The new NBA season has been underway for a little more than three weeks and by now almost all teams have played at least ten games – so time for a classification! NBA department head Ole Frerks sorts all 30 teams according to their performances so far.
Power rankings are always difficult snapshots early in the season and this is especially true in the current situation. The coronavirus is increasingly interfering with the season, has already led to four game postponements and affected other games, such as Philly’s duel with the Nuggets, in which the Sixers had to make do with seven players.
Given the uncertainty of who will and who will not be available when, it is also more difficult to assess the quality of the teams. The balance sheets in the regular season will be worth a little less in the end, rather it seems to be about just somehow making it into the playoffs, because there the cards will be reshuffled anyway – especially without any real home advantage.
Statistics and balance sheets should therefore be viewed with a certain degree of caution even during the season. However, the ranking tries, as usual, to reflect the performance shown so far and, if possible, the strength of the teams in the coming weeks. However, it is to be expected that there will be somewhat stronger fluctuations from month to month than at normal times.
So then let’s go for it!
Platz 30: Detroit Pistons (2-8)
Net-Rating: -5,7 (Platz 28)
Nobody expected miracles from the Michigan team and that was justified. In his new role as top scorer, Jerami Grant doesn’t seem nearly as lost as feared and Josh Jackson is a positive surprise, but the rest of the team is toothless, especially rookie Killian Hayes had massive problems before his injury. The development of Blake Griffin into a pure perimeter player also remains remarkable, but after the long break, the former superstar is far from back in rhythm. So nothing is to be expected offensively.
Platz 29: Minnesota Timberwolves (3-7)
Net-Rating: -9,3 (Platz 30)
The Wolves cannot yet be definitively assessed, after all, their best player Karl-Anthony Towns was only available in three games (two of which were won). Otherwise, however, what Minnesota is doing is bad; one blowout followed the next and Towns’ problems with the wrist are still not over. A particularly creepy statistic: Minnesota is in the minutes with D’Angelo Russell 25.6 (!!!) points per 100 possession of the ball worse than without him! No.1 pick Anthony Edwards shows his potential from time to time.
Platz 28: Sacramento Kings (5-6)
Net-Rating: -6,6 (Platz 29)
Somehow you already know the story: The Kings start the season fairly promising, the mood is good, and then a negative run starts immediately – and a player, or in this case his father, requests a trade from his son via Twitter. For real! The Kings would probably even like to give up Marvin Bagley, but his current performance is not enough for good offers. The same also applies to Buddy Hield (only 35.8 percent threesome). The positive story, however, is Tyrese Haliburton – the rookie guard is even better than advertised.
Platz 27: Toronto Raptors (2-8)
Net-Rating: -1,1 (Platz 19)
For the 2019 champions, there was almost nothing going on at the start. The new starting center Aron Baynes was stuck together with almost the entire bank in the form of a hole, the departures of Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka weighed heavier than feared. The biggest problem, however, is Pascal Siakam, who had to be disciplined by the team and was looking for his offense until a few days ago (now the arrow is finally pointing up). No team is worse in the half-court at the moment. It is also frightening that the Defense, which was so feared last season, is currently only in 21st place.
Platz 26: Chicago Bulls (4-7)
Net-Rating: -5,4 (Platz 27)
Especially on the LA trip, the Bulls earned a certain amount of respect and showed that they are clearly better offensively than in the previous season. Zach LaVine in particular had an excellent start into the new season and even without a real point guard and with several COVID-related failures, it is currently enough for an average offense, which is clear progress compared to the previous season. The defense, however … Rookie Patrick Williams is really fun here, but with a backcourt from LaVine and Coby White you give the opponent points even before tip-off (29th place).
25th place: Memphis Grizzlies (4-6)
Net-Rating: -2,9 (Platz 23)
Even before Ja Morant was injured, it had become apparent that Memphis would have difficulty confirming the strong preseason. This is currently particularly evident in the very weak offensive rating (27th place) – however, given all the failures, it is manageable. Memphis is looking to an exciting future, as Desmond Bane also seems to fit in seamlessly with the good draft picks of recent years. This season, the development of talents and the search for better spacing should be more in focus than the balance sheet.
Platz 24: Washington Wizards (3-8)
Net-Rating: -0,8 (Platz 17)
The offensive has to be very dominant in order to whitewash the defensive – that was the announcement before the season and it has been confirmed. Good offensive performances are not enough for the Wizards, even a 60-point game by Bradley Beal did not lead to victory. The defense is no better than last season and Russell Westbrook does not hit 40 percent from the field. At least there is this reason to hope: Russ and Davis Bertans can hardly stay that bad. Thomas Bryant is out the rest of the season; maybe that’s at least a chance for Moritz Wagner.
23rd place: New York Knicks (5-6)
Net-Rating: -5,1 (Platz 26)
Extremely weak odds of three of the opponents helped the Knicks a lot in the first few games, a regression towards the middle has already started and should lead to a further deterioration in their defense. Even offensively, it is already becoming apparent that the opponents punish the lack of spacing of the Knicks more severely. Nevertheless, New York is finally fun: Tom Thibodeau runs Julius Randle and RJ Barrett to the ground (1st and 2nd place in the minutes), so far it has mainly paid him back Randle – 23, 12 and 7 are also on a bad team All-star numbers.
Platz 22: OKC Thunder (5-4)
Net-Rating: -4,4 (Platz 25)
Nobody in OKC would have expected that they would still have a positive balance at this point – in contrast to the previous season, it should not last long. The offense (28th place) is too weak for that, even if Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to have fun even after the departure of all co-stars. Aleksej Pokusevski, who doesn’t yet look like an NBA player, has big problems. Veterans like Al Horford or George Hill are probably waiting for their trade. Lu Dort has apparently preserved his bubble shape and looks like a really good 3-and-D player.
Platz 21: Cleveland Cavaliers (5-6)
Net-Rating: -2,6 (Platz 21)
The Cavs had to play their last games completely without point guard, which may excuse the catastrophic offense (30th place). Because actually the team around “Sexland” (Collin Sexton: 25 PPG and 52% threesome; Darius Garland: 17 points, 6 assists) started the season very promisingly, even if five of the last seven games were lost. Impressive: Despite this misery, the Cavs Stand are still the best defense in the league! That was not to be expected and speaks for a less strenuous 20/21 season.
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