Yes, Kevin Durant may have “ruined the NBA”. However, the NBA is stacked with incredible talent. Most of the talent is typically dispersed somewhat evenly among most of the top teams. Ranking the top teams by talent may be somewhat difficult. However, The Great TPR will attempt to rank each team by just that. I’m not saying these are power rankings, how each team will actually perform, or taking chemistry heavily into account. I’m ranking the top 10 NBA teams by roster next season, if all things were to go as best as they possibly could:
1. Golden State Warriors
The Golden State warriors are stacked. They have five all-stars and several players, who could start on most teams, coming off their bench. We don’t need to dive too deep into debating their talent, that’s for sure.
p.s, Kevin Durant ruined the NBA.
2. Boston Celtics
Despite losing the great Abdel Nader, the Celtics have still built one of the best rosters in the NBA. The Boston Celtics currently have two all-stars, and three other players who have an argument for a seat at the table. In addition to that, their bench is absolutely stacked with starting caliber talent. Many expect the Boston Celtics to make it to the NBA finals. I’m not sure that that is a foregone conclusion. However, I will not deny that it is likely. It helps that they have a head coach in Brad Stevens who can bring the most out of them as well.
3. Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors are a team which is heavily being slept on. Yes, the trade for Leonard may leave a bitter sweet taste in a lot of Raptors’ fans’ mouthes. However, they significantly upgraded their roster with the move, assuming Leonard is invested and healthy of course. They have a great starting lineup, don’t forget about Danny Green. With one of the best, if not the best, benches in the NBA, I fully expect Toronto to make a run for the NBA finals as well.
4. Houston Rockets
What makes Mike D’Antoni and Harden so special is their ability to get the most out of each other, and their team. We can’t deny that the Houston Rockets are a team with some aging talent. However, with their recent shake ups, they have made the conscious effort to go a bit younger, while making room for Carmelo Anthony to fit right in. Along side their MVP and two all-star caliber players, their roster includes the likes of Anthony, Gordon, Tucker, Hilario, Carter-Williams, Knight, and Chriss. Although D’Antoni likes to keep his rotation tight, the talent is there if he chooses to play it. Not saying the Raptors are better than them. All I’m saying is when you line up the rosters against each other, Toronto has a lot more depth with talent.
5. San Antonio Spurs
This is where it starts to get a bit dicey for me. However, it’s hard to ignore the talent that San Antonio has either acquired, or still has. For starters, their core of DeRozan, Murray, and Aldridge is a great place to start. Along side their trio, they have Gasol, Belinelli, Mills, Gay, and Forbes. The Spurs have also added young talent in Poeltl and rookie Lonnie Walker. Would not be surprised if the Spurs had a top 4 finish in the Western Conference next season.
6. Utah Jazz
The average fan seems to think that the Jazz are a one man team. In reality, they are far from that. They have many players who are capable of playing both sides of the court. Along side their two stars in Mitchell and Gobert, they start a guard who can do a lot in Ricky Rubio, a two way forward in Favors, and their super mega star Joe Ingles. Their bench has plenty of depth in Crowder, Exum, O’Neale, Sefolosha, Burks, and UNC fans’ favorite rookie, Grayson Allen.
7. Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets have an argument to make that they could be higher on this list. They’re one of the few teams without weaknesses at any position, at least when healthy. Their core four of Harris, Murray, Milsap, and Jokic, is a great core to build around. Although their bench does include a variety of young talent, what really excites me is the potential of their injured talent getting healthy. If Michael Porter Jr. and Isaiah Thomas can find a way to be healthy, the Nuggets are going to be a force in the Western Conference.
8. Washington Wizards
The Wizards probably have potential to move up this list. Up until this point, chemistry and health issues have prevented the Wizards from living up to their full potential. The backcourt of John Wall and Bradley Beal is one of the best backcourts in the entire NBA. With Otto Porter Jr., Kelley Oubre Jr./One of the Morris twins, and Dwight Howard Jr. (just kidding), the Wizards are going to have the ability to run the small ball pretty well. Their bench has some depth to it for the first time in years as well.
9. Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder have a great big three to build around. Paul George, Steven Adams, and Alex Abrines are one of the best trios in the NBA that you can ask for. That Russell Westbrook guy isn’t that bad either. Although their depth has improved, I’m not 100% sure what players like Dennis Schroder, Andre Roberson, and Nerlens Noel are capable of at this stage of their careers. As we have more clarity around their health, they’ll be able to move up or down this list.
10. Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers have some incredible young talent. Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid are a great duo to build around. When you add rising young talent like Saric and Covington to the mix, and a veteran like J. J Reddick, they do appear to have one of the best starting rosters in the NBA. What makes the Sixers’ roster so difficult to evaluate, is the injuries related to their rookie and to Markelle Fultlz. I only cover the NBA, so I can’t evaluate them at the college level. The Sixers have also lost a couple veterans. Yes, they have potential to move up this list. However, it’s too early for me to consider them above the Thunder. Do I think, as a whole, they have a better roster than Portland and New Orleans? Yes.
11. X-Factor Team:
This was a toss up between the Pistons and Magic for me. What makes teams like the Trail Blazers and Pelicans so special is what they’re able to do with limited talent beyond their core. What irritates me about teams like the Pistons, is what little they’re able to accomplish, despite having a lot of talent. Griffin and Drummond are two potential top 10 big men when healthy. You then add Reggie Jackson and a bunch of young talent around that core, the Pistons should be able to at least make the playoffs. The talent is there. However, the chemistry, coaching, and health, don’t always seem to play into their favor.
As you can see, the best rosters don’t always make the best teams. Coaching does still matter in the NBA. Chemistry and health are just as important as ever. The Magic is stacked with talent, but can’t crack the playoffs. The Wizards have top tier potential, but keep coming up short. Teams like the Warriors and Rockets continue to find success and bring the most out of their role players. Teams like the Pelicans and Trail Blazers lost a little talent over the summer. Teams like the Lakers gained a lot.
Who do you think should have made this list? Tweet me @TPRx11