NFL
We have a new number 1 at the top of the power rankings this week.
5) Portland Trail Blazers:
The Blazers are winning without their three starters, C.J McCollum, Jusuf Nurki and Zach Collins. Portland’s bench has stepped up in their absence. Gary Trent Jr. and Enes Kanter are averaging 25 points combined. Kanter is pulling down 11.1 rebounds per contest. Carmelo Anthony is scoring 13 points per game despite only playing 23 minutes per night. Damian Lillard is in the hunt for the MVP. He is scoring 30 points and dishing out 8 assists every game. When this team is healthy, they can play with any team in the NBA.
4) Philadelphia 76ers:
Joel Embiid is scoring 29 points and pulling down 11 rebounds per contest. Embiid is playing like an MVP. Tobias Harris and Ben Simmons are playing some of the best basketball of their careers. Danny Green and Dwight Howard are providing veteran leadership after winning a title with the Los Angeles Lakers last season. Seth Curry can carry this team with his outside shooting for a quarter a half or an entire game. Doc Rivers should get some coach of the year votes.
3) LA Clippers:
Paul George and Kawhi Leonard are among the best 1-2 combinations in the NBA. They are averaging just over 50 points per game combined. The next leader in scoring is Marcus Morris, he is averaging 11 points per contest. This team is top heavy, they are surrounded by role players. As constituted, they do not have enough depth to win the Western Conference.
2) LA Lakers:
The Lakers are 2nd in the Western Conference but they appear to be playing uninspired basketball at times. Last week against the Memphis Grizzles, Los Angeles started the game down, 20-2. They finished the game outscoring the Grizzlies 113-85 and won the game 115-105. This team is playing a dangerous game of turning the switch on and off. LeBron James is averaging 25 points, 7.9 rebounds and 7.9 assists. He is doing all of this in his 18th year in the NBA. Anthony Davis has missed several games this season due to injuries. His scoring and rebounding are down as well. This team needs to acquire another scorer at the trading deadline if they want to win back-to-back titles.
1) Utah Jazz:
The Jazz are on a 7-game win streak and they have the best record in the NBA. Quin Snyder has this team playing focused and unselfish. Utah has a 9-man rotation, and they are all contributing on the court. Their second leading scorer in a bench player. Joran Clarkson is averaging 17 points per game. Donovan Mitchell is averaging 24 points per game and Rudy Gobert is a double/double machine. The Jazz are almost unbeatable at home. This team could make it to the Western Conference Finals
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