Ranking system:
As mentioned, ranking lists tend to round into a set form after a month of action. Three tiers usually arise and by week four little fluctuation occurs other than in each of the those segments. Elite squads generally have separated themselves, lottery teams are already playing rookies over vets and early Cinderella squads have regressed to the mean.
Yet, the 2018-19 season has been anything but typical. The predicted upper echelon is far off expectations. Moreover, those early achievers haven’t come close to burn out as they continue to impress.
Every list and analysts have their own measuring stick and ranking method. Mine takes into consideration the following:
Position in 3 key categories:
Where does the team rank in the top three categories of offense, defense and net differential? Of this triad, I give the most credence to differential followed by defense.
Offensive and opponent field goal efficiency:
A team might rank among the top 10 defensively but fall outside opponent field goal percent. That could mean one of two things – either their opponent got to the line a substantial number of times or the team in question limited their opponents number of shot opportunities.
Stat performance:
Monday morning I probably hit refresh more than any other time during the week. This as I anxiously await John Schuhmann’s new power ranking list. It isn’t even necessarily to see the specific ladder assignments. Rather, I’m always keen to see what interesting oddity he and his research team have discovered.
For example, it was Schuhmann who pointed out the weird net differential success of the Hornets the past two seasons, but how it hasn’t resulted in success in their record. Case in point — Charlotte boasts the third highest differential in the Eastern Conference, but sit in eighth. Two squads ( Orlando -3.1 and Detroit -0.9) with negative differentials sit ahead of Charlotte.
Week performance and overall record:
Both areas are considered and factored.
Opponents, back to back sets and travel:
The reason the above doesn’t carry the biggest weight is opponents should play a factor in ranking. Likewise, losing a battle in overtime or a couple of defeats on back to back nights says more than about a squad than beating three lottery teams.
Injuries:
And last but not least a short handed squad. particularly one missing a star (Westbrook, Curry) gets bonus points for wins and leeway in losses.