The offseason 2018 is slowly coming to a halt – and the squads of the teams are almost complete. This calls for an off-season power ranking in which the warriors remain untouchable, the Celtics overtake the Rockets and LeBrons Lakers do not reach the top group. Also: OKC attacks, the Mavs give hope and the Spurs romp in unfamiliar climes.
Note: This power ranking deals with the current squad strength of the teams. However, as it is not yet possible to say with certainty whether new additions will be made and how rookies and sophomores will develop, it is unavoidable that subjective assessments will be included in the rankings and forecasts.
Place 30: Atlanta Hawks. Schröder’s gone, the future belongs to Young at the Backcourt. Rookie coach Pierce will develop the young players during the rebuild. It is hard to imagine that they will end up somewhere else than in 15th place in the East.
29th place: Sacramento Kings. They did without Doncic in the draft and chose Bagley instead. He was convincing in the Summer League, but he is not an immediate guarantor of victory. In other words, Sac-Town remains the number one whipping boy in the West, but it’s hard to deny that there’s a lot of talent in the squad, but the composition is still not balanced.
Place 28: Orlando Magic. With Gordon extended, Bamba drafted and with Isaac another talent in development: The Magic have a unique, super-athletic front court. Clifford is a new grinder as head coach. These are good prospects for the defense. But that’s all for now.
27th place: Brooklyn Nets. No question, the Nets will continue to celebrate high-speed basketball and hope to develop their talents. Veterans like Faried and Dudley are supposed to help. In Draft 2019 they finally have their own first-round pick as well as Denver’s – then the rebuild really starts. Until then, they say: The main thing is we have fun.
26th place: New York Knicks. Ntilikina, Knox, Robinson, Coach Fizdale and Porzingis are the new and old hopefuls in the Big Apple. But nobody should make a secret of the fact that the coming season will be another transition season. So you certainly like to see a lottery pick. Is that enough for the discerning fans in the garden or is the small atmosphere high quickly over?
25th place: Chicago Bulls. With Parker’s commitment, the Bulls managed a small coup, but one with a high risk. Together with LaVine he forms an ACL duo – can that go well? Markkanen and Rookie Carter Jr. are other hopefuls. Coach Hoiberg has to make sure that the team takes a step forward as the owner becomes impatient.
24th place: Phoenix Suns. Ayton, Booker, Jackson, Bridges – a young team can hardly sound like more potential. Ariza is a respected veteran who also strengthens the defense. New coach Kokoskov can let off steam – and has the advantage that he does not have to win this season yet. Nevertheless, it should be worthwhile to switch on regularly!
23rd place: Memphis Grizzlies. The Grizzlies are determined to fight their way back into the playoffs. When Gasol and Conley are fit together, there is even star power – but who really believes in it? Rookie Jackson and the newcomers Temple, Anderson or Casspi make the team around them much better, but it still smells of mediocre.
22nd place: Charlotte Hornets. MCW and Howard are gone, I don’t think anyone would mind. Instead, with new coach Borrego and Parker, a little Spurs air blows through Charlotte, which is basically not wrong in the NBA. However, it seems doubtful that a significant step forward will be taken; the squad is too thin.
21st place: Detroit Pistons. Casey, the reigning coach of the year, is on the sidelines – sounds funny, but he is. Otherwise the squad was widened, with Pachulia comes Championship-DNA. Jackson and Griffin should have a spark for a successful season, then something could go towards the postseason. Can Drummond confirm his 60 percent off the line?
Page 1: Places 30-21
Page 2: Seats 20-11
Page 3: Places 10-1