The 2017-18 Season is here, and that means that I can prematurely rank all of these teams! Enjoy my thoughts as I racked my brain to rank each team. You can listen us dissect the power rankings (podcast coming soon).
Enjoy the initial rankings of the 2017-18 NBA Season!
1. Golden State Warriors
2017 Record: 67-15
Result: Won NBA Finals (4-1 vs CLE)
The Warriors are an easy favorite to win it all. I wish I had a different choice, but the Warriors don’t make it easy on us.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers
2017 Record: 51-31
Result: L, NBA Finals (1-4 vs GSW)
The Cavs have retooled for one more run. They are my easy favorite to play GSW in the Finals. If Isaiah is healthy come playoff time…I believe we could have a series.
3. San Antonio Spurs
2017 Record: 61-21
Result: L, West Finals (0-4 vs GSW)
The Spurs are the most consistent team in the league, but that title might belong to the Warriors soon. The Popovich era is now the Kawhi-era.
4. Oklahoma City Thunder
2017 Record: 47-35
Result: L, First Round (1-4 vs HOU)
My dark-horse team to get to the NBA Finals. I really like the additions of Carmelo and PG13. The most intriguing team in the league, by far.
5. Houston Rockets
2017 Record: 55-27
Result: L, Conference Semi-Finals (2-4 vs SAS)
The Rockets got a huge boost with Chris Paul, but are still lacking on the wings. Regardless, this team should win 50+ games and look amazing at times.
6. Boston Celtics
2017 Record: 53-29
Result: L, Conference Finals (1-4 vs CLE)
Total revamp of this Celtics team makes me question how good the chemistry can be right away. Still, adding Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward is always a bonus.
7. Toronto Raptors
2017 Record: 51-31
Result: L, Conference Semi-Finals (0-4 vs CLE)
This Raptors team is not getting a lot of love going into the season. They have a full season of Serge Ibaka now, and they’ve shown an ability to win regular season games.
8. Washington Wizards
2017 Record: 49-33
Result: L, Conference Semi-Finals (3-4 vs BOS)
The Wizards came close to 50 wins last season, and I believe this is the season they break through. I also expect John Wall to have an MVP-type campaign.
9. Los Angeles Clippers
2017 Record: 51-31
Result: L, First Round (3-4 vs UTA)
The Clippers might just be exactly the same team with Chris Paul. If Blake Griffin is healthy (an enormous if), he can be an MVP-candidate.
10. Minnesota Timberwovles
2017 Record: 31-51
Result: Missed Playoffs
The Minnesota Timberwolves are in the top 10 (for now). The addition of Jimmy Butler really adds some grit and scoring to this team, all while Karl Towns continues to grow.
11. Miami Heat
2017 Record: 41-41
Result: Missed Playoffs
Miami figured something out at the end of last year, and brought the whole gang back together. The Heat should be a playoff team, and I know i’m excited about Dion Waiters in prime-time.
12. Denver Nuggets
2017 Record: 40-42
Result: Missed Playoffs
Denver is a team on the rise. Nikola Yokic is one of the best young Centers in the game, and will carry this team to the postseason. I also expect this team to make a trade, probably involving Kenneth Faried.
13. Portland Trail Blazers
2017 Record: 41-41
Result: L, First Round (0-4 vs GSW)
I really like Portland’s chances, as long as they don’t play Golden State in the first round. Damian Lilliard is for real, and all Blazer fans hope Jusef Nurkic is for real too.
14. Milwaukee Bucks
2017 Record: 42-40
Result: L, First Round (2-4 vs TOR)
Look out for Giannis. I truly believe we will be witnessing something special from that man. He’s had a tough off-season, and I think he channels that into wins for the Bucks.
15. Charlotte Hornets
2017 Record: 36-46
Result: Missed Playoffs
Even though Nic Batum is out for a while, I still like this team. Kemba can do some things, and rookie Malik Monk can really shoot. Head coach Steve Clifford somehow still likes Dwight, so maybe that is a bonus.
16. New Orleans Pelicans
2017 Record: 34-48
Result: Missed Playoffs
The Pelicans. What to do with this team. You would think a team with Anthony Davis and Demarcus Cousins could figure it out. They just don’t have much else, but I have high hopes in the twin towers 2.0.
17. Memphis Grizzlies
2017 Record: 43-39
Result: L, First Round (2-4 vs SAS)
The Grizzlies are still in the same place as they’ve been for the last few years. An average NBA team that will win over 40 games. They still have Conley and Gasol, for now.
18. Detroit Pistons
2017 Record: 37-45
Result: Missed Playoffs
What is this team? I still don’t know, and we are in year whatever of Van Gundy. I do know this, if they didn’t play in the East, this team would be way lower. I want Andre Drummond to be so much more than what he is.
19. Utah Jazz
2017 Record: 51-31
Result: L, Conference Semi-Finals (0-4 vs GSW)
The Jazz actually have a shot to move up. I don’t see much scoring from this team, but defensively they will be hard as hell to score on. If Rubio and Gobert can step up, who knows.
20. Philadelphia 76ers
2017 Record: 28-54
Result: Missed Playoffs
While this Sixer team is much improved, they still have a ton of questions. JJ Redick will provide veteran leadership and shooting, but how many games will Embiid & Simmons play together? (The count is zero right now).
21. Los Angeles Lakers
2017 Record: 26-56
Result: Missed Playoffs
The Lakers are trending in the right direction, but is at least a season away from truly competing. I do expect this team to battle and play much better. Very excited to see what Lonzo Ball has in store.
22. Brooklyn Nets
2017 Record: 20-62
Result: Missed Playoffs
I love what the Nets did in the off-season. I am a huge fan of D’Angelo Russell, and think he will be star for this team. Granted, this team stinks but I am excited to see then play.
23. Orlando Magic
2017 Record: 29-53
Result: Missed Playoffs
What is going on in Orlando? Sure they have Aaron Gordon. But what else? This team loves to draft two or three players that play the exact same position.
24. New York Knicks
2017 Record: 31-51
Result: Missed Playoffs
There will be no Ewing theory here, as the Knicks will K-stink without Melo. The training wheels are off Porzingis though, and that should be entertaining.
25. Dallas Mavericks
2017 Record: 33-49
Result: Missed Playoffs
While this may be the end for Dirk, it’s just the beginning (of the rebuild) for the Mavericks. I just want to see Dennis Smith Jr. dunk.
26. Sacramento Kings
2017 Record: 32-50
Result: Missed Playoffs
The Kings signed some nice veteran free agents, but I doubt they play the whole season. DeAaron Fox will be entertaining for a while, but George Hill plays the same position as him.
27. Indiana Pacers
2017 Record: 42-40
Result: L, First Round (0-4 vs CLE)
This team did the impossible! It turned Paul George into Victor Oladipo! Oh, that’s not good? Well, this is going to be a long season, Pacer fans.
28. Phoenix Suns
2017 Record: 24-58
Result: Missed Playoffs
This team has Devin Booker, and that is awesome. Problem is, he scored 70 points, and they still lost. They stink, but have some young talent. Time to trade Bledsoe.
29. Atlanta Hawks
2017 Record: 43-39
Result: L, First Round (2-4 vs WAS)
I clearly don’t think this Hawks team will do much moving forward. Losing Tim Hardaway Jr. was big for them. And when that is big, you stink.
30. Chicago Bulls
2017 Record: 41-41
Result: L, First Round (2-4 vs BOS)
Yikes. Lost Jimmy Butler. Replaced him with Zach LaVine, who is on one ACL at the moment. I hope he can recover, but that’s about all Bulls fans have to look forward to this year.
RosenthalSports.com 