Western Conference Power Rankings: Early-January Edition
1. Golden State Warriors (28-7) — prev. rank #1
New year, same Warriors! Winning in Utah without Draymond was one of the most impressive wins of the season for Golden State who already has a long list of such victories. The Warriors defense, IQ and ball-movement remain unmatched.
Even when he’s not making a ton of 3s, Steph forever has the controls of the game in his hands.
It really is getting to that point, ya’ll… We trust Andrew Wiggins! It’s only because he plays for the Warriors, but he’s put in the work and the results speak for themselves.
Otto Porter Jr. has had some big games on the biggest stage, showing out in the clutch in Phoenix on Christmas and in Utah on Saturday night. Not afraid of the moment, just like Iggy who can still knock down dagger 3s.
We all want to know when Klay will make his grand return. They have said it will be a home game but not tonight against the Heat. Next is a two-game roadie @Dallas and @New Orleans, so the next chance would be Sunday, January 9th vs. the Cavs which is followed by four more away from the Bay: @Memphis, @Milwaukee, @Chicago and @Minnesota. If it’s not Sunday, the next home game isn’t until Tuesday, January 18th against the Pistons.
2. Phoenix Suns (28-8) — prev. rank #2
The Suns 5-game win streak came to a Golden State halt on Christmas. Then it was Ja Morant’s game-winner and a New Year’s Eve loss in Boston. But there they were on Sunday night, the same old Suns, scorching hot in Charlotte.
The Phoenix defense has remained strong all season, holding steady in the top-5 even without Ayton. Mikal Bridges is a big reason why. He’s played every game this season. And so has Chris Paul!?
Dare we say it? Devin Booker is heating up. Book missed some time, but he is back now and the same ole Book. Cookouts with Book!!
Did you see that Jalen Smith power dunk?! The Suns must be encouraged from what they have seen from the lottery pick after previously not seeing much from Smith at all.
Chris Paul and possibly Monty Williams (protocols) are back in New Orleans on Tuesday night for some smoothies. Two games at home against the Clippers and Heat, then it’s a 5-game roadie, going up north and then back down south: @Toronto, @Detroit, @Indiana, @San Antonio and @Dallas.
3. Utah Jazz (26-10) — prev. rank #3
The Jazz had very arguably the best December in the NBA, a 12-2 record with the #1 offense by a wide margin and the 6th-best defense. There was the 8-game winning streak, two losses at home to the Spurs and Wiz on a back-to-back, and then another 6-game winning streak before running into the Warriors on the first night of 2022.
Utah is usually known for it’s record at home, however, this season the Jazz have been killing it on the road, 12-3, the 2nd-best road record in the league behind only Brooklyn.
Donovan Mitchell keeps getting better with the ball in his hands, fueling the Jazz offense when it’s humming at its best and bailing them out as the fail-switch when he’s needed late.
The Jazz are 17-5 with Rudy Gay in the lineup.
A five-game roadie begins tonight for the Jazz: @New Orleans, @Denver, @Toronto, @Indiana and @Detroit.
4. Memphis Grizzlies (23-14) — prev. rank #4
Since Thanksgiving, the Grizz have put together two 5-game winning streaks and they are looking for a third: Memphis has currently won 4 in a row, including Ja’s game-winner in Phoenix and another double-digit comeback win against the Lakers.
Ja has been flat-out sensational, scoring 33 against the Suns, 41 against the Lakers and 30 on the Spurs. The Legend of Ja Morant grows every day.
Out of all high-volume 3-point shooters who have attempted at least 250 3-pointers this season, Desmond Bane has the 2nd-best percentage at 41.3 percent on 6.8 attempts per game, trailing only Patty Mills.
Due to the protocols (Dillon Brooks and De’Anthony Melton currently), the Grizz have been flexing their depth and getting solid contributions from John Konchar and Killian Tillie. Previously on a two-way contract, Tillie has just been rewarded with an official two-year deal.
Five wins in a row for a third time is going to have to come at the hands of the motivated Brooklyn Nets at Barclays tonight. The Nets are fresh off losing to shit-talking Embiid’s 76ers and the replacement Clippers. A Grizz rematch with the Lakers looms at the Cryp next Sunday, followed by a showdown with the Warriors in Memphis on Tuesday, January 11th.
5. Denver Nuggets (18-16) — prev. rank #5
The Nuggets really have no business being this good, but then again: anything is possible with Jokic.
After the win against the Warriors, the Jokic MVP buzz started buzzin’ again. The advanced numbers really are NUTTY. His on-off differential is 25.5!
Speaking of nutty stats: Denver’s offense over the past two weeks has been a very surprising 27th. But the Denver defense has been 2nd over that same span. What.
Facu Campazzo has been lighting up the highlight reels with his passing lately. Campazzo and Jokic are a helluva passing duo, offering up hilarious dimes night in and night out.
Denver finishes up their Texas two-step tonight at Dallas. Then it’s back to Mile High for two against the Jazz and Kings and then back on the road to take on OKC and the Clippers. The Nuggs get 6 in a row at home after that.
6. Los Angeles Lakers (19-19) — prev. rank #6
It wasn’t pretty there for about a solid week up to Christmas, but things are looking up after that 5-game losing streak. Especially if you are focusing on how incredible it is that LeBron James is once again playing at the top of his game.
We try to give Westbrook the benefit of the doubt more and more, because dammit if we aren’t rooting for him now more than ever. Why not? And yet, these turnovers, man!?
Lakers Melo is still the very best Melo. The Lakers savior.
DeAndre and Dwight can’t get no minutes no mo. LeBron at the 5 has been the rage, but the T-Wolves were all over the glass Sunday night.
Three more at the Cryp: Kings, Hawks and Grizzlies, then a mini-jump to Sacramento and Denver. The Lakers owe the Kings for that triple-OT game on Black Friday. The Lakers owe the Grizz for not one, not two, but three blown leads, the most recent was just last week: Morant’s 41-point virtuoso performance.
7. Dallas Mavericks (18-18) — prev. rank #8
The Don is back after missing 10 games. (The Mavs went 5-5 without Luka.) A casual 14-10-9 Luka stat-line in a win vs. OKC is a good sign the Mavs will continue to Mav.
Are people talking enough about how much better the Dallas defense has been? Top-5 in the NBA during December, coinciding with… those 10 games that Luka missed.
Jalen Brunson took over the offense, and he took that opportunity and ran with it.
Porzingis has missed a couple of games here and there, but when he’s been playing he’s been killing it, especially compared to last season. The averages are the same when you look at the numbers, but as the old saying goes: availability is sometimes the best ability.
The Mavs host the Nuggets, Warriors and Bulls this week, games that we have circled on the calendar, because it’s great to have Luka back and we missed watching him play. Also looking forward to watching him at MSG and taking on Ja Morant in Memphis.
8. Los Angeles Clippers (19-18) — prev. rank #7
If you thought the Clippers were going to be toast without Paul George (torn ligament in his right elbow, to be re-evaluated in 3-4 weeks), you are not alone. But the Clippers are not only keeping their heads above water, they are winning ball games! On the road in Boston and at Barclays vs. the Nets?? Yup!!
Marcus Morris was handling a good bit of the heavy lifting, scoring over 20 points in five consecutive games that he played. But Morris Sr. did not play against the Nets, and it was *checks notes* Eric Bledsoe who led the way with 27 points, including 4-of-6 from 3.
Bledsoe was the high-man, however, Terrance Mann was the guy who hit the biggest shot to ice the game. One benefit from being down so many players is Mann being forced to blossom into a bigger role, something we have felt he’s more than capable of.
There has also been a caffeination situation going on here: Amir Coffey is getting big minutes and playing quite well. And you might want to familiarize yourself with Xavier Moon.
The Clippers head back to LA for just one tonight against the T-Wolves who are on the second night of a back-to-back. Then it’s a one-off to Phoenix and back to the Cryp for three: Grizzlies, Hawks and Nuggets.
9. Minnesota Timberwolves (16-20) — prev. rank #9
It happened most everywhere and it definitely happened in Minnesota: guys were in and out of the lineup like crazy. The T-Wolves went 5-9 in December and have lost 5 out of the last 6 games.
Ant-Man is back now, but KAT and D-Lo were out for the Lakers game Sunday night. The Wolves still gave the Lakers a fight. Naz Reid was all over the boards.
Let’s not be quick to forget the 38 points that Ant dropped on the Nuggets in Denver. Ten 3s in a game, dawg.
You know who’s been taking advantage of an opportunity to show us something? That would be Jaylen Nowell. Big Tymah is listed on his Basketball-Reference page. Works for us.
It’s the ole LA back-to-back, back at the Cryp tonight against the Clips. Then it’s a home-and-home with OKC before heading further south: @Houston, @New Orleans and @Memphis.
10. Sacramento Kings (16-22) — prev. rank #10
And just like that: the Kings have pulled us back in thanks to yet another buzzer-beater (Chimezie Metu this time) and one of the best wins of the Sacramento season on Sunday afternoon against a really good Heat team.
Haliburton keeps getting better, not only leading the Kings in points for 7 out of 9 games but also leading the team in assists every night for 10 straight.
Buddy Buckets has had some heaters: 7-of-9 from 3 against the Spurs and six 3s against the Warriors.
Fox has had some off games recently, but he’ll still show up in big moments. And he had some really great games before he went out in the protocols.
The Kings take a dip in LA on Tuesday night, a date with the Lakers. Then it’s back to the Sac for the Hawks and a quick Denver-Portland 1-2 skip before a 4-game home stint.
11. San Antonio Spurs (14-21) — prev. rank #12
The Spurs were on a 3-game winning streak, but that’s been followed up with a 3-game losing streak, including falling to the lowly Detroit Pistons. Yet the Spurs have still turned the ship around from the 4-13 start to the season, and they have actually been top-10 in offense (8th) and defense (3rd!?) over the last two weeks.
Dejounte Murray has been getting all the buzz (and rightfully so!), but Keldon Johnson deserves some more love. Keldon is shooting a sparkling 44.9 percent from 3 (!!) on 3.5 attempts per game.
Speaking of sharp-shooters: Bryn Forbes (42%) and Doug McDermott (41%) are above the forty-mark. And of course San Antonio is nearly last (29th) in attempts per game once again.
Derrick White actually hasn’t made it above 30 percent from 3 yet, but he is averaging a career-high 5.6 assists per game.
The Spurs have five more games on their current 7-game roadie: @Toronto, @Boston, @Philly, @Brooklyn and @MSG before returning to San Antonio for a 7 games at home.
12. Portland Trail Blazers (13-22) — prev. rank #11
A Happy Holidays it was not for Blazers fans. A 2-11 record in December is bad enough, but nine of those losses were by double-digits and getting smacked by 33 on New Year’s Eve by LeBron and the Lakers was [rock bottom].
Somehow the Blazers defense has regressed? A season-long rating of 115.1 has been 131.8 over the last 2 weeks. (The Rockets are the only defense in the league that’s been worse and just by a hair.)
The “good” news is that Dame has been finding his stroke, five games with over five made 3s in the last two weeks. But if the losing continues, it’s going to be a lost season for Portland and you have to wonder if both sides are beginning to wonder…
There is some actual and serious good news: CJ McCollum’s lung has fully healed and he should be returning to the court sooner rather than later.
The Blazers begin 2022 back at Moda for four: Hawks, Heat, Cavs and Kings. Then they pack their bags again for a six-game roadie. Portland is 6-14 on the road this season.
13. New Orleans Pelicans (13-23) — prev. rank #14
Soo the Pelicans have won 5 out of the last 7 games!? It’s true, and New Orleans is 4.5 games out of the play-in. So you’re saying there’s a chance!?
In games that Brandon Ingram does not play or does not score at least 20 points, the Pelicans are 3-17. When Ingram plays and scores 20+, the Pellies are 10-6.
Valanciunas has been in the protocols which is a problem because the Pelicans defense without Valanciunas is like trying to eat dinner without silverware. The good news is it sounds like he’s available for tonight the Jazz. The Pels could probably use him against Gobert.
The Pelicans bench remains dreadful: 3rd to last in net rating in front of only the Pistons and Magic. Not good company.
It’s an upcoming Western Conference murderer’s row: Jazz, Suns and Warriors. Then a quickie up to Toronto and back to Nola for the T-Wolves and Clippers, two teams the Pels have beaten this season.
14. Oklahoma City Thunder (13-23) — prev. rank #15
Folks, Sam Presti isn’t sleeping as good at night anymore. This space is always a barometer of how good Sam Presti is sleeping at night. The Thunder are winning far too many games for the tank, but like last year: there could still be time.
No SGA in the lineup on Sunday night vs. the Mavs meant Josh Giddey would become the youngest player in NBA history to record a triple-double. A remarkable line, too: 17-14-13. Almost as nice as his hair.
For a few games, the Thunder were deep in the well of the WHO HE!? segment, and when you are already the Thunder to begin with, you are reaching for the sky for the Olivier Sarr’s, Vit Krejci’s and Rob Edwards’ of the world. And shoutout Scotty Hopson!
It might surprise you to know that the Thunder have the 4th ranked defense over the last two weeks. They have made it up to 14th on the season. The offense? Only better than the Pistons.
A home-and-home with the Wolves awaits. Then it’s Denver at home, followed by a trip to DC and Brooklyn.
15. Houston Rockets (10-27) — prev. rank #13
The Rockets winning ways have fizzled out, losing 11 out of the last 13 games, and now there is drama.
The latest KPJ incident is a bummer, and Christian Wood also is up to no good. Both have been suspended for tonight’s game in Philly. Hopefully it’s salvageable, unlike Antonio Brown.
Rockets fans swear that the previous winning had nothing to do with Jalen Green being out of the lineup. We understand where they are coming from, and that certainly wasn’t the only change that occurred, but it’s getting harder and harder to ignore the fact that the Rockets record with Green is 2-20 and his plus-minus this season is -267. Either way, we still Stan his game!
A feel-good Rockets story is Garrison Matthews a.k.a. Gary Bird getting a real contract after betting on himself. Oh, and Eric Gordon is still shooting 44.7 percent from 3 on 5.2 attempts per game. Ca$h in those chips!
The Rox have a two-game road trip up to Philly and D.C., then it’s back to H-Town for two against the Mavs and T-Wolves preceding a five-game Western Conference roadie.
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