The 2019-20 NBA season is officially underway! After an eventful first week of games, we have a good idea of which teams are looking like contenders and which ones are already struggling. In this blog post, we will take a look at the best and worst teams of the first week of the season and what we can expect from them going forward. Be sure to check back each week for updated power rankings!
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers have looked like the best team in the NBA through the first week of the season. They have wins over the Portland Trail Blazers, Denver Nuggets, and Sacramento Kings. All of those teams are expected to be playoff contenders this season. The Lakers have also looked good in their losses, falling by just four points to the Houston Rockets and by six points to the Golden State Warriors.
The Lakers’ offense has been clicking on all cylinders, as they are averaging 118.3 points per game, which is second in the NBA behind only the Houston Rockets. They are shooting 49.4 percent from the field and 36.9 percent from three-point range. Their ball movement has been superb, as they are averaging 26.8 assists per game, which is fourth in the league.
Defensively, the Lakers have also been very good, as they are allowing just 103.0 points per game, which is fifth in the NBA. They are forcing opponents into turnovers at a high rate, as they are averaging 9.3 steals per game, which is second in the league behind only the Portland Trail Blazers.
The Lakers look like they could be a top-four team in the Western Conference this season if they can continue to play at this level on both ends of the court.
Milwaukee Bucks
After a thrilling opening week of the NBA season, it’s time to take a look at how all 30 teams stack up against each other.
At the top of the list are the Milwaukee Bucks, who were simply dominant in their two games against the Charlotte Hornets and Indiana Pacers. Giannis Antetokounmpo was his usual self, averaging 27 points, 12 rebounds and six assists, while Khris Middleton chipped in 22 points per game.
The Bucks look like they picked up right where they left off last season and look like the clear favorites to come out of the Eastern Conference once again.
Further down the list are the likes of the Los Angeles Lakers, who had a solid week despite some early struggles against the Clippers. LeBron James looked like he was in midseason form, averaging 25 points, seven rebounds and eight assists.
The Lakers will need to continue to get strong production from their superstars if they want to stay near the top of these rankings.
Brooklyn Nets
The Brooklyn Nets have been one of the best teams in the NBA so far this season. They have a perfect 4-0 record and are currently leading the Eastern Conference. Kyrie Irving has been playing at an MVP level, averaging 30 points, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds per game. The Nets also have a strong supporting cast, with players like Caris LeVert, Spencer Dinwiddie, and Jarrett Allen all playing well.
The Nets will look to continue their winning ways when they take on the Orlando Magic tomorrow night.
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers had a tough first week, losing all three of their games. They started the season with a loss to the Lakers, followed by a close loss to the Warriors and a blowout loss to the Suns. The Clippers are currently ranked as the worst team in the NBA.
The Clippers had high hopes coming into the season, but they have failed to live up to expectations so far. Their biggest problem has been on offense, where they have struggled to score points. They will need to find a way to fix their offensive problems if they want to turn their season around.
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are off to a great start this season, winning all four of their games. They have the best record in the league and are currently atop the Western Conference standings. James Harden is leading the way for the Rockets, averaging 28.8 points, 8.3 assists, and 5.0 rebounds per game. Eric Gordon has also been playing well, averaging 19.5 points per game. The Rockets will look to continue their winning ways when they take on the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night.
Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks are one of the best teams in the NBA. They have a lot of talent and they are very well coached. They have won four games in a row and they look like they are going to be a force to be reckoned with this season.
Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers had a great first week, winning all three of their games. They started the season with a come-from-behind victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, then followed that up with wins over the Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings.
The Trail Blazers are led by two of the best guards in the NBA, Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. Lillard is one of the best scorers in the league, and he showed it this week, averaging 26 points per game. McCollum is a great all-around player who does a little bit of everything, and he averaged 22 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists per game this week.
The Trail Blazers also have a solid frontcourt, led by center Hassan Whiteside. Whiteside is one of the best rim protectors in the league, and he averaged 2 blocks per game this week. He also chipped in 10 points and 9 rebounds per game.
The Trail Blazers are off to a great start, and they look like one of the best teams in the NBA.
Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies are one of the best teams in the NBA right now. They have a record of 3-0, and they have looked very impressive in all three wins. They have a great mix of young players and veterans, and they are led by one of the best players in the league, Marc Gasol. The Grizzlies are a team that can really score, and they have shown that they can play defense as well. They are definitely a team to watch out for this season.
New Orleans Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans have had a rough start to the season, losing all four of their games so far. They’ve been especially poor on defense, giving up an average of 114 points per game. However, there are still some bright spots on this team. Rookie Zion Williamson has looked great in his limited minutes, averaging 23 points and 6 rebounds per game. Additionally, veteran point guard Jrue Holiday is playing well, averaging 19 points and 7 assists per game. If the Pelicans can improve their defense, they could be a dangerous team in the Western Conference.
San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are the best team in the NBA. They have a perfect record of 4-0, and they have shown no signs of slowing down. Their offense is clicking on all cylinders, and their defense is suffocating opponents. They are simply the best team in the league right now.
The Spurs’ dominance was on full display in their blowout win over the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors are a good team, but they were no match for the Spurs. Kawhi Leonard was unstoppable, scoring 32 points and grabbing 8 rebounds. LaMarcus Aldridge also had a big game, scoring 21 points and grabbing 9 rebounds. The Spurs’ bench also contributed, with Patty Mills scoring 15 points and Davis Bertans adding 12 points.
The Spurs are deep and talented, and they look like the clear favorite to win the NBA championship this season. If they keep playing at this level, it will be hard for anyone to beat them.
Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are the best team in the NBA. They have a perfect record and are the defending champions. They have all of the pieces to make another run at the title this season.
The Warriors have looked like the best team in the league so far this season. They have won all four of their games, including two against tough opponents in the Houston Rockets and Portland Trail Blazers. They also had a comfortable win over the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Warriors are led by their star point guard Stephen Curry. Curry is averaging 27 points, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds per game. He is shooting 50% from three-point range and is looking like his old self again after missing most of last season with injuries.
The Warriors also have one of the best defenses in the league. They are allowing just 98 points per game, which is second best in the NBA. Their ability to defend well will be key as they try to repeat as champions this season.
conclusion
After a week of NBA action, it’s time to take a look at the best and worst teams in the league.
At the top of the list are the Golden State Warriors, who have looked unstoppable in their first four games. They’re followed by the Houston Rockets, who have also been impressive.
The bottom of the list is occupied by the Charlotte Hornets and the Sacramento Kings, who have both struggled to start the season.
In between those two extremes are a number of teams that have shown promise or struggled in equal measure. The Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves are two such teams.
So, who will end up where at the end of the season? Only time will tell. But for now, these are our power rankings for the best and worst teams in the NBA.
