NFL
We are just a few weeks away from the NBA All-Star game. Here are the Mid-Season NBA Rankings.
10) San Antonio Spurs, (27-22): This could be Gregg Popovich’s greatest coaching job of all-time. The 5x NBA Championship coach has the Spurs climbing up the Western Conference ladder. Right now the Spurs are in 6th place and they will get better the 2nd half of the season. I wouldn’t be surprised if they are a top 4 seed when the playoffs start.
9) Portland Trail Blazers,(29-20): The Trail Blazers keep going about their business in the Pacific North West quietly and successfully. Their “Big-3” of Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum and Jusif Nurkic are averaging 62 points, 11 assists and 19 rebounds combined.
8) Philadelphia 76ers, (32-17): The 76ers seem to have better chemistry when Jimmy Butler is out of the lineup. Over the past few games, Ben Simmons has been more aggressive offensively and Joel Embiid is playing like an MVP candidate. JJ Reddick continues to be one of the best shooter in the NBA and rookie Landry Shamet has started to provide Philadelphia with quality minutes.
7) Oklahoma City Thunder, (29-18): Paul George is playing the best basketball of his career. He is averaging 27 points, 7.9 rebounds and 4 assists per game. Russell Westbrook is shooting 24% from three point range and 66% from the free throw line. The former UCLA Bruin is averaging a triple double but at the end of games, George needs to be the go-to-guy.
#6) Indiana Pacers, (32-15): The Pacers would have competed for an Eastern Conference Championship but their star player, Victor Oladipo went down with a serious injury. Look for the Pacers to acquire Mike Conley Jr. from the Memphis Grizzlies.
#5) Denver Nuggets, (31-15): The Nuggets are a poor mans version of the Golden State Warriors. They are predicated on ball movement and giving up a good shot for a great shot. The problem is they don’t have a legitimate #1 scoring option. They are a good team but don’t have a high ceiling.
#4) Boston Celtics, (30-18): Boston has won 5 in a row and 7 out of their last 10. They appear to be getting healthy and everyone is understanding their roles. On paper, this is the best, deepest team in the Eastern Conference. I would not be shocked if they get the #1 seed by the end of the year.
#3) Milwaukee Bucks, (34-12): He is not their yet but, Giannis Antetokoumpo, is becoming one of the most complete players in the NBA. He is averaging 29 points, 5.9 assists and 12.6 rebounds a game. He is doing this all in the scope of the Bucks offense. No one wants to play Milwaukee in the post-season.
#2) Toronto Raptors, (36-14): The Raptors are as close to a one and done team that we have in the NBA. All indications are that Kawhi Leonard will be heading out to the Los Angeles next year to play for the Clippers. Leonard has exceeding all expectations. He is averaging 27.3 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.9 steals per game. The problem with Toronto is they don’t have a number #2 option. Kyle Lowry has come up short in the post-season for years.
#1) Golden State Warriors,(34-14): This is the greatest starting five in the history of the NBA. This team, if they stay healthy, will go down as one of the greatest teams of all-time. With DeMarcus Cousins now in the starting lineup, defenses cant’ double team anyone on their roster. Draymond Green should benefit from this and become more of a scorer. Green is the one player that defenses will leave open. The Warriors could win 28 out of their next 30 games.
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