The 2015-16 NBA season is rolling right along as we’ve reached the completion of Week 13. The Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs are still the best two teams in the league while the Cleveland Cavaliers have hit a rocky patch and are playing some of their worst basketball of the season which led to the firing of head coach David Blatt. Let’s take a look at the latest batch of our 2015-16 NBA Power Rankings.
30. Philadelphia 76ers (6-39) Last Week: 30
Getty ImagesThe 76ers continue to achieve their goal of being the worst team in the NBA this season. The higher the draft pick, the better for Brett Brown's club.
29. Los Angeles Lakers (9-37) Last Week: 29
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The Lakers announced a few weeks ago that this season was about honoring Kobe Bryant's legacy. Now Kobe chews out the team for losing six games in a row. Things can't go both ways for the Lakers.
28. Brooklyn Nets (12-33) Last Week: 28
Getty ImagesThe Nets have no direction and little talent. It could be five or six years before they become relevant again without some major changes.
27. Phoenix Suns (14-31) Last Week: 27
Getty ImagesThe Suns have lost so many players to injuries that it has made this season a wash. Jeff Hornacek will likely lose his job due to some unfortunate circumstances.
26. Minnesota Timberwolves (14-31) Last Week: 26
Getty ImagesThe Timberwolves are loaded with talent, but it's young talent. This season will prove to be the year of most importance if they become a powerhouse in the next few seasons.
25. Denver Nuggets (17-27) Last Week: 24
Getty ImagesThe Nuggets have improved their play since getting Danilo Gallinari back, but they dug themselves too big of a hole to make any sort of playoff run this season.
24. New Orleans Pelicans (16-27) Last Week: 25
Getty ImagesThe Pelicans have been playing good basketball since Eric Gordon went down. It's not so much of an indictment of Gordon's play, but it has cut down the Pelicans' problems of trying to keep four guards happy.
23. Milwaukee Bucks (19-27) Last Week: 23
Getty ImagesI love the brand of basketball the Bucks have been playing, but they just can't seem to put together a winning streak. Until that happens, they'll remain where they are in these power rankings.
22. Orlando Magic (20-22) Last Week: 17
Getty ImagesElfrid Payton, Victor Oladipo and Nikola Vucevic is one heck of a nucleus to build around, but the Magic need more before they become true contenders.
21. Utah Jazz (19-24) Last Week: 21
Getty ImagesThe Jazz need some offensive help. Although Derrick Favors is returning tonight, there's no true knockdown shooter with Alec Burks being out.
20. Portland Trail Blazers (20-26) Last Week: 19
Getty ImagesThe Blazers can beat any team in the NBA on any given night. Unfortunately, they can also lose to any team on any given night. Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum are studs, but there's no real threat down low.
19. Charlotte Hornets (21-23) Last Week: 20
Getty ImagesThe Hornets are doing a terrific job of staying afloat despite injuries to Al Jefferson, Cody Zeller and Nicolas Batum. I still think they could use one more piece, but they are right in the thick of the playoff race either way.
18. New York Knicks (22-24) Last Week: 16
Getty ImagesI keep wanting to jump on the Knicks' bandwagon, but then they do something to prove why I shouldn't. It'll be interesting to see what Phil Jackson does come trade deadline time.
17. Washington Wizards (20-21) Last Week: 18
Getty ImagesIt seems as if the injuries are finally taking a toll on the Wizards. Despite Bradley Beal and Otto Porter returning, the Wizards can't find traction to make a consistent run.
16. Sacramento Kings (20-23) Last Week: 22
Getty ImagesDeMarcus Cousins has been playing like a man among boys and he's led the Kings to take control of the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference.
15. Miami Heat (23-21) Last Week: 10
Getty ImagesLike some other teams I've mentioned, the Heat have been struck by the injury bug as well and it's doing a number on them. Pat Riley needs to find a way to add some depth to the roster prior to the deadline.
14. Indiana Pacers (23-21) Last Week: 15
Getty ImagesThe Pacers have found another star alongside Paul George in Myles Turner. Unfortunately, Turner's development hasn't led to more wins for the Pacers.
13. Detroit Pistons (23-21) Last Week: 13
Getty ImagesAndre Drummond has struggled over recent weeks, but the Pistons have maintained their relevance in spite of him. Stan Van Gundy desperately needs to add depth to this roster so the starters don't have to play so many minutes.
12. Houston Rockets (24-22) Last Week: 12
Getty ImagesThe Rockets are beginning to get inspired play from players not named James Harden and Dwight Howard. It wouldn't surprise me to see them make a serious run in the second half of the season.
11. Boston Celtics (24-21) Last Week: 14
Getty ImagesThe Celtics need to find some consistency. One night the team will come out and destroy one of the better teams in the league, then lose to a bottom-feeder the next night.
10. Dallas Mavericks (25-21) Last Week: 11
Getty ImagesPersonally, I don't like the construction of the Mavericks' roster, but there's no denying their success. Rick Carlisle should be strongly considered for Coach of the Year.
9. Memphis Grizzlies (25-20) Last Week: 9
Getty ImagesSwitching to a smaller starting lineup has actually improved the Grizzlies' play on the court. I would still prefer to see them add another shooter, but so far the results are positive.
8. Atlanta Hawks (26-19) Last Week: 8
Getty ImagesPaul Millsap is a budding superstar. Unfortunately, the rest of the Hawks' roster has been playing up and down as of late. They desperately need more consistency from Kyle Korver and Jeff Teague.
7. Chicago Bulls (25-18) Last Week: 7
Getty ImagesThe Bulls made a statement on Saturday night as they went into Cleveland and knock off the Cavaliers. Pau Gasol seems to get better with age and Jimmy Butler is a legit MVP candidate.
6. Toronto Raptors (29-15) Last Week: 6
Getty ImagesThe Raptors are the most improved team in the NBA this season. With Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan patrolling the backcourt, and Jonas Valanciunas up front, the Raptors are ready to give the Cavaliers everything they want in the playoffs.
5. Los Angeles Clippers (28-16) Last Week: 5
Getty ImagesThe Clippers continued their strong play during Week 13 without the services of Blake Griffin. Griffin is expected to return within the next 7-10 days which could make for some interesting times as Doc Rivers tries to figure out his rotation.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers (30-12) Last Week: 3
Getty ImagesThe firing of David Blatt didn't shock me as much as it did the rest of the NBA world. It was no secret that the team didn't like or respect Blatt and wanted Tyronn Lue to be the head coach. It will be interesting to see if Lue can implement his system midseason.
3. Oklahoma City Thunder (33-13) Last Week: 4
Getty ImagesThe Thunder are quietly sneaking up on the Spurs and Warriors. That being said, their loss to the Nets was extremely shocking and could signal a need to add a piece or two prior to the trade deadline.
2. San Antonio Spurs (38-6) Last Week: 2
Getty ImagesThe Spurs are about to find out where they stand with the Warriors as the two teams meet later tonight. Right now, they are the only team that has a legitimate shot to dethrone the defending champions.
1. Golden State Warriors (40-4) Last Week: 1
Getty ImagesDon't expect this to change anytime soon. Whether it's Stephen Curry, Draymond Green or Klay Thompson, the Warriors can win so many different ways that it's just not fair.
