Playerz Circle Too Early Top 5 NBA Teams
With Week 1 in the books in the 2019-20 NBA season, I take a look at the Top 5 teams in the NBA.
We had some welcoming surprises to kick off the season and then some disappointments. The new-look Warriors are getting off to a slow start in their new arena and from how things look, we won’t see them in a consecutive sixth Finals appearance. The Atlanta Hawks got off to a strong 2-0 start behind second-year player Trae Young but have since tailed off with Young suffering an ankle injury in Tuesday’s matchup against the Miami Heat.
But it all remains the same that the West teams hold a better record than the East teams. The seventh-best team in the West could be tied right now for second in the East. Want to consider eliminating conferences now Adam Silver?
With that said, here are the top 5 teams so far:
5. Dallas Mavericks
Rounding out the top 5 teams is the Mavericks who are off to a strong start with their latest win against the talented Denver Nuggets Tuesday night.
They sit fourth in the West currently at 3-1 and are undefeated on the road. Their defense needs some improvement but they can hang their hat on being a top-three team in offensive rating. This is behind one of the NBA’s best duos with ROY Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis, both of whom are averaging 20+ points per game. The Mavs finished 14th in the West last season so being on this list this early is already an improvement. No one is expecting them to go to the Finals this season but building together a great season and maintaining KP’s health is key for this franchise going forward. But if they are good as they are early, you’ll see them as a top-five team in the West playoff picture.
4. L.A. Clippers
After beating the “rival” Lakers on an exciting NBA opening night, the Clippers got off to a great start...until they faced the Phoenix Suns.
Kawhi has seemingly fit in perfectly in this Doc Rivers’ led team. And if they didn’t lose to the Suns the other night, they would’ve been at No. 1 on this list. After beating the Lakers, they thumped the Warriors in their new arena. All their wins came by 10 points or more and they currently have the highest offensive rating by seven points. Their defense isn’t nearly as good but with PG-13 coming back to this already loaded defensive team expect that to change quickly. And it’s important to note that Kawhi looks strong and healthy and Mr. Sixth Man Lou Will is doing his normal things so this team should be racing for that No. 1 spot in the West this season.
3. Philadelphia 76ers
Out of the three undefeated teams in the NBA, and yes the other two are on this list, Sixers come in at third on this list.
They have looked impressive to start the season but this is something we all expected, no knock against them. Many have this team coming out of the East this season with the decline of the Bucks and Raptors losing Kawhi. I just need to see improvement out of Ben Simmons to see this team as a real threat. His numbers are good as always but his scoring needs to improve especially outside of the paint. All their three wins came against Eastern Conference teams so it’s hard for me to value them as much as the top two teams on this list. They are the only team on this list however to crack top five in defensive rating as they are sure to be a force on that side. Tonight matchup against the unbeaten Timberwolves is sure to be a good one.
2. Minnesota Timberwolves
A welcoming sight on this list is the Wolves who sit at No. 2 in the West.
Last season they back paddled after making the playoffs the previous one with Jimmy Butler. Many were looking at the top stars on the team in KAT and Wiggins and still are to take that next step, and they answered...sort of. KAT has been dominating the courts while Wiggins has been so-so but stepped up big in their latest win against the Heat. They have the highest point differential out of the undefeated teams but all their wins came against the East much like the Sixers. This was a team that many wasn’t even expecting to make the playoffs so this an excellent start for this team.
San Antonio Spurs
With the era of super teams finally over the Spurs can now reign again as a top team in the West.
The Spurs have the best coach arguably in NBA history still with a very talented team. They are second in offensive rating and the only team out the unbeaten to beat a Western Conference team. With the return of Dejaunte Murray, this team will only get better as the season goes on and they are my early favorites to come out the West. They are a dynamic team with veterans and don’t have the Mighty Warriors impeding their way no more. Pop delivered one of his best coaching jobs last season, so it only makes sense they build on that with the return of their future star.
