By Sam Morris
Sam Morris is from Madison Heights, Michigan, and is an undergraduate student at BGSU majoring in Sports Management. He has a passion for sports writing and journalism. In his free time, he also performs, writes, and produces his own raps for the music industry club at BGSU.
October 18, 2022
2021-2022 Season
Last NBA season ended with Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors winning the NBA title 4 games to 2 over the Boston Celtics for their 4th title in the last 8 years. It was also Curry’s first time in those 4 championships that he has won the NBA Finals MVP. The Celtics were denied their chance to break their championship tie with the Los Angeles Lakers as both teams have won 17 championships. There are many interesting storylines for this upcoming season including offseason trades, off-court drama, new head coaches, and potential future stars. The following article predicts power rankings from worst to best for each NBA team in the upcoming 2022-2023 season NBA that started on October 18th.
Ranking System
To make this power ranking as statistically accurate as possible, I have assigned a point value based on each team’s ranking. To get to this point value, the team’s 5 starters and 3 best reserves’ points per game (PPG), assists per game (APG), and rebounds per game (RPG) from the 2021-2022 season have been added up to get a total value for each player. These stats can be found on ESPN.com by clicking on each team and then going to their depth chart and selecting the individual player. For example, James Harden averaged 22.0 PPG, 7.7 RPG, and 10.3 APG last season so his total value in this power ranking is 40.0. The top 8 players’ values from each team were then added to create the team’s total point value for the power ranking which is displayed in italics next to the team’s name. Additionally, if a player was injured the majority or entirety of last season, then his value reverts to his averages from his last played season. If a team uses a rookie in their top 8 rotation this season, the rookie’s value will be given through his projected averages for this season. Below, each team’s portion of the power ranking will be a playoff prediction, the biggest takeaways of the team’s offseason, the team’s 2021-2022 record, and how many players they have in the top 100 in the league which was also calculated using the same point value system above
30. Indiana Pacers (143.9) 2021-2022 Record: (25-57)
– Top 100 Players: (57) PG Tyrese Haliburton (15.3 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 8.2 APG)
– Playoff Prediction: Miss
– Offseason Takeaway: Drafted Bennedict Mathurin 6th overall to help rebuild as they lack depth and defense after trading Sabonis to the Kings.
29. Utah Jazz (144.5) 2021-2022 Record: (49-33)
– Top 100 Players: (99) SG Jordan Clarkson (16.0 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 2.5 APG)
– Playoff Prediction: Miss
-Offseason Takeaway: The Jazz offseason was pretty simple, they traded away Donavon Mitchell, Bojan Bogdanovic, and Rudy Gobert to start a complete rebuild.
28. San Antonio Spurs (145.7) 2021-2022 Record: (34-48)
– Top 100 Players: (79) PF Keldon Johnson (17.0 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 2.1 APG)
– Playoff Prediction: Miss
– Offseason Takeaway: Drafted Jeremy Sochan 9th overall to help with shooting, will probably still be one of the worst Spurs’ teams Popovich has ever coached with very little firepower besides Johnson.
27. Houston Rockets (147.9) 2021-2022 Record: (20-62)
– Top 100 Players: (91) PG Kevin Porter Jr. (15.6 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 4.2 APG)
(71) PF Jabari Smith, Jr. (#3 Overall Pick – Auburn)
(66) SG Jalen Green (17.3 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 2.6 APG)
– Playoff Prediction: Miss
– Offseason Takeaway: Slipped to third in the draft after having the worst record, but still got their preferred prospect in Smith. Green and Smith should be a dynamic young duo on a team with little to no depth.
26. Oklahoma City Thunder (159.3) 2021-2022 Record: (24-58)
– Top 100 Players: (62) SG Josh Giddey (12.5 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 6.4 APG)
(32) PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (24.5 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 5.9 APG)
– Playoff Prediction: Miss
– Offseason Takeaway: #2 overall pick Chet Holmgren should make this team one of the more interesting and potentially dangerous young teams soon with Giddey and SGA in the backcourt; however, his injury will make this team even less of a contender than they already were in the loaded Western conference.
25. Charlotte Hornets (167.6) 2021-2022 Record: (43-39)
– Top 100 Players (56) SG Terry Rozier (19.3 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 4.5 APG)
(30) PG La Melo Ball (20.1 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 7.6 APG)
– Playoff Prediction: Miss
– Offseason Takeaway: Miles Bridges’ arrest has halted negotiations for a deal with the Hornets and will take a toll on this team that was trending in the right direction last season. Statistically, they still have one of the worst defenses in the league.
24. New York Knicks (172.8) 2021-2022 Record: (37-45)
– Top 100 Players: (77) PG Jalen Brunson (16.3 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 4.8 APG)
(51) SF R.J Barrett (20.0 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 3.0 APG)
(50) PF Julius Randle (20.1 PPG, 9.9 RPG, 5.1 APG)
– Playoff Prediction: Miss
– Offseason Takeaway: Barrett is coming off the best season of his career, but Randle regressed from his 2020-2021 comeback season. The Knicks brought in Brunson and his dad as an assistant coach to help in the backcourt but the chemistry between these three players will need time to gel.
23. Washington Wizards (175.0) 2021-2022 Record: (35-47)
– Top 100 Players: (58) PF Kyle Kuzma (17.1 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 3.5 APG)
(47) C Kristaps Porzingis (20.2 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 2.3 APG)
(23) SG Bradley Beal (23.2 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 6.6 APG)
– Playoff Prediction: Miss
– Offseason Takeaway: Beal resigned with the Wizards in the offseason which solidifies veteran leadership and skill for a young team otherwise. If Porzingis can stay healthy as their interior post player, the Wizards could make the play-in. However, that is a big-if as he has never played a full-season in his career.
22. Sacramento Kings (177.1) 2021-2022 Record: (30-52)
– Top 100 Players: (93) SF Harrison Barnes (16.4 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 2.4 APG)
(42) PG De’Aaron Fox (23.2 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 5.6 APG)
(33) C Domantas Sabonis (18.9 PPG, 12.1 RPG, 5.2 APG)
– Playoff Prediction: Miss
– Offseason Takeaway: Drafting Keegan Murray 4th overall could be an X-factor for the Kings’ front court that already has a rising star in Sabonis. Also signed Kevin Huerter and Malik Monk to help with depth. The Kings will likely improve greatly from their previous record but will have a tough time making the play-in.
21. Detroit Pistons (177.9) 2021-2022 Record: (23-59)
– Top 100 Players: (96) PF Bojan Bogdanovic (18.1 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 1.7 APG)
(85) SF Saddiq Bey (16.1 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 2.8 APG)
(73) SG Jaden Ivey (#5 Overall Pick – Purdue)
(49) PG Cade Cunningham (17.4 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 5.6 APG)
– Playoff Prediction: Miss
– Offseason Takeaway: Drafted Jaden Ivey 5th overall to create an explosive young backcourt with their previous #1 overall pick Cade Cunningham. Also signed Bogdanovic from the Jazz to get veteran leadership since their starting 5 is the youngest in the league with an average age of 23.6. Will likely battle with the Magic for the last play-in spot in the East and should be a very interesting young core in the following year as they also drafted center Jalen Duren 13th overall from Memphis.
20. Denver Nuggets (178.8) 2021-2022 Record: (48-34)
– Top 100 Players: (54) PG Jamal Murray (21.2 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 4.8 APG)
(1) C Nikola Jokic (27.1 PPG, 13.8 RPG, 7.9 APG)
– Playoff Prediction: Loss in the Play-In Tournament
– Offseason Takeaway: Murray and the extremely inconsistent Michael Porter Jr. will both be back from injuries this season and will need to help the 2021-2022 MVP Nikola Jokic to bolster this offense if they want to make it out of the play-in tournament. Additionally, Jokic is rated 1st on this power ranking in total value as he nearly averaged a triple double last season. His value alone is a 48.8, which would be 33.9% of the Pacers 143.9 total value as an entire team
19. Orlando Magic (180.9) 2021-2022 Record: (22-60)
– Top 100 Players: (97) SF Franz Wagner (15.2 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 2.9 APG)
(67) PG Cole Anthony (16.3 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 5.7 APG)
(65) C Wendell Carter Jr. (15.0 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 2.8 APG)
(53) PF Paolo Banchero (#1 Overall Pick – Duke)
– Playoff Prediction: Loss in the Play-in tournament
– Offseason Takeaway: Drafted Banchero #1 overall in the 2022 draft to go with their young core of Anthony, Wagner, and Suggs. They could make the play-in tournament this season and their talent is ahead of some of the lower-level teams in the Eastern conference. However, they are still a couple years away from being a contender if their young talent become stars.
18. Portland Trail Blazers (181.6) 2021-2022 Record: (27-55)
– Top 100 Players: (89) SG Anfernee Simons (17.3 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 3.9 APG)
(75) SF Josh Hart (14.9 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 4.1 APG)
(70) PF Jerami Grant (19.2 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 2.4 APG)
(68) C Jusuf Nurkic (15.0 PPG, 11.1 RPG, 2.8 APG)
(21) PG Damian Lilliard (24.0 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 7.3 APG)
– Playoff Prediction: Loss in the Play-in tournament
– Offseason Takeaway: Lilliard said he wants to be a Blazer for life this offseason. The Blazers also signed Jerami Grant and drafted Shaedon Sharpe 7th overall. They have a talented starting lineup but lack a true second star to pair with Lilliard, following CJ McCollum’s departure to New Orleans.
17. Dallas Mavericks (182.5) 2021-2022 Record: (52-30)
– Top 100 Players: (94) SG Spencer Dinwiddie (13.7 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 5.2 APG)
(39) C Christian Wood (17.9 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 5.3 APG)
(4) PG Luka Doncic (28.4 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 8.7 APG)
– Playoff Prediction: Conference Quarter final exit
– Offseason Takeaway: The Mavs got smoked by the Warriors in the Western Finals last year. Despite adding Wood in the offseason as a dependable double-double threat, they have lost both Porzingis and Brunson to lower-level Eastern conference teams in search of bigger pay days. Like Jokic with the Nuggets, Doncic will have to carry the team on his back until the trade deadline where hopefully owner Mark Cuban can maneuver a trade to obtain a second star like so many other western conference teams have.
16. Phoenix Suns (183.2) 2021-2022 Record: (64-18)
– Top 100 Players: (52) PG Chris Paul (14.7 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 10.8 APG)
(48) C DeAndre Ayton (17.2 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 1.4APG)
(16) SG Devin Booker (26.8 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 4.8 APG)
– Playoff Prediction: Conference Quarter final exit
– Offseason Takeaway: The Suns are coming off back-to-back seasons in which they have been the 1 seed in the Western Conference. They also were rumored to add Kevin Durant this offseason, but the deals fell through. Paul is going into his age 37 season and the depth around him and Booker has deteriorated with McGee, Kaminsky, and Aaron Holiday all on different rosters this season. They could make a run but need a consistent Paul to continue to play at an all-star level.
15. Minnesota Timberwolves (184.6) 2021-2022 Record: (46-36)
– Top 100 Players: (63) PG D’Angelo Russell (18.1 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 7.1 APG)
(43) SG Anthony Edwards (21.3 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 3.8 APG)
(35) C Rudy Gobert (15.6 PPG, 14.7 RPG, 1.1 APG)
(14) PF Karl-Anthony Towns (24.6 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 3.6 APG)
– Playoff Prediction: Conference Quarter final exit
– Offseason Takeaway: The Timberwolves traded multiple role players and draft picks to get Gobert so they will have one of the best rebounding and defensive teams in the league when he is paired with Towns. However, their speed, depth, and agility will all take a hit this season because of the trade.
14. Memphis Grizzlies (186.8) 2021-2022 Record: (56-26)
– Top 100 Players: (83) SF Dillon Brooks (18.4 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 2.8 APG)
(82) SG Desmond Bane (18.2 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 2.7 APG)
(9) PG Ja Morant (27.4 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 6.7 APG)
– Playoff Prediction: Conference Quarter final exit
– Offseason Takeaway: The Grizzlies lost De’Anthony Melton to the Sixers and as a result will be weaker defensively and in depth. The season’s success will depend on how much of a superstar Morant will become in his age 23 season and whether Bane and Brooks continue their upward trajectory. The Grizzlies are an unpredictable team as they could have a deep playoff run or get bounced in the quarters.
13. Los Angeles Lakers (186.9) 2021-2022 Record: (33-49)
– Top 100 Players: (45) PG Russell Westbrook (18.5 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 7.1 APG)
(19) C Anthony Davis (23.7 PPG, 9.9 RPG, 3.1 APG)
(5) PF LeBron James (30.3 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 6.2 APG)
– Playoff Prediction: Conference Semifinals
– Offseason Takeaway: Rated 0.1 point higher than the Grizzlies, the Lakers have the oldest starting lineup in the league with an average age of 31.2. LeBron said this offseason he wants to play wherever his sons play before he retires, so the Lakers may be on a short window to win another championship during LeBron’s tenure on the team. Westbrook will have to figure out how to blend his game with LeBron’s and Davis’ or he might be traded by the deadline.
12. Chicago Bulls (187.3) 2021-2022 Record: (46-36)
– Top 100 Players: (92) PG Lonzo Ball (13.0 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 5.1 APG)
(38) C Nikola Vucevic (17.6 PPG, 11.0 RPG, 3.2 APG)
(26) SG Zach LaVine (24.4 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 4.5 APG)
(12) SF DeMar DeRozan (27.9 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 4.9 APG)
– Playoff Prediction: Loss in the Play-in tournament
– Offseason Takeaway: Bulls signed Andre Drummond to help bolster their depth at the Center position. They have a lot of talent on the wings but will need their stars to stay healthy as Lonzo and LaVine are constantly getting injured.
11. Miami Heat (188.1) 2021-2022 Record: (53-29)
– Top 100 Players: (72) PG Kyle Lowry (13.4 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 7.5 APG)
(44) SG Tyler Herro (20.7 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 4.0 APG)
(31) C Bam Adebayo (19.1 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 3.4 APG)
(28) PF Jimmy Butler (21.4 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 5.5 APG)
– Playoff Prediction: Conference Quarter finals exit
– Offseason Takeaway: After Kevin Durant said he wanted out of Brooklyn, the Heat were the other major market team besides the Suns having talks with Durant during the offseason. While the Durant deal didn’t work out, they are still one of the most formidable teams in the East that has a lot of talented teams at the top of this power ranking. They would be higher on this list, but Lowry and Butler’s production will likely go down as they age, and their bench is not as great defensively as similar teams like the Raptors and Bucks; the Heat bench consists primarily of wing shooters like Duncan Robinson and Victor Oladipo.
10. Milwaukee Bucks (188.8) 2021-2022 Record: (51-31)
– Top 100 Players: (46) PG Jrue Holiday (18.3 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 6.8 APG)
(37) SF Khris Middleton (20.1 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 5.4 APG)
(2) PF Giannis Antetokounmpo (29.9 PPG, 11.6 RPG, 5.8 APG)
– Playoff Prediction: Conference Quarter finals exit
– Offseason Takeaway: The Bucks didn’t really make any offseason moves so they could get passed up by some teams that traded for stars, like the Hawks and Cavs . Antetokounmpo will likely continue to dominate and if Middleton and Holiday back him up like they did last season, they will be a top 10 team this year.
9. Toronto Raptors (190.3) 2021-2022 Record: (48-34)
– Top 100 Players: (100) SG Gary Trent Jr. (18.3 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 2.0 APG)
(95) SF O.G Anunoby (17.1 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 2.6 APG)
(60) PF Scottie Barnes (15.3 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 3.5 APG)
(36) PG Fred VanVleet (20.3 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 6.7 APG)
(18) C Pascal Siakam (22.8 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 5.3 APG)
– Playoff Prediction: Conference Quarter finals exit
– Offseason Takeaway: As mentioned in the Heat’s power ranking, the Raptors have an extremely deep bench that is good defensively with players like Chris Boucher and Precious Achiuwa. Adding Otto Porter Jr. from the Warriors only helps their depth even more. Their success this season will depend on whether last year’s rookie of the year Scottie Barnes can take his game a step up and if Siakam can continue his production.
8. New Orleans Pelicans (194.2) 2021-2022 Record: (36-46)
– Top 100 Players: (41) C Jonas Valanciunas (17.8 PPG, 11.4 RPG, 2.6 APG)
(34) PG C.J McCollum (22.1 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 5.1 APG)
(25) SF Brandon Ingram (22.7 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 5.6 APG)
(24) PF Zion Williamson (27.0 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 3.7 APG)
– Playoff Prediction: Conference Semifinals
– Offseason Takeaway: The Pelicans will likely be one of the most improved teams this season if they can stay healthy. Zion is finally back and pairing him for the first time with a dynamic guard like McCollum will be interesting. Ingram has become a superstar while Herb Jones and Valanciunas supply even more defense to go along with the rebounding ability of the 6’6 280-pound Williamson. They are not quite top 5 because their bench is not nearly as good as some of the top tier teams, and we have yet to see Zion play a full season.
7. Brooklyn Nets (196.2) 2021-2022 Record: (44-38)
– Top 100 Players: (64) PF Ben Simmons (14.3 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 9.9 APG)
(17) PG Kyrie Irving (27.4 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 5.8 APG)
(6) SF Kevin Durant (29.9 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 6.4 APG)
– Playoff Prediction: Conference Quarter finals exit
– Offseason Takeaway: It feels like everything the Nets do is in the offseason and off the court. Arguably the biggest story of the entire off season was Durant asking to be moved from Brooklyn just weeks after he practically begged Sean Marks and the front office to let Kyrie stay on the team. Durant eventually re-signed with Brooklyn after no deals could get done with Phoenix or Miami. Kyrie will be able to play this season because of the retracted vaccine mandates, Joe Harris will be coming back off his season long injury last season, and Ben Simmons will also be able to play for the first time in over a year as he is coming off his mental health hiatus and back injury. The Nets also boosted their bench with Royce O’Neale and have kept Patty Mills and Seth Curry under contract. Like the previous years when James Harden was on the team, the Nets have a ton of talent, but also a ton of questions over team chemistry.
6. Cleveland Cavaliers (196.4) 2021-2022 Record: (44-38)
– Top 100 Players: (98) SF Caris LeVert (17.0 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 4.3 APG)
(78) PF Evan Mobley (15.0 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 2.5 APG)
(61) C Jarrett Allen (16.1 PPG, 10.8 RPG, 1.6 APG)
(27) PG Darius Garland (21.7 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 8.6 APG)
(20) SG Donovan Mitchell (25.9 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 5.3 APG)
– Playoff Prediction: Conference Semifinals
– Offseason Takeaway: The Cavaliers signed Donovan Mitchell from the Utah Jazz in the off-season’s blockbuster trade. What they lost in Markkanen and Sexton were two starters that will easily be replaced by one of the leagues best shooting guards. Pairing Mitchell with one of the most improved players of last season in Darius Garland will make for one of the league’s most talented backcourts. The Cavs also have a great wing shooter in LeVert, while Mobley, Allen, and Love will make for a great rebounding and defensive frontcourt.
5. Atlanta Hawks (196.6) 2021-2022 Record: (43-39)
– Top 100 Players: (90) C Clint Capela (11.1 PPG, 11.9 RPG, 1.2 APG)
(74) PF John Collins (16.2 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 1.8 APG)
(22) SG DeJounte Murray (21.1 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 9.2 APG)
(7) PG Trae Young (28.4 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 9.7 APG)
– Playoff Prediction: Conference Semifinals
– Offseason Takeaway: The Hawks traded away Kevin Huerter to Sacramento which will affect the depth of their shooting but when you have Trae Young and DeJounte Murray, the Hawks’ shooting is still pretty solid. With Murray as the SG, the Hawks finally have a solidified second star to pair with Young and they could make a deep run this season.
4. Boston Celtics (198.4) 2021-2022 Record: (51-31)
– Top 100 Players: (81) SG Malcolm Brogdon (19.1 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 5.9 APG)
(40) PG Marcus Smart (19.2 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 2.4 APG)
(29) SF Jaylen Brown (23.6 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 3.5 APG)
(10) PF Jayson Tatum (26.9 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 4.4 APG)
– Playoff Prediction: Eastern Conference Finals
– Offseason Takeaway: Coming off a season where the Celtics reached the NBA Finals but lost 4 games to 2 to the Warriors, the Celtics added Blake Griffin in the offseason. This addition isn’t what’s significant however, it is the fact that the Celtics have kept the exact same starting lineup and top 4 bench players as last season’s finals team. Brown and Tatum should continue to improve as one of the league’s most dynamic duos and statistically the Celtics should be able to make a deep run in the Eastern Conference again. The coaching situation in Boston is the biggest question mark. With Ime Udoka getting fired in the offseason for having a consensual sexual relationship with a staff member, the momentum from last season will shift into the hands of new interim head coach Joe Mazzula who has spent only 3 seasons in the NBA as an assistant for Boston.
3. Philadelphia 76ers (199.4) 2021-2022 Record: (51-31)
– Top 100 Players: (88) PG Tyrese Maxey (17.5 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 4.3 APG)
(69) SF Tobias Harris (17.2 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 3.5 APG)
(8) SG James Harden (22.0 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 10.3 APG)
(3) C Joel Embiid (30.6 PPG, 11.7 RPG, 4.2 APG)
– Playoff Prediction: Eastern Conference Champions, NBA Finals runner-up
– Offseason Takeaway: James Harden took a pay reduction in the offseason to stay with the Sixers and to keep their team strong as it allowed the front office to keep P.J Tucker and Tobias Harris. Harden’s narrative over the past few seasons was that he was a particularly selfish player with the Nets and Rockets and this move has changed a lot of critics’ minds about him. If Harden really commits to staying in shape, his production will likely go up from last season where he posted his lowest PPG since his 2011-2012 season when he was still a part of the Oklahoma City Thunder. This year is perhaps the most important year for the Sixers to reach the NBA Finals in the Embiid era as contracts will began to expire and Harden will continue to age. Embiid is at his prime right now and led the league in PPG last season, something that Harden did 3 years consecutively from 2018-2020. The Sixers also have one of the better defensive teams with Matisse Thybulle and P.J Tucker along with Embiid’s ability to block shots.
2. Golden State Warriors (202.8) 2021-2022 Record: (53-29)
– Top 100 Players: (86) SF Andrew Wiggins (17.2 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 2.2 APG)
(76) SG Jordan Poole (18.5 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 4.0 APG)
(59) SG Klay Thompson (20.4 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 2.8 APG)
(13) PG Stephen Curry (25.5 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 6.3 APG)
– Playoff Prediction: Western Conference Finals
– Offseason Takeaway: Well, it’s been an interesting offseason for Golden State to say the least. The Warriors were last year’s NBA Champions, winning the title for the 4th time in the last 8 years with the big three of Curry, Thompson, and Green. Curry also broke Ray Allen’s 3-point record last season and comes into the season with the same starting lineup as last year. What’s scary about the Warriors is that they have 4 young bench players all between the ages of 20-23 who are all capable of starter-level production on most teams. This includes the former Michigan SG Jordan Poole who averaged 18.5 PPG off the bench last season. Poole saw a significant increase in playing time with Thompson’s injury in the first half of the season and took advantage of that opportunity and has solidified his role as a dominant shooter and wing in this explosive offense. However, in an offseason practice, Poole and Green got into an argument when Poole was bragging over his new 4-year 140-million-dollar extension. Green punched Poole and was suspended for the team’s preseason. Despite Poole stating that they have resolved the conflict and will move forward, the team’s chemistry will be a question going forward.
1. Los Angeles Clippers (204.2) 2021-2022 Record: (42-40)
– Top 100 Players: (87) SF Norman Powell (19.0 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 2.1 APG)
(84) PG Reggie Jackson (16.8 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 4.8 APG)
(55) PG John Wall (20.6 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 6.9 APG)
(15) SG Paul George (24.3 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 5.7 APG)
(11) SF Kawhi Leonard (24.8 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 7.2 APG)
– Playoff Prediction: Western Conference Champion, NBA Finals Champion – Offseason Takeaway: The top team in the preseason power rankings is the Los Angeles Clippers. The Clippers made the play-in tournament last season before getting bounced by the Timberwolves. However, that was without a healthy Paul George and without Kawhi Leonard. Now both superstars will be back on the court with a team that has added John Wall and resigned Norman Powell. The Clippers’ depth is impressive with 8 players over 10 PPG last season on their roster. Their depth is so good that Powell and Wall will likely be backups and are both top 100 players in the league in this power ranking. Jackson, George, and Leonard all provide quality playoff experience and high-level talent, where Marcus Morris and Ivica Zubac provide size and veteran leadership in the front court. The Clippers’ bench goes even deeper with Robert Covington being an elite defender and Luke Kennard and Terance Mann being elite level wing shooters. Overall, the Clippers have the right combination of star power, leadership, and depth to win this year’s NBA Championship in a year where the top half of teams on this list seem like viable contenders.
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