans Pelicans -7
(15-20)
Here at the ICT Zone, we rely on a satirical and unconventional ranking system. No analysis, no subjectivity, if a lower-ranked team defeats a higher-ranked team, then the two teams automatically switch rankings. After all, you're only as good as your last game.
The second man on our list of potential USMNT players is the 2019 MLS All Star Paxton Pomykal. We'll be breaking down his game and discussing what role he could play in the USMNT in these upcoming world cup qualifying games in September.
The Phoenix Suns will make the Western Conference Finals. Why? Because they have a complete team mixed with young talent and savvy veterans that plays unselfishly. Plus, they have the ability to match up against other contending teams in the west.
