NBA Top 10
The NBA is two and a half weeks into the regular season, and the cream of the crop is starting to shine through. Let's take a look at the top 10 teams through the opening weeks of the campaign.
1. Boston Celtics
Yes, they did just lose to a team in Philadelphia that sits atop the Eastern Conference at the moment.
However, this could be the year when this core for the Celtics finally gets the job done. Kristaps Porzingis could very well be the difference maker in the playoffs that this team needed in years past when the stars got cold.
Porzingis is averaging 20.9 points per game on 55/41/83 shooting splits.
It is a small sample size, but the signs are there that this team is ready for a deep playoff run as they currently sit at number one in the league in net rating at +11.5.
2. Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets are essentially running it back with almost the exact same roster as last season, and the results through nine games are exactly what you would expect.
Bruce Brown leaving in the offseason for Indiana is the only hit this team took.
The offseason additions, Julian Strawther specifically, have shown promise. Strawther willed Denver to victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday. The rookie from Gonzaga scored 21 points in only 19 minutes.
Assuming this team stays healthy, there is no reason for them not to be back atop the West after 82 games.
3. Philadelphia 76ers
After opening the season with a one-point loss to Milwaukee, the 76ers have rattled off six straight wins to improve to 6-1 to start the year.
Joel Embiid is averaging 31.7 points through the opening seven games as he looks to become the third player to win back-to-back MVP awards since 2018 (Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic).
With Tyrese Maxey attempting 19 shots a game, the most in his career, Philadelphia is poised to make some noise in the east as some of the weight will be lifted off the shoulders of Embiid.
4. Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota has cemented itself as the best defense in the NBA through their first seven games.
With a 100.4 defensive rating, the T-Wolves stand alone atop the NBA in that category, and it is quite easy to see why.
There were some eyebrows raised by fans when Jaden McDaniels inked a five-year deal worth $136 million right before the season started, but he has continued to show why he deserved every penny of the contract as he, alongside a stout defensive unit, has shut down opponents night in and night out.
5. Milwaukee Bucks
Things have not looked perfect for the Bucks through the opening eight games of the year, but the talent is obviously still there.
There is still plenty of time for Milwaukee to get things going like they had hoped when they acquired Damian Lillard.
The offense still ranked eighth in the NBA in offensive rating, but the defense sits in a measly 25th place.
The energy, effort and the loss of Jrue Holiday all could be playing a factor in the poor defensive showings, but there is reason for optimism as the Bucks still sit at 5-3 despite all of this.
6. Dallas Mavericks
Luka Doncic continues to dominate. Averaging over 31 points per game, Dallas is quickly out to a 6-2 start.
With Tim Hardaway Jr. (18.8 points per game) rounding out a supporting cast of Kyrie Irving and Grant Williams, there is nothing stopping the Mavericks from making a run in the playoffs.
7. Phoenix Suns
The Suns sit at 4-4, but it feels like a matter of time until Phoenix really gets it going with this talented core.
Bradley Beal played his first game with his new team on Wednesday, and the rust was apparent. Beal shot 3-12, but you could see some of the space that Beal opened up on the court despite not putting up his best numbers.
8. Los Angeles Clippers
It is difficult to put a 3-4 team in the top 10, but a roster featuring Kawhi Leonard, James Harden and Paul George deserves a grace period when getting off to a slow start.
Let Harden settle into his new role and good things will follow.
9. Indiana Pacers
Indiana has become one of the best teams to watch on League Pass on a nightly basis.
The Pacers are playing at the second-fastest pace in the association with the highest offensive rating in the league. When you combine those two, plus a 26th-ranked defense, you get a lot of entertaining games.
10. Oklahoma City Thunder
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is making his case for MVP early on.
The Thunder star tallied 43 points in a big win over the Cavaliers at home, and he did so with very efficient numbers (15/22 from the field).
SGA currently has the seventh-best odds to win NBA MVP at +1600.
Rocco Pellegrino is a first-year student majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email rdp5387@psu.edu.
Credits
- Author
- Rocco Pellegrino
- Photo
- SkySports