NBA Power Rankings: Consistency issues affects scribes week 3 ranks

Editor’s Two Cents:

First of all, let’s clarify a few things. Every pundit list utilizes common variables. but weights those factors differently. Personally, of the three main categories I place preference on defense, net differential and offense in that order.

Other factors which get consideration are travel, strength of schedule, improvement over previous week, consistency, win-loss record and which teams the wins came against.  The latter has sub factors such as a loss without a key player(s) available or loss on the end of a road trip or first game after a road trip lists.

What’s with the Rockets love?

Maybe it’s personal bias which doesn’t allow for this scribe to be on the same page with all the pundits who recognize Houston as a top three team. It’s understandable to rank a team in the top five after a quality week. Equally defensible to place a team in the top three even if they don’t rank in the top 10 offensive category.

What is debatable is placing a team second when they rank outside the top 10 defensively (13) and have played one of the easier schedules.

Top defenses should count more than offense:

Notably, the last time a team won the title without ranking top 10 on defense it was the 2001-02 season. That’s 16 seasons ago for those counting. Granted, the Warriors offer a compelling exception given their championship hardware and fact they just produced the fourth best defense this past week.

But, ranking a team in the top 10 or higher when they aren’t a solid defensive squad is questionable. As the season progresses more teams will improve offensively as players get in condition and learn new systems. In contrast, after the 20-game mark fewer teams will take big steps on defense. This is also due to the fact players gravitate to scoring but teams work as a unit to defend.

Are teams losing in blowouts or clutch time?

Perhaps this is influenced by witnessing OKC lose so many clutch games. Still, a team who is in games often to the end needs closer examination. Are they in this position because they took the opponent for granted (Warriors), because they are still integrating multiple new roster pieces (OKC Thunder) or other circumstances.

Strength of schedule must be considered:

The Toronto Raptors and Washington Wizards both seemingly got punished by certain scribes. How precisely do you rank teams with equal or lower records, who haven’t travelled and played lottery teams ahead of these two clubs?

Toronto began the season at home then embarked on a 6-game opposite coast trip (the longest of any team). During this trip they played San Antonio and Golden State in successive games and held the lead in clutch time in both instances. Additionally they played Utah,  Portland, Denver and LA (Lakers). All the opponents have 5 or more wins. Back home Toronto had a single day off before facing Washington.  On top of the travel Toronto endured injuries to multiple front court members in the same games. All this and they entered the week ranked 8th in offense/defense and 7th in net.

Like Toronto, the Wizards had an opposite coast 4-game trip and while it was the week prior they were still recovering.  Although the Wizards ranked 18th defensively they boasted the 4th best offense and were 11th in net differential.

On the week the Raptors had solid wins versus Portland and Utah and looked exhausted in both losses (Denver/Washington). The Wizards had a single win versus Toronto, but lost to Cleveland and Phoenix.

Despite the outlined factors Toronto was ranked 6th, 10th, 12th, 16th and 18th on the lists. Meanwhile Washington ranked 9th, 11th, 15th, 20th and 23rd and two of the lists ranked Washington higher.

Curious rankings:

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• Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder

Considering the Cavaliers lost to Indiana and Atlanta (single win versus Wizards) and rank dead last defensively it boggles the mind how ESPN and SI could rank them in the top ten.

Sure, Philly had a nice week with three wins including an impressive win over Houston (Hawks/Pacers). But, it’s curious two pundits placed the 19th offense, 16th defense, and 17th net (negative) differential in the top ten.

Of the 30 teams the one which received the oddest placements was the LA Clippers. First,  consider the Clippers have played seven games at home and two on the road. In week 3 they beat the woeful Mavericks and suffered 3 losses (Warriors, Grizzlies, Heat).  Moreover, the Clippers fell from 1st to 14th defensively in one one week.  So, how do pundits rank this team ahead of Detroit, Portland, Toronto, Washington and yes the 2nd ranked defense of OKC?

Speaking of which click the next slide to see where OKC Thunder landed on the five lists.