Here at the ICT Zone, our power rankings are based on a very simple philosophy. "To be the man you gotta beat the man", if a lower ranked team beats a higher ranked team, then the two teams automatically swap spots regardless of results from prior weeks. After a few weeks off, we are back with week eight of the the NBA season.
The Grizzlies have been a volatile presence in our rankings so far this season, becoming the first team to occupy the top and bottom spots at some point. Despite having perhaps the frontrunner for Rookie-of-the-Year in Ja Morant, the Grizzlies have not been able to match up well against other teams. While surprisingly getting the number 2 pick in the 2019 draft helps move along the Grizzlies' timeline, they still have quite a way to go to be contenders in the West.
One team that has struggled of late is the Minnesota Timberwolves, having lost their past 5 games. Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins have been carrying the team, but their supporting cast needs to step up if they want to be a playoff team. Still, having 2 all-star-caliber players puts them ahead of other teams vying for one of the last spots in the Western Conference.
Teams that have been first: Sacramento Kings (1x), Houston Rockets (2x), Memphis Grizzlies (1x)
Teams that have been last: Memphis Grizzlies (2x), Golden State Warriors (1x), Minnesota Timberwolves (1x)
1. Memphis Grizzlies +29
(7-16)
2. Sacramento Kings +7
(10-13)
3. Milwaukee Bucks +2
(22-3)
4. Boston Celtics +7
(17-5)
5. Detroit Pistons +23
(10-14)
6. Miami Heat -2
(18-6)
7. Los Angeles Lakers -5
(21-3)
8. Los Angeles Clippers +2
(18-7)
9. Houston Rockets -8
(15-8)
10. San Antonio Spurs +17
(9-14)
11. Indiana Pacers -3
(15-9)
12. Oklahoma City Thunder +4
(11-12)
13. Charlotte Hornets +10
(10-16)
14. Utah Jazz +15
(13-11)
15. Brooklyn Nets
(13-10)
16. Portland Trail Blazers +6
(10-15)
17. Philadelphia 76ers
(18-7)
18. Orlando Magic -12
(11-12)
19. Atlanta Hawks -1
(6-18)
20. Phoenix Suns -7
(11-12)
21. Washington Wizards -2
(7-16)
22. Denver Nuggets -19
(14-8)
23. Golden State Warriors -3
(5-20)
24. New Orleans Pelicans -12
(6-19)
25. Toronto Raptors -4
(16-7)
26. Dallas Mavericks -19
(16-7)
27. New York Knicks -4
(4-20)
28. Cleveland Cavaliers -2
(5-18)
29. Chicago Bulls -5
(8-17)
30. Minnesota Timberwolves -16
(10-13)
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