NBA Power Rankings (11/29/21)

The Basketball Movement has created NBA power rankings to ensure you know which teams are the best of the best. Records, winning streaks, and injuries to star players will all be factors, but teams also need to pass the eye test. We have a few guys around here with an eye for basketball, after all.

Below are the top 15 squads right now in the National Basketball Association:

1. Phoenix Suns (17-3)

The race for number one on our rankings is tight. Golden State could easily take the spot, but Phoenix earns the honor due to their ridiculous 16 game winning streak. The Suns had a few clinkers early in the season but figured things out in a hurry. Chris Paul has yet to lose a step, the role players are stepping up, and Devin Booker has been cooking through this impressive stretch. Add in smothering D, and you have the best team in the NBA.

2. Golden State Warriors (18-2)

Media members liked the Warriors to have a bounce-back season with role players gaining a year of experience and Klay Thompson on the mend. However, not many predicted that the Golden State would be arguably the best team in the league before Thompson even touched the court. Curry has the looks of an MVP, and the surprisingly dominant defense has carried the Dubs to the NBA’s best record. Thompson and James Wiseman are set to get a few G-League reps and will only improve this already elite team upon their return.

3. Brooklyn Nets (14-6)

With James Harden having made adjustments to new officiating practices, he is back to his old self, scoring and facilitating at an elite level. There is no Kyrie Irving in sight, but Brooklyn is still the top team in the Eastern Conference. Patty Mills and the other guards have filled in admirably, while LaMarcus Aldridge’s return from his early retirement has also been an excellent scoring source for Brooklyn. Oh, and Kevin Durant is very, very good.

4. Milwaukee Bucks (13-8)

We take the eye-test into account in these rankings, which means that records and statistics do not tell the whole story, in our opinion. Milwaukee got off to a sluggish start, something that is not unusual for the reigning championship team. However, Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks have found their fire of late and are currently on a seven-game winning streak. There is no reason this team should not finish right at the top with Brooklyn when the regular season is over.

5. Miami heat (13-7)

The Heat have cooled off from their hot start this year but still have the talent and the competitive drive to keep them high in our rankings. That drive comes from Jimmy Butler, who has a case for MVP consideration should he help Miami finish in the top three or four of the Eastern Conference standings. In addition, Kyle Lowry and Bam Adebayo have helped keep the team elevated defensively, and Tyler Herro has found his groove as a pro. So look for Miami to keep up the good work.

6. Utah Jazz (13-7)

Utah has been a strong regular-season team for multiple years. WIth one of the best defenders in the league, Rudy Gobert holding down the paint, it has been a surprise that they cannot translate their success to playoff hoops. That said, Donovan Mitchell is having a stellar season, and the otherwise balanced attack of the Jazz has them looking sharp. Could this finally be their year in a relatively weak Western Conference?

7. Chicago Bulls (13-8)

One of the most pleasant surprises early in the season, Chicago has been a bit more pedestrian of late, winning five of their last ten games. However, their record is still good for fifth in the East, and there is no reason to think they will not stick around that spot all season. DeMar DeRozan and Lonzo Ball have acclimated quicker than expected alongside Zach Lavine and Nikola Vucevic and have the offense humming along. In addition, bald Mamba Alex Caruso has been a steals machine and an excellent fit for the team.

8. Washington Wizards (13-7)

We are just as surprised as you are. Even with Bradley Beal missing a few games and shooting a poor percentage when he does play, the Wizards have remained a winning team. They are 9-1 at home and are early in a road-heavy stretch, so the next few weeks will establish whether or not this surprising squad is for real. No Westbrook? No problem.

9. Charlotte Hornets (13-9)

For the first time in a long time, the Eastern Conference is looking better than the Western Conference, even with the Knicks and Hawks playing sub-par hoops. The Hornets, however, seem to be a team on the rise, winning eight of their last 10. Gordon Hayward has remained healthy, but LaMelo Ball has been the star, taking excellent steps in his sophomore season across the board. The health of Hayward and the consistency of their less experienced players will be the key to keeping up their current trajectory.

10. Atlanta Hawks (11-10)

Just over .500, Atlanta has had a decent stretch of games but has not quite lived up to expectations so far. However, Trae Young and John Collins have been playing well, so if they can get more consistent wing play, they should elevate in the standings and get back to the form we caught glimpses of in the playoffs last year.

11. Los Angeles Clippers (11-9)

Despite not having Kawhi “The Klaw” Leonard, the Clippers have boasted one of the league’s best defenses this season. That will only improve once Nic Batum returns from his COVID-related absence. All credit, though, is due to a locked-in Paul George, who has been the elite two-way player that we have come to expect. LA will be hard-pressed to make a push in the standings with no Kawhi, but if they do, be sure to bring up PG13 in your MVP talks.

12. New York Knicks (11-9)

New York came out of the gates firing but have slowed down over the past few weeks. However, they are still talented enough to make a push and the season is still young. So, look for Julius Randle’s shot to start falling again and for Kemba Walker to only get more comfortable with his new squad. Alec Burkes has finally got his shot going, and the well-rounded team should go on some good runs soon enough.

13. Dallas Mavericks (10-8)

With the Nuggets and Lakers not playing their best basketball and Ja Morant set to miss several weeks for Memphis, the time for Dallas to surge in the Western Conference standings is now. The oft-injured Kristaps Porzingis missed some time, in which Dallas did struggle a bit to fill his unique role. The Unicorn is back, though, so he and Luka Doncic must put things together in a hurry and start stringing together wins.

14. Boston Celtics (11-10)

Celtics fans have probably been hoping that the Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown combo would have produced more wins by now. Tatum has been producing great individual lines, but an extended injury absence for Brown has hampered Boston’s production. Brown is back but has not quite returned to form over his last four games. Brighter days should be on the horizon for the Celtics.

15. Los Angeles Lakers (10-10)

The final spot on our rankings could have gone several ways. Memphis has looked strong, but a leg injury for Ja Morant means it could be an ugly next few weeks. Portland is clawing their way back to prominence after an ugly start but still do not quite pass the eye test. Philly has been skidding but now has Joel Embiid back and should make a push. All this to say when in doubt, go with the king. LeBron James has looked sharp, and Anthony Davis has been healthy. Those things alone mean the Lakers will remain a solid team and one to watch this season.

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