2015-2016 NBA Power Rankings: Top Ten Teams
1) Golden State Warriors
Last Year’s Record: 65-17
How could the Warriors not be the favorites entering the season? They didn’t lose any important players this offseason after a historic year and title run. Steph is poised for another MVP caliber year, and the team seems to have a chip on their shoulder for the way the media and the league are disrespecting their championship.
2) San Antonio Spurs
Last Year’s Record: 55-27
LaMarcus Aldridge was the biggest free agent signing of the summer. It remains to be seen how well he will fit in Pop’s system, but it’s hard to imagine Aldridge not becoming Tim Duncan’s heir. Kawhi Leonard keeps on improving and provides the team with the necessary defensive versatility a championship contender needs. Expect this to be the Spurs’ final real run with the class Big Three.
3) Los Angeles Clippers
Last Year’s Record: 56-26
Losing DeAndre Jordan would have been devastating for the Clippers. Not only did they not lose anyone, but they also significantly upgraded their bench with the signings of Paul Pierce, Josh Smith, and Lance Stephenson. Expect Chris Paul to be in the MVP conversation at the end of the year. This could be the most talented roster in the NBA.
4) Cleveland Cavaliers
Last Year’s Record: 59-23
If the Cavs stay healthy, they shouldn’t have any problem returning to the Finals. IF is the key word. Shump, Kyrie and LeBron are all banged up. As spectacular as LeBron has been, there will be a time when we start to see him slow down. Kevin Love will be responsible for carrying this team throughout the regular season, and he will have to prove he’s really worth a max contract. Expect the Cavs to be a very up and down team throughout the season.
5) Oklahoma City Thunder
Last Year’s Record: 45-37
This is an important season for the Thunder franchise. If the Thunder play well and seriously compete for a championship with new head coach Billy Donovan, Kevin Durant will stay. If Durant and Russ fight on the court, Durant may very well leave. The pieces are there to contend. Any time a team has two top five players, they are a force to be reckoned with. Now, it all comes down to health and execution on the court.
6) Houston Rockets
Last Year’s Record: 56-26
The addition of talented but troubled Ty Lawson could be the major upgrade that the Rockets need to reach the Finals. Harden has a chip on his shoulder from not being voted last season’s MVP. Dwight Howard has to prove he is still a top five big man who can stay healthy. This team possesses a lot of depth, but losing Josh Smith hurts. They wouldn’t have beaten the Clippers in the playoffs without him. Expect Daryl Morey to make some more roster changes this season.
7) New Orleans Pelicans
Last Season’s Record: 45-37
After making the playoffs for the first time in the Anthony Davis era, the Pelicans, under new head coach Alvin Gentry, are ready to show the top echelon of the Western Conference that they are ready to take the next step. Anthony Davis is a special player, but the surrounding cast will determine this team’s success. Tyreke Evans showed his talent and much improved play last season, but he will miss the beginning of the season due to knee surgery. Eric Gordon will make or break this squad’s regular season record if he can bury threes and show off improved dribble penetration.
8) Atlanta Hawks
Last Season’s Record: 60-22
I believe in the Hawks. No, they do not have the most talented roster. However, they have a system in place that runs like the Spurs of the East. Mike Budenholzer is no joke. Players want to play for him. Paul Millsap could have made more money this offseason, but opted to stay with this team. Losing DeMarre Carroll hurts, but they will replace his energy with a healthy Thabo Sefolosha and Tim Hardaway, Jr. Expect this team to compete with the Cavs for the best regular season record in the East.
9) Memphis Grizzlies
Last Season’s Record: 55-27
The Grizz seem to be dying a slow death in the bloodbath that is the Western Conference. Their best players are becoming older, and they didn’t address their biggest issue this offseason: three point shooting. While the league plays at a faster and faster pace each season, it seems like the Grizz are stuck in the tempo that teams played with in the early 2000’s. Marc Gasol is a beast, but he needs to show more come postseason time. The Grizzlies have to make a trade for a guy that can hit big shots down the stretch if they want other teams to think of them as a serious threat outside of the regular season.
10) Miami Heat
Last Season’s Record: 37-45
The tenth spot came down to five Eastern Conference teams: Bulls, Bucks, Wizards, Raptors, and Heat. In what could be Wade’s last season as an elite threat in this league, the Heat will have to go all-in every night with a core of Dragic, Winslow, Whiteside, Bosh, McRoberts, and Wade. This season will be Eric Spoelstra’s hardest test yet. The roster doesn’t seem like it really fits, with Dragic playing up-tempo and Bosh and Wade used to a half-court offense. But if everything breaks right with this team, they have a deep bench and some guys who can hit the crucial shots down the stretch. The team still needs to add some three point shooting, but Pat Riley knows this team has the potential to knocks off the Cavs.
