ASB Power Rankings-Top Ten

[Craig]

1. New Jersey Nets (29-13)
The Nets are not completely dominating the regular season as they have been the past few seasons, but they are still the defending champs and sport the league's second best point differential. They also lead the league (by a fairly significant margin) in rebounding and shot blocking, showing no signs of slowing in their perennial dominance of the paint. John Wall (understandably) gets most of the attention for this team, but Big Al Jefferson is the one who plowed his way through last year's Finals and helps the team separate themselves from the league's other title contenders. There just aren't many teams that can match the front court talent of the Nets. Sprinkle in All Star level play from Wall and Dwayne Wade, along with marked improvement from Dario Saric, and the Nets are still the favorites to defend their championship.

2. Sacramento Kings (32-5)
The Kings dismantled a 1st place team at last year's trade deadline, which was met by exasperation from critics around the league. The GM, meanwhile, waltzed his way all the way to the Finals with his middle finger held high with his new roster. This year, the Kings are out to prove they're no fluke, and are pacing the league with an .865 winning percentage. They have far and away the league's best defense, topping the league in oPPG, oFG%, and o3P%. This is led by the defensive-minded front court, spearheaded by a break out season from C Rudy Gobert. The defensive prowess up front has come at the cost of any real offense from those positions, which so far has not been an issue, but reared its head in last year's Finals and stands the potential of happening again in the playoffs. But for now, breakout stars Andrew Wiggins and Kent Bazemore have been lighting it up from all over the court for one of the league's more efficient offenses.

3. Chicago Bulls (30-9)
The Bulls are at it for seemingly one last shot at a championship. Their lineup consists of a few elder statesmen who are upcoming free agents, but the team is as well-equipped as any to bring home the championship. Their offensive efficiency is, for lack of a better word, ridiculous. Stephen Curry has come out this year playing at an MVP level, and Kevin Martin continues to be one of the most unstoppable offensive forces in the league. The Bulls are 2nd in the league in scoring, and 1st by a large margin in FG%, all while committing the 3rd fewest turnovers of any team. Chris Bosh is an unsung hero as well, providing 2-way production that is matched by few PFs in the league. Chicago combines an amazing offense with a very stout defense as well, and will undoubtedly be one of the last teams standing come playoff time.

4. Portland Trailblazers (28-8)
Many may forget that the Blazers are just one year removed from a title. Sweet Lou Williams is still a top 5 player and MVP candidate, and the team has made some underrated additions since last year's trade deadline. Rudy Gay has been a major revelation, adding a consistent 3rd scorer to go along with Williams and Brandon Jennings. The three of them together score over 70ppg while committing 6.3topg as a trio, which is crazy efficient. Portland has also added to what has been a bit of a weak point, in their front court. They have retained mainstays Tristan Thompson and Al Horford, while adding Jordan Hill, Jonas Valanciunas, and Bismack Biyombo to shore up the rotation and turn it into a strength. The Blazers are every bit the title contender that the first three teams in these rankings are, and will be a tough out for anyone in the playoffs.

5. Phoenix Suns (29-13)
The Suns are another team of scoring machines. Between Kevin Durant (31.8ppg), James Harden (17.6ppg in 25mpg), Kemba Walker (18.0ppg), and Kyle Lowry (17.4ppg), Phoenix is raining three-pointers from everywhere on the court, to the tune of a league-leading 10.4 threes and 108.7 points per game. What makes this team a contender, is combining that offense with stingy defense down low. Nerlens Noel, Andre Drummond, and Brandan Wright make a formidable trio and help the team block 10.1 shots per game (3rd in the league), while doing a solid job rebounding the ball. This team could stand to take better care of the ball, and their defense is solid and not spectacular, putting the Suns a notch below the top 4. They have proven over the last few seasons, though, that they will be a headache for someone no matter what seed they are in the playoffs.

6. Houston Rockets (25-11)
The Rockets are another team thriving off of an explosive offense. They score over 106ppg and are top 5 in the league in FG%. The duo of Brandon Roy and Daren Collison are a nightmare to defend, while Gordon Hayward and Karl-Anthony Towns add efficient offense as well. Roy and Collison, in particular, were mid-season acquisitions last year and have taken this team from recently having the #1 pick to now pacing the Midwest division. The Rockets' Achiilles heel, though, has been turnovers, which has also led to just average defensive performance and a few more squandered possessions than desired. But make no mistake, Houston should be making noise come playoff time.

7. Detroit Pistons (24-16)
Kyrie Irving has arrived, people. In an amazing turn, Irving has gone from a promising but unfulfilled lead guard to a legitimate MVP candidate and is arguably having the best individual season of anyone in the league. 30 points and 10 assists per night on under 2.5topg is borderline unfair. The Pistons lead the league in scoring, thanks in large part to Kyrie, but also get around 20ppg out of OJ Mayo and Paul George to keep defenses honest. Detroit also rebounds the ball very well (3rd in the league) and does a good job of taking care of the ball. Where the team struggles is on the defensive end. They give up more points than anyone in the league and are a little below average in oFG%. If this can get shored up, they can be dangerous in the playoffs. Even if they don't, anything can happen with a player of Irving's caliber on the court.

8. Los Angeles Lakers (23-15)
The Lakers have sputtered (relatively speaking) coming out of the gate this year after their impressive season last year. They have improved of late, winning 7 of their last 10, while sporting a healthy +6ppg differential against their opponents. They don't stand way out in any one particular area, but play above average defense, stay stable on the glass, shoot reasonably well, and get all around contributions from their lineup. Enes Kanter is an underrated big who dominates the boards, and the headliners Demar Derozan and Damian Lillard perform as advertised, scoring the ball at will. It's tough to project where this team will end up, but they've shown that if they put it all together that can can compete with most anyone.

9. Utah Jazz (25-18)
After a torrid 31-1 finish to last season, the Jazz were disappointed to be ousted in the Western Conference Finals by the Kings. They brought the core of the team back, however, while adding veteran big man Carl Landry to their already impressive stable of big men, and came into the season with high expectations. Between superstar DeMarcus Cousins, Landry, Kevin Love, and Kosta Koufos, the Jazz have the front line to compete with anyone. It will be on the backcourt to prove they can hang with the league's top teams. PG Dante Exum has made tremendous strides, and will likely be cashing in for a big pay day this summer. But the Jazz have yet to get much production out of the 2-spot, which may be holding them back. They play solid defense and rebound extremely well, but are middle of the pack in terms of scoring and shooting efficiency. Any improvement in that area could catapult them up the standings in the competitive West.

10. Seattle Supersonics (24-17)
The Sonics have been the class of the West for a few years now. Superstar and reigning MVP Carmelo Anthony has led a juggernaut offense that is a major problem to stop. Unfortunately, former PG Jarret Jack is no longer around to run the show, and the team seems to be suffering for it. Carmelo is as prolific as ever, but the team is in the bottom 3rd in the league in turnovers and it is not allowing them to capitalize as well as usual on their superior scoring abilities. Finding a PG should be a top priority, but will be difficult with the lack of depth and trade assets on the roster. Once playoff time comes around, though, their top four of Carmelo, Dwight Howard, Andre Iguodala, and Tiago Splitter is up there with the best in the league so anything can happen at that point.

[Craig]

Got bored, thought I'd spark some debate.

[UOducksTK1]

Kinda surprised I got the nod over the Kings for the top of the rankings. But I'll take it, respect.

[Craig]

Kinda surprised I got the nod over the Kings for the top of the rankings. But I'll take it, respect.

I looked at it from the perspective of who i thought most likely to win a title. I mean i could have just put them in order of record but you can just go to thr standings page for that. Wanted to make it a little more subjective and (hopefully) interesting.

[Oregon Ownage]

I think the Lakers could make a run out West

[Craig]

I think the Lakers could make a run out West

I like them too but their defense has been failing them. He should write an article and boost Derozan's handling lol. And I think a nice 3rd big off the bench would be helpful.

[Oregon Ownage]

Jury has spoken you get a +5 to any player with a rating below 75. Post your top 5 choices

[UOducksTK1]

Now 43-15. We are definitely the type of team that gets better as the season progresses.

[Craig]

Jury has spoken you get a +5 to any player with a rating below 75. Post your top 5 choices

Rudy Gobert-handling
Andrew Wiggins-handling
Rudy Gobert-inside scoring
Andrew Wiggins-strength
Andrew Wiggins-defensive rebounding

[Oregon Ownage]

Rudy Gobert-handling
Andrew Wiggins-handling
Rudy Gobert-inside scoring
Andrew Wiggins-strength
Andrew Wiggins-defensive rebounding