We are now three weeks into the 2020-21 NBA season and these are 10 teams that are looking like the best teams in the league currently. I want to mention 3 teams that just missed the cut before we get into the top 10.
MISSED THE CUT
Hornets – The Charlotte Hornets are playing really good basketball lately. Lamelo Ball looks like the clear frontrunner for MVP and Gordon Hayward is playing like his all-star Jazz days. I believe the Hornets have a real shot at making the playoffs in the east this year.
Jazz – The Jazz are a pretty inconsistent team. One game they get blown out by a Nets team without KD, the next game they go into Milwaukee and win by 15 points, and then go back to New York and get blown out by the Knicks. They’re not good enough to be on the list yet but they’ll make the playoffs.
Nuggets – After a disappointing 1-5 start to the season, the Nuggets finally began to click and won 4 games in a row. Jokic is playing like an MVP candidate and averaging a triple-double so far. Nuggets will definitely make this list sooner rather than later.
Now onto the top 10…
10. Suns – The Suns are off to their best start in a decade. They are 7-4 and tied for 3rd place in the west. However, their recent games have been getting postponed due to Covid-19 protocols. Once they start playing again, they’ll pick up right where they left off and make the playoffs this year for the first time since 2010.
9. Blazers – Although they had an impressive win against the Lakers a few weeks ago, the Blazers were at a mediocre 3-4 after dropping games to the Warriors, Clippers, and even the Bulls. They have won their last 4 games against bad teams but a win is a win. Dame even dropped 40 points last night against the Kings. This team has the potential to do much better than finishing 8th in the west last year with a below .500 record.
8. Pacers – The Pacers dropped a spot since week 1 but that doesn’t mean they’re a bad team. In fact, after last night’s trade, I believe they got even better. They acquired Caris LeVert from the Brooklyn Nets, who in my opinion was their 3rd best player. Losing Oladipo may seem bad for Pacers fans out there but they shouldn’t worry because it will work out in the long run. LeVert has superstar potential and being paired up with Sabonis and Brogdon will make the Pacers a competitive team in the playoffs.
7. Mavs – Luka is finally looking like an MVP player after a disappointing start to the season. He has scored over 30 points in three out of his last four games and leads the team in PPG, rebounds, assists, blocks, and field goal percentage. He seems to be doing it all. With the return of KP last night as well, the Mavs are figuring it all out and look to make it out of the first round this year for the first time since they won the NBA championship in 2011.
6. Clippers – The Clippers are now 8-4 and are 2nd in the west behind the Lakers but they do have a very big issue. They are unable to hold onto leads. They blew a 20 point lead against the Warriors and almost blew a 30 point lead to the Suns. Kawhi seems to be doing better, however, after an inconsistent start to the season. The Clippers need to figure out how to hold onto leads. Otherwise, it will be last year all over again.
5. Nets – Yesterday, a blockbuster 4 team trade sent James Harden to the Brooklyn Nets to play alongside Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. I think this is the biggest mistake the Nets have done since they traded away all their picks to the Celtics for a washed Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett in 2013. The Nets have lost all their depth by trading away Caris LeVert and Jarrett Allen. Allen is one of the best rim protectors in the league and could’ve given dominant big men such as AD, Embiid, and Giannis a tough time in the paint. Another question to be answered is: Where is Kyrie? He simply does not want to be with the team and no one knows what he is truly up to. If the Nets do not make it to the finals this year, this whole season will be a disaster for them.
4. Bucks– Khris Middleton has taken a huge leap this year and is consistently dropping 25-30 points in games this year. Jrue Holiday is also off to a nice start with his new team averaging 15.2 points. Giannis is putting up 26 and 10 as well. Maybe Holiday and Middleton will finally help Giannis and the Bucks get over the hump this year and get to the finals. The Bucks have the most to prove but aren’t under the most pressure since they were able to sign Giannis to a supermax contract.
3. Celtics – In Week 1, I had the Celtics at the number 9 spot because they were off to a slow start especially after getting blown out by the Nets on Christmas. I predicted though, that they would soon go back to normal and start winning games and that’s what they did. They have also gotten their games postponed due to Covid. So, why do I have Celtics at 3 and the Suns at 10 if both their games are postponed? That’s because the Celtics make the playoffs every year and the Suns haven’t made it for a whole decade. I expect them to finish either 2nd or 3rd in the east this year.
2.Sixers – The Sixers are looking like a complete team 13 games into the season. They are at a 9-4 record and 2nd in the east. Most of their losses were due to the fact of only having 7 available players and also Embiid not playing. Simmons is having a tough season so far. However, Seth Curry, Shake Milton, and rookie Tyrese Maxey are off to a wonderful start in the season. In my opinion, if the season ended today, Joel Embiid would win the MVP award. This is the best team the Sixers have had in a long time. The year for the Sixers to try to win a championship should be this year and attempt to complete the process.
1. Lakers – The Lakers are back on top! I had the Lakers at the number 2 spot last year because I was very disappointed following their losses to the Clippers and the Blazers. However, their road record is currently 7-0 which is a franchise record. LeBron is playing like LeBron. AD seems to be dominant again after playing terribly in the three losses the Lakers have had this season. They also have their consistent 3rd and 4th options in Trezz and Schröder. They now have the best record in the league at 10-3 and Vegas still has them as the favorites to win the championship even after the Brooklyn Nets traded for James Harden.
