Bucks Diary's NBA Power Rankings

I've revived my weekly NBA Power Rankings... with a twist. I decided its too difficult and arbitrary to try to determine ranking order off the top of my head. Plus, its not that interesting.

So instead, I am basing my rankings entirely on offensive/defensive pPts (pts per 100 possessions) differential. I think its a pretty rational basis for comparing relative levels of play. (Only when teams' differentials were the same did I use my own personal judgment to determine ranking order.)

Like the gold standard, however, my method is flawed. For instance, defending champion Miami is ranked dead last. But they have earned it with by far the worst differential (-10) in the Association. And Atlanta and Seattle are probably overrated. For instance, Seattle is a +1, but that's only because their offense is so good (111 pPts) that it just barely outstrips their awful defense (110 pPts).

But, overall, I think it provides an interesting insight into how each team is playing.

1. Utah (+8)

2. San Antonio (+7)

3. Houston (+5)

4. Cleveland (+4)

5. LA Clippers (+4)

6. Golden State (+4)

7. Atlanta (+3)

8. LA Lakers (+2)

9. Orlando (+2)

10. Sacramento (+2)

11. Okla City (+2)

12. Boston (+2)

13. Washington (+1)

14. Denver (+1)

15. Seattle (+1)

16. Chicago (0)

17. New Jersey (0)

18. Phoenix (0)

19. Dallas (-1)

20. Philadelphia (-1)

21. Detroit (-1)

22. New York (-1)

23. Minnesota (-4)

24. Memphis (-4)

25. Indiana (-4)

26. Toronto (-5)

27. Milwaukee (-6)

28. Portland (-6)

29. Charlotte (-7)

30. Miami (-10)