NBA Power Rankings (West, 15-9)
Only in a perfect world would one conferences worst team be as good as the other conferences 8th best team... looks like it's a perfect world,
15. Mavericks
There is a lot I love about this Mavs team. I love Dennis Smith Jr. (My ROTY Winner), I love Nerlens Noel's cheap contract, and of course I love Dirk. Unlike any other bottom feeder in the league, the Mavs have an identity, and a direction. That's already more than 6 teams in the East. Give it one more year, and this Mavericks team can be in the hunt once again, but first, tank and get Marvin Bagley. A trio of Smith, Bagley, and Barnes is nice foot forward.
14. Suns
Ugh, is there a more dysfunctional organization in the NBA? Yes, the Knicks. But the Suns are still one of the worst. The Suns were dumb not to trade for Irving, like REALLY dumb. Irving is a top 10 talent and just wow. I don't see much for this Suns team moving forward other than a shitshow. Lets hope Bledsoe can stay on the court, and Josh Jackson can play NBA ball. Booker is nice though, and if there is a diamond in the rough, it is him.
13. Pelicans
Honestly, I could see the Pelicans finishing as the worst seed. Only reason I won't put them there is because they simply have too much talent to finish last. Rondo is a nice addition, but Rondo-Holiday starting backcourt doesn't intrigue me one bit. Yes, we know thy have the two headed dragon of Davis and Cousins, but the league is not a big man league anymore. A team could compete for a championship with a mediocre center. *cough cough Warriors cough cough* Even if the team does gel well, they're going to barely make the playoffs, and Davis and Cousins won't settle for last. (If Cousins is even in NO by the end of the season)
12. Kings
The years of terrible management seem to be gone, and the Kings finally seem to be a sensible organization. They have a shit ton of young talent, and good veterans to guide them. One person to really look at here is Buddy Hield. In New Orleans, the ball wasn't running through him, and he was assumed to be another wasted draft pick, but after he gets traded he has the best second half of the season of any rookie. Add in Fox, Cauley-Stein, Labissere, and hell maybe even Giles. I like the direction of this team.
11. Lakers
LA, the time has come again where playing for the Lakers is exciting and the showtime is back. Lonzo is definitely the best all around player in the rookie class, Ingram seems to have finally found his groove, and Kyle Kuzma. Kyle. Fucking. Kuzma. I like this team a lot. I love the additions of Lopez and Caldwell-Pope, and most importantly I love Magic. LAL will do everything to their power to bring in George and Lebron, but even if they can't, this team is in a really good spot. At this point in the rankings, anybody can make the playoffs, and any team can win 50 games.
10. Jazz
Losing Gordon Hayward sucked. This team will not have the same dynamic with him in Boston. Rubio was great addition, Ingles seems to be a top tier 3 and D guy and Donovan Mitchell looks like the dark horse of the whole rookie class. But this team doesn't have the leadership without Hayward and that is what will prevent them from making the playoffs. Rudy Robert is a star, but he probably doesn't have the ability to lead this team to 50 wins. Who knows, we've seen more crazy things to happen.
9. Grizzlies
Man, this was tough. There are literally 6 six teams you can put in the 8 spot, but out of all of them, the Grizzlies have the least chance to make the 8. The Griz lost a lot of their core over the offseason. The core that guided them to somewhat of a ritual success. The Grizzlies type of play is now extinct in the modern NBA. But don't count them out, this team could be a 6 seed. I won't romanticize it because the depth isn't there, and Conley and Gasol can't be enough. Anything can happen.
