Temperatures across the nation drop as we march into October, marking us just days away from NBA action! Now that the Damian Lilllard drama has concluded, and most of the dust has settled from the trades involved, the atmosphere is getting spooky. So, I decided to take a better look at how scary these teams are looking after retooling in the last few weeks.

  1. Denver Nuggets – Champs. Period. Run it back. 
  2. Los Angeles Lakers – Overperformance by staff writer standards? Over achieved according to  fair-weather fans? Neither. They used their blue-print and some great additions to push through to a sweep against the eventual champs. Add a couple more off season additions, and 2 players improving their game in FIBA. Oh, and AD said “Run it back, Denver.”
  3. Miami Heat – Went to the Finals with a paperclip, some chewing gum, the gas left in Jimmy Butler’s tank and the last known directions of Eric Spolstra. By the way, that’s twice in 4 years. Fantasy, fluke or future franchise? 
  4. Boston Celtics – ECF participant. Had the Heat by the throat and choked it away. However, they doubled down with the Jaylen Brown bag (and I got mad respect for that), and then added a key piece in Jrue Holiday. Yeah, “run it back.”
  5. Phoenix Suns – This is primarily based on the performance they had given the depth they lacked, especially against a very overbearing Denver Nuggets team. But now with their recent additions of Beal and a decent bench, this team looks ready to run.  
  6. Milwaukee Bucks – This team folded like a lawn chair once Giannis went out with an injury. Fast forward an offseason, one huge Giannis discussion, 1 huge addition in Dame Lillard, and it all adds up to running it back for Cream City. 
  7. Golden State Warriors – Too much to pack into a team that’s offloaded talent while loading up on leadership. The question is which direction it will take them. This was one of the most offensively powered teams, but now who this team is remains to be seen. 
  8. New York Knicks– Did well in the playoffs, and showed a modicum of improvement with the addition of Brunson. His play, and his play in FIBA propelled him and his team to this rank. 
  9. Memphis Grizzlies – So, they made the playoffs, and showed a solid performance against a Lakers team they were expected to beat, but the biggest question is Ja. I think D Rose said it best.
  10. Sacramento Kings – No huge off-season moves, but a good run at last years’ champs. Made it a better series than anticipated. The question is replication. 
  11. Cleveland Cavaliers – Definite solid regular season performance, but the woes of Donovan Mitchell and his inability to elevate teammates continues. We saw this same thing happen in Utah.
  12. Philadelphia 76ers– This team is slowly de-evolving. How is that for a process? First the Harden debacle, then Embiid wanting out, and 2 early exits in 3 seasons? Not cooked, but they’re lowering themselves into the boiling pot. 
  13. Atlanta Hawks – Their opening round performance was solid, but that disappearing act Trey Young pulled in the series against Boston has me questioning what this team really needs. Definitely ain’t John Collins
  14. Los Angeles Clippers – Whatever the fuck Lue said about PG and Kawhi “taking the season seriously” has me bugging, cause I thought they were just not performing well. If they were gassing it the last 2 seasons then how much more can they win with a serious focus? Plus, Russ!
  15. Brooklyn Nets – “Middle of the pack” is where this team belongs. Not expecting more than .500 with how they’re built, but that could change with the right process of Bridges and some moves to build around him.
  16. Minnesota Timberwolves – Made the playoffs (barely), then couldn’t buy a bucket against a very ready Denver team. While they lost against the champs, it was how they lost which bothered me. The hope is that FIBA turns ANT (Anthony Edwards) into IT (the leader of this team) and THEY (Min Front office) kick THEM (KAT and Gobert) to the wayside. 
  17. Oklahoma City Thunder – Made their play-in, lost to a slightly stacked Wolves team (looking to prove they were actually stacked), “Sleeper team.” Off-season workout of Giddy and SGA give weight to improvement of team from last year’s results. Presti still leads the league in picks. 
  18. Chicago Bulls – Made the play-in, won their 1st of 2 elimination games, and looked like a different team the 2nd game (Heat). Should improve with off season moves and some depth. Mid-season injuries (Lonzo, et. al) hurt the early takeoff of this team. 
  19. Toronto Raptors – Made the play-in tourney (barely) and then turned in a poor performance that sent players packing. 
  20. New Orleans Pelicans – Basically Toronto-West but with more off-season issues, player personnel issues (Zion) and a possible dwindling star power (see: Brandon Ingram disappearance). .
  21. Orlando Magic – One of the better, bottom of the barrel performing teams thanks to ROY Paolo Blanchero. This team has yet to make any off-season moves but might look to see what it needs first. 
  22. Charlotte Hornets – This team was on the rise with its budding stars of Lamelo Ball and Co, but injuries leave the masses wanting. 
  23. Houston Rockets – Guard City, No pity. This team has shamelessly paired 2 players no one thinks will work in tandem (Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks). Then, proceeded to add more guards.  We don’t know what the plan is but the look gets smaller, and smaller
  24. San Antonio Spurs – This is a land of the unknown and unproven, demonstrated by the newly added Victor Wembanyama to pair with a budding frontcourt of Sochan and Keldon Johnson. How Pop turns this team of scrubs into a contender is a mystery, but for now, the Southwest Division only goes through OKC. Not too high of a ceiling.
  25. Indiana Pacers – The weirdest thing about the Pacers is their ability to do something quietly and nothing loudly. They’ll make acquisitions in players like Obi Toppin and make it look like they’re not building around someone maybe better than Buddy Hield and Tyrese Haliburton. Might need to really watch how this team wins this season. 
  26. Washington Wizards – Added a key piece in Jordan Poole to pair up with Kyle Kuzma, but this team reeks of defensive holes and lack of leadership. Hopefully, one of the two can figure that out. 
  27. Dallas Mavericks – This is a lower-than-average ranking, but it’s based off of last season’s performance, post-Kyrie Irving. That addition should have helped this team, but hurt it so much that I have more questions that need answering.
  28. Utah Jazz – Speaking of John Collins… No, actually this team looks to be ready to rise out of the depths with Lauri Markkanen, Clarkson and Co. Hopefully they can rise along with the other rising team in their division and shock the West. 
  29. Detroit Pistons – All is quiet in Motor City. We’re just waiting for something other than a decent draft. 
  30. Portland Trailblazers – Just tell the world you’re selling the franchise for a bag of chips or some grass in Beaverton. After tanking, flaming on a potential Miami trade, pissing off NBA Twitter/X over the Dame drama, making Moda Center as dreary as the Portlan weather, this team still found a way to scare the league by dangling Jrue Holiday. This team needs to store Scoot Henderson cause Ayton is not this.

Now, this list is expected to change, and we’ll have a ton of things more to weigh. But, based on the end of last season, FIBA (yes, that counts too) and offseason moves, this is where I believe the league lies. Do you disagree? Comment below, and find me here.