{"id":133067,"date":"2024-12-04T03:24:39","date_gmt":"2024-12-03T20:24:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/?p=133067"},"modified":"2024-12-04T03:24:39","modified_gmt":"2024-12-03T20:24:39","slug":"nba-power-rankings-rockets-keep-ascending-and-a-new-face-in-all-30-places","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/?p=133067","title":{"rendered":"NBA Power Rankings: Rockets keep ascending, and a new face in all 30 places"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"fluid\"\r\n     data-ad-layout-key=\"-fb+5w+4e-db+86\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"7910942971\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>Here it\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=rsrEXwozK-Y\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">December every day<\/a> \u2026<\/p>\n<p>Teams spend the offseason remodeling rosters in a variety of ways. There is the draft at the end of June, free agency getting underway right as July begins, and the summer always threatens trade activity.<\/p>\n<p>Even in training camp, teams sign players to compete for end-of-bench roles and then waive them, while every new guy has adjustments to make. That\u2019s the case even for the star players on new teams, who also make it so that incumbent teammates have to adjust to them.<\/p>\n<p>November provides something of a honeymoon period for new players in new cities, whether they are rookies or veterans. It\u2019s a month that has very little transactional activity.<\/p>\n<p>Now that November is over, we will get into the Power Rankings this week by taking a look at a new face on every team. Some of these players are main pieces, while others are hidden figures on established rosters.<\/p>\n<p>A reminder: These Power Rankings won\u2019t just rank every team. We will retain the tiers that teams will be promoted into and relegated out of. There will be five tiers every week:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Top Contenders<\/strong> \u2013 Locked at five, these are the class of the league<\/li>\n<li><strong>In a Good Place<\/strong> \u2013 Could be one team, could be seven teams<\/li>\n<li><strong>The Bubble<\/strong> \u2013 Not to be confused with Walt Disney World. The middle of the pack<\/li>\n<li><strong>Not the Tier to Fear<\/strong> \u2013 Not playing the worst ball in the league, but with a lot of work to do<\/li>\n<li><strong>Basement Floor<\/strong> \u2013 Bringing up the rear<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Let\u2019s dive into Week 6 of the Power Rankings. Win\/loss records and statistics are through Monday\u2019s games.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"embedPlayer\" style=\"border: 0px; border-radius: 12px; width: 100%; height: 175px; max-width: 660px;\" title=\"Media player\" src=\"https:\/\/embed.podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/lakers-taking-ls-hawks-on-the-rise\/id1358187061?i=1000679063286&amp;itscg=30200&amp;itsct=podcast_box_player&amp;ls=1&amp;mttnsubad=1000679063286&amp;theme=auto\" width=\"100%\" height=\"175\" sandbox=\"allow-forms allow-popups allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2>Tier 1: Top Contenders<\/h2>\n<h3>1. <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"71\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/team\/celtics\/\">Boston Celtics<\/a> (17-4)<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Last ranking:<\/strong> 1<br \/><strong>In the last week:<\/strong> W at CHI, L at CLE, W vs. MIA<br \/><strong>Offensive rating:<\/strong> 120.3 (third)<br \/><strong>Defensive rating:<\/strong> 110.2 (eighth)<\/p>\n<p><strong>New face:<\/strong> <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"zAyVYegbIMcmbti7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/player\/baylor-scheierman-zAyVYegbIMcmbti7\/\">Baylor Scheierman<\/a><\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m keeping the defending champs at the top for another week \u2014 the matchup between Boston and <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"74\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/team\/cavaliers\/\">Cleveland<\/a> is a bit of a wash for right now. This Celtics roster is an unusual one, as Boston retained nearly every standard contract player from the 2024 championship team. The only players who didn\u2019t return were <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"T6devXeHTN7CC2cC\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/player\/svi-mykhailiuk-T6devXeHTN7CC2cC\/\">Svi Mykhailiuk<\/a> and <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"wACgk99PmPqW56Xz\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/player\/oshae-brissett-wACgk99PmPqW56Xz\/\">Oshae Brissett<\/a>, and in their place is an open roster spot and Scheierman, the No. 30 pick from the 2024 NBA Draft who has only played 34 minutes all season. A defending champion hasn\u2019t had continuity like this since the <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"86\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/team\/spurs\/\">San Antonio Spurs<\/a> 10 years ago.<\/p>\n<h3>2. Cleveland Cavaliers (18-3)<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Last ranking:<\/strong> 2<br \/><strong>In the last week:<\/strong> L vs. ATL, L at ATL, W vs. BOS<br \/><strong>Offensive rating:<\/strong> 120.8 (second)<br \/><strong>Defensive rating:<\/strong> 111.7 (11th)<\/p>\n<p><strong>New face:<\/strong> <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"2ItVC5TXP4fBJsm1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/player\/jaylon-tyson-2ItVC5TXP4fBJsm1\/\">Jaylon Tyson<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Continuity will be a theme for a few teams at the top, and the 11 players who have appeared in at least 100 minutes for the Cavaliers this season all ended last season in Cleveland. That list does not include <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"NFLNsCjhMeSSFsLA\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/player\/max-strus-NFLNsCjhMeSSFsLA\/\">Max Strus<\/a>, last year\u2019s starting small forward who has yet to debut this season while recovering from a sprained ankle. Tyson is a first-round pick out of California who has played in every game since the Cavaliers lost in Boston last month. He flashed an enticing floor game in New Orleans, scoring 16 points on 7-of-12 shooting and adding 11 rebounds, seven assists and two steals. If nothing else, Cleveland has a player worth keeping an eye on at the wing.<\/p>\n<h3>3. <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"84\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/team\/rockets\/\">Houston Rockets<\/a> (15-6)<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Last ranking:<\/strong> 5<br \/><strong>In the last week:<\/strong> W at MIN, W at PHI, W vs. OKC<br \/><strong>Offensive rating:<\/strong> 112.5 (15th)<br \/><strong>Defensive rating:<\/strong> 104.3 (second)<\/p>\n<p><strong>New face:<\/strong> <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"ObEDLp0svldxDw79\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/player\/reed-sheppard-ObEDLp0svldxDw79\/\">Reed Sheppard<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Out of 14 Rockets to play at least 30 minutes this season, Sheppard is the only one who did not finish last season in Houston. Sheppard, the third pick in the draft out of Kentucky, was the first American player and the first guard selected. He is getting a long leash to figure things out, but Sunday\u2019s win against the <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"80\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/team\/thunder\/\">Thunder<\/a> was actually the first time in Sheppard\u2019s 21-game <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/\">NBA<\/a> career that he attempted a free throw. I had been sitting on that one for a while \u2014 Sheppard\u2019s first 20 NBA games resulted in a mustache and zero free-throw attempts! Yes, the Rockets are rapidly ascending. But they still have real room for improvement, and Sheppard figuring out how to score at the NBA level is part of it.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_5965632\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\">\n<div class=\"wp-caption-image-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-5965632 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/uploads\/wp\/2024\/12\/03071708\/iH-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1706\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/uploads\/wp\/2024\/12\/03071708\/iH-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/uploads\/wp\/2024\/12\/03071708\/iH-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/uploads\/wp\/2024\/12\/03071708\/iH-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/uploads\/wp\/2024\/12\/03071708\/iH-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/uploads\/wp\/2024\/12\/03071708\/iH-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"inline-credits\">\n<div class=\"inline-credits-container\">\n      <span class=\"table-cell-span\"\/><br \/>\n      <span class=\"credits-text\">Isaiah Hartenstein has given the Thunder everything they could have imagined and more. (Troy Taormina \/ Imagn Images)<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h3>4. Oklahoma City Thunder (15-5)<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Last ranking:<\/strong> 3<br \/><strong>In the last week:<\/strong> W at GS, W at LAL, L at HOU<br \/><strong>Offensive rating:<\/strong> 113.7 (10th)<br \/><strong>Defensive rating:<\/strong> 103.6 (first)<\/p>\n<p><strong>New face:<\/strong> <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"hjMEcIELScZcAVNC\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/player\/isaiah-hartenstein-hjMEcIELScZcAVNC\/\">Isaiah Hartenstein<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The Thunder finally lost with Hartenstein in the lineup Sunday in Houston after four straight wins with the free-agent acquisition. Hartenstein recovered from his fractured hand and debuted even better than advertised, securing double-doubles in points and rebounds in each game. Hartenstein never had more than two games in a row with a double-double last season with the <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"68\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/team\/knicks\/\">Knicks<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>5. <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"83\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/team\/grizzlies\/\">Memphis Grizzlies<\/a> (14-7)<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Last ranking:<\/strong> 6<br \/><strong>In the last week:<\/strong> W vs. DET, W vs. NO, W vs. IND<br \/><strong>Offensive rating:<\/strong> 116.7 (fifth)<br \/><strong>Defensive rating:<\/strong> 108.7 (sixth)<\/p>\n<p><strong>New face:<\/strong> <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"NmUkFzRwRcAZjJOO\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/player\/jaylen-wells-NmUkFzRwRcAZjJOO\/\">Jaylen Wells<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The marquee 2024 draft selection by the Memphis Grizzlies was top-10 pick <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"0cJQE8GI9YlYR484\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/player\/zach-edey-0cJQE8GI9YlYR484\/\">Zach Edey<\/a>, but he has missed more than two weeks with a sprained ankle. The 7-foot-4 center will be back this month, but in the meantime, there\u2019s another Grizzlies draft pick racking up starts and minutes. Wells was the 39th pick out of Washington State, and he has been sniping as the starting small forward in Memphis. What Wells does at a high level is find 3s on the fast break; only Dalton Knecht has made more 3s among rookies this season than Wells (42 of 106, 39.6 percent).<\/p>\n<h2>Tier 2: In a Good Place<\/h2>\n<h3>6. <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"67\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/team\/magic\/\">Orlando Magic<\/a> (15-7)<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Last ranking:<\/strong> 7<br \/><strong>In the last week:<\/strong> W vs. CHI, W at BRK, W at BRK<br \/><strong>Offensive rating:<\/strong> 110.7 (22nd)<br \/><strong>Defensive rating:<\/strong> 104.5 (third)<\/p>\n<p><strong>New face:<\/strong> Kentavious Caldwell-Pope<\/p>\n<p>Caldwell-Pope signed a three-year contract to leave the <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"82\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/team\/nuggets\/\">Denver Nuggets<\/a> for Orange County, Fla. And while he has struggled to bring the shooting that the Magic desperately need (41.1 percent field goals, 31 percent 3s), they continue to win with him getting 30 minutes per game. This past week saw Caldwell-Pope possibly breaking out of his slow start to the season, as he made 14 of 24 3s while shooting 65.6 percent from the field overall in the last three games.<\/p>\n<h3>7. <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"87\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/team\/mavericks\/\">Dallas Mavericks<\/a> (13-8)<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Last ranking:<\/strong> 9<br \/><strong>In the last week:<\/strong> W vs. NY, W at UTA, W at POR<br \/><strong>Offensive rating:<\/strong> 116.7 (fourth)<br \/><strong>Defensive rating:<\/strong> 110.5 (ninth)<\/p>\n<p><strong>New face:<\/strong> Klay Thompson<\/p>\n<p>Thompson is playing on an isolation-heavy team for the first time since he was being coached by Mark Jackson in Golden State more than a decade ago. Of course, that just means that Thompson touches the ball even less than he did last season with the <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"88\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/team\/warriors\/\">Warriors<\/a>. Thompson is averaging the fewest points (13.2) and field-goal attempts (12.3) since his rookie season, and the fewest assists (1.8) and free-throw attempts (0.9) of his career. His field goal (36.8) and 3-point (36.8) percentages are also career lows.<\/p>\n<h3>8. Golden State Warriors (12-7)<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Last ranking:\u00a0<\/strong>4<br \/><strong>In the last week:<\/strong> L vs. OKC, L at PHO<br \/><strong>Offensive rating:<\/strong> 114.0 (eighth)<br \/><strong>Defensive rating:<\/strong> 107.7 (fifth)<\/p>\n<p><strong>New face:<\/strong> Buddy Hield<\/p>\n<p>So many players, so little time. Steve Kerr\u2019s expanded rotation was looking like an asset when Golden State started 12-3. But the Warriors are starting to falter, with <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"toS7DgUD3IIt7uds\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/player\/stephen-curry-toS7DgUD3IIt7uds\/\">Stephen Curry<\/a> dealing with knee issues, <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"vBKwxnLRDiw6TF9d\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/player\/deanthony-melton-vBKwxnLRDiw6TF9d\/\">De\u2019Anthony Melton<\/a> undergoing season-ending ACL surgery and too many players not making enough of an impact. There\u2019s a reason most coaches stick with 8-to-10-man rotations. Now, <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"qWchQbJAR0YQNMyV\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/player\/draymond-green-qWchQbJAR0YQNMyV\/\">Draymond Green<\/a> is dealing with a calf issue and could miss games for the first time all season.<\/p>\n<p>Of the 13 players Kerr has used for 20 minutes in a game, only Curry, Green and <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"BxjGOsZJwlBdDODt\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/player\/andrew-wiggins-BxjGOsZJwlBdDODt\/\">Andrew Wiggins<\/a> have played more than <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"JyZHl24VVa8twrMw\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/player\/klay-thompson-JyZHl24VVa8twrMw\/\">Klay Thompson<\/a>\u2019s shooting replacement, Hield. There have been six games in which Hield has scored 20 or more points, and the Warriors are undefeated in those games. But there have also been five games in which Hield has failed to reach double figures, and Golden State lost all of those games except for the night <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"sbpm1Ty4vmeY5sa9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/player\/chet-holmgren-sbpm1Ty4vmeY5sa9\/\">Chet Holmgren<\/a> was injured in Oklahoma City.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/5959219\/2024\/12\/01\/warriors-struggle-13-man-rotation\/\" class=\"go-deeper\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"go-deeper\">\n<div class=\"go-deeper-img\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/uploads\/wp\/2024\/12\/01020314\/warriors.1130-scaled-e1733036640826-1024x683.jpg?width=128&amp;height=128&amp;fit=cover&amp;auto=webp\" class=\"go-deeper\" alt=\"go-deeper\"\/><\/div>\n<div>\n<p class=\"go-deeper-label\">GO DEEPER<\/p>\n<p class=\"go-deeper-title\">What changes are needed to the Warriors&#8217; suddenly struggling 13-man rotation?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<h3>9. New York Knicks (12-8)<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Last ranking:<\/strong> 8<br \/><strong>In the last week:<\/strong> L at DAL, W at CHA, W vs. NO<br \/><strong>Offensive rating:<\/strong> 121.1 (first)<br \/><strong>Defensive rating:<\/strong> 114.6 (22nd)<\/p>\n<p><strong>New face:<\/strong> <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"dmZgViDJ3He5ZrQp\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/player\/mikal-bridges-dmZgViDJ3He5ZrQp\/\">Mikal Bridges<\/a><\/p>\n<p>I realize that Karl-Anthony Towns was the one who was traded for fellow All-Star <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"ZOBqK4RMFKL7YI2Q\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/player\/julius-randle-ZOBqK4RMFKL7YI2Q\/\">Julius Randle<\/a> just before training camp, but let\u2019s check in here on Bridges, who was traded months earlier for control of seven draft picks. Bridges had his first 30-point game with the Knicks in a blowout win against the <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"85\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/team\/pelicans\/\">Pelicans<\/a> on Sunday, which also was Bridges\u2019 first game of the season in which he made more than four 3s. Even in that game, Bridges failed to attempt a free throw; he has only made 8 of 13 at the stripe to go with a career-low 33.1 percent from 3. New York rarely takes Bridges off the floor, and it\u2019s not like he has been a bystander out there. But everyone will be watching to see how Bridges progresses with his shot and aggression as a Knick.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/5961693\/2024\/12\/02\/mikal-bridges-karl-anthony-towns-knicks-nba\/\" class=\"go-deeper\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"go-deeper\">\n<div class=\"go-deeper-img\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/uploads\/wp\/2024\/12\/01224827\/GettyImages-2185962734.jpg?width=128&amp;height=128&amp;fit=cover&amp;auto=webp\" class=\"go-deeper\" alt=\"go-deeper\"\/><\/div>\n<div>\n<p class=\"go-deeper-label\">GO DEEPER<\/p>\n<p class=\"go-deeper-title\">What&#8217;s up with Mikal Bridges? Will KAT and Mitchell Robinson work? A Knicks discussion<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_5965633\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\">\n<div class=\"wp-caption-image-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-5965633 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/uploads\/wp\/2024\/12\/03071909\/djj-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/uploads\/wp\/2024\/12\/03071909\/djj-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/uploads\/wp\/2024\/12\/03071909\/djj-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/uploads\/wp\/2024\/12\/03071909\/djj-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/uploads\/wp\/2024\/12\/03071909\/djj-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/uploads\/wp\/2024\/12\/03071909\/djj-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"inline-credits\">\n<div class=\"inline-credits-container\">\n      <span class=\"table-cell-span\"\/><br \/>\n      <span class=\"credits-text\">Derrick Jones Jr. is one reason the Clippers don\u2019t miss Paul George. (Gary A. Vasquez \/ Imagn Images)<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h3>10. <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"90\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/team\/clippers\/\">LA Clippers<\/a> (13-9)<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Last ranking:<\/strong> 10<br \/><strong>In the last week:<\/strong> W at WAS, L at MIN, W vs. DEN<br \/><strong>Offensive rating:<\/strong> 110.6 (23rd)<br \/><strong>Defensive rating:<\/strong> 107.7 (fourth)<\/p>\n<p><strong>New face:<\/strong> <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"dCHS5R1hLEo4AXgQ\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/player\/derrick-jones-jr-dCHS5R1hLEo4AXgQ\/\">Derrick Jones Jr.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>This is low-hanging fruit, but Jones has as many 20-point games this season (one) as the player he replaced in the Clippers\u2019 lineup, All-Star <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"kIIUTtsJtSpaZfu1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/player\/paul-george-kIIUTtsJtSpaZfu1\/\">Paul George<\/a>. Of course, Jones wasn\u2019t brought to LA for his offense, though he is averaging career-bests in points (10.0) and 3s (1.2 makes, 41.9 percent) so far this season. Jones is the top forward defender for a Clippers team still missing <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"ZVBR9DRffqJpzLHV\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/player\/kawhi-leonard-ZVBR9DRffqJpzLHV\/\">Kawhi Leonard<\/a>, and he has combined with fellow newcomer <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"TNoY7HWxAdU7BRkI\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/player\/kris-dunn-TNoY7HWxAdU7BRkI\/\">Kris Dunn<\/a> to change the attitude of LA\u2019s defense to begin the season.<\/p>\n<h3>11. Denver Nuggets (10-8)<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Last ranking:<\/strong> 11<br \/><strong>In the last week:<\/strong> W at UTA, L at LAC<br \/><strong>Offensive rating:<\/strong> 115.7 (sixth)<br \/><strong>Defensive rating:<\/strong> 114.2 (19th)<\/p>\n<p><strong>New face:<\/strong> <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"6Eb0XPY16UzzJWbc\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/player\/russell-westbrook-6Eb0XPY16UzzJWbc\/\">Russell Westbrook<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Only eight Nuggets have averaged more than 15 minutes per game this season, and Westbrook is the only one who did not play in Denver last season. The Nuggets have outscored foes by 23 points this season in the 214 minutes he has shared the floor with reigning MVP <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"bCjsyLGuQMrMSWNr\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/player\/nikola-jokic-bCjsyLGuQMrMSWNr\/\">Nikola Joki\u0107<\/a> and have outscored opponents by 12 points in the 168 minutes Westbrook has shared the floor with fellow point guard <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"HSa72b2APm5BkRHi\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/player\/jamal-murray-HSa72b2APm5BkRHi\/\">Jamal Murray<\/a>. But all Westbrook lineups that don\u2019t have either Joki\u0107 or Murray on the floor have been outscored by 111 points. Denver has a very difficult time scoring if Joki\u0107 or Murray are not on the floor, and Westbrook hasn\u2019t helped that issue.<\/p>\n<link rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"https:\/\/theathletic.com\/app\/themes\/athletic\/assets\/css\/in-content-modules.css?1733192151\"\/>\n<div class=\"in-content-module\" data-module-type=\"book\" data-module-id=\"BASKETBALL100\" data-module-category=\"commercial\" data-module-type-id=\"1\">\n<div class=\"in-content-module-book\"><a class=\"in-content-module-img\" href=\"https:\/\/store.nytimes.com\/products\/basketball-100?variant=42296864964678\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.theathletic.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=400,height=400,fit=contain,format=auto\/app\/in-content-modules-images\/in-content-module-BASKETBALL100.png\" alt=\"The Basketball 100\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"in-content-module-contents\">\n<div class=\"in-content-copy-container\"><a class=\"in-content-module-headline\" href=\"https:\/\/store.nytimes.com\/products\/basketball-100?variant=42296864964678\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Basketball 100<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"in-content-module-intro-copy long\">The story of the greatest players in NBA history. In 100 riveting profiles, top basketball writers justify their selections and uncover the history of the NBA in the process.<\/p>\n<p class=\"in-content-module-intro-copy short\">The story of the greatest plays in NBA history.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a class=\"in-content-module-cta\" href=\"https:\/\/store.nytimes.com\/products\/basketball-100?variant=42296864964678\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Buy<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/theathletic.com\/app\/themes\/athletic\/assets\/img\/icon-arrow-right.svg\" alt=\"Buy The Basketball 100\"\/><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h3>12. <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"77\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/team\/bucks\/\">Milwaukee Bucks<\/a> (10-9)<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Last ranking:<\/strong> 17<br \/><strong>In the last week:<\/strong> W at MIA, W vs. WAS<br \/><strong>Offensive rating:<\/strong> 113.4 (12th)<br \/><strong>Defensive rating:<\/strong> 112.7 (14th)<\/p>\n<p><strong>New face:<\/strong> Taurean Prince<\/p>\n<p>Prince and new\/old assistant coach Darvin Ham were the butt of frequent jokes last year with the <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"89\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/team\/lakers\/\">Los Angeles Lakers<\/a>. With small forward <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"16EsAhBpQ9MB2dEC\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/player\/khris-middleton-16EsAhBpQ9MB2dEC\/\">Khris Middleton<\/a> still recovering from ankle surgeries, Prince has been a starter. He is quite one-dimensional, as he\u2019s only on the floor to shoot 3s, but that one dimension has seen Prince lead the league in 3-point percentage (54.2, while making 2.1 per game).<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/5959764\/2024\/12\/01\/milwaukee-bucks-giannis-antetokounmpo-damian-lillard\/\" class=\"go-deeper\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"go-deeper\">\n<div class=\"go-deeper-img\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/uploads\/wp\/2024\/12\/01101935\/241201-Giannis-Antetokounmpo-Damian-Lillard-scaled-e1733066619760-1024x681.jpg?width=128&amp;height=128&amp;fit=cover&amp;auto=webp\" class=\"go-deeper\" alt=\"go-deeper\"\/><\/div>\n<div>\n<p class=\"go-deeper-label\">GO DEEPER<\/p>\n<p class=\"go-deeper-title\">&#8216;Our chemistry has been incredible&#8217;: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard key Bucks&#8217; win streak<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<h3>13. San Antonio Spurs (11-9)<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Last ranking:<\/strong> 12<br \/><strong>In the last week:<\/strong> W at UTA, L vs. LAL, W at SAC<br \/><strong>Offensive rating:<\/strong> 112.2 (18th)<br \/><strong>Defensive rating:<\/strong> 112.2 (13th)<\/p>\n<p><strong>New face:<\/strong> <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"T2sfGOMEeDjjOrJH\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/player\/chris-paul-T2sfGOMEeDjjOrJH\/\">Chris Paul<\/a><\/p>\n<p>After starting only 18 games with the Golden State Warriors, future Hall of Fame point guard Paul signed with the Spurs, and he is doing it yet again. Paul went to the playoffs in his first season as a Clippers, Rockets, Thunder and <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"91\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/team\/suns\/\">Suns<\/a> point guard. This season, a Spurs team that won 22 games last season has reached the halfway mark of that win total through only 20 games, all of them started by the Point God. Paul doesn\u2019t score a lot these days, and he needs to be hidden defensively, but he\u2019s doing everything else. Of the nine players who average at least 8.0 assists per game this season, none averages fewer turnovers than Paul (8.3 assists, 1.8 turnovers).<\/p>\n<h2>Tier 3: The Bubble<\/h2>\n<h3>14. Phoenix Suns (11-8)<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Last ranking:<\/strong> 14<br \/><strong>In the last week:<\/strong> W vs. LAL, L vs. BRK, W vs. GS<br \/><strong>Offensive rating:<\/strong> 113.4 (13th)<br \/><strong>Defensive rating:<\/strong> 114.3 (20th)<\/p>\n<p><strong>New face:<\/strong> <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"fEErT6Ik9wCLDFY4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/player\/tyus-jones-fEErT6Ik9wCLDFY4\/\">Tyus Jones<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Phoenix decided to punt on traditional point guards last season, and it ranked 24th in assist-turnover ratio. This offseason saw assist-turnover ratio merchant Jones fall into Phoenix\u2019s lap after the small guard was greeted by a frigid market in unrestricted free agency. Now, Phoenix ranks 10th in assist-turnover ratio this season with Jones as a starter. Sometimes the Suns need to get Jones off the floor so that they can defend, but Jones has been as advertised, averaging 7.2 assists and only 1.1 turnovers per game.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_5965641\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\">\n<div class=\"wp-caption-image-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-5965641 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/uploads\/wp\/2024\/12\/03072133\/tyus-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/uploads\/wp\/2024\/12\/03072133\/tyus-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/uploads\/wp\/2024\/12\/03072133\/tyus-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/uploads\/wp\/2024\/12\/03072133\/tyus-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/uploads\/wp\/2024\/12\/03072133\/tyus-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/uploads\/wp\/2024\/12\/03072133\/tyus-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"inline-credits\">\n<div class=\"inline-credits-container\">\n      <span class=\"table-cell-span\"\/><br \/>\n      <span class=\"credits-text\">Tyus Jones has helped the Suns offense fall into place. (Joe Camporeale \/ Imagn Images)<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h3>15. Los Angeles Lakers (12-9)<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Last ranking:<\/strong> 13<br \/><strong>In the last week:<\/strong> L at PHO, W at SA, L vs. OKC, W at UTA, L at MIN<br \/><strong>Offensive rating:<\/strong> 113.8 (ninth)<br \/><strong>Defensive rating:<\/strong> 116.7 (24th)<\/p>\n<p><strong>New face:<\/strong> <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"tgfNV7PHwCHRHb1U\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/player\/dalton-knecht-tgfNV7PHwCHRHb1U\/\">Dalton Knecht<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Knecht replaced <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"1gOgT4FqrokIq2xc\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/player\/taurean-prince-1gOgT4FqrokIq2xc\/\">Taurean Prince<\/a> on the roster, and he has been a bright spot, making 2.3 3s per game at 41 percent. The 17th pick in the draft, Knecht has been significantly more helpful as a starter than as a reserve, which was not the case with Prince last season. Los Angeles did not do anything else to change the roster, outside of replacing <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"huzVN9MOnuJR3hwP\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/player\/spencer-dinwiddie-huzVN9MOnuJR3hwP\/\">Spencer Dinwiddie<\/a> with second-round pick <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"5rMw5k4gYMejJvpX\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/player\/bronny-james-5rMw5k4gYMejJvpX\/\">Bronny James<\/a>, but it hit with Knecht.<\/p>\n<h3>16. <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"65\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/team\/hawks\/\">Atlanta Hawks<\/a> (11-11)<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Last ranking:<\/strong> 23<br \/><strong>In the last week:<\/strong> W at CLE, W vs. CLE, W at CHA, W vs. NO<br \/><strong>Offensive rating:<\/strong> 111.4 (21st)<br \/><strong>Defensive rating:<\/strong> 114.0 (18th)<\/p>\n<p><strong>New face:<\/strong> <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"Zng3Zo5hhgflPsWe\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/player\/zaccharie-risacher-Zng3Zo5hhgflPsWe\/\">Zaccharie Risacher<\/a><\/p>\n<p>This is the team that kept the Cleveland Cavaliers out of the top spot of the rankings this week, but I don\u2019t mean for that to be a slight with the way the Hawks are playing lately. Risacher, the top pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, is part of a revamped wing tandem in Atlanta that also includes shooting guard <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"4JC4u7UaLzTidCin\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/player\/dyson-daniels-4JC4u7UaLzTidCin\/\">Dyson Daniels<\/a>. While Daniels has had a far greater impact as The Great Barrier Thief, Risacher is having one of the quietest seasons from a No. 1 pick in recent memory.<\/p>\n<p>According to Second Spectrum, Risacher is averaging only 31.1 touches per game, the lowest since 2013 top pick Anthony Bennett averaged only 21.7 touches per game as a rookie. Every other top pick over the previous 11 drafts averaged no fewer than 43.6 touches per game (the mark set by Markelle Fultz in 2017-18). Risacher needs to improve his 3-point shooting. He is making 43.2 percent from the corner, which is good. But among 107 players to attempt at least 60 3s above the break, Risacher is the only shooter under 20 percent (13 of 66, 19.7 percent).<\/p>\n<h3>17. <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"78\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/team\/timberwolves\/\">Minnesota Timberwolves<\/a> (10-10)<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Last ranking:<\/strong> 16<br \/><strong>In the last week:<\/strong> L vs. HOU, L vs. SAC, W vs. LAC, W vs. LAL<br \/><strong>Offensive rating:<\/strong> 112.3 (17th)<br \/><strong>Defensive rating:<\/strong> 110.0 (seventh)<\/p>\n<p><strong>New face:<\/strong> Julius Randle<\/p>\n<p>Randle\u2019s fit with the Timberwolves after being traded for Karl-Anthony Towns is one of the most scrutinized in the league, and not just because of what the two players do on the floor. Randle\u2019s numbers are fine, especially offensively, averaging 21.0 points, 4.1 assists and 1.6 3s per game. But last year\u2019s Timberwolves got out to a 16-4 start, with the league\u2019s top defense. This year\u2019s group resembles Chris Finch\u2019s other two training camp teams, each of which split their first 20 games. On one hand, it is easy to look at Randle as the primary disruptor of last year\u2019s team. But on the other hand, perhaps these are the Timberwolves everyone should be used to.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/5957894\/2024\/12\/02\/nba-rewind-timberwolves-nba-cup\/\" class=\"go-deeper\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"go-deeper\">\n<div class=\"go-deeper-img\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/uploads\/wp\/2024\/12\/02064822\/ae-1024x683.jpg?width=128&amp;height=128&amp;fit=cover&amp;auto=webp\" class=\"go-deeper\" alt=\"go-deeper\"\/><\/div>\n<div>\n<p class=\"go-deeper-label\">GO DEEPER<\/p>\n<p class=\"go-deeper-title\">NBA Rewind: Can the Wolves be saved? And NBA Cup group play concludes<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<h3>18. <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"66\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/team\/heat\/\">Miami Heat<\/a> (9-10)<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Last ranking:<\/strong> 15<br \/><strong>In the last week:<\/strong> L vs. MIL, W at CHA, W vs. TOR, L at TOR, L at BOS<br \/><strong>Offensive rating:<\/strong> 111.7 (20th)<br \/><strong>Defensive rating:<\/strong> 111.7 (10th)<\/p>\n<p><strong>New face:<\/strong> <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"Cl7IH0wUc3jmmiRV\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/player\/pelle-larsson-Cl7IH0wUc3jmmiRV\/\">Pelle Larsson<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The Heat are another one of those teams that retained most of their roster from the end of last season. And they also are another one of those teams that are getting more out of their second-round pick than their first-rounder. While 15th selection <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"cA2ydeqF0bhpnbT8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/player\/kelel-ware-cA2ydeqF0bhpnbT8\/\">Kel\u2019el Ware<\/a> has only played 69 minutes this season, 44th pick Larsson has started to play consistent minutes. Larsson has kept his makes to a minimum on both ends of the floor while shooting 55.2 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from 3.<\/p>\n<h2>Tier 4: Not the Tier to Fear<\/h2>\n<h3>19. <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"92\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/team\/sac-kings\/\">Sacramento Kings<\/a> (9-12)<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Last ranking:<\/strong> 18<br \/><strong>In the last week:<\/strong> W at MIN, L at POR, L vs. <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"23\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/football\/serie-a\/\">SA<\/a><br \/><strong>Offensive rating:<\/strong> 114.2 (seventh)<br \/><strong>Defensive rating:<\/strong> 113.6 (17th)<\/p>\n<p><strong>New face:<\/strong> <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"1sVXxgSdLOq7XZwu\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/player\/demar-derozan-1sVXxgSdLOq7XZwu\/\">DeMar DeRozan<\/a><\/p>\n<p>DeRozan has come in to do what he does, and that\u2019s get buckets, especially in the midrange. For the 12th season in a row, DeRozan is averaging more than 20 points per game, and he is doing it while making 50.7 percent from the field. DeRozan can create for himself and others, and he is averaging a career-best 1.6 steals to begin this season as well. Depth has been a real challenge for Sacramento, even at DeRozan\u2019s position, and it has no trustworthy young prospects with which to address that weakness. That is why <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"leQikjBbHnfL7yvC\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/player\/doug-mcdermott-leQikjBbHnfL7yvC\/\">Doug McDermott<\/a> was signed in the preseason and <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"0vLcUgtCxJK833Re\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/player\/jae-crowder-0vLcUgtCxJK833Re\/\">Jae Crowder<\/a> was added last week.<\/p>\n<h3>20. <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"76\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/team\/pistons\/\">Detroit Pistons<\/a> (9-13)<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Last ranking:<\/strong> 21<br \/><strong>In the last week:<\/strong> L at MEM, W at IND, L vs. PHI<br \/><strong>Offensive rating:<\/strong> 110.5 (24th)<br \/><strong>Defensive rating:<\/strong> 112.2 (12th)<\/p>\n<p><strong>New face:<\/strong> Tobias Harris<\/p>\n<p>Harris is the veteran tasked with complementing the neophyte Pistons backcourt of <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"xKlJ0Tp1E53cb36Q\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/player\/cade-cunningham-xKlJ0Tp1E53cb36Q\/\">Cade Cunningham<\/a> and <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"rauvOcEzaJhA78P0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/player\/jaden-ivey-rauvOcEzaJhA78P0\/\">Jaden Ivey<\/a>. While Harris has been a consistent presence in Detroit\u2019s lineup, the 14-year veteran is shooting a career-low 44 percent from the field while averaging his fewest points per game (13.4) in a dozen seasons.<\/p>\n<h3>21. <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"75\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/team\/pacers\/\">Indiana Pacers<\/a> (9-12)<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Last ranking:<\/strong> 20<br \/><strong>In the last week:<\/strong> W vs. POR, L vs. DET, L at MEM<br \/><strong>Offensive rating:<\/strong> 112.4 (16th)<br \/><strong>Defensive rating:<\/strong> 116.9 (25th)<\/p>\n<p><strong>New face:<\/strong> <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"vyeFCN6a7m6CMtPd\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/player\/johnny-furphy-vyeFCN6a7m6CMtPd\/\">Johnny Furphy<\/a><\/p>\n<p>We are really reaching with this one, as the Pacers brought back everyone from the end of last season\u2019s rotation except for backup center <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"5CFahTjQetcnpOqe\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/player\/jalen-smith-5CFahTjQetcnpOqe\/\">Jalen Smith<\/a>. Unfortunately, <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"Ac3GSrjtXssr4rts\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/player\/james-wiseman-Ac3GSrjtXssr4rts\/\">James Wiseman<\/a> was brought in to replace Smith and suffered a season-ending Achilles\u2019 tendon tear in the regular-season opener. Furphy was the 35th pick in the draft, and the 6-foot-8 Australian wing is the only new Pacer to play more than 100 minutes this season. He\u2019s averaged 2.7 points in his 12 games.<\/p>\n<h3>22. <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"73\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/team\/bulls\/\">Chicago Bulls<\/a> (9-13)<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Last ranking:<\/strong> 22<br \/><strong>In the last week:<\/strong> W at WAS, L at ORL, L vs. BOS, W vs. BRK<br \/><strong>Offensive rating:<\/strong> 113.4 (11th)<br \/><strong>Defensive rating:<\/strong> 117.6 (27th)<\/p>\n<p><strong>New face:<\/strong> Josh Giddey<\/p>\n<p>Giddey was traded from Oklahoma City for <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"CvhS8hRgdDIq3u6T\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/player\/alex-caruso-CvhS8hRgdDIq3u6T\/\">Alex Caruso<\/a>, but he essentially replaced DeMar DeRozan and his presence has shrunk <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"sMaLBnq5ceeeGMPE\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/player\/coby-white-sMaLBnq5ceeeGMPE\/\">Coby White<\/a>\u2019s ballhandling workload significantly. Giddey can rebound and pass, but his struggles as a scorer, shooter and defender make him an odd fit at times. On the other hand, <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"tMtLoCWZDDcQEuAS\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/player\/zach-lavine-tMtLoCWZDDcQEuAS\/\">Zach LaVine<\/a> and <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"AwPBH711UcDXjFz7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/player\/nikola-vucevic-AwPBH711UcDXjFz7\/\">Nikola Vucevic<\/a> are off to some of the most efficient shooting starts of their careers.<\/p>\n<h3>23. <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"70\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/team\/nets\/\">Brooklyn Nets<\/a> (9-13)<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Last ranking:<\/strong> 19<br \/><strong>In the last week:<\/strong> W at PHO, L vs. ORL, L vs. ORL, L at CHI<br \/><strong>Offensive rating:<\/strong> 113.1 (14th)<br \/><strong>Defensive rating:<\/strong> 117.1 (26th)<\/p>\n<p><strong>New face:<\/strong> Ziaire Williams<\/p>\n<p>Williams was the 10th pick in the 2021 NBA Draft and is set to be a free agent in 2025 after beginning his career in Memphis. He is the only one of Brooklyn\u2019s 12 players averaging more than 16 minutes per game who wasn\u2019t with the Nets last season. That\u2019s particularly notable given that the Nets didn\u2019t select a player in the 2024 draft and haven\u2019t gotten anything from the best player coming back from the Bridges trade, as <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"TtD4HPxVGnoaeLuy\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/player\/bojan-bogdanovic-TtD4HPxVGnoaeLuy\/\">Bojan Bogdanovi\u0107<\/a> has been injured all season. Williams\u2019 activity defensively has earned him a role, though his offense is still too unreliable (40.3 percent field goals this season after 42.6 percent with the Grizzlies).<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_5965647\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\">\n<div class=\"wp-caption-image-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-5965647 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/uploads\/wp\/2024\/12\/03072509\/dmitch-1-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1708\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/uploads\/wp\/2024\/12\/03072509\/dmitch-1-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/uploads\/wp\/2024\/12\/03072509\/dmitch-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/uploads\/wp\/2024\/12\/03072509\/dmitch-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/uploads\/wp\/2024\/12\/03072509\/dmitch-1-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/uploads\/wp\/2024\/12\/03072509\/dmitch-1-2048x1366.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"inline-credits\">\n<div class=\"inline-credits-container\">\n      <span class=\"table-cell-span\"\/><br \/>\n      <span class=\"credits-text\">Davion Mitchell has played a big role for the Raptors this season. (Rick Osentoski \/ Imagn Images)<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h3>24. <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"72\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/team\/raptors\/\">Toronto Raptors<\/a> (6-15)<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Last ranking:<\/strong> 26<br \/><strong>In the last week:<\/strong> W at NO, L at MIA, W vs. MIA<br \/><strong>Offensive rating:<\/strong> 111.9 (19th)<br \/><strong>Defensive rating:<\/strong> 115.6 (23rd)<\/p>\n<p><strong>New face:<\/strong> <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"tin9aONAti1Sv5CR\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/player\/davion-mitchell-tin9aONAti1Sv5CR\/\">Davion Mitchell<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Injuries have been a real issue for Toronto this season, so the only Raptors who have played more than former Kings lottery pick Mitchell are center <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"wzkpB8YKmxhyMN2h\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/player\/jakob-poeltl-wzkpB8YKmxhyMN2h\/\">Jakob Poeltl<\/a>, forward <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"SeN1lDEyjIfOALJ7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/player\/ochai-agbaji-SeN1lDEyjIfOALJ7\/\">Ochai Agbaji<\/a> and forward <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"waDoLQ8ePOGskbya\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/player\/rj-barrett-waDoLQ8ePOGskbya\/\">RJ Barrett<\/a>. Mitchell is averaging a career-best 5.3 assists per game, but he is a traditional point guard in the worst sense; that is, he is a small guard who can\u2019t score (career-low 39.9 percent field goals) or shoot (career-low 27.9 percent 3s). Defensively, Mitchell has continued to be a difference-maker, if not necessarily a playmaker.<\/p>\n<h3>25. <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"81\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/team\/blazers\/\">Portland Trail Blazers<\/a> (8-13)<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Last ranking:<\/strong> 25<br \/><strong>In the last week:<\/strong> L at IND, W vs. SAC, L vs. DAL<br \/><strong>Offensive rating:<\/strong> 106.9 (27th)<br \/><strong>Defensive rating:<\/strong> 114.3 (21st)<\/p>\n<p><strong>New face:<\/strong> <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"bal3An0llHCzjLsr\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/player\/deni-avdija-bal3An0llHCzjLsr\/\">Deni Avdija<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Portland traded <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"nZL21j2daIE6nIpI\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/player\/malcolm-brogdon-nZL21j2daIE6nIpI\/\">Malcolm Brogdon<\/a>, the lottery pick that was used on Bub Carrington, a 2029 first-round pick and two second-round picks to acquire the last four years of Avdija\u2019s de-escalating contract. It hasn\u2019t gone great. Avdija went from a career-best 50.7 percent from the field last season with the <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"63\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/team\/wizards\/\">Wizards<\/a> to a career-low 40.6 percent to begin his first season with the Trail Blazers. Simply put, Avdija has gone from a superb finisher to a poor one, with the 3-point shooting regressing to where it was in his first three NBA seasons. While Avdija lost his starting job, he is starting to play better off the bench.<\/p>\n<h2>Tier 5: Basement Floor<\/h2>\n<h3>26. <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"69\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/team\/sixers\/\">Philadelphia 76ers<\/a> (4-14)<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Last ranking:<\/strong> 28<br \/><strong>In the last week:<\/strong> L vs. HOU, W at DET<br \/><strong>Offensive rating:<\/strong> 105.8 (28th)<br \/><strong>Defensive rating:<\/strong> 112.9 (15th)<\/p>\n<p><strong>New face:<\/strong> Paul George<\/p>\n<p>George has alternated playing and not playing, appearing in only half of Philadelphia\u2019s games so far and reaching 30 minutes in only five games. To say that George\u2019s season has been a mess is an understatement, as he is only shooting 37.8 percent from the field and 28.6 percent from 3. The 76ers are using him in a variety of ways, and George\u2019s playmaking has been helpful, as he has averaged 4.8 assists per game. The question is just whether George can put multiple weeks of games together while showing that his efficiency as a scorer isn\u2019t cooked.<\/p>\n<h3>27. <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"64\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/team\/hornets\/\">Charlotte Hornets<\/a> (6-14)<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Last ranking:<\/strong> 24<br \/><strong>In the last week:<\/strong> L vs. MIA, L vs. NY, L vs. ATL<br \/><strong>Offensive rating:<\/strong> 108.8 (25th)<br \/><strong>Defensive rating:<\/strong> 113.5 (16th)<\/p>\n<p><strong>New face:<\/strong> Josh Green<\/p>\n<p>Green has held down a starting role at small forward next to Brandon Miller and Miles Bridges. On one hand, Green\u2019s 3-point shooting has been even better than it usually is, with the career 37.5 percent 3-point shooter making 49.2 percent of his 3.3 attempts per game to begin this season. On the other hand, Green hasn\u2019t made much of an impact at all for Charlotte, struggling to finish in the paint on his limited attempts inside while averaging more fouls (2.8) than rebounds (2.4).<\/p>\n<h3>28. <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"79\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/team\/jazz\/\">Utah Jazz<\/a> (4-16)<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Last ranking:<\/strong> 27<br \/><strong>In the last week:<\/strong> L vs. SA, L vs. DEN, L vs. DAL, L vs. LAL<br \/><strong>Offensive rating:<\/strong> 108.7 (26th)<br \/><strong>Defensive rating:<\/strong> 118.1 (29th)<\/p>\n<p><strong>New face:<\/strong> Cody Williams<\/p>\n<p>Williams was the highest pick of Utah\u2019s three selections in the 2024 draft, but the rookie wing is off to a tough start. After starting seven of the first 10 games, Williams played six games off of the bench, averaging only 1.8 points per game on 28.6 percent shooting from the field in those games. Over the last week, he has been in the G League. Williams is the lottery pick, but Utah\u2019s other picks haven\u2019t gotten off to the best starts either. Late first-round point guard <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"XrbKwgztkwNUXlRv\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/player\/isaiah-collier-XrbKwgztkwNUXlRv\/\">Isaiah Collier<\/a> is shooting 31.4 percent from the field, while second-rounder <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"vC1C7u9xYPILqhNX\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/player\/kyle-filipowski-vC1C7u9xYPILqhNX\/\">Kyle Filipowski<\/a> has missed five straight games with a leg injury.<\/p>\n<h3>29. New Orleans Pelicans (4-18)<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Last ranking:<\/strong> 29<br \/><strong>In the last week:<\/strong> L vs. TOR, L at MEM, L at NY, L at ATL<br \/><strong>Offensive rating:<\/strong> 105.0 (29th)<br \/><strong>Defensive rating:<\/strong> 118.0 (28th)<\/p>\n<p><strong>New face:<\/strong> <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"tm3kUMS7SqPU8gXQ\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/player\/dejounte-murray-tm3kUMS7SqPU8gXQ\/\">Dejounte Murray<\/a><\/p>\n<p>An absolute catastrophe. The run of bad luck in Louisiana did not begin or end with Murray fracturing his hand, but his return has done nothing to suggest that the Pelicans are going to turn things around anytime soon. New Orleans has lost 15 of 16 games, and Murray\u2019s return has resulted in four straight losses by double digits. The most damning was Monday night in Atlanta, when Murray missed 13 of 15 shots in his reunion game. None of the last four games have come with <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"2qhGZCDXJ36YwTGU\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/player\/brandon-ingram-2qhGZCDXJ36YwTGU\/\">Brandon Ingram<\/a> playing, but <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"6WC3b3hAgVqA0bZf\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/player\/cj-mccollum-6WC3b3hAgVqA0bZf\/\">CJ McCollum<\/a> is back as well, and his presence still didn\u2019t improve Murray\u2019s 27.2 percent mark from the field. Willie Green once took the Pelicans from an 18-32 start to the final playoff spot, but this team has been much worse than that 2021-22 team ever was.<\/p>\n<h3>30. Washington Wizards (2-16)<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Last ranking:<\/strong> 30<br \/><strong>In the last week:<\/strong> L vs. CHI, L vs. LAC, L at MIL<br \/><strong>Offensive rating:<\/strong> 104.8 (30th)<br \/><strong>Defensive rating:<\/strong> 118.9 (30th)<\/p>\n<p><strong>New face:<\/strong> Alex Sarr<\/p>\n<p>Sarr, the second pick in the 2024 draft and the first big selected, has been the only Wizard to start every game so far. Fifteen of Sarr\u2019s starts have been at center, with three starts next to veteran free-agent acquisition <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"6YEYoGmoBlSfpHhs\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/player\/jonas-valancinas-6YEYoGmoBlSfpHhs\/\">Jonas Valan\u010di\u016bnas<\/a>. Sarr has flashed some of the tools that made him a highly coveted prospect, and only seven players have blocked more total shots than Sarr (33). But outside of shooting a jumper, Sarr has few ways to consistently win right now, especially on offense, where he is making only 37.6 percent of his shots from the field. Out of 74 top-three picks drafted in the lottery era (since 1985) to attempt at least 10 shots per game and play 25 minutes per game, only <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"1mIwsZGQt44O8vT1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nba\/player\/lonzo-ball-1mIwsZGQt44O8vT1\/\">Lonzo Ball<\/a> (36 percent) had a lower field-goal percentage as a rookie.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/5954533\/2024\/11\/28\/washington-wizards-losing-streak\/\" class=\"go-deeper\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"go-deeper\">\n<div class=\"go-deeper-img\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/uploads\/wp\/2024\/11\/28004603\/USATSI_24865138-scaled-e1732776743394-1024x683.jpg?width=128&amp;height=128&amp;fit=cover&amp;auto=webp\" class=\"go-deeper\" alt=\"go-deeper\"\/><\/div>\n<div>\n<p class=\"go-deeper-label\">GO DEEPER<\/p>\n<p class=\"go-deeper-title\">&#8216;This much adversity early stinks&#8217;: Wizards already have reached an inflection point<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/newsletters\/the-bounce\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sign up to get The Bounce<\/a>, the essential NBA newsletter from Zach Harper and <\/em>The Athletic<em> staff, delivered free to your inbox.<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><em>(Top photo of Taurean Prince: Stacy Revere \/ Getty Images)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"fluid\"\r\n     data-ad-layout-key=\"-fb+5w+4e-db+86\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"7910942971\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><div data-type=\"_mgwidget\" data-widget-id=\"1660802\">\r\n<\/div>\r\n<script>(function(w,q){w[q]=w[q]||[];w[q].push([\"_mgc.load\"])})(window,\"_mgq\");\r\n<\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/5965547\/2024\/12\/03\/nba-power-rankings-celtics-cavs-rockets-lakers\/\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Here it\u2019s December every day \u2026 Teams spend the offseason remodeling rosters in a variety of ways. There is the draft at the end of June, free agency getting underway &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/?p=133067\" class=\"more-link\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-133067","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sports","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/133067","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=133067"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/133067\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=133067"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=133067"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=133067"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}