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)
It is time to throw away the American inferiority complex with its place in the sport, where many blindly claim that technique should come above all in choosing and developing the best prospects and that the U.S. is not an international power because it cares too much about athleticism.
Following last year's list of nine underground teams to watch, I bring the list back with eight new teams you need to follow. From entertaining amateur players to professional coaches revolutionizing the sport from behind the scenes, here are eight underground soccer teams to watch this season.
The Premier League is here and with that comes an uncountable number of variables and uncertainty from which teams will stay up to which teams will secure a Champions League spot. Here is a prediction of the premier league table from 20th to 1st.
