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Apologies for the delayed release; it has been quite the week and few days. But in the spirit of some overreacting, I figured why not do this season’s first set of Right Hook Team Rankings? The rankings may be a bit off with the NBA Cup starting last night, but here are my rankings for the first few weeks of the season.
WAVING THE FLAGG
(This is for teams preparing for the Cooper Flagg Sweepstakes.)
30) Utah Jazz
This is the only team in this category, as the Jazz will validate whatever they have been doing with this roster recently. While there are some players that a contending team could make a move for, like John Collins, Colin Sexton, or Walker Kessler, as the season goes on, I expect dealer Danny Ainge to make moves to better Utah’s odds at capturing the “Flagg.” Yes, get ready for the puns during the season, people.
Tanking teams in Denial
(Teams that should accept the option of tanking but just haven’t received that reality yet.)
29) Washington Wizards
The Wizards are still at the bottom of the NBA, but not the worst. Some of their first and second players are showing some promise, which is rewarding for their fan base. However, they need to be realistic about this season and going forward.
28) Charlotte Hornets
Charlotte is an entertaining watch for league pass some nights, but this team is still deciding whether to leap to be a play-in option. LaMelo Ball reminds us that he is a fun watch and that maybe he shouldn’t be the centerpiece of a franchise.
27) Toronto Raptors
Now, to my beloved Raptors, who certainly have some fight but are a team that is still defining who they are. Gradey Dick, RJ Barrett, and the other hidden gems from this draft have been pleasant surprises that can make them a potential play-in team but, in reality, will be a lottery team this year.
26) Brooklyn Nets
The last team in this group is the Nets, who have been surprisingly good. While this start has been good, this is the year for Brooklyn to maximize their draft picks and the potential value certain players may garner and make a run at the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes.
Something’s Brewing
(This group is for teams with something promising to look forward to or are developing this season that could land them in the playoffs.)
25) Portland Trailblazers
The Blazers have a lot going on roster-wise, and some moves have to happen at some point this year. Still, this team can be something to look out for in the next few seasons once they define the core with a combination of Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe, Donovan Clingan, or Anfernee Simons.
24) Atlanta Hawks
The second team I root for, the Hawks, has started rocky, but there is something to look forward to with this team. Dyson Daniels, Jalen Johnson, and rookie Zaccharie Risacher make up an up-and-coming core, with or without Trae Young, who has started rough but will undoubtedly heat up once he returns from injury.
23) San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs haven’t started how I expected, but this team should come into form as the season progresses. Victor Wembanyama may be experiencing a slight case of the sophomore jinx. Hopefully, CP3 and Coach Pop will unite this young team and make it competitive.
22) Chicago Bulls
Chicago is undoubtedly one of the more fast-paced acts so far this season. It won’t likely be in the playoff picture, but it is fun to see Josh Giddey unlocked. Coby White and LaVine’s comeback makes the Bulls a potential under-the-radar team.
21) Detroit Pistons
The Pistons have certainly fulfilled my optimism coming into this season! Cunningham, Ivey, Duren, and the other vital parts are being better utilized under JB Bickerstaff (Sorry, Monty Williams, but you owe this team an apology) because Bickerstaff’s old-school professionalism is exactly what this young group needed. I hope this trend continues throughout the season, potentially leading to a play-in spot.
PRESS THE RED BUTTON!
(The title speaks for itself: This is for teams that must panic and make dramatic decisions to live up to expectations.)
20) New Orleans Pelicans
These teams in this tier perfectly represent its title, so let’s start in New Orleans, where the snake bitten Bayou curse continues to strike. Zion is out again for an unknown time, Herb Jones is out, and this team is not gelling. It screams like it is time to panic, especially with Dyson Daniels blowing up and becoming a major player in Atlanta.
19) Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee’s low ranking in the rankings coming into this season is a mixture of shock and absolute worry about the Bucks’ reality. Giannis is having an excellent start, and Dame is becoming Dame again, but the rest of the Bucks roster needs more hope for Milwaukee to be genuine contenders again.
18) Los Angeles Clippers
Even in their new, cutting-edge arena that everyone loves, the LA Clippers certainly are not living up to their internal expectations, leading us to believe some changes are coming. But what changes can be made? Does Kawhi Leonard have trade value, let alone will he come back and play for a significant period again? Is there a trade to improve in any way? Indeed, there are some potential dark times for the Clippers yet again.
17) Los Angeles Lakers
I am staying in Hollywood with the marque team, the Lakers, who have been ok so far, but the roster flaws are showing much sooner than expected. JJ Redick certainly has brought some offensive structure, but the depth, especially up front, will hurt. LeBron and AD have fantastic starts, but I expect the D’Angelo Russell trade noise to pick up, especially since he is the weak link in the starting lineup, revving up the palpable soap opera with the purple and gold.
16) Philadelphia 76ers
Lastly, and what I take so much joy in writing about here, is the Philadelphia 76ers. This start to the season has been an absolute and utter disaster from the whole Joel Embiid/secrecy about his injuries coming into the season, Maxey going down, and Paul George being shaky to start. It should be a horrifying vibe for their fans. It will likely be the reality of this team this season and in the future, only validating that the Sam Hinkie/Process curse will still haunt Philadelphia today and potentially for years to come.
“Patience is a virtue.”
This group is for teams with setbacks but shouldn’t be excluded from any playoffs or contending conversations.
15) Miami Heat
The Heat are one of the teams I feel no one should sleep on, but this roster seems off or passed expiration. Who knows what Pat Riley and coach Spoelstra can pull together to make the Heat dangerous again?
14) Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies are well… The Grizzlies, where injuries hit the team once again. However, having Ja Morant back in our nightly watching and the surprising depth keeping them competitive is enough not to write Memphis off, especially as the season goes on.
13) Orlando Magic
I had high hopes for the Magic because they are all there to be a top-three Eastern Conference team. The severe injury to Paolo Banchero hurts the team, but Orlando will remain a threat in the Eastern Conference.
Eh, It Can Go Either Way.
Teams that regular seasons can turn around or nosedive.
12) Sacramento Kings
The Kings have started well, especially with the addition of DeMar DeRozan, the professional closer this group needed. Sacramento should be in the mix all season, but the slightest setback could derail this team’s aspirations to return to the playoffs.
11) Indiana Pacers
Indiana seems to be doing business as usual, but I can’t ignore the fact that something is off with Tyrese Haliburton. It could be him pacing himself after last season, or that hamstring injury is lingering. The Pacers still have a team to keep things going until Haliburton hits that all-star, MVP-caliber level he can be so Indiana can elevate in the East.
10) Denver Nuggets
This one pains me, but the Nuggets are in quite a situation. The complete lack of depth is more glaring than I expected. Plus, Nikola Jokic’s outstanding output this early in the season is alarming and may be a sign of a potential disaster season for Denver if nothing changes.
9) Golden State Warriors
Golden State closes this group with this exciting start they are having. With this 12-man rotation, Steve Kerr is on to something, especially if it takes some pressure off Steph Curry. Andrew Wiggins coming back to life helps, but the Draymond factor is always unpredictable. While Green has been incredible so far, if he returns, some of that chaos he brought last year could ruin this team’s chances to be legit contenders in the competitive Western Conference.
Possible Party Crashers
Unexpectedly good teams may shake up the playoff picture as the season progresses.
8) Houston Rockets
Houston has been one of the big surprises to start this season. With such a talented roster, this team is bound to make a big leap that lands the Rockets into the playoffs. I do expect the Rockets to make some sort of big trade to get a star, whether it is Brandon Ingram, Jerami Grant, or Jimmy Butler, to solidify the core of this promising team.
Teams in the Cut
This group is for the teams that had some buzz coming into the season but have started poorly. They must be noticed for real playoff contention.
7) New York Knicks
Many of us thought the Knicks would come out like juggernauts this season, but that has not happened. Even in what seems to be a top-heavy Eastern Conference, the Knicks still can be at the top of the East. However, if a deep playoff run is realistic, Mikal Bridges needs to improve on the offensive end, and Karl-Anthony Towns needs to be a reputable rim protector.
6) Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota has taken a noticeable step back from the team that made the conference finals. While Anthony Edwards is taking that next step in his superstardom, this team could be more straightforward. Julius Randle has been solid, but Jaden McDaniels needs to step up, as does the point guard situation, to be productive if the Wolves want to remain at the top of the Western Conference.
Real Threats
These teams look like serious finals contenders.
5) Phoenix Suns
The Suns look like they have figured out how to be one of the top teams in the West again. Coach Bud certainly has been a great addition, and Tyus Jones as the much-needed floor general, has stabilized Phoenix to become a severe roadblock to other top teams in the conference.
4) Dallas Mavericks
Dallas was exactly what we thought it would be to start the season. Luka Doncic is putting up incredible MVP numbers, Dereck Lively II continues to be a game-changer, and Klay Thompson has looked like the dangerous shooter he used to be. While the record could be better, this team picked it up late last season, so I expect them to do the same again this year, especially with Thompson getting familiar with this new role so the Mavs can get back to the NBA finals.
3) Boston Celtics
The defending champion Celtics have been dominant, to none of our surprise. Besides an early injury to Jaylen Brown, the Celtics look like a well-oiled machine that seems to be taking a long approach to this regular season. Once Kristaps Porzingis is cleared for return around the new year, we can tell if anything is different with the champs and their hopes to go back-to-back.
At the Top!
Here are the teams who are above the rest of the league.
2) Oklahoma City Thunder
OKC has been incredible to start this season. SGA looks like a no-brainer MVP candidate, and the perimeter depth of this team continues to make the Thunder a perennial contender in the West. Unfortunately, Chet Holmgren’s outing with a significant injury worsens their already poor frontcourt depth. Still, with Isaiah Hartenstein returning soon, the Thunder should remain on top of the Western Conference.
1) Cleveland Cavaliers
My number one team for this first set of rankings is the Cavs, who have been a huge surprise starting this season. Currently undefeated as of this writing, Cleveland has found the balance that their core needs to be elite, thanks to coach Kenny Atkinson. While I know it is very early in the season, this overreaction is a sign of this being legitimate for Cleveland to be a one or two-seed in the eastern conference that could be finals contenders if nothing drastic happens.
