With so many changes, we have been waiting to see just how well this Philadelphia 76ers squad stands up to NBA competition. So it’s time to dust off my crystal ball, and give you our NBA Power Rankings.
It’s time. NBA Power Rankings are starting to pop up. When the National Basketball Association enters the off-season, everything enters a holding pattern. This is deliberate because teams need a period of time to allow the front offices to file paperwork, the personnel guys to shuffle the rosters, the NBA offices to compile annual statistics, and the players to take a well earned vacation.
But for fans? It’s simply the time of year where you are forced to read what was, and occasionally get your hands on something that tells you what may be.
Since I always try to give the reader what they want, at least in terms of topics covered, it’s my distinguished honor to present you with my annual NBA Power Rankings.
I have worked for weeks on this story, wading through the draft, the free agent activity, and even having to second and triple guess myself. I tried getting the word out last season, but despite having a great deal of effort, I simply ran out of time.
But this year, I’m determined to get the NBA power rankings into your hands. And so, with no further ado, may I present to you the power rankings for the 2016-2017 season.
Next: Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
Next: Suns
Phoenix Suns
Next: Nets
Brooklyn Nets
Next: Kings
Sacramento Kings
The first time was at 13 to get Greece’s 7-foot-2 center Georgios Pappagiannis, who many had going late in the second round. The second time was for center Skal Labissierre. Had the team not gone for Pappagiannis at 13, the pick for labissierre may have some logic behind it.
You see, the Kings still have center DeMarcus Cousins, who is a standout in the NBA. Why would any team park two first round draft picks at the position? Who do they think they are, the Philadelphia 76ers?
All kidding aside, the Kings appeared to have not addressed the loss of Rondo adequately, With that, the team will have a much greater chance of losing the interest of Cousins at center, who sees a team flailing at building a team around him to carry him to the playoffs.
Small forward Rudy Gay is already asking to get out. Cousins won’t be far behind him. The Kings need to pull the plug, trade the assets now, and try to rebuild for down the road. For the fan of the Philadelphia 76ers, this is good news as they retain the right to swap first round picks with the Kings this year.
Atop all of this, the Kings had the NBA’s worst defense last year, and it may be worse this season.
Key Losses: Rajon Rondo
Key Gains: Malachi Richardson
Key Statistic: Team Defense
NBA Power Rankings: 27th
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27
Sacramento Kings (27-55)
Last rank: 21st
The Sacramento Kings lost point guard Rajon Rondo in free agency, but addressed the center position in the NBA draft. Not just once, but twice.
The first time was at 13 to get Greece’s 7-foot-2 center Georgios Pappagiannis, who many had going late in the second round. The second time was for center Skal Labissierre. Had the team not gone for Pappagiannis at 13, the pick for labissierre may have some logic behind it.
You see, the Kings still have center DeMarcus Cousins, who is a standout in the NBA. Why would any team park two first round draft picks at the position? Who do they think they are, the Philadelphia 76ers?
All kidding aside, the Kings appeared to have not addressed the loss of Rondo adequately, With that, the team will have a much greater chance of losing the interest of Cousins at center, who sees a team flailing at building a team around him to carry him to the playoffs.
Small forward Rudy Gay is already asking to get out. Cousins won’t be far behind him. The Kings need to pull the plug, trade the assets now, and try to rebuild for down the road. For the fan of the Philadelphia 76ers, this is good news as they retain the right to swap first round picks with the Kings this year.
Atop all of this, the Kings had the NBA’s worst defense last year, and it may be worse this season.
Key Losses: Rajon Rondo
Key Gains: Malachi Richardson
Key Statistic: Team Defense
NBA Power Rankings: 27th
Next: Nuggets
Denver Nuggets
Next: 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers
Next: Knicks
New York Knicks
Next: Pelicans
New Orleans Pelicans
Next: Bucks
Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks do not fear taking chances. In fact, they seem to be as renegade as the Philadelphia 76ers at times. They have all but given the point responsibilities to the “Greek Freak”, Giannis Antetokounmpo, a move that has placed the future of Michael Carter Williams (MCW) in jeopardy. With the move, the Bucks are truly kicking the NBA closer to positionless basketball, and the team reinforced the change by announcing Giannis as next season’s point guard.
But MCW is not done yet, and he will remain the defender to the opposition’s point guard.
The loss of guard Jerryd Bayless to the 76ers hurts the team’s depth in the back court, particularly the loss of his offense. The team hoped to counter that be signing power forward Mirza Teletovic. The Bucks have a young nucleus, and they could certainly perform better this year, but the offseason moves added nothing for the team this season. I leaned towards a slight improvement, but the loss of veteran Bayless combined with the challenge of reconfiguring their offense leaves too many questions.
Key Losses: Jerryd Bayless
Key Gains: Thon Maker, Mirza Teletovic
Key Statistic: Scoring
NBA Power Rankings: 22nd
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22
Milwaukee Bucks (35-47)
Last rank: 23rd
The team that drafted Thon Maker was assured of capturing the interest of many this season. The challenge was that the Bucks drafted Maker nearly 15 spots prematurely.
The Bucks do not fear taking chances. In fact, they seem to be as renegade as the Philadelphia 76ers at times. They have all but given the point responsibilities to the “Greek Freak”, Giannis Antetokounmpo, a move that has placed the future of Michael Carter Williams (MCW) in jeopardy. With the move, the Bucks are truly kicking the NBA closer to positionless basketball, and the team reinforced the change by announcing Giannis as next season’s point guard.
But MCW is not done yet, and he will remain the defender to the opposition’s point guard.
The loss of guard Jerryd Bayless to the 76ers hurts the team’s depth in the back court, particularly the loss of his offense. The team hoped to counter that be signing power forward Mirza Teletovic. The Bucks have a young nucleus, and they could certainly perform better this year, but the offseason moves added nothing for the team this season. I leaned towards a slight improvement, but the loss of veteran Bayless combined with the challenge of reconfiguring their offense leaves too many questions.
Key Losses: Jerryd Bayless
Key Gains: Thon Maker, Mirza Teletovic
Key Statistic: Scoring
NBA Power Rankings: 22nd
Next: Magic
Orlando Magic
Next: Jazz
Utah Jazz
Next: Bulls
Chicago Bulls
Next: Timberwolves
Minnesota Timberwolves
Next: Trailblazers
Portland Trailblazers
Portland, for all intents and purposes, would improve dramatically if the team could land a true shot-blocking center. and they hope they have found one in Festus Ezeli. Why the Portland Trailblazers did not make a serious push for Nerlens Noel is a mystery to me, as they have plenty of firepower to exchange for their missing link.
Instead, they will rest their hopes on a competition between Ezeli and incumbant Mason Plumlee.
While seemingly a minor loss, Gerald Henderson’s signing with the Philadelphia 76ers will erode the team’s defense, as well as force the team to count on returning Allen Crabbe and newly signed Evan Turner.
I don’t believe the Trailblazers’ defense will maintain this year, and that will cause the team to end with a couple more losses this year.
Key Losses: Gerald Henderson
Key Gains: Festus Ezeli, Evan Turner
Key Statistic: Shooting accuracy
NBA Power Rankings: 17th
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17
Portland Trailblazers (41-41)
Last rank: 12th
The Portland Trailblazers have an excellent back court in the pair of Damian Lillard and C. J. McCollum. Unfortunately, the team has not yet enjoyed the type of front court that helps carry the team to a championship.
Portland, for all intents and purposes, would improve dramatically if the team could land a true shot-blocking center. and they hope they have found one in Festus Ezeli. Why the Portland Trailblazers did not make a serious push for Nerlens Noel is a mystery to me, as they have plenty of firepower to exchange for their missing link.
Instead, they will rest their hopes on a competition between Ezeli and incumbant Mason Plumlee.
While seemingly a minor loss, Gerald Henderson’s signing with the Philadelphia 76ers will erode the team’s defense, as well as force the team to count on returning Allen Crabbe and newly signed Evan Turner.
I don’t believe the Trailblazers’ defense will maintain this year, and that will cause the team to end with a couple more losses this year.
Key Losses: Gerald Henderson
Key Gains: Festus Ezeli, Evan Turner
Key Statistic: Shooting accuracy
NBA Power Rankings: 17th
Next: Hawks
Atlanta Hawks
Next: Hornets
Charlotte Hornets
Next: Heat
Miami Heat
Next: Pacers
Indiana Pacers
Next: Pistons
Detroit Pistons
I see the signing of point guard Ish Smith as more than just a reserve role. Reggie Jackson could use some relief, and Smith’s performance as starting PG for the 76ers should give the Pistons confidence to work Jackson to stay fresh for post season.
Detroit is another team lacking ball movement, as their assists came in at 27th out of 30 teams. If the team could work both Jackson and Smith into the same lineup, that should bolster the ball movement and help dig the Pistons out of the wine cellar.
I like what the Pistons have done in the off-season, and I think Ish Smith will perform very well in Detroit. But the changes have been only window dressing at this point in time.
Key Losses: Steve Blake, Anthony Tolliver
Key Gains: Ish Smith, Boban Marjanovic
Key Statistic: Shooting accuracy
NBA Power Rankings: 12th
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12
Detroit Pistons (42-40)
Last rank: 13th
The Detroit Pistons impressed me this off-season. Not for the name recognition of who they signed in the off-season, but in the way they built solid depth for the team painlessly.
I see the signing of point guard Ish Smith as more than just a reserve role. Reggie Jackson could use some relief, and Smith’s performance as starting PG for the 76ers should give the Pistons confidence to work Jackson to stay fresh for post season.
Detroit is another team lacking ball movement, as their assists came in at 27th out of 30 teams. If the team could work both Jackson and Smith into the same lineup, that should bolster the ball movement and help dig the Pistons out of the wine cellar.
I like what the Pistons have done in the off-season, and I think Ish Smith will perform very well in Detroit. But the changes have been only window dressing at this point in time.
Key Losses: Steve Blake, Anthony Tolliver
Key Gains: Ish Smith, Boban Marjanovic
Key Statistic: Shooting accuracy
NBA Power Rankings: 12th
Next: Mavericks
Dallas Mavericks
Next: Rockets
Houston Rockets
Next: Wizards
Washington Wizards
Next: Grizzlies
Memphis Grizzlies
Next: Thunder
Oklahoma City Thunder
As long as the team has Russell Westbrook, the team will find success in the NBA. Surprisingly, I expected the Thunder to make a play for a replacement small forward by now. In hopes to retain Durant, the team obtained guard Victor Oladipo, forward Ersan Ilyasova and the rights to power forward Domantas Sabonis form the Orlando Magic for power forward Serge Ibaka.
Perhaps the team will experiment with moving Ersan Ilyasova to small forward and give Sabonis the role of power forward?
In any case, the Thunder have plenty of questions going into this season. They will drop from last season’s performance, but I expect the team will act if there is concern that small forward needs to be addressed.
Key Losses: Kevin Durant, Dion Waiters,
Key Gains: Ronnie Price, Domantas Sabonis, Ersan Ilyasova
Key Statistic: Shooting accuracy
NBA Power Rankings: 7th
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7
Oklahoma City Thunder (48-34
Last rank: 5th
Is there such a thing as addition by subtraction? Not if you are the Oklahoma City Thunder. The team just lost Kevin Durant, the premier free agent of the 2016 off-season. In the process, the team lost 28.4 points per game of offense.
As long as the team has Russell Westbrook, the team will find success in the NBA. Surprisingly, I expected the Thunder to make a play for a replacement small forward by now. In hopes to retain Durant, the team obtained guard Victor Oladipo, forward Ersan Ilyasova and the rights to power forward Domantas Sabonis form the Orlando Magic for power forward Serge Ibaka.
Perhaps the team will experiment with moving Ersan Ilyasova to small forward and give Sabonis the role of power forward?
In any case, the Thunder have plenty of questions going into this season. They will drop from last season’s performance, but I expect the team will act if there is concern that small forward needs to be addressed.
Key Losses: Kevin Durant, Dion Waiters,
Key Gains: Ronnie Price, Domantas Sabonis, Ersan Ilyasova
Key Statistic: Shooting accuracy
NBA Power Rankings: 7th
Next: Celtics
Boston Celtics
Next: Raptors
Toronto Raptors
Next: Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers
Next: Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers
Next: Warriors
Golden State Warriors
And its that very presumption that makes me believe it doesn’t go that way.
Harrison Barnes may not have been the best player in the NBA, but he had an integral role on the Golden State Warriors, one that Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson counted on.
Now that stage will be shared by free agent Kevin Durant.
Durant is an elite, however, that’s the problem. With a team average of 48.7 percent accuracy from the floor, and 41.6 percent accuracy from the three point distance, Durant’s strengths simply blend with that of the team. To be honest, Durant’s 38.7 percent accuracy from the three point range dilutes the team average somewhat.
Sometimes basketball is that blend of offense and defense, and the Warriors feel awfully offense oriented right now. Can this work? Of course it could. But much like football, there is only one ball to be shared by so many shooters. Someone will find their average decline. How they handle that will define the success of this team.
Key Losses: Harrison Barnes
Key Gains: Kevin Durant
Key Statistic: Staying healthy
NBA Power Rankings: 2nd
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2
Golden State Warriors (62-20)
Last rank: 1st
When you take the best team from the NBA season and add the best free agent, you should win everything hands down, right?
And its that very presumption that makes me believe it doesn’t go that way.
Harrison Barnes may not have been the best player in the NBA, but he had an integral role on the Golden State Warriors, one that Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson counted on.
Now that stage will be shared by free agent Kevin Durant.
Durant is an elite, however, that’s the problem. With a team average of 48.7 percent accuracy from the floor, and 41.6 percent accuracy from the three point distance, Durant’s strengths simply blend with that of the team. To be honest, Durant’s 38.7 percent accuracy from the three point range dilutes the team average somewhat.
Sometimes basketball is that blend of offense and defense, and the Warriors feel awfully offense oriented right now. Can this work? Of course it could. But much like football, there is only one ball to be shared by so many shooters. Someone will find their average decline. How they handle that will define the success of this team.
Key Losses: Harrison Barnes
Key Gains: Kevin Durant
Key Statistic: Staying healthy
NBA Power Rankings: 2nd
Next: Spurs
