Thanksgiving is the official starting of the vacation season, although it’s by no means been certainly one of my favourite holidays, primarily as a result of I’m by no means the place I’m presupposed to be. However within the hustle and bustle that marks the time after we unleash Mariah Carey upon all the elevators, I did discover one thing I’m grateful for, and that’s the NBA Cup.
I’ve actually grown excited by these Tuesday and Friday nights in November. Groups are competing and never blatantly exercising organizational priorities, and in a tradition the place we’re ready for the following “trades we wish to see” piece to drop, I like that NBA Cup video games happen simply after the glorified feel-out video games that mark the opening weeks of the season and wrap up simply earlier than all of these new contracts develop into tradeable. In essence, the NBA Cup is your “offseason paper championship,” on condition that the rosters you see now are those we spent from the NBA Draft to media day discussing.
So, sure, I’m grateful. With that mentioned, let’s get on to Energy Rankings and what these 30 groups are grateful for because the normalcy of November involves a detailed.
A reminder: These Energy Rankings gained’t simply rank each crew. We’ll retain the tiers that groups shall be promoted into and relegated out of. There shall be 5 tiers each week:
- High Contenders – Locked at 5, these are the category of the league
- In a Good Place – Might be one crew, may very well be seven groups
- The Bubble – To not be confused with Walt Disney World. The center of the pack
- Not the Tier to Worry – Not enjoying the worst ball within the league, however with plenty of work to do
- Basement Flooring – Mentioning the rear
Let’s dive into Week 5 of the Energy Rankings. Win/loss information and statistics are by means of Monday’s video games.
Tier 1: High Contenders
1. Boston Celtics (15-3)
Final rating: 3
Within the final week: W vs. CLE, W at WAS, W vs. MIN, W vs. LAC
Offensive ranking: 120.9 (third)
Defensive ranking: 110.2 (eighth)
Grateful: Kristaps Porziņģis is again
Boston bought off to a 14-3 begin with out The Unicorn, which appears important on condition that the Celtics began 13-4 final season with Porziņģis enjoying 15 of these video games. Porziņģis’ return capped a seven-day interval that started with the Celtics tagging the Cleveland Cavaliers with their first loss. Now, the Celtics don’t must be one of the vital one-dimensional offenses within the league with unsteady rim safety. The complete championship rotation is lastly right here.
GO DEEPER
The Celtics might win with out Kristaps Porziņģis, however they’re much more highly effective with him
2. Cleveland Cavaliers (17-1)
Final rating: 1
Within the final week: L at BOS, W vs. NO, W vs. TOR
Offensive ranking: 122.8 (first)
Defensive ranking: 110.9 (tenth)
Grateful: Kenny Atkinson
The Cavaliers lastly misplaced after a 15-0 begin, however they bought proper again to successful video games after an evening in Boston when the Celtics made 22 3s. Atkinson has remodeled the Cavaliers offense in a method no head coach in franchise historical past has finished. And the factor is, Atkinson might simply be teaching in Brooklyn or Charlotte proper now.
3. Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder (13-4)
Final rating: 4
Within the final week: L at SA, W vs. POR, W at SAC
Offensive ranking: 114.2 (tenth)
Defensive ranking: 103.2 (first)
Grateful: Isaiah Hartenstein is again
Much like the Celtics, the Thunder bought their heart again after having a unbelievable begin to the season in his absence. In contrast to the Celtics, the Thunder wanted Hartenstein as a substitute to go together with his presence as an asset in his personal proper. The damage to Chet Holmgren would have been much more devastating to final season’s Thunder crew. This yr, the Thunder had been capable of Smurf (they’re blue, proper?) their method to some wins with Jalen Williams as their nominal beginning heart. How handy is it to have Hartenstein present up and make an affect?
4. Golden State Warriors (12-5)
Final rating: 2
Within the final week: W vs. ATL, W at NO, L at SA, L vs. BRK
Offensive ranking: 115.3 (seventh)
Defensive ranking: 107.5 (fourth)
Grateful: Draymond Inexperienced’s self-discipline
Inexperienced is a 35-year-old undersized energy ahead enjoying his thirteenth NBA season after being a second-round decide. He has had sturdiness and self-discipline issues for many of the earlier 5 seasons. However coming into Week 6, Inexperienced has performed in each single sport whereas serving as each Stephen Curry’s main setup man offensively and the pc of the Warriors protection. It’s the primary time Inexperienced has performed the primary 17 video games of a season in seven years.
GO DEEPER
Draymond Inexperienced, others pay the value for being the NBA’s previous males on D
Houston’s Tari Eason defends the Clippers’ Jordan Miller. (Troy Taormina / Imagn Photos)
5. Houston Rockets (12-6)
Final rating: 5
Within the final week: W vs. IND, W vs. POR, L vs. POR
Offensive ranking: 112.5 (fifteenth)
Defensive ranking: 103.7 (second)
Grateful: AT&T
It’s such a luxurious for the Rockets to have the youth and athleticism from Amen Thompson and Tari (Eason) coming off the bench. When these two are on the ground collectively, the Rockets outscore foes by 5.1 factors per sport and by 15.0 factors per 100 possessions. These two are respectable sport changers for coach Ime Udoka.
GO DEEPER
These second-year execs (not named Wemby) have made large jumps this season
Tier 2: In a Good Place
6. Memphis Grizzlies (11-7)
Final rating: 8
Within the final week: L vs. DEN, W vs. PHI, W at CHI, W vs. POR
Offensive ranking: 115.9 (fifth)
Defensive ranking: 108.9 (sixth)
Grateful: Tuomas Iisalo
The Grizzlies had the worst offense within the NBA final season, and whereas participant availability had rather a lot to do with that, coach Taylor Jenkins wanted some reinvigoration. Iisalo, the 2024 EuroCup Coach of the Yr, was tapped as certainly one of Jenkins’ new assistants. This season, solely the Cavaliers common extra factors per sport (120.4), and that’s with Ja Morant lacking half the video games. Solely the Thunder drive extra, they usually dwell within the paint and on the offensive glass. Memphis is dynamic with whoever is on the market to Jenkins this season, and he made a powerful transfer by including Iisalo to his employees.
7. Orlando Magic (12-7)
Final rating: 7
Within the final week: L at LAC, W at LAL, W vs. DET, W at CHA
Offensive ranking: 109.4 (twenty fifth)
Defensive ranking: 104.6 (third)
Grateful: Franz Wagner
The Magic have accidents at energy ahead (Paolo Banchero), heart (Wendell Carter Jr.) and level guard (Jalen Suggs). Kentavious Caldwell-Pope signed as a free agent and is taking pictures 22.4 % from 3. However Wagner has been a gentle and constant pressure whereas permitting Orlando to take care of its dimension benefit defensively. He’s main a Magic crew that has gained 9 of its previous 10 video games.
GO DEEPER
Franz Wagner and the Magic take pleasure in being ‘bodily’ and it has them rolling
8. New York Knicks (10-7)
Final rating: 9
Within the final week: W at PHO, L at UTA, W at DEN
Offensive ranking: 122.4 (second)
Defensive ranking: 115.8 (twenty third)
Grateful: OG Anunoby’s offense
Anunoby went into Denver on Monday evening and had the primary 40-point sport of his eight-year profession, and he has been phenomenal on that finish of the ground. Earlier than the season, it appeared extra seemingly that fellow wing Mikal Bridges would tackle a heavier position offensively. However Anunoby is averaging a career-high 19.1 factors per sport whereas hitting career-best marks from the sphere (52.4 %) and from 3 (42.2 %). Most significantly, Anunoby hasn’t missed a sport.
GO DEEPER
The Knicks’ offense is horrifying good and would possibly simply be getting began
Naji Marshall has been a godsend for the Mavericks. (Rhona Sensible / Imagn Photos)
9. Dallas Mavericks (10-8)
Final rating: 15
Within the final week: W vs. NO, W at DEN, L at MIA, W at ATL
Offensive ranking: 115.5 (sixth)
Defensive ranking: 109.8 (seventh)
Grateful: Naji Marshall breaking by means of
The Mavericks had been crying out for a participant to assist Luka Dončić, Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson offensively earlier this month. Marshall, a free agent from the New Orleans Pelicans, has emerged as that participant. Undrafted out of Xavier, Marshall is averaging a career-best 11.3 factors on 55 % taking pictures from the sphere. He already has eight dunks this season; Marshall had 9 all of final season and has by no means had greater than 14 in a season. Marshall might be even higher, too, as he’s solely taking pictures 28.6 % from 3 after making 38.7 % final yr.
10. LA Clippers (11-8)
Final rating: 11
Within the final week: W vs. ORL, W vs. SAC, W at PHI, L at BOS
Offensive ranking: 110.1 (twenty second)
Defensive ranking: 108.4 (fifth)
Grateful: Jeff Van Gundy
Much like Memphis’ offense, the LA Clippers are benefiting from head coach Tyronn Lue including a brand new coordinator to his employees. The Clippers had a four-game streak of holding opponents underneath 100 factors earlier than Boston tied an NBA report with 12 3s in 1 / 4 Monday. Van Gundy has introduced a degree of element and urgency to the Clippers that has led to arguably probably the most spectacular protection in crew historical past, and that’s with Paul George departing and Kawhi Leonard not enjoying a single sport. Ivica Zubac specifically has stepped up on the glass and the inside to be an All-Defensive crew candidate.
11. Denver Nuggets (9-7)
Final rating: 13
Within the final week: W at MEM, L vs. DAL, W at LAL, L vs. NY
Offensive ranking: 114.6 (ninth)
Defensive ranking: 114.0 (seventeenth)
Grateful: The Los Angeles Lakers
Denver can be rather a lot decrease in these rankings if it didn’t have a go to to Los Angeles this previous weekend. The Nuggets’ dominance over that franchise in the previous couple of seasons is mostly a sight to behold. After a tricky NBA Cup loss at house Friday in opposition to the Mavericks, the identical evening Nikola Jokić got here again from private go away, beating up on the brand new model of the Lakers confirmed that Denver can nonetheless be an issue.
GO DEEPER
After a really acquainted loss, it is clear: The Lakers nonetheless have not discovered the Nuggets
12. San Antonio Spurs (9-8)
Final rating: 21
Within the final week: W vs. OKC, W vs. UTA, W vs. GS
Offensive ranking: 110.8 (twentieth)
Defensive ranking: 110.6 (ninth)
Grateful: Harrison Barnes and Chris Paul
The Spurs wanted some veterans, and Barnes and Paul have finished their half to assist San Antonio break by means of and surprisingly recover from .500 — even with Victor Wembanyama needing time to recover from a knee contusion. Barnes is the reigning Western Convention Participant of the Week and taking pictures a career-best 43.9 % from 3 and 52 % from the sphere. Paul is in his twentieth NBA season and nonetheless is certainly one of seven gamers averaging at the very least eight assists per sport whereas enjoying in at the very least 10 video games.
Tier 3: The Bubble
13. Los Angeles Lakers (10-6)
Final rating: 6
Within the final week: W vs. UTA, L vs. ORL, L vs. DEN
Offensive ranking: 117.1 (fourth)
Defensive ranking: 117.9 (twenty seventh)
Grateful: The New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans already gave the Lakers Anthony Davis in 2019, which instantly led to a championship. Davis is now averaging 30 factors per sport for the primary time in his 13-year profession. However that’s not all! The Pelicans had an opportunity to get Los Angeles’ 2024 first-round decide in June however determined to defer to 2025. That allowed the Lakers to pick ahead Dalton Knecht seventeenth. Knecht is taking pictures 50/40/90 as a rookie: 51.5 % from the sphere, 45 % from 3 and 93.3 % from the free-throw line.
14. Phoenix Suns (9-7)
Final rating: 14
Within the final week: L vs. NY
Offensive ranking: 112.6 (thirteenth)
Defensive ranking: 115.3 (twentieth)
Grateful: A bye week
It’s very nice to have 5 days off right now of the yr. It’s even higher when Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal are recovering from calf accidents. The Suns had been terrible with Durant out of the lineup, shedding six of seven video games. The lone win got here in Utah, and 4 of the losses had been by at the very least 10 factors. It’s discouraging that the Suns couldn’t discover extra wins with Devin Booker accessible, however Phoenix ought to be grateful that there weren’t extra video games to play this previous week.
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15. Miami Warmth (7-7)
Final rating: 17
Within the final week: W vs. DAL
Offensive ranking: 112.0 (seventeenth)
Defensive ranking: 111.1 (eleventh)
Grateful: Tyler Herro’s offense
Miami is considerably higher defensively with Herro off the ground, however Herro has been a giant a part of why the Warmth aren’t a bottom-10 offense. Herro is averaging profession highs in factors (23.8), assists (5.1) and 3-point quantity (4.1 makes per sport) and accuracy (42.6 %). It’s the primary time in Herro’s profession that he’s over 40 % from 3.
The Timberwolves have wanted Nickiel Alexander-Walker to bolster their bench. (Brad Rempel / Imagn Photos)
16. Minnesota Timberwolves (8-8)
Final rating: 10
Within the final week: L at TOR, L at BOS
Offensive ranking: 114.2 (eleventh)
Defensive ranking: 112.2 (thirteenth)
Grateful: Nickeil Alexander-Walker’s versatility
We’re scraping right here a bit, as we’ve already acknowledged Anthony Edwards’ taking pictures and Julius Randle’s good well being to start the season, and Minnesota is scuffling. However Alexander-Walker has been a brilliant spot for a bench that has been thinner than anticipated on account of Donte DiVincenzo’s struggles and Rob Dillingham’s lack of readiness. Alexander-Walker is taking pictures profession highs from the sphere (48 %) and from 3 (44.4 %) whereas compiling a career-best 2.6 assists per sport. Alexander-Walker continues to be an affect defender for a crew that’s disappointing on that finish.
17. Milwaukee Bucks (8-9)
Final rating: 23
Within the final week: W vs. CHI, W vs. IND, W vs. CHA
Offensive ranking: 112.6 (14th)
Defensive ranking: 112.6 (14th)
Grateful: Giannis Antetokounmpo’s drive
Milwaukee began so poorly, however the Bucks nonetheless had their greatest gamers accessible to do one thing about it. Antetokounmpo has been on a rampage because the Bucks have gained six of their previous seven video games, with Giannis averaging 33.4 factors, 10.9 rebounds and seven.9 assists. Don’t look now, however Antetokounmpo can also be making 47.8 % of his midrange area targets, up from 35.1 % final season.
GO DEEPER
NBA developments I am watching: Giannis’ taking pictures, what the Wolves are lacking and extra
18. Sacramento Kings (8-10)
Final rating: 12
Within the final week: L at LAC, L vs. BRK, L vs. OKC
Offensive ranking: 113.7 (twelfth)
Defensive ranking: 113.3 (sixteenth)
Grateful: De’Aaron Fox
The Kings have struggled as DeMar DeRozan, Domantas Sabonis and Malik Monk return from their respective accidents, however Fox has discovered a method to take his sport to the following degree in his eighth NBA season. Solely two level guards common extra factors per sport than Fox’s career-high 28.1, and Fox is at 50.4 % from the sphere regardless of being solely 6-foot-3.
Tier 4: Not the Tier to Worry
19. Brooklyn Nets (8-10)
Final rating: 25
Within the final week: W vs. CHA, L at PHI, W at SAC, W at GS
Offensive ranking: 115.0 (eighth)
Defensive ranking: 117.3 (twenty fifth)
Grateful: Jordi Fernandez
The previous Kings assistant had a triumphant return to Northern California as the pinnacle coach of the Nets, getting back-to-back wins in opposition to the Kings and Warriors. The win over the Warriors was significantly spectacular on condition that it got here with a relaxation drawback and with a gameday roster that didn’t have Ben Simmons or Nic Claxton to start with and didn’t have Cameron Johnson to finish with. Cam Thomas additionally was held out within the fourth quarter. Fernandez leaned on Dennis Schröder to finish the comeback in Golden State whereas getting manufacturing out of Ziaire Williams and Jalen Wilson.
20. Indiana Pacers (8-10)
Final rating: 20
Within the final week: L at HOU, L at MIL, W vs. WAS, W vs. NO
Offensive ranking: 112.0 (18th)
Defensive ranking: 115.6 (twenty first)
Grateful: Gainbridge Fieldhouse
The Pacers are 6-2 at house this season, the sixth-best report within the league. When the Pacers play in Indiana, their protection is appropriate whereas the offense is sweet (albeit not nice like final season). When the Pacers get on a airplane, they’ve a bottom-10 offense and protection, and All-NBA level guard Tyrese Haliburton goes from 22.5 factors per sport on 46.3 % from the sphere to 12.3 factors and 31.8 %.
21. Detroit Pistons (8-11)
Final rating: 16
Within the final week: L at CHA, L at ORL, W vs. TOR
Offensive ranking: 110.6 (twenty first)
Defensive ranking: 111.9 (twelfth)
Grateful: Jaden Ivey’s perseverance
Ivey has had three head coaches in his three coaching camps since being the fifth decide of the 2022 NBA Draft. He was enjoying behind Killian Hayes to start final season, and he couldn’t construct chemistry with Cade Cunningham as a rookie on account of Cunningham’s season-ending leg surgical procedure. Ivey has improved his sport in his third season, getting his 3-point share over league common to 37.2 % whereas getting again to the free-throw line at a excessive charge. His buzzer-beater Monday evening to beat the Toronto Raptors was a healthful second for a franchise that should see if Ivey is part of the longer term.
GO DEEPER
Pistons’ Jaden Ivey takes ‘enormous step’ with sport winner. How he can maintain it
The Bulls are decidedly mediocre, however Zach LaVine is enjoying at an All-Star degree. (David Banks / Imagn Photos)
22. Chicago Bulls (7-11)
Final rating: 24
Within the final week: L at MIL, W vs. ATL, L vs. MEM
Offensive ranking: 112.0 (sixteenth)
Defensive ranking: 118.2 (twenty eighth)
Grateful: Zach LaVine’s resolve
The Bulls is perhaps at a crossroads, however LaVine determined that he was going to make the most effective out of the scenario. He has had a strong begin to his eleventh season and has been extra environment friendly than ever as a shooter. LaVine is making 52.1 % of his area targets and 44 % of his 3s, each of which might be profession highs. There’s solely been one season the place LaVine made 50 % from the sphere or 40 % from 3, and that was LaVine’s first All-Star season in 2020-21. LaVine additionally has extra dunks already this season (14) than all of final yr (13).
23. Atlanta Hawks (7-11)
Final rating: 19
Within the final week: L at GS, L at CHI, L vs. DAL
Offensive ranking: 110.1 (twenty third)
Defensive ranking: 115.7 (twenty second)
Grateful: Dyson Daniels’ protection
Atlanta isn’t good, however Daniels is. He leads the NBA with 3.1 steals per sport, is including 1.0 blocks and 4.7 rebounds and is doing simply sufficient offensively to return constructive worth. If Daniels ever can get his taking pictures to be league common, then he can be a star. Within the meantime, he has an superior nickname now (Nice Barrier Thief).
24. Charlotte Hornets (6-11)
Final rating: 22
Within the final week: L at BRK, W vs. DET, L at MIL, L vs. ORL
Offensive ranking: 109.6 (twenty fourth)
Defensive ranking: 114.4 (nineteenth)
Grateful: Brandon Miller’s ceiling
Miller has alternated some actually tough video games with some really superior outbursts. On one hand, Miller already has had six video games the place he did not clear 40 % from the sphere. That must be cleaned up. However he gave the Pistons a career-best 38 factors a day earlier than his twenty second birthday, and he’s already midway towards matching his 4 30-point video games from final season.
25. Portland Path Blazers (7-11)
Final rating: 18
Within the final week: L at OKC, L at HOU, W at HOU, L at MEM
Offensive ranking: 104.4 (thirtieth)
Defensive ranking: 112.7 (fifteenth)
Grateful: Donovan Clingan’s protection
Clingan missed Monday evening’s sport with a knee sprain, however he has held it down because the beginning heart with Deandre Ayton (finger) out of the lineup. Clingan has blocked extra pictures in six video games (136 minutes) as a starter (19) than he has in his different 153 minutes as a reserve (18).
Tier 5: Basement Flooring
26. Toronto Raptors (4-14)
Final rating: 28
Within the final week: W vs. MIN, L at CLE, L at DET
Offensive ranking: 111.1 (nineteenth)
Defensive ranking: 116.4 (twenty fourth)
Grateful: Scottie Barnes is again
Barnes missed 24 days with a fractured orbital bone, however he’s again to proceed constructing on what was an honest begin to the season. The Raptors misplaced a heartbreaker Monday in Detroit, which is par the course for his or her whole marketing campaign to date, however Barnes hit season highs with 31 factors, 14 rebounds and three 3s.
GO DEEPER
Scottie Barnes’ good management, Chris Boucher and extra: Raptors beginning 5
The place would the Jazz be with out Lauri Markkanen? Effectively, they’re solely 4-12 with him … (Christopher Creveling / Imagn Photos)
27. Utah Jazz (4-12)
Final rating: 27
Within the final week: L at LAL, L at SA, W vs. NY
Offensive ranking: 108.9 (twenty sixth)
Defensive ranking: 117.8 (twenty sixth)
Grateful: Lauri Markkanen’s dedication
The Jazz want some assist from the ballhandling division to finish their rebuild, however it’s good to have such a dominant participant like Markkanen already within the fold. Markkanen continues to enhance elements of his sport, as he’s as much as 44.6 % from 3 this season. The one different yr of Markkanen’s profession the place he broke 40 % was 2020-21, his final season in Chicago. It’s prison, or tank-worthy, that Markkanen solely averages 12.8 area objective makes an attempt per sport this season.
28. Philadelphia 76ers (3-13)
Final rating: 29
Within the final week: L at MEM, W vs. BRK, L vs. LAC
Offensive ranking: 105.6 (twenty eighth)
Defensive ranking: 114.1 (18th)
Grateful: Jared McCain
The Sixers are totally uninspiring, with solely certainly one of their wins coming while not having time beyond regulation and solely getting six minutes from the anticipated star trio of Joel Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey due to varied accidents and Embiid’s suspension. However McCain has been a brilliant spot who was solely capable of emerge because of the celebs being out of the lineup. Nick Nurse had no selection however to provide McCain an opportunity to generate some offense. Over the past 9 video games, McCain is averaging 24.3 factors and 4.0 assists whereas taking pictures 42 % from 3. Not dangerous for the sixteenth decide within the draft.
GO DEEPER
Rookie Jared McCain, taking inspiration from Stephen Curry, is flourishing for the Sixers
29. New Orleans Pelicans (4-14)
Final rating: 26
Within the final week: L at DAL, L at CLE, L vs. GS, L at IND
Offensive ranking: 106.8 (twenty seventh)
Defensive ranking: 118.3 (twenty ninth)
Grateful: Elfrid Payton to the rescue
Payton, the 2014 lottery decide and Louisiana native, was signed to provide the Pelicans somebody who might run an offense till Dejounte Murray and CJ McCollum returned from damage. The final time Payton began a couple of sport in a season was 2020-21 with the New York Knicks. In Monday’s loss to the Pacers, Payton compiled 21 assists whereas making seven area targets. New Orleans has had a number of video games the place it didn’t have 20 assists as a crew, together with final week’s 41-point loss at Dallas, the final sport earlier than Payton joined the crew rather than Jaylen Nowell.
30. Washington Wizards (2-13)
Final rating: 30
Within the final week: L vs. BOS, L at IND
Offensive ranking: 105.5 (twenty ninth)
Defensive ranking: 118.8 (thirtieth)
Grateful: Jordan Poole bouncing again.
Washington has overwhelmed one NBA crew this season — Atlanta, twice —however Poole has gone again to the lab and cleaned up his sport. Final yr noticed Poole’s area objective share drop to 41.3 % and his 3-point share drop to 32.6 %. This season, Poole is taking pictures profession bests from the sphere (45.9 %) and from 3 (44.3 %), and he’s as much as 21.2 factors and 4.9 assists per sport. Whereas Kyle Kuzma has gone the opposite method by way of dangerous inefficiency, at the very least Poole has performed higher after being one of the vital inefficient guards within the league final yr.
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(High photograph of Harrison Barnes: Ronald Cortes / Getty Photos)
