Top 5 NBA Teams - December 11, 2014
The landscape in the NBA has clarified a bit as we approach Christmas - here's a look at some abbreviated power rankings through the first month and a half.
1. Golden State Warriors (19-2; 1st in Western Conference)
The Warriors entered the season with some question marks after firing head coach Mark Jackson (121-109 in three seasons) in favor of first time head coach Steve Kerr. Kerr immediately helped eliminate those questions, streamlining the offense and minimalizing isolation plays on a team that had a prolific offense despite their over-reliance on one-on-one basketball. They've been missing David Lee, but it hasn't stopped them from stomping everyone in their paths on the way to the best start in the league.
2. Memphis Grizzlies (17-4; 2nd in Western Conference)
Their threesome of Mike Conley, Marc Gasol, and Zach Randolph has as great a combination of size, toughness, and skill as any group in the league. Unsurprisingly, the Grizzlies are again one of the sharpest defensive teams in the league. Tony Allen is regarded by many as the top perimeter defender in basketball, and Courtney Lee isn't a chump, either. Throw all that on top of the scoring abilities of Conley and Randolph, and the Grizzlies look primed to go deep in the playoffs.
3. Toronto Raptors (16-6; 1st in Eastern Conference)
Toronto has the second-most productive offense in the league, and that's without shooting guard DeMar DeRozan, who is out indefinitely. Kyle Lowry has proven to be a handful for opposing point guards, and although the team metrics don't necessarily flesh it out, Lowry's physical play has been a big part of their defensive success, as well. The eastern conference is so weak, as a whole, that Toronto has a good chance of securing the first seed, even without DeRozan.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers (13-7; 4th in Eastern Conference)
Let's be honest: in spite of their current record, we all know that Cleveland will be there in the end. Having LeBron James in and of itself is enough to make a deep run, especially in the east. Pile on a pair of All-Stars in Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving, and the Cavs have won eight in a row. They're becoming exactly what we thought they would be, and will likely be atop these rankings in the near future.
5. Portland Trail Blazers (17-5; 3rd in Western Conference)
There are a couple of teams that have probably earned a mention here, but Portland's combo of Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge make them too tantalizing to pass up. The Blazers boast a top-ten offense and a top-five defense, and all five of their losses have come against the tougher western conference, meaning that Portland has earned their 17-5 mark.