While the teams in the league cellar are fighting for the worst record, a lot has happened at the top. The Warriors lose their place on the throne and slide to rank 3, the Cavaliers re-establish themselves at the top and the Spurs and Thunder suffer setbacks. And what’s going on with the Jazz and Sixers? The Power Ranking in February.
From 28 to 30: Phoenix Suns (18-43.0-9). In the extremely exciting Tanking race the Suns take off. If a victory is possible, simple mistakes follow (#fivesecondviolation) and the defense takes on ever more frightening moves (it’s a matter of honour: 30th place in the ranking). In the last 24 games, the opponent was only once under 100 points. Jackson and Bender are experiencing modest increases in performance.
From 24 to 29: Brooklyn Nets (19-41,0-8). Slowly but surely, the nets are moving in the regions where they were expected before the season. The Atkinson-Pace is no longer able to compensate for the lack of (or rather not yet developed) talent. There were eight defeats in a row, the Cavs are happy about every single one of them.
From 22 to 28: Memphis Grizzlies (18-40,0-8). Evans and Gasol can make you feel sorry. There was no away win in the new year, but they are undesirable anyway. The temporary return of Parsons should not reduce the chances in the lottery race. Andrew Harrison, who has recently made some good appearances, is hoping for the future.
From 27 to 27: Dallas Mavericks (18-42,2-6). The Mavs belong to the absolute league elite when it comes to throwing away impending victories through adventurous lineups and mistakes in the crunchtime. Mark Cuban was severely punished for admitting to the tanking. The revelations surrounding the ex-president of the Mavs make it rumble within the franchise, which puts the sporty into the background. Dirk is a block machine.
From 29 to 26: Sacramento Kings (18-41,2-7). Another one of the teams that have 18 victories on their account and in the best case don’t want to have any more. Coach Joerger has meanwhile succeeded in redistributing the touches in the direction of talent. Bogdanovic profits and develops splendidly, Hield also shows good approaches, especially in catch-and-shoot. Stupid for the Tanking plans: Hardly any other team has more home games in the season’s final spurt.
From 23 to 25: New York Knicks (24-37,1-8). The torn cruciate ligament in Porzingis has practically finished the New York season. Disadvantageous: You now have too many victories to play a role in the lottery. And hope for positive moments in the guards should be no one: There are still two roadtrips waiting, but the warriors will come by first. Mudiay is allowed to start in the meantime.
From 26 to 24: Atlanta Hawks (18-42,3-6) Schröder still has outliers up and down. The Hawks don’t care because looking at their record (jo, 18 victories) shows that other things have priority. Those who need positive news can rely on the development of John Collins and Taurean Prince.
From 30 to 23: Orlando Magic (18-41,3-6). A not so bad offense always leads to surprise victories, the return of Aaron Gordon should reinforce this. Since Payton’s departure, D. J. Has been throwing away. Augustin and Shelvin Mack run the shop on number one and do it quite neatly. Now it’s time to teach the young players some defense.
From 21 to 22: Chicago Bulls (20-39,2-6). Nikola Mirotic’s trade with the Pels has averted the danger of unplanned success. Nevertheless, it is easy to see what the Windy City is doing on the court. LaVine’s athletics don’t seem to have really suffered, Bobby Portis turns out to be a great backup center in a small lineup and Paul Zipser seems to have survived his worst crisis. Lauri Markkanen, on the other hand, has calmed down somewhat.
From 19 to 21: Charlotte Hornets (27-33,6-4). Since Head Coach Steve Clifford’s return, things have been up moderately, but nobody really believes in the playoffs. Despite rumours, Kemba Walker was not traded and should continue to be the face of the franchise. Only: Where is the journey going? The team is quite old and there are hardly any cap space or expiring contracts. Sick situation.
Page 1: Seats 30-21
Page 2: Seats 20-11
Page 3: Places 10-1