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. Welcome to week nine of the the NBA season.
After a disappointing season last year, the Boston Celtics are exceeding expectations during this current campaign. Currently occupying the second seed in the East by percentage points, Boston has the makings of a dangerous playoff team. Despite missing a key contributor in Gordon Hayward (who is now out with a foot injury), the Celtics continue to pile up the wins. If they can make a move for a legit big man at some point this season, the Celtics could be a sleeper pick for the Finals.
Like the Timberwolves, the Suns have slipped down the Western Conference standings after a hot start to the season. That's not too much of an issue, however, as they were never expected to realistically compete for a playoff spot. Devin Booker is having a terrific year, and Deandre Ayton's return following his suspension will help their chances if the desire is to pursue a place in the playoffs. The future of the Suns lies with those two young players, but it'll ultimately be up to the Suns' front office to surround Ayton and Booker with competent role players.
Teams that have been first: Sacramento Kings (1x), Houston Rockets (2x), Memphis Grizzlies (1x), Boston Celtics (1x)
Teams that have been last: Memphis Grizzlies (2x), Golden State Warriors (1x), Minnesota Timberwolves (2x)
1. Boston Celtics +3
(18-7)
2. Cleveland Cavaliers +26
(7-21)
3. Oklahoma City Thunder +9
(13-14)
4. Indiana Pacers +7
(19-9)
5. Miami Heat +1
(20-8)
6. Los Angeles Lakers +1
(24-4)
7. Milwaukee Bucks -4
(24-4)
8. Memphis Grizzlies -7
(10-18)
9. Chicago Bulls +20
(11-19)
10. Toronto Raptors +15
(19-8)
11. Brooklyn Nets +4
(15-12)
12. Denver Nuggets +10
(18-8)
13. Sacramento Kings -11
(12-15)
14. Utah Jazz
(16-11)
15. Charlotte Hornets -2
(13-18)
16. Washington Wizards +5
(8-18)
17. Dallas Mavericks +9
(18-9)
18. Orlando Magic
(12-16)
19. Los Angeles Clippers -11
(21-8)
20. Houston Rockets -11
(18-9)
21. Detroit Pistons -16
(11-17)
22. Portland Trail Blazers -6
(12-16)
23. New York Knicks +4
(7-21)
24. New Orleans Pelicans
(7-22)
25. Philadelphia 76ers -8
(20-9)
26. San Antonio Spurs -16
(10-16)
27. Golden State Warriors -4
(5-24)
28. Phoenix Suns -8
(11-16)
29. Atlanta Hawks -10
(6-22)
30. Minnesota Timberwolves
(10-16)
Guys, I am devastated. I let you all down last year. It was right under my nose that UConn would win the championship, but I missed it due to poor data collection. I began last year's prediction by saying a team with eight losses would win March Madness, and in listing all the teams that qualified, I somehow missed...
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A new season is upon us, and with it comes plenty of intriguing storylines. From massive traves and superstar uncertainty in the East to a West perhaps the deepest it has ever been, here is an early season NBA Power ranking.
