Chuddy's NBA Power Rankings: Week of February 19th

Welcome to the thirteenth installment of King Chuddy’s weekly NBA power rankings, and the first post-all star edition! As always, these rankings will fluctuate based on the team's performance during the previous week and any changes in personnel, health, schematics, or overall quality of play. These rankings are NOT predicting for the future, or used to determine odds of ultimately winning the title, they are just based on what the team has done recently and what is their immediate outlook. For example, most people would likely think the Lakers or Warriors have a much better chance of actually winning a title than teams like the Pacers or Kings, but they simply have not played better this season so the rankings reflect that. Think of these rankings as something more like the top 25 rankings in college basketball/football and they should make more sense. Feel free to leave your comments/opinions and tell me why I’m wrong, or why I am a genius. Without further ado…

1. Boston Celtics (43-12, Last week: 1) - Two massive wins over the Nets and suddenly this team is humming again. They’ve won 6 straight going into the break, and have opened up a 6 game lead in the East.
2. Minnesota Timberwolves (39-16, Last week: 6) - The Wolves had been treading water a bit, but ripped off 4 straight wins ahead of the break, including big ones at the Bucks and Clippers. They’re back up a game and a half in the West.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers (36-17, Last week: 2) - The Cavs have been the hottest team in the league for over a month, winning 18 of 20 and going into the break with a 2.5 game lead for the 2 seed. They’re also the healthiest they’ve been all year, and have a few months to get Mitchell, Allen, Garland, and Mobley all gelling.
4. Oklahoma City Thunder (37-17, Last week: 5) - After a pair of eyebrow-raising losses, the Thunder spanked the Kings and Magic, to roll into the break alone in 2nd place in the West. They should be able to add Gordon Hayward to the mix soon as well.
5. Los Angeles Clippers (36-17, Last week: 3) - The Clips looked like they hit a bit of a wall and needed this all-star break badly. It’s a reminder of how old this team is, and how imperative their health and stamina are to their goals. This was some much needed rest for them to gear up for the stretch run.
6. Denver Nuggets (36-19, Last week: 4) - The Nugs have been reeling a little bit, currently on a 3 game losing skid. It’s not a major cause for concern, but it’s a reminder there is no true juggernaut in the league. It will be interesting to see how much this team values pushing for home court advantage.
7. Phoenix Suns (33-22, Last week: 7) - The Suns have quietly gotten themselves all the way to within shouting distance of the top 4 in the West. That’s pretty impressive after their slow start. The moves they made at the deadline should actually really help shore up their depth issues.
8. Dallas Mavericks (32-23, Last week: 8) - The Mavs have ripped off 6 straight much needed wins and the additions of Gafford and Washington both look good so far. They’re going to need to keep it up to avoid the play-in in the crowded West.
9. New Orleans Pelicans (33-22, Last week: 9) - Much of the same is true for the Pels, who have been playing well and find themselves tied for 5th with the Suns. Even while winning, it feels like there is another level for this team to unlock that we haven’t seen consistently.
10. Los Angeles Lakers (30-26, Last week: 13) - Don’t look now but the Lakers are coming. They’ve won 3 straight and 7 of 10, and they’re now 4 games clear of the 11 seed and only 2 games back of the 8 spot. They look to be hitting their stride at the right time, much like last season. The addition of Dinwiddie should help too.
11. Golden State Warriors (27-26, Last week: 14) - Don’t look now but the Warriors are coming. They’ve won 8 of 10, and things are starting to fall into place. Draymond’s return has allowed Kuminga and Wiggins to play together. Podziemski has finally been promoted to the starting lineup, and bench Klay Thompson could be a problem. Never count out the heart of a champ.
12. Orlando Magic (30-25, Last week: 16) - I wish the Magic made a move at the deadline, but they’re so young it’s hard to blame them. They’re still a very good team, and have a real shot at the top 6, but likely not much more.
13. Sacramento Kings (31-23, Last week: 11) - The Kings have been solid, but it seems like everyone around them in the standings has been better than that. They’re going to need to step it up to avoid falling deeper into the play-in. Missing the playoffs would be a bit of a disaster after last year’s momentum.
14. Milwaukee Bucks (35-21, Last week: 12) - Talk about a lack of momentum. The Bucks head into the break losers of 2 straight, including a pathetic loss to Memphis. They’re now 3-7 under Doc Rivers and I’m not sure how much Gallinari is going to help.
15. New York Knicks (33-22, Last week: 10) - The Knicks are suddenly one of the most banged up teams in the league and they’re starting to hemorrhage losses, as they’re now up to 4 straight. As good as Brunson has played, they’re missing Randle and OG badly, and they’re now 10 back of 1st, and only 3 games up on the 7 seed.
16. Indiana Pacers (31-25, Last week: 15) - Things still haven’t totally clicked since the Siakam trade, but hopefully this break can allow Haliburton to finally shed his minutes restriction and these guys can start to ramp it up.
17. Miami Heat (30-25, Last week: 19) - The Zombie Heat just keep lingering, even without Butler, Rozier, RIchardson, and others they find ways to win, and despite everything they’re just a half game out of 6th. Delon Wright should be a really nice pick up for them too.
18. Philadelphia 76ers (32-22, Last week: 18) - Buddy Hield has looked good for them so far. But I’m just not sure what they are supposed to do without Embiid. If the big guy can’t come back soon, he may find his team squarely in the race for play-in tournament seeding.
19. Utah Jazz (26-30, Last week: 17) - The Jazz have lost 4 straight and it seems like some of the good vibes have left after sending out a few rotation players at the deadline. I think they can still make a push for the play-in, but it’s going to be tough with how well the Lakers and Warriors are suddenly playing.
20. Chicago Bulls (26-29, Last week: 20) - The Bulls are 4 games back of the 8 seed and 4.5 games up on the 11 seed. I’ve never seen a team more locked in to the 9/10 play-in matchup. Their comfort zone.
21. Houston Rockets (24-30, Last week: 22) - The Rockets have fallen and fallen fast. They’ve had health issues, but a lot of other things have caught up with them, and their early season success was probably at least a little fluky. This season will go down as a huge win for the franchise no matter what, but they’ve got an uphill battle to make the play-in.
22. Atlanta Hawks (24-31, Last week: 21) - The Dejounte Murray trade rumors have quieted, only for the Trae Young trade rumors to heat up. It’s hard to imagine this working out, as they seem destined to flame out in the play-in, and likely blow it up this offseason.
23. Charlotte Hornets (13-41, Last week: 28) - Here come the Hornets! Winners of three straight since shuffling the deck chairs at the trade deadline. They’re actually playing some defense now and have multiple guys who can shoot and handle the ball.
24. Memphis Grizzlies (20-36, Last week: 30) - Every time I try to quit them… It’s unbelievable how much this team fights and refuses to quit, regardless of who’s out there on the floor.
25. Brooklyn Nets (21-33, Last week: 23) - They could still catch the Hawks for the 10 seed, but they just lost back to back games, the latter by FIFTY, and saw their coach fired this morning.
26. Toronto Raptors (19-36, Last week: 24) - The Raps season has quickly become about watching the growth and development of the young guys. The biggest intrigue is whether they’ll keep their pick or send it to the Spurs (top 6 protected).
27. San Antonio Spurs (11-44, Last week: 27) - The Spurs have fallen into place as a bad team but far from the worst. They can still compete on any given night, and Wemby just gets better and better. He’s a legit star already and hopefully they are aggressive to get him some running mates this offseason.
28. Detroit Pistons (8-46, Last week: 25) - Ok, I was a bit hasty yet again on promoting the Pistons. But the young guys have played well enough to be able to see at least the semblance of something to build around. There is hope, yet.
29. Portland Trail Blazers (15-39, Last week: 26) - Things have gotten grim in Portland, but mostly they just need to get some guys back, as injuries have almost turned this into a Grizzlies situation minus all the grit and grinding.
30. Washington Wizards (9-45, Last week: 29) - The Zards assume their rightful spot at the bottom of the list. But they got a nice 40 burger from Deni the other night, so not all hope is lost!