NBA Power Rankings - Who stands where?
Steph Curry and the Warriors are looking to start another winning streak.So now that the Golden State Warriors have lost a game, falling last Saturday to the Milwaukee Bucks, the real NBA regular season can begin. The Warriors are still holding down the top spot in the rankings, but the San Antonio Spurs have put the league on notice, with their continually improving offense, that they are right on the Warriors level. In the Eastern Conference, there are still 10 teams just separated by 3.5 games, meaning there is almost constant shuffling in the standings and we have to look deeper than record to see who is worthy to grace these very powerful rankings.We have one team, the Atlanta Hawks, dropping out, being replaced by the surprising Charlotte Hornets, who sport the seventh-best scoring margin in the league. The Boston Celtics, despite their impressive statistical resume are on the outside looking in at the Eastern Conference playoffs, and thus, my first team outside the power rankings, with the Dallas Mavericks, Orlando Magic, Detroit Pistons and Atlanta Hawks all right on their tails. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the rankings.
#10 Los Angeles Clippers
It might be weird to see the Clippers this low in any rankings, but right now, they are still looking to find the right mix of bench players to help their starters. Paul Pierce seems to be toast, to slow to play defense and not shooting well enough to make up for it. Austin Rivers is not good yet continues to play because there is no other backup point guard. Jamal Crawford hasn’t found his shot this year and Lance Stephenson seems to be Doc Rivers doghouse, though he has played more of late.
Josh Smith is the only bench player seemingly playing like the team thought he would. However, they still have two of the best players at their positions in Chris Paul and Blake Griffin, so they will never fall too far down the standings. They are 8-2 in their last 10 and seem to be playing better, hopefully sparking a run that can enter them back into the conversation of title contenders.