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MVP
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Re: Lord of the Rings: A Golden State Warriors Dynasty (NBA 2K19)
2018 Power Rankings October 15th, 2018
Warriors add to star riddled lineup
ESPN.com - As the 2018 season draws close, it's time to take a look at who's the hottest of the bunch for the upcoming journey.
With relatively no surprise, the Golden State Warriors will begin, and likely end, at the top of the food chain. Another NBA Finals in the books would certainly cement this franchise as one of the all-time great dynasties, though that should already be in the books.
With a hot Western Conference looming, the road won't be easy, and let's not even get started on the cream of the crop out East. Boston, Toronto, and Philadelphia, will all have something to say before the dust is settled, not to mention some dark horses in the form of Indiana, Milwaukee, and Minnesota.
Without further ado, here are the 2018 NBA Power Rankings:
Eastern Conference
#1 Boston Celtics
(97 OVR - 97 OFF - 96 DEF)
Projected Record: 13-1
| Boston Celtics | | STARTER | 2ND | 3RD | 4TH | | G | Kyrie Irving (A-) | Jaylen Brown (B-) | Terry Rozier (C+) | Marcus Smart (C+) | | F | Jayson Tatum (B+) | Gordon Hayward (B) | Al Horford (B) | Marcus Morris (C+) |
While the Warriors have starting depth, the Celtics have true depth. All eight players listed above can take over at any time, and that's not an opinion, it's a fact. Boston has the best ability to take down the Warriors if the two meet in the NBA Finals, and with a couple expiring contracts come season's end, it's time to get it done.
#2 Toronto Raptors
Projected Record: 11-3
| Toronto Raptors | | STARTER | 2ND | 3RD | 4TH | | G | Kyle Lowry (B+) | Fred VanVleet (C+) | Delon Wright (C+) | Danny Green (C) | | F | Kawhi Leonard (A) | Jonas Valanciunas (B-) | Serge Ibaka (C+) | Pascal Siakam (C+) |
At last, Kawhi sees his first season in another uniform. While the Raptors said goodbye to DeRozan, the addition of Leonard has to have the city buzzing. Leonard should add a standard of defensive play the Raptors can use to propel them to the top of the charts in the East. There's not as much depth behind Leonard and Lowry as other teams may have, but those two aforementioned guys can get things done, as is. A trip to the Eastern Conference Finals should be the goal and everything after it should be icing on the cake.
#3 Philadelphia 76ers
Projected Record: 9-5
| Philadelphia 76ers | | STARTER | 2ND | 3RD | 4TH | | G | JJ Reddick (C+) | Markelle Fultz (C) | TJ McConnell (C) | (R) Landry Shamet (C-) | | F | Joel Embiid (A-) | Ben Simmons (B+) | Robert Covington (C+) | Dario Saric (C+) |
The Sixers have a front court few can hang with, but in terms of the back court, most can beat it. For the City of Brotherly Love to be successful, a lot of growing will need to be seen from Markelle Fultz as he tries to support JJ Redick at the top of the key. Embiid and Simmons will likely need to go off game after game to keep the Sixers in the running, but they definitely have the potential to do so.
#4 Indiana Pacers
Projected Record: 9-5
| Indiana Pacers | | STARTER | 2ND | 3RD | 4TH | | G | Victor Oladipo (B+) | Tyreke Evans (B-) | Darren Collison (C+) | Cory Joseph (C) | | F | Myles Turner (B-) | Domantas Sabonis (B-) | Bojan Bogdanovic (C+) | Thaddeus Young (C+) |
Victor Oladipo has blown up and is the face of the Indiana Pacers. In terms of talent, nobody else on the roster really comes close, but Myles Turner and Tyreke Evans should provide some solid support for the man. Indiana is a strong dark horse contender out East and has actual potential to topple the likes of Boston, Toronto, and Philly, under the right circumstances. A first or second round playoff match up against one of the aforementioned should be pretty fun to see.
#5 Milwaukee Bucks
Projected Record: 8-6
| Milwaukee Bucks | | STARTER | 2ND | 3RD | 4TH | | G | Khris Middleton (B) | Eric Bledsoe (B-) | Malcolm Brogdon (C+) | M. Dellavedova (C) | | F | Antetokounmpo (A) | Brook Lopez (C+) | John Henson (C+) | Ersan Ilyasova (C+) |
If it seemed like Portland was being carried, look no further than Milwaukee. Giannis Antetokounmpo will be the Bucks' first, second, and third scoring option, not to mention most of their rebounding, stealing, and blocking. With an uber talented stud and rougher roster, Giannis has a great shot at the MVP trophy and that performance alone should help get Milwaukee out of the East and into the postseason.
#6 Washington Wizards
Projected Record: 7-7
| Washington Wizards | | STARTER | 2ND | 3RD | 4TH | | G | John Wall (B+) | Bradley Beal (B+) | Austin Rivers (C+) | Tomas Satoransky (C) | | F | Dwight Howard (B-) | Otto Porter Jr (C+) | Markleff Morris (C+) | Kelly Oubre Jr (C) |
At what point will John Wall get the credit he deserves? The long time Wizard has been shadowed over for most of his career by guys at his position less talented, but on better teams. Can he, Beal, and Otto Porter Jr, make their way to the postseason? Or will Wall be once again watching names like Curry, Irving, Harden, Westbrook, and more, from his couch? Time will tell.
#7 Detroit Pistons
Projected Record: 7-7
| Detroit Pistons | | STARTER | 2ND | 3RD | 4TH | | G | Reggie Jackson (C+) | Ish Smith (C+) | Glenn Robinson III (C) | Stanley Johnson (C) | | F | A. Drummond (B+) | Blake Griffin (B+) | Zaza Pachulia (C) | Reggie Bullock (C) |
It almost feels like Detroit is returning to some sort of bad boy form here in 2018. Drummond is a beast, Griffin is too cool for school, and Reggie Jackson, Ish Smith, and Glenn Robinson III, have names that sound like future Hall-of-Famers. One of the league's strongest front courts should do a pretty good job competing in the East, but it's going to take some dynamic performances from the back court to keep Detroit afloat.
#8 Miami Heat
Projected Record: 7-7
| Miami Heat | | STARTER | 2ND | 3RD | 4TH | | G | Goran Dragic (B) | Dwyane Wade (C+) | Wayne Ellington (C) | Dion Waiters (C) | | F | Hassan Whiteside (B) | Josh Richardson (C+) | Bam Adebayo (C+) | Kelly Olynyk (C+) |
The front-court/back-court duo of Hassan Whiteside and Goran Dragic is pretty solid. While it isn't fear inducing like some other more notable duos, it's still up there. The two will have a lot of roster to carry if Dwyane Wade and Bam Adebayo don't show up, but there's a better chance they will. Like the Spurs, Miami is a fringe team who can get into the dance through seven wins.
#9 Brooklyn Nets
Projected Record: 7-7
| Brooklyn Nets | | STARTER | 2ND | 3RD | 4TH | | G | D. Russell (B-) | Caris LeVert (B-) | Spencer Dinwiddie (C+) | Joe Harris (C) | | F | Jarrett Allen (C+) | R. Hollis-Jefferson (C+) | DeMarre Carrol (C+) | Ed Davis (C) |
The Nets are a solid sixth man team, plain and simple. This large mix of role players may actually pan out for the better behind D'Angelo Russell if they can get their bearings down. There's no question Brooklyn are a guy or two away from being a legitimate competitor, but they should snag a couple of surprising wins on the year out East.
#10 Chicago Bulls
Projected Record: 7-7
| Chicago Bulls | | STARTER | 2ND | 3RD | 4TH | | G | Zach LaVine (B) | Kris Dunn (C+) | Justin Holiday (C) | Cameron Payne (C-) | | F | Lauri Markkanen (B-) | Jabari Parker (B-) | Bobby Portis (C+) | (R) W. Carter Jr (C) |
Something is brewing in Chicago and it looks pretty good, at least, for the future. Lauri Markkanen, Zach LaVine, and Kris Dunn, have taken a nice step forward from last season, and now the Bulls have added Jabari Parker and (R) Wendell Carter Jr, to the mix. Chicago is the type of team you circle this season and say, "check back in with these folks in a year or two", success should be inevitable.
#11 Cleveland Cavaliers
Projected Record: 6-8
| Cleveland Cavaliers | | STARTER | 2ND | 3RD | 4TH | | G | Jordan Clarkson (C+) | George Hill (C) | (R) Collin Sexton (C) | Kyle Korver (C) | | F | Kevin Love (B) | Larry Nance Jr (C) | Tristan Thompson (C) | Channing Frye (C) |
From the NBA Finals to being written off as one of the zombies from 'The Walking Dead'. The Cleveland Cavaliers should be hungry to prove LeBron James wasn't the only reason they got to where they did, even if it actually was. Hello (R) Collin Sexton, there's a new sheriff in town. Sexton will immediately jump into the star role for the Cavs and combined with Kevin Love, Cleveland should still be on people's watch list. While the playoffs might slip out of reach here in year one, Sexton will be fun to watch.
#12 Orlando Magic
Projected Record: 5-9
| Orlando Magic | | STARTER | 2ND | 3RD | 4TH | | G | Evan Fournier (C+) | DJ Augustin (C) | Jonathon Simmons (C) | Jerian Grant (C) | | F | Nikola Vucevic (B-) | Aaron Gordon (B-) | (R) Mo Bamba (C+) | Jonathan Isaac (C) |
The era of (R) Mo Bamba begins under the rim for Orlando, that is, if Nikola Vucevic shares some minutes. The Magic aren't quite a circle team like the Bulls and Kings, but things are in the works. Aaron Gordon is certainly going to need some help in the back court in the future, so Orlando should definitely be buying come the offseason, or at least, making room.
#13 New York Knicks
Projected Record: 4-10
| New York Knicks | | STARTER | 2ND | 3RD | 4TH | | G | Tim Hardaway Jr (B-) | Courtney Lee (C) | Trey Burke (C) | Frank Ntilikina (C) | | F | K. Porzingis (B+) | Enes Kanter (C+) | (R) Kevin Knox (C) | Noah Vonieh (C) |
Losing Michael Beasley shouldn't shake New York to it's core, but it certainly isn't helping their cause. Kristaps has a lot of weight to carry and it's just not going to work with a back court as talented as a collegiate roster. The Knicks need to say goodbye to Joakim Noah and clear some cap space to eventually pay some draft picks in the future.
#14 Charlotte Hornets
Projected Record: 3-11
| Charlotte Hornets | | STARTER | 2ND | 3RD | 4TH | | G | Kemba Walker (B+) | Jeremy Lamb (C+) | Tony Parker (C) | Malik Monk (C) | | F | Cody Zeller (C+) | Nicolas Batum (C+) | Willy Hernangomez (C) | M. Kidd-Gilchrist (C) |
Will this be the last season Kemba Walker sports a Charlotte Hornets jersey? Time will tell, but one thing is certain: The Hornets aren't going anywhere fast. Dwight Howard is out and all that is left is Walker, plus a collegiate basketball team. The Hornets earning more than three wins would be pretty surprising.
#15 Atlanta Hawks
Projected Record: 1-13
| Atlanta Hawks | | STARTER | 2ND | 3RD | 4TH | | G | (R) Trae Young (C+) | Kent Bazemore (C+) | Jeremy Lin (C) | (R) Kevin Huerter (C-) | | F | John Collins (C+) | Taurean Prince (C+) | Alex Len (C) | Vince Carter (C) |
Life after Dennis Schroder is the (R) Trae Young era and it should be pretty interesting, just, not right now. The Hawks are as scary as a butterfly and it's going to take some time for this roster to turn around. A couple of wins should be considered a success for 2018.
Western Conference
#1 Golden State Warriors
Projected Record: 14-0
| Golden State Warriors | | STARTER | 2ND | 3RD | 4TH | | G | Stephen Curry (A) | Klay Thompson (B+) | Shaun Livingston (C+) | Quinn Cook (C) | | F | Kevin Durant (A+) | DeMarcus Cousins (A) | Draymond Green (B) | Andre Iguodala (C+) |
If there was ever a season where a team should be favored to go unscathed, it would be here. This season's rendition of the Warriors is one for the ages as the already stacked roster adds one of the best big men in the league. When you have two, maybe three guys, gunning for the MVP, how can you not be favored to win it all? The Warriors should be hoisting the big one when all is said and done.
#2 Houston Rockets
Projected Record: 12-2
| Houston Rockets | | STARTER | 2ND | 3RD | 4TH | | G | James Harden (A) | Chris Paul (A-) | Eric Gordon (C+) | Brandon Knight (C) | | F | Clint Capela (B) | Carmelo Anthony (C+) | Nene (C+) | Gerald Green (C+) |
The duo of the Beard and CP3 is one for the ages, that's for sure. Add Clint Capela and 'Melo to the mix, and you've got a powerhouse lineup that should slice and dice through most of the West. The Rockets should not have an issue collecting upwards of twelve wins through the regular goings. A defeat over Golden State in the Western Conference Finals, or, whomever lies await, should be what this roster is focused on.
#3 Oklahoma City Thunder
Projected Record: 10-4
| Oklahoma City Thunder | | STARTER | 2ND | 3RD | 4TH | | G | R. Westbrook (A) | Dennis Schroder (C+) | Andre Roberson (C) | Raymond Felton (C) | | F | Paul George (B+) | Steven Adams (B) | Nerlens Noel (C+) | Jerami Grant (C) |
If Golden State gets the Gold Medal, Houston, the Silver, then the Thunder most certainly get the Bronze. That is, unless Russell Westbrook has something to say about it. The dynamic Guard, mixed in with Paul George, Dennis Shroder, Steven Adams, and more, should handle the vast majority of the West on their way to ten, plus, victories. Westbrook's name will certainly be among the top when all is said and done in the MVP race.
#4 Los Angeles Lakers
Projected Record: 9-5
| Los Angeles Lakers | | STARTER | 2ND | 3RD | 4TH | | G | Lonzo Ball (C+) | Rajon Rondo (C+) | Josh Hart (C+) | Lance Stephenson (C) | | F | LeBron James (A+) | Brandon Ingram (B-) | Kyle Kuzma (B-) | JaVale McGee (C+) |
If you want to see a mixed bag of emotions, expectations, questions, concerns, hope, confidence, and so much more, look no further than the Lakers. The King has come to Los Angeles, and it's time to see what the new Showtime Lakers will be made of. Just by a glance, this roster looks pretty dangerous, but the fact it's practically a brand new depth chart from start to finish means the amount of chemistry has to be limited. A playoff bid for the Lakers should be a massive success, for starters.
#5 Utah Jazz
Projected Record: 9-5
| Utah Jazz | | STARTER | 2ND | 3RD | 4TH | | G | D. Mitchell (B+) | Ricky Rubio (C+) | Alec Burks (C) | Dante Exum (C) | | F | Rudy Gobert (B+) | Derrick Favors (C+) | Joe Ingles (C+) | Jae Crowder (C) |
Offense, defense, and depth. While nothing screams elite, it all screams really, really good. Like the Pacers, the Jazz are a good bet as a dark horse in a conference with some very loaded rosters and come playoff time, which the Jazz will likely see, other teams shouldn't be excited about seeing Utah on the docket.
#6 Portland Trail Blazers
Projected Record: 9-5
| Portland Trail Blazers | | STARTER | 2ND | 3RD | 4TH | | G | Damian Lillard (A-) | CJ McCollum (B+) | Seth Curry (C) | Nik Stauskas (C-) | | F | Jusuf Nurkic (C+) | Al-Farouq Aminu (C) | Zach Collins (C) | Maurice Harless (C) |
The Trail Blazers are go big or go home with practically zero depth behind Lillard and McCollum. While the two make up arguably one of the best back courts in the league, Portland will depend on Jusuf Nurkic to battle guys like Cousins, Davis, Towns, Capela, Adams, and so many more in the West. If Lillard and McCollum come to play, the 'Blazers are going to cause some shootouts.
#7 New Orleans Pelicans
Projected Record: 8-6
| New Orleans Pelicans | | STARTER | 2ND | 3RD | 4TH | | G | Jrue Holiday (B) | Elfrid Payton (C+) | E'Twaun Moore (C) | Ian Clark (C-) | | F | Anthony Davis (A) | Nikola Mirotic (B-) | Julius Randle (B-) | Solomon Hill (C) |
Similar deal in New Orleans compared to that of Milwaukee, but a bit different. Holiday, Payton, Randle, and Moore, should actually provide some depth to one of the best players in the entire league. The Pelicans are kind of in a odd spot right now, but still do have a chance to punch a ticket into the postseason if the play of Davis goes as expected. The goal should be seeing more than fourteen games played this season.
#8 Minnesota Timberwolves
Projected Record: 8-6
| Minnesota Timberwolves | | STARTER | 2ND | 3RD | 4TH | | G | Jimmy Butler (A-) | Jeff Teague (C+) | Derrick Rose (C+) | Tyus Jones (C) | | F | K. Towns (B+) | Andrew Wiggins (B-) | Taj Gibson (C) | Gorgui Dieng (C) |
On paper, Minnesota is very, very scary. Unfortunately, locker room issues will likely hold this uber talented roster back as it appears Jimmy Butler has no interest in playing for the team. With one year left on his deal, it's likely the last fourteen games fans will ever see Butler in Minnesota, so maybe, just maybe, he can leave them something to remember him by?
#9 Denver Nuggets
Projected Record: 7-7
| Denver Nuggets | | STARTER | 2ND | 3RD | 4TH | | G | Gary Harris (B-) | Jamal Murray (B-) | Isaiah Thomas (B-) | Will Barton (C+) | | F | Nikola Jokic (A-) | Paul Millsap (B-) | Trey Lyles (C) | Mason Plumlee (C) |
If it wasn't for a loaded West, the Nuggets would be somewhere in the single digits. Nikola Jokic and company look good on paper and if things go their way, they are another dark horse contender in the mix. Seven wins is a bit conservative for this roster and it shouldn't be surprising to see them take the spot Portland holds right now.
#10 San Antonio Spurs
Projected Record: 7-7
| San Antonio Spurs | | STARTER | 2ND | 3RD | 4TH | | G | DeMar DeRozan (A-) | Dejounte Murray (C+) | Marco Belinelli (C) | Patty Mills (C) | | F | L. Aldridge (B+) | Pau Gasol (C+) | Rudy Gay (C+) | Davis Bertans (C) |
Goodbye Kawhi, hello DeRozan. The former Toronto Raptor will become the new face down in San Antonio and that's a good thing. While anything less than Kawhi Leonard is an obvious step back, it's not as much as it seems, better yet, tensions are finally calm for the Spurs. San Antonio is a fringe playoff team who can definitely snag a bid.
#11 Dallas Mavericks
Projected Record: 7-7
| Dallas Mavericks | | STARTER | 2ND | 3RD | 4TH | | G | (R) Luka Doncic (B-) | Dennis Smith Jr (C+) | Wesley Matthews (C+) | JJ Barea (C) | | F | DeAndre Jordan (B) | Harrison Barnes (B-) | Dirk Nowitzki (C+) | Salah Mejri (C+) |
The Mavs have handed the keys to Mark Cuban's roster to DeAndre Jordan and European rookie, (R) Luke Doncic. While the team has long been under the careful watch of Dirk Nowitzki, the time for a change has come. DeAndre Jordan is going to wreak havoc under the rim, but it may take some time for the back court to get things settled. Jordan alone should snag this team over four wins and the back court should pickup a couple, itself. Look for Doncic to be in the running for Rookie of the Year.
#12 Sacramento Kings
Projected Record: 6-8
| Sacramento Kings Depth Chart - | | STARTER | 2ND | 3RD | 4TH | | G | De'Aaron Fox (B-) | Buddy Hield (C+) | Iman Smumpert (C) | Yogi Ferrell (C) | | F | W. Cauley-Stein (B-) | (R) M. Bagley III (C+) | Zach Randolph (C+) | B. Bogdanovic (C+) |
Sacramento, similar to Chicago, is a team that needs to be circled as one to watch for the future. While 2018 is questionable, the future will be bright, more than likely. Hield, Cauley-Stein, Fox, and the new toy down low, (R) Marvin Bagley III, should be a solid young gunning lineup. Throw in Zach Randolph as the trusty vet, and you've got a fun team to watch.
#13 Memphis Grizzlies
Projected Record: 5-9
| Memphis Grizzlies | | STARTER | 2ND | 3RD | 4TH | | G | Mike Conley (B) | Garrett Temple (C) | Andrew Harrison (C) | Wayne Selden Jr (C) | | F | Marc Gasol (B) | (R) J. Jackson Jr (C+) | Kyle Anderson (C+) | Dillon Brooks (C) |
The Grizzlies losing Tyreke Evans in the offseason basically sealed their 2018 fate. While they did snag (R) Jaren Jackson Jr in the draft, Conley and Gasol aren't leading this team to the promised land of a playoff bid. Memphis is in one of those positions where a full on rebuild is going to stop being a possibility and move to a reality.
#14 Los Angeles Clippers
Projected Record: 5-9
| Los Angeles Clippers | | STARTER | 2ND | 3RD | 4TH | | G | Lou Williams (B-) | Patrick Beverley (C+) | Avery Bradley (C+) | Milos Teodosic (C) | | F | Tobias Harris (B-) | Danilo Gallinari (C+) | Montrezl Harrell (C+) | Mike Scott (C) |
Los Angeles is blowing up, it's just, not these guys that are doing so. The Clippers are being out shined more than ever by the Lakers and they haven't even taken the court yet. DeAndre Jordan heading to the Mavericks opened up some room for the future and Los Angeles will likely have some cash to dish come next season. For this one, however, all bets on a playoff bid are likely off, Lou Williams and Tobias Harris aren't notching more than five wins.
#15 Phoenix Suns
Projected Record: 5-9
| Phoenix Suns | | STARTER | 2ND | 3RD | 4TH | | G | Devin Booker (B+) | Jamal Crawford (C+) | Troy Daniels (C) | (R) Mikal Bridges (C) | | F | (R) D. Ayton (B-) | TJ Warren (B-) | Trevor Ariza (C+) | Josh Jackson (C+) |
If the Bulls and Kings are circle now, the Phoenix Suns are a double circle. To say things are in the works is an understatement, Devin Booker, TJ Warren, Deandre Ayton, Mikal Bridges, Josh Jackson, and potentially another solid pick coming through this season gets Phoenix the 'too hot to trot' rating for the future. This season won't see the Suns cooking anything up, it's all about the future out West.
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~ Return of the King ~
Last edited by saintrules; 01-14-2019 at 10:53 AM.
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