UEFA held it’s Champions League group stage draw today and handed out it’s annual ‘Best Of’ hardware, but Jim’s going to cover that in more detail and skill than I can so we’re going to move right along to the NBA. Actually there is nothing going on in the NBA at the moment as summer league is over and training camp is still several weeks away. So instead of any real news, today I thought we’d enter into the speculation area with a short review of the top 3 of NBA.com’s Top 10 off season power rankings. Hold on it’s going to be a wild ride. I hope.
Now it’s not much of a leap to look at the reigning NBA Champions, the Milwaukee Bucks who has on their roster the reigning MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo and recognize that they would place first on the power rankings. Especially the NBA power rankings. During this off season they have only gotten stronger with the departures of Bryn Forbes and P.J. Tucker and the additions of Grayson Allen, George Hill and Semi Ojeleye. However, that’s not the case. Instead, NBA.com has in it’s first power ranking position – the Brooklyn Nets. And oddly enough, I agree.
- The Brooklyn Nets. James Harden, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. No other team in the NBA today has such an offensive arsenal. Add to that an effective bunch of back ups and provided no injuries this year, they will be the NBA champions. After watching the Milwaukee v Brooklyn series, there is no doubt in this journalist’s mind that the Nets would have thrashed the Bucks at full strength.
- Yes, NBA.com has the Bucks at number 2. Still I’m not sure I agree. At full strength, I think I’d have my money on…the Clippers. Why? First and foremost, Kawhi Leonard is the most forgettable superstar of them all. It seems that the only time anyone appreciates Kawhi and recognizes his talent is when he’s deep in the playoffs. The Toronto Raptors could not have won the title without him. It is unfortunate, deeply unfortunate that Kawhi couldn’t understand how tight his fit was with the raptors. Otherwise, the Raptors would definitely have repeated and possibly been winners of 3 in a row. They may even have been at or near the top of this year again this year. As it sits, they aren’t in the top 15. How powerful is that? What made Kawhi so powerful on the Raptors wasn’t simply Kawhi’s ability as a basketball player, but rather his ability to raise the level of competence of the teammates around him. Since Kawhi left, Fred hasn’t been as good, Kyle hasn’t been as good and definitely Pascal hasn’t been as good.
- Atlanta Hawks. Pick me up off the floor or PMUOTF as the kids say these days. I love Trae and so does Jim, for sure, Trae, buddy, we bow down to you. You are magnificent. But like Kawhi, last year you elevated the play of your teammates and I’m not sure you can do it again.
So there you have it lady and gentlemen. The NBA’s Top 3 power rankings and my thoughts on them. Tune in again soon and I’ll fish up the top 10 for you.