The 2015-16 NBA season has been a wild ride except at the top of the league where the Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs and Cleveland Cavaliers continue to set themselves apart from the other 27 teams. With Week 12 in the books, it’s time to take a look at the newest edition of RantSports’ NBA Power Rankings.
30. Philadelphia 76ers (5-37) Last Week: 30
Getty ImagesThe 76ers only played two games during Week 12 with one win and one loss. The win was an impressive 25-point victory over the Trail Blazers, while the loss was a disappointing overtime contest where the 76ers blew a big lead to the Bulls.
29. Los Angeles Lakers (9-34) Last Week: 29
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The Lakers lost three out of four games during Week 12 as the Kobe farewell tour continued. While I understand he's one of the greatest players to ever play the game, it bothers me that this entire season has been a throwaway for the Lakers as the growth of the young players is being pushed to the back burner.
28. Brooklyn Nets (11-31) Last Week: 28
Getty ImagesThe Nets lost three of four last week, as their lone win came over the Knicks on Wednesday night. New starting point guard Donald Sloan has been playing pretty well since taking over for Shane Larkin, but this team is an overall disaster.
27. Phoenix Suns (13-29) Last Week: 26
Getty ImagesThe Suns got blown out in all three games last week, as there isn't much to be excited about for their fans. Brandon Knight is a nice player, Devin Booker has shown flashes and Markieff Morris has been playing well, but there isn't enough talent on this team to turn things around.
26. Minnesota Timberwolves (13-29) Last Week: 25
Getty ImagesThe Wolves went 1-3 last week with their only win coming against the Suns. While this season is only about getting experience for the young players, Sam Mitchell also needs to help these guys learn how to win which obviously isn't happening.
25. New Orleans Pelicans (13-26) Last Week: 27
Getty ImagesThe Pelicans have been the biggest letdown of the entire season, making Alvin Gentry a prime candidate to be fired. Although the team went 1-2 last week, a playoff team from a year ago that's now 13 games under .500 near the halfway point is unacceptable.
24. Denver Nuggets (16-25) Last Week: 24
Getty ImagesThe Nuggets have suddenly turned it on a little bit as they've gotten healthier. Mike Malone's team took down the Warriors and Pacers last week while letting a game against the Heat slip away. Thanks to the poor play of the Western Conference, the Nuggets only sit two games out of a playoff spot.
23. Milwaukee Bucks (18-25) Last Week: 23
Getty ImagesThe Bucks are beginning to find their groove which could spell problems for the rest of the Eastern Conference. The team's starting five has been absolutely amazing lately, as they led the team to wins in three out of four games in Week 12.
22. Sacramento Kings (17-23) Last Week: 20
Getty ImagesThe Kings won two of their three contests in Week 12 with both wins being on the road against the Jazz and Clippers, both playoff teams. If George Karl can figure out how to get this team to play a little defense, they could very easily end up with a playoff spot.
21. Utah Jazz (18-22) Last Week: 18
Getty ImagesThe Jazz need Derrick Favors back as soon as possible. They are slipping due to a recent stretch of poor basketball and are on the verge of falling out of a playoff spot. Without Favors, the Jazz lose a rebounder and defensive presence in the paint.
20. Charlotte Hornets (18-22) Last Week: 19
Getty ImagesAt the beginning of the season, the Hornets were my sleeper pick to finish in the top half of the Eastern Conference, but the team just can't seem to gain any traction. With Nicolas Batum and Kemba Walker, the team has two potential stars, but they may need another big man to give Cody Zeller and Marvin Williams some help up front.
19. Portland Trail Blazers (18-25) Last Week: 21
Getty ImagesThe Blazers had a three-game winning streak snapped by the 76ers on Saturday which was a little disappointing after they'd been playing so well. I'll give them a pass since it was their third road game in four days. Damian Lillard is playing at an MVP level which could equal a playoff appearance for the surprising Blazers.
18. Washington Wizards (19-20) Last Week: 22
Getty ImagesIf the Wizards could ever get their roster completely healthy, they could make some headway in the Eastern Conference. Unfortunately, the team has been unable to do that and has suffered as a result. Look for the Wizards to be a team that could potentially catch fire in the second half.
17. Orlando Magic (20-19) Last Week: 14
Getty ImagesThe Magic have been one of the surprise teams in the NBA this season, but it seems as if they are beginning to regress to the talent of their roster. It's a roster full of pretty good role players, with Victor Oladipo being the closest thing to a star the Magic have, but Scott Skiles likes to bring him off the bench and limit his minutes for some reason.
16. New York Knicks (20-22) Last Week: 15
Getty ImagesAfter being on fire for a week or so, the Knicks lost back-to-back road games to the Nets and Grizzlies last week as Carmelo Anthony sat out with a sprained ankle. This team isn't that far from being really good, but it can't win without its superstar.
15. Indiana Pacers (22-19) Last Week: 11
Getty ImagesI'm struggling to figure out who the Pacers are. With Paul George and Monta Ellis leading the way, they could easily be one of the top four teams in the Eastern Conference, but then they go through lulls like last week when they lost three of four games.
14. Boston Celtics (22-19) Last Week: 16
Getty ImagesI really like how the Celtics are playing, but it would help if they could find a true rim protector. Jared Sullinger, Kelly Olynyk and Amir Johnson are all solid role players, but there's no true big man in the middle. If Danny Ainge can work his magic before the trade deadline, the Celtics could be a true threat to the Cavaliers.
13. Detroit Pistons (22-18) Last Week: 12
Getty ImagesIt seems as if center Andre Drummond is beginning to hit a wall which is troublesome for the Pistons. Without much depth to speak of, Stan Van Gundy is forced to play his starters as much as they can take and it could cause problems down the road.
12. Houston Rockets (22-20) Last Week: 17
Getty ImagesThe role players on the Rockets continue to fail the team, but James Harden and Dwight Howard are doing everything they can to carry them to the playoffs. If they could get one more consistent option, they still have time to make some noise in the Western Conference.
11. Dallas Mavericks (23-19) Last Week: 10
Getty ImagesIf this season doesn't prove how great a coach Rick Carlisle is, I don't know what it would take. He's taken one of the oldest rosters in the NBA and turned them into one of the better teams in the Western Conference.
10. Miami Heat (23-18) Last Week: 9
Getty ImagesThe Heat scare me, because they've become so reliant on Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade that it's almost impossible for both guys to sustain this kind of success all season long. They're both All-Stars, but they've taken a beating over the years. It wouldn't be surprising to see the Heat slide in the second half.
9. Memphis Grizzlies (23-19) Last Week: 13
Getty ImagesFor the long haul, the Grizzlies still need another shooter, but they've certainly improved their play recently. Marc Gasol has finally found his way out of a little funk, and Tony Allen's return has given the team a big spark.
8. Atlanta Hawks (24-17) Last Week: 7
Getty ImagesPaul Millsap has been playing like a superstar, but he's struggled to find consistent help from his teammates. Jeff Teague and Kyle Korver have to figure things out if the Hawks are going to pose a threat in the Eastern Conference.
7. Chicago Bulls (23-16) Last Week: 6
Getty ImagesJust when the Bulls got back to full-strength and began playing a great brand of basketball, Joakim Noah re-injures his left shoulder. While the team has some decent frontcourt depth with Taj Gibson, Bobby Portis, Pau Gasol and Nikola Mirotic, those guys don't provide the same burst of injury that Noah does.
6. Toronto Raptors (25-15) Last Week: 8
Getty ImagesI'm about ready to jump on the Raptors' bandwagon as the only team that could compete with the Cavaliers in a seven-game series. Since Jonas Valanciunas returned, the Raptors have hit their stride as he gives them a low-post scoring threat the Bismack Biyombo doesn't provide. Once DeMarre Carroll returns, this team could really be dangerous.
5. Los Angeles Clippers (26-14) Last Week: 5
Getty ImagesIt still completely baffles me how the Clippers can lose someone like Blake Griffin and actually get better. The team has only lost once since Griffin was injured on Christmas Day and Chris Paul has been playing like a MVP. It will be interesting to see how the dynamic changes once Griffin is ready to return.
4. Oklahoma City Thunder (30-12) Last Week: 4
Getty ImagesThe Thunder are an offensive juggernaut and the only true threats to the Spurs and Warriors in the West. With Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant, the Thunder possess the best one-two punch in the NBA, and they are used to taking the team on their backs.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers (28-10) Last Week: 3
Getty ImagesAside from a four-point loss to the Spurs last week, the Cavaliers have been playing inspired basketball. Kyrie Irving's return has made a huge difference as LeBron finally has someone he feels comfortable sharing the ball with.
2. San Antonio Spurs (36-6) Last Week: 2
Getty ImagesThe Spurs have won 11 in a row and are suddenly right on the heels of the Warriors in the West. Despite some struggles from Kawhi Leonard, the Spurs have so much depth that they didn't even miss a beat without their best player.
1. Golden State Warriors (37-4) Last Week: 1
Getty ImagesThe Warriors have finally hit a lull as they lost twice last week. On Wednesday, it was a two-point road loss to the Nuggets, and on Saturday, it was an 18-point road loss to the Pistons. While it's incredibly difficult to win on the road in the NBA, the Warriors don't typically lose to teams of the Nuggets and Pistons caliber.
