The Sixers, when healthy, are dangerous. Few players impact a team’s performance level like Joel Embiid — a clear top-10 talent in the NBA. Even with Jimmy Butler out, the Sixers have been largely effective in recent games. The bench is improving. A shorthanded loss in Denver isn’t much of a concern.
After a slow start in 2018, the Celtics are still far from perfect. Both Jaylen Brown and Gordon Hayward are struggling, while Terry Rozier‘s magic is no more. Even so, the Celtics might end up Eastern Conference favorites in a few months. Kyrie Irving has been the best guard in the conference — maybe even the best point guard not named Stephen Curry.
The Raptors no longer feel unbeatable, but Kawhi Leonard, Kyle Lowry and a solid bench should keep them in the NBA Finals discussion all season. Kawhi deserves some MVP love, even if he’s a tier below the elites. Lowry and Pascal Siakam have solid All-Star cases.
The Bucks will join Toronto, Boston and maybe Philadelphia at the center of the Eastern Conference playoff conversation. Giannis Antetokounmpo has put together MVP-caliber numbers all season, thriving Mike Budenholzer’s four-out system. Eric Bledsoe and Khris Middleton have All-Star cases as well.
DeMarcus Cousins, somehow, looks good already. There are some minor defensive concerns with Cousins in the middle, but he’s another offensive star in Golden State’s talent-laden arsenal. Curry and Kevin Durant are secondary MVP candidates and All-Star starters. The Warriors are on track for another title.
You can read our previous power rankings here.