NBA: Power Ranking: We imagined it differently…

The 2017/18 season is now over a month old. While a German quartet crawls around at the dark end of the Power Ranking, there is a change of guard at the top. The Clippers are in free fall and also OKC does not meet the expectations. On the other hand, the pistons claim the title of Ascender of the Month.

From 30th to 30th place: Chicago Bulls (3-12). Chicago is fighting with Atlanta over the red lantern in the east. Paul Zipser has lost his place as a starter and has not yet found his way into the season. The controversy between Portis and Mirotic continues to smoulder, with only rookie markkanen making positive headlines. The upcoming guest appearances in Utah and the Warriors do not raise any hope for improvement.

From 29 to 29: Atlanta Hawks (3-14). The Hawks are in rebuild/tanking mode. Their record is therefore hardly surprising – especially since the opening programme was extremely tough. On the positive side: The team held up against many opponents, Dennis Schröder is a team star and Rookie Zach Collins is in high spirits.

From 23 to 28: Sacramento Kings (4-13). A 46 point defeat against the Hawks? You have to do that first – respect for it. After all: Rookie De’ Aron Fox already had his winning moment. The fact that Z-Bo is top scorer with 12.9 points shows, however, where the problem lies. Two roadtrips are scheduled for the beginning of December. Maybe there’s a victory in Chicago…

From 21 to 27: Dallas Mavericks (3-15). Dennis Smith, Jr. makes his spectacular athleticism light up again and again and seems to develop well. Also positive: Dirk does not make a possible career end dependent on the balance sheet. Otherwise, it’ll be over soon. Offense and Defense work only temporarily, but there is the usual injury luck. Maxi adhesive is an integral part of the rotation.

From 28 to 26: Brooklyn Nets (6-10). Lin cancels the whole season, D’ Angelo Russell is also out of action with a knee injury and surgery. It is therefore all the more astonishing that the Nets can rarely be shown – on the contrary. Coach Atkinson’s High-Speed-Offense (fastest pace in the league!) has already taken some opponents by surprise, including Jazz or Blazers. Allen Crabbe shows every now and then why he makes so much money.

From 11 to 25: Los Angeles Clippers (5-11). After a strong start to the season with an even stronger Blake Griffin, there followed the great disillusionment: After Paul-Trade, you are probably no better than before. Meanwhile, the clips are now standing at nine defeats in a row – the latest appearance in the MSG was an oath of revelation. Pat Beverley and Milos Teodosic are hurt, as is Danilo Gallinari. Is Coach Rivers about to die?

From 27 to 24: Phoenix Suns (7-11). Earl Watson’s lightning dismissal seems to have really paid off, but while the team’s defense still needs to be covered in silence (90 rockets points in a halftime…), the pace-and-space system on the other side will win. On the wings, T. J. harmonize. Warren and Devin Booker gorgeous – who was that bledsoe again?

From 22 to 23: Los Angeles Lakers (8-10). Lonzo Ball may have problems with his litter, but has already collected two triple doubles. Even more fun is Kyle Kuzma, who is now allowed to start and blows out all the lights – Draft-Steal! For victories against big teams, however, the defense is still too bad. A bunch of away games will also show how far the boys really are.

From 18 to 22: Charlotte Hornets (7-9). Kemba Walker plays career highs in assists and points, while Dwight Howard recently showed in a direct duel with Towns that he can still dominate. Nevertheless, they have to fight for every victory and lose particularly close matches far too often. After all, the list of injured players is empty and many home games are scheduled for December.

From 12 to 21: Miami Heat (7-9). It’s not on South Beach. Coach Spoelstra seems at a loss, the players make frustrated statements. Recently, Dion Waiters threw 0/10 out of the field. In short, Miami is far from being in top form. The fact that the first long trip in the West is over, provides some comfort. The medical record of the squad, on the other hand, is worrying.

Page 1: Seats 30-21

Page 2: Seats 20-11

Page 3: Places 10-1