Preseason/October Top 10 NBA Rankings

 Preseason/October Top 10 NBA Rankings

10.Pacers- The Pacers sneak into the top 10 with questions around other teams. If we knew how DeRozan would play in San Antonio, or where Butler was going or staying the Rankings would look different. However doesn’t change that the Pacers are contenders in the East. Victor Oladipo has shown last season he has the upside to be a top 5-20 player in the league if he puts the work in. They didn’t lose anyone but have also added Kyle Quinn, Tyreke Evans, and Cory Joesph which are great veterans presence. They brought Lebron James to Game 7 and I expect them to only improve. The Pacers will make sparks this season.

9.Nuggets- Denver finally has a team and a season to be excited about. They have a top backcourt in the league with it being young as well with Jamal Murray and Gary Harris. The Nuggets have one of the most slept on big men who is a top 5 center in Jokic. Last offseason they added Paul Millsap which seemed good but now it’s a fantastic move. One big pick up was having IT coming off the bench for basically nothing. If he comes back to form the Nuggets become really dangerous. They are taking a chance on Michael Porter Jr who has the tools to be great as long as he doesn’t get injured. The Nuggets are the real deal.

8.Jazz- The Jazz I know crazy they actually have managed to stay relevant after the 2016 season and Gordon Hayward departure. Well you have to stand and give head coach Quinn Snyder a clap. As he’s managed to build a team that fits his system which works. Utah has a surprising star in Donovan Mitchell who will only improve but hopefully not hit a Sophomore slump. Rudy Gobert one of the best defensive big man in the league is there, with the one of the best passing point guard in Rubio. They have Joe Ingles who can shoot the lights out, even play some defense has he outplayed Paul George last postseason. The Jazz should not be slept on but they have the potential to fade.

7.Lakers- The Los Angeles Lakers obviously had the biggest singing in Lebron James this offseason. That addition automatically makes you title contenders in the NBA. Especially since  their is a child out their that’s in the 4th grade that has never not seen James not in the NBA Finals in their life. Beside James they have their young core in Kuzma, Hart, Ball, and Ingram which have all shown great upside. Magic Johnson went out as well and grabbed veterans in Rajon Rondo, Lance Stephenson, and Javale McGee who all have playoff experience. The new look Lakers will be interesting to watch.

6.Thunder- The Thunder have only improved during the offseason, a top 3 offseason among top contenders. They have added Norris Noel for basically nothing which will give Steven Adams a partner down in the paint. It’s also a very good athletic player to add next to the most explosive guard in the league in Russell Westbrook. The biggest accomplishment which was bringing back Paul George for the long term. OKC has also added Dennis Schroder who is a starting level point guard but will be coming off the bench for the team. Giving Westbrook insurance which he’s never had. They finally get their defensive asset with Andre Roberson coming back from injury. Got rid of Carmelo Anthony’s contract which was crippling. The Thunder will make a run at the Finals this year don’t sleep on them.

5.76ers- The 76ers didn’t lose really anyone during the offseason but they may have gained someone. Philadelphia will finally have their first overall pick in Markelle Fultz. If you’ve seen any of the offseason workout videos he looks really good. If the 76ers can add a two way point guard they are much better then they were. The 76ers are young, very talented, and I expect them to make a big leap this season.

4.Raptors- The Raptors held the best record in the East going into the Playoffs. They were looking like last year was different, but after meeting their kryptonite in Lebron we saw that was not the case. So the front office saw what we saw and clearly thought maybe time for a change. They took on the backlash as the Raptors trade loyalist superstar DeMar DeRozan for bigger superstar in Kawhi Leonard. No matter what you have to say the team did get better by a lot with the addition of Leonard. Toronto had the best record in the East without DeRozan. The same team in 2018-2019  but with a top 5 player. The Raptors got better.

3.Rockets- Well last year the Rockets were the closet team to beating the Warriors. They brought the Warriors to Game 7, when the Rockets played Game 6 and 7 without their star point guard Chris Paul. They lost both those game, even missing 27 straight threes in Game 7. The offseason didn’t go their way as they lost two defensive players in that run in Trevor Ariza and Luc Mbah a Moute. They tried to replace that defensive presence with signing Tyler Ennis. Houston has brought Carmelo Anthony to help their offense. The Rockets got worse it seems but they are still a powerhouse team in the West and in the League.

2.Celtics- We have the Celtics at two because of how good they were in the playoffs without Irving or Hayward. Now they get both their stars back for the real playoff run. They have pieces like Jayleen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Al Horford who are either all stars or future all stars. The Celtics have the defensive center in Baynes, and a lock down defender in Marcus Smart. Remind you that if Irving does get injured again which he is prone to, they have Terry Rozier. Who really shined in last year playoffs. Lets not forget they have maybe the best coach in the league currently with Brad Stevens. The Celtics run last year was only a small showing in what expect to come.

1.Warriors - Well they are back to back champs that for one is why they are one. They still have the greatest shooter of all time in Steph Curry, a top three shooting guard in Klay Thompson, the second best player in the world named Kevin Durant, and defensive star Draymond Green. So the gang still all here. They may have gotten rid of Nick Young and Javale McGee but they added maybe the best center in Demarcus Cousins. We expect the Warriors to still be in the deep playoff run once again.