NBA Power Rankings, December 3rd
Michael Morgan – Life Prep Academy

With the NBA season in full swing, we’re seeing how things are starting to shape up early in the year. The Warriors and Grizzlies look like top contenders in the West, while the entire Eastern Conference is looking duller and duller. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia 76ers are 0-17, and no one is surprised. Let’s take a look at the second TeenView NBA Power Rankings!

TeenView NBA Power Rankings
Golden State Warriors (15-2) – Previously ranked #5 – The Warriors are looking hotter and hotter as the season is starting up. Steph Curry is lighting it up, averaging 23.7 ppg and 7.6 apg!
Memphis Grizzlies (15-2) – Previously ranked #10 –Some say, “Defense wins games,” and that seems to be working for Memphis. The Grizzlies are holding teams to under 44% FG shooting, behind only the Warriors, and are 11-0 against the Western Conference.
Houston Rockets (13-4) – Previously ranked #9 – Due to injuries, the Rockets have barely been able to put out their projected starting lineup and have still been able to win 13 games. Sounds like a “deep” team to me.
San Antonio Spurs (13-4) – Previously ranked #1 – No matter how much Coach Gregg Poppovich rests his older and most reliable player, the Spurs keep churning out W’s. Guess that’s just the way it goes in San Antonio.
Dallas Mavericks (14-5) – Previously ranked #7 – Monta Ellis, Chandler Parsons and Dirk Nowitzki have come together to become an efficient Big-3. Plus, Tyson Chandler is looking in great shape!
Los Angeles Clippers (12-5) – Previously ranked #4 – What impresses me year in and year out about the Clippers is their improvement on defense. Also, CP3 is looking better than ever, which is saying something.
Portland Trail Blazers (14-4) – Previously ranked #8 – The Blazers, a team who ranks in the top 10 in both offensive and defensive efficiency, are primed for a big year this year, headed by Rising Star, Damian Lillard.
Chicago Bulls (11-7) – Previously ranked #3 – Derrick Rose scared everyone in Chicago with a hamstring injury. Luckily, he came back healthy, and maybe this time, he can stay that way.
Washington Wizards (11-5) – Previously ranked #15 – John Wall has embraced his role as the captain of this team. That has really helped them out and made them much better in all aspects of their game.
10) Toronto Raptors (14-4) – Previously ranked #14 – The Raptors would be ranked much higher if not for the gruesome injury suffered by Demar DeRozan. Besides that, they’ve been the best team in the East so far.
11) Cleveland Cavaliers (9-7) – Previously ranked #2 – The Cavs have skidded by so far based on talent. Now, they need to work together as a team and start proving they can be the best team in the East.
12) Miami Heat (9-8) – Previously ranked #13 – With Dwayne Wade back in the lineup after a hamstring scare, the Heat look to be getting in better shape.
13) Milwaukee Bucks (10-9) – Previously ranked #26 – Jabari Parker is the front-runner for ROY so far. Somehow, the Bucks have managed to get wins, which is much more than most expected of them at this point in the season.
14) Oklahoma City Thunder (5-13) – Previously ranked #6 – With Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook back in the lineup, the Thunder needs to make up for lost time because in the West, losing 30 games may not get you into the playoffs.
15) Atlanta Hawks (10-6) – Previously ranked #20 – Jeff Teague is averaging 17.4 ppg and Kyle Korver is being himself from beyond the arc. Things are looking up in Atlanta.
16) Phoenix Suns (11-8) – Previously ranked #12 – Eric Bledsoe thinks that the NCAA Kentucky Wildcat basketball team could beat the 76ers, and although I don’t necessarily disagree with him, he needs to focus on his team, who has dropped three out of the last five games.
17) Sacramento Kings (9-9) – Previously ranked #25 – The Kings have been one of the surprise teams this year. They’re averaging the most free throw attempts per game, which means they’ve been attacking the rim. Plus, Boogie Cousins has been going “beast mode” lately.
18) Denver Nuggets (9-9) – Previously ranked #18 – Brian Shaw has so far led a very talented team to a .500 record so far. Could he be on the hot seat?
19) New Orleans Pelicans (8-8) – Previously ranked #16 – I have two words for the Pelicans season so far: Anthony Davis.
20) Indiana Pacers (7-11) – Previously ranked #22 – Without Paul George, this season isn’t going anywhere, so Pacers’ fans shouldn’t be sweating right now.
21) Brooklyn Nets (7-9) – Previously ranked #17 – The only thing this team has going for them right now is the fact that because of the weak Eastern Conference, they’re in the playoff hunt.
22) Orlando Magic (7-13) – Previously ranked #29 – The Magic just lost a very close game to the Warriors, in which they played admirably. Victor Oladipo and Tobias Harris are really trying hard to carry this team.
23) Minnesota Timberwolves (4-12) – Previously ranked #24 – Andrew Wiggins is sure lighting up this year. This team, now, has potential because of him.
24) Boston Celtics (4-11) – Previously ranked #27 – The Celtics are just looking forward to a few years down the road, but for now, they’re stuck with Rajon Rondo shooting 30% from the free-throw line.
25) Utah Jazz (5-13) – Previously ranked #28 – Gordon Hayward has been a bright spot for the Jazz, but that’s about the only bright thing for them.
26) Los Angeles Lakers (5-13) – Previously ranked #23 – In the dictionary, next to the word ball hog, there’s a picture of Kobe Bryant. He’s averaging over 22 shots per game, but there’s not much else he can do to propel this Lakers team.
27) New York Knicks (4-15) – Previously ranked #19 – At least the Knicks brought Melo back, so they could give MSG something to be happy about, because they’re not happy with how they’re performing right now.
28) Charlotte Hornets (4-14) – Previously ranked #11 – The Lance Stephenson that blew in LeBron’s ear during last year’s playoffs isn’t the same “Lance Stephenson” that came to the Hornets. Charlotte may be looking to trade him before the trade deadline.
29) Detroit Piston (3-15) – Previously ranked #21 – Stan Van Gundy has been under a lot of criticism for the way he’s handled the lineup in late game situations. Putting Greg Monroe on the bench in the 4th…
Not a great idea!?!
30) Philadelphia 76ers (0-17) – Previously ranked #30 – The biggest question for the Sixers right now is, “Who’s going to win more games, the 76ers or the Philadelphia Eagles of the NFL?”