Current 

ranking

Previous 

Ranking
(Week 20)

Team

Why?

1

3

San Antonio Spurs

They just won 70 games. Then won the title. Then traded for LeBron. Sentiment be gone! For a team that appeared to be the bridesmaid, they’re certainly wearing the shit out of that dress. Spurs have gotten tougher and are favourite to repeat (FML).

2

13

Denver Nuggets

We watched on in awe of Stephen Curry’s brilliance last season and pondered what the Nuggets would have looked like full strength. Give it a few months and we’ll have Klay and upgraded MPJ to complement. The Nuggets have added useful rookies, too, particularly ‘Bones’.

3

1

Portland Trailblazers

The team and fanbase continues to mourn the loss of lynchpin megastar Kawhi Leonard. What will become of the Blazers of 21-22? For now, their laurels see them keep an elite spot on the rankings, behind Harden and Westbrook.

4

2

Charlotte Hornets

Luka will continue to ascend into the basketball stratosphere and might put in an MVP season for the Hornets. Paul got big ratings boost at age 73 and is as good as ever, daring Hornets fans to dream of a Finals berth. 

5

8

Chicago Bulls

People will sleep on the Bulls, because of their sputtering 2021 campaign. Sure, they are going to lose some depth, but they have the game’s best big man and an All-NSL guard in Beal. Above all else, they don’t like to lose. <3

6

19

New Orleans Pelicans

One of these seasons, sooner or later, the Pels young core IS going to take that step and announce to the league that they are on notice. The best young core in the league with a bullet, can they make that year, this year?

7

11

Los Angeles Clippers

The Giannis train rolls on, and he will be probably better than ever in the game due to him being amazing and winning that pesky little NBA title. The Clippers continue to build organically, adding three firsts to a young core they kept in tact.

8

15

Dallas Mavericks

Free Agency might dictate whether this spot looks good or not, but when you have the game’s best scorer, you have a high floor. The Mavericks will still be a team who threatens the top four in the West but might need to lean on KD more than ever.

9

23

Toronto Raptors

The People’s (of Canada) team! Jesse has been quiet ever since the distasteful exit from the playoffs after a saga of a series, but I feel he has been growing as a GM and learned a lot. He has some positive trades to put through, and I see Raps pushing 55 wins.

10

4

Detroit Pistons

The Kyrie murkiness is casting a large, ominous shadow over the Piston’s campaign. If he gets the vaccine, the Pistons climb. If he continues to refuse, this is generous.

11

16

Washington Wizards

The Wizards were unceremoniously bundled out of the playoffs last season. Despite my personal hang-ups with the Butterfly Effect they created, the talent this young core has is undeniable. New additions only help the direction and likelihood of success.

12

18

Indiana Pacers

This team has made a few moves during the off-season, with more wings coming to Indiana and nabbing Jordan Poole has really aged well. The rotation and finances are muddled, but Embiid is as good as anyone.

13

10

Philadelphia 76ers 

Dame Time makes its way to Philadelphia, replacing the King’s reign. It’s hard to say that it’s anything better than a sideways move in terms of player ability, but Ben preferred the youth and reliability of Dame as a scorer. His team still looks as deep and Euro as ever.

14

21

Orlando Magic

This is where the ranking spots ‘bottleneck’, with teams who on a similar/same level still ranked numerically in a hierarchy. The next ten spots are a lot closer than the number range suggests.

I believe in Gav as a GM and I feel his want to win, matched with his team’s progress and savvy trades, sees them stake their claim in the playoffs. Trae has a team around him that makes a lot of sense, with guys like Harris, Murray and Gafford in perfect roles.

15

6

New York Knicks

The Knicks have openly stated that they aren’t ‘All In’, and are happy to keep growing and see what happens along the way. Having said that, they are still a playoff talent and still employ a GM who loves to trade and win.

16

5

Memphis Grizzlies

If the Grizzlies put it together and have their players on the court for enough games, they are worthy of a higher position. They have the essence of a team whose chemistry and cohesive roles uplifts the whole team output to a really high level.

17

17

Miami Heat

I have heard the Miami name in a few trade rumors as of late and I am a fan of the moves. Pistol has tasted the sweet nectar of ultimate success and I don’t see him cruising too long around the middle. He has been a 2k genius in the past – is it as simple as getting all his players on the court and Miami will explode? Hey, Ben, Pistol here… hello? Mr Simmons?

18

30

Minnesota Timberwolves

Wolves fans are up and about, after being on their deathbeds due to Curry being traded, and improving to a walking frame as LaMelo hype was a much required shot in the arm. I am all about their moves – I think they added value at every turn, and that should be the aim. Hopefully wins ensue.

19

25

Golden State Warriors

The Warriors are steadily improving as a team, just as their best players are improving as basketballers. Lavine is an All-Star and Ayton is looking like a future one. Young complementary pieces like Jakob Poeltl, Dillon Brooks and Nassir Little fill out the roster nicely. If only they could get a savvy, hardened veteran point guard in to help? Playoffs have to happen this time.

20

20

OKC Thunder

Wiz gives this league life on the regular with how genius coding abilities. While his team sputtered last season, there was always value there – can he bring the Thunder to life this season as a team? Wiz doesn’t enjoy losing and is a problem solver – I am looking forward to what OKC shows and am backing them to be a pleasant surprise and push for playoffs.

22

14

Houston Rockets

I think Vitt is a clever GM and a hard worker, and he has all the tools to be successful in the tradition sense (wins), but he isn’t willing to sacrifice the players he cares for and has invested in to achieve those goals. I admire it. But I think when push comes to shove, this might see the Rocks slide due to lack of urgency. But it’s all part of the plan.

22

12

Sacramento Kings

Klemm has his initials etched unto my heart and I will back him to the hilt because he just has this hopeful buoyancy that I find irresistible. He always believes that tomorrow can be a better day and that he can make it better. Hard not to get behind that philosophy. Are the Kings talented enough?

23

7

Phoenix Suns

Is this the new, improved (patient, thoughtful, sequential) Laddas and the Suns? I can’t fault any of his moves after he settled on a direction after twice prematurely and irrationally taking a direction and then bailing on it, prematurely. Performance issues? Not in Arizona.

24

9

Cleveland Cavaliers

I enjoy talking to Dylan about the league. He’s in. He cares about his team, the greater good of the league and his fellow GMs. While I’m still unsure of how he’s turned two elite players into this squad, I have faith that his focus and effort will have this team fighting for the playoffs in a season’s time. You guys have heard of Jarrett Allen, yeah?

25

22

Brooklyn Nets

The Nets continue to show promise but then continue to disappoint. Lots of the misfortune has been out of their control, as two seasons in a row have been derailed by injuries and a lack of continuity within the group. If D’Angelo Russell can handle the workload and burden, he’s going to have an All-Star season. If he can’t, the Nets may struggle.

26

24

Atlanta Hawks

I was on the Hawks a lot last season, but the dip into the doldrums proved fruitful and now they have a really nice young core of players to take them back towards the playoffs. GM Ben has come out and stated that ‘playoffs are the goal’ for next season, and I am all about it. Jalen Green looks to have it.

27 

27

Milwaukee Bucks

Badwolf is somewhat mysterious – as the great Will Ferrell as ‘Chaz’ quoted in Wedding Crashers: ‘I never know what he’s doing back there’. There isn’t any Bucks news, or many badwolf quips. No Bucks trades, only generic trade block posts as proof of life. Crazy thing is… he’s an elite GM and masterful team builder. Do the Bucks ignite?

28

29

Boston Celtics

As mentioned by resident good guy Laddas, the Celtics have what is likely the second best young core in the league. Eventually, the youngsters get tired of losing and put that 20lbs of off-season muscle on and get serious. Is this the season Toby puts more stock into maximising the list as players instead of maximising his picks as assets?

29

26

Utah Jazz

Utah will be bad and that was the goal. As much as it makes me sick, it’s a proven way to take a middling franchise to aching lows in order to recharge and reach those highs. It’s not easy to do, with much patience required. It shouldn’t be about wins, it should be about adding value. They’re doing it well.

30

28

Los Angeles Lakers

They have been terrible. On the court and off. I don’t have a lot of time for LA until they prove they are a reputable franchise. Getting Cade for their ineptitude is a great start. Plus, Justin initiated more communication in his first week than the previous two years of management. Small steps. Kudos.