Written by Matt Moore at CBSSports.com
The theme of this week’s edition of Power Rankings is continuity. We’re seeing the fruits of continuity all over the league as the season begins.
The Clippers, our No. 1 team, have had the same core for four years, the same coach for three. They’ve grown together through good times and bad, and it’s made them stronger. The Cavaliers are in their third season with this core, and Ty Lue has been around the team for that span, even as an assistant. The Raptors under Dwane Casey are excelling not just because of how good DeMar DeRozan has been (which is great) but their foundational structures of discipline and focus. The Spurs are the Spurs. Enough said.
The Hawks aren’t thriving because of Dwight Howard or the shift to Dennis Schroder. They’re thriving because they play lockdown defense and the principles of what Mike Budenholzer has put in place are rock solid. Most of the team knows one another, and there’s repetition and consistency. Things can surely go stale, but there’s real value in having the same personnel on the floor and sideline every night, game after game, night after night, year after year.
Many of the teams in the middle and back end are dealing with change. You need to know your team before you can be the best version of it. It’s something to remember as teams reach the panic point and look to change direction. Sometimes the only way out is through.
Here are this week’s power rankings:
- Los Angeles Clippers: 10-1
Straight up, this team reminds me of the 2011 Dallas Mavericks. From the aging point guard to the star power forward whose impact is overlooked, to how everyone has dismissed them because of past playoff performances. All the way down. In November of 2011, I said the Mavericks were playing like a legitimately dangerous playoff team. Then Nowitzki got hurt and everyone overlooked them for six months. Don’t lose sight of how this team is playing, not just in terms of wins, but the style and fun energy they’re playing with.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers: 8-1
They finally “took that L,” but the Cavs remain the class of the East.
3. Golden State Warriors: 8-2
The thing about super villains is that even when they are defeated, they always come back stronger. So it goes as the Warriors have looked nearly invincible since the Lakers loss a week ago.
4. Toronto Raptors: 7-2
DeMar DeRozan’s run right now is flat out incredible, and a blast to watch. The key, though, is that the Raptors are good enough to not need this outlier performance from DeRozan to be the second best team in the East.
5. San Antonio Spurs: 8-3
The Spurs remain top ten in both offense (6th) and defense (6th), and they’re hitting 3’s now, which is a big deal for a roster not stocked with shooters. They slipped after the Rockets loss but don’t be surprised if they climb back to the top in short order. They have a soft schedule ahead with four straight vs. teams under .500.
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