ALL-STAR BREAK POWER RANKINGS
10 March 2021
The 2020-21 NBA season has hit its halfway mark, and it is as unique as a year like never before. There are teams that have vastly exceeded expectations, others underperforming, and with the All-Star break past us, every team has the chance to rest and make a strong push for the postseason.
1. Utah Jazz (27-9)
Though the Jazz have lost four of their last seven games, they are still an extremely elite team as we have seen throughout this season. With the best record in the league, they will be poised to make a strong playoff run if they continue their dominance. With an elite play on both sides of the ball, Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert are leading the Jazz as a team to fear going forward. Key players such as Mike Conley and Jordan Clarkson are solid contributors and doing the little things to give the Jazz that extra push. Utah has been on a tear defensively as they force teams off the 3-point line and dare their opponents to challenge their interior defense with Gobert leading the charge.
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In addition, this team is unstoppable when Mitchell has a strong shooting game as they are 14-0 when he shoots 53% or higher. They are third in team rank for points per game (PPG) at 116.6 and 4th in points allowed at 107.8 PPG. Though Utah has been an extremely strong team, for the most part, their recent slipups against teams such as the Heat, Pelicans, and 76ers show that they must keep their foot on the gas in order to truly be a dominating force in the playoffs.
2. Brooklyn Nets (24-13)
Don’t look now, but the Nets are coming into elite form and they’re doing it all without their superstar Kevin Durant for the last several games. The Nets are also shutting down the naysayers who are saying that they are extremely vulnerable on the defensive end. In a recent stretch, the Nets have held the Magic, Pacers, and Lakers to under 100 points and have dazzled defensively. Furthermore, the team has continually flourished after trading for former MVP James Harden.
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Since Harden has been on the team, the Nets have gone 17-6 and have acquired the best offensive rating in the league. The team has also piled up assists while keeping their turnovers mostly low. Prior to their loss to the Mavericks, the Nets were on an impressive nine-game win streak. During this streak, they committed a mere 11.6 turnovers for every 100 possessions as a team. If this team continues strong play from their starters and consistency from role players even after Durant returns, this team seems to be unstoppable and huge title favorites. In my eyes, the only team that can beat the Nets is themselves, barring any implosion or injuries.
3. Phoenix Suns (24-11)
The Suns have been on a wild hot streak ever since the end of January. Since January 28, the team is 16-3 and they currently rank eighth and third in offensive and defensive ratings respectively. What has been the dramatic difference between this season and last year? Chris Paul.
The point guard, who joined the team this offseason, has been an essential part of this squad with both his amazing play and leadership skills. Currently, Chris Paul ranks 5th in the league for assists and is molding both Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton into superstars. Booker, the main star of the team, is averaging 24.9 points, 4.4 assists, and 3.6 rebounds per game, and he has also upped his efficiency with a field goal percentage of 49.6%. In addition, the Suns have been clicking on offense especially of late. In February, the team ranked second in the league offensively as six players shot over 39% from three. If the big three of Paul, Booker, and Ayton continue their extraordinary play, keep an eye out for Phoenix to make a deep run in the playoffs.
4. Philadelphia 76ers (24-12)
Is this the 76ers’ year? Has “The Process” finally worked and paid off? These are questions every NBA fan has after seeing the 76ers mostly dominate for the first half of the regular season. Going into the All-Star break with the best record in the Eastern Conference, the 76ers’ team confidence is at an all-time high. Both Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons are strong candidates for MVP and Defensive Player of the Year respectively while winning games.
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Take Simmons for example, who is making his case as the best perimeter defender in the NBA. Night after night, he guards many of the opponent’s best players and shuts them down. However, as good as Simmons has been, Embiid has been on a historic tear. Embiid is averaging 30.2 points, 11.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.4 blocks, and 1.2 steals per game, propelling himself to the top of the MVP discussion. He is playing the best basketball of his life, and the 76ers have been dominating the league. Even after an average February record of 7-6, the team bounced back with wins against Indiana and Utah. All is good in Philly going into the second half of the season.
5. Denver Nuggets (21-15)
Nikola Jokic and Nuggets were riding a four-game win streak into the All-Star break, and it seems like they are starting to gel together as a roster, especially after a bumpy start at the beginning of the season. Jokic is gaining MVP credibility as he is posting a stat line of 27.1 points, 11 rebounds, 8.6 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. Meanwhile, teammate Jamal Murray is also starting to bolster his play as he is returning to the same form that we saw last season in the bubble.
In his last 10 games, Murray is averaging 29.5 points, 5 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.4 steals. If the Nuggets can keep up this play and clean up some sloppy late-game mistakes, they will be feared as a dark horse contender similar to how they were last season.
6. Milwaukee Bucks (22-14)
After going 10-5 in February, the Bucks are once again starting to show the league and its viewers how truly dominant they can be. Though their overall record may not show their dominance at times, this team is still lethal both offensively and defensively. With an offensive and defensive rating of second and 12th respectively, the Bucks are still a force to be reckoned with. The acquisition of Jrue Holiday has completely transformed this team, as he is one of the best two-way guards in the league and can also be a playmaker. The playmaking is especially proving to be valuable as the Bucks were very inconsistent in that regard with Eric Bledsoe as a starter. They have strong wins against good teams such as the Clippers on February 28th.
Michael Dwyer/Associated Press
The “Greek Freak”, Giannis Antentokounmpo, has once again been dominating with his play and is putting up MVP numbers for the third season straight, thus far. Though he is not getting much MVP noise, Giannis is putting up insane numbers with 29 points, 11.7 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.4 blocks, and 1.3 steals per game. We know that the Bucks can be dominant in the regular season, but can the acquisition of Jrue Holiday put the team over the top in the playoffs contrary to the last few seasons?
7. Los Angeles Lakers (24-13)
Is there trouble in LA? The Lakers have gone an abysmal 3-7 in their last 10 games, but much of this can be attributed to the absence of Anthony Davis who seems like he will be out for at least a couple more weeks. While the All-Star break will be good for AD to recover and recuperate, it may also be a time for the Lakers’ management to look to make a move at the trade deadline. The Lakers’ front office has shown in the past that they do not shy away from making blockbuster deals, why should this year be any different? Though AD is being missed, especially on the defensive end, the Lakers have held down the fort defensively for the most part. The team still boasts the best defensive rating in the league even without arguably their best defender out.
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LeBron James has been playing high minutes and has been carrying the team ever since Davis has been out, but will it be enough to keep the Lakers steady until Davis returns? I expect this team to play much better post-All-Star break as James will have had more time to rest and Dennis Schroeder gets back into form after missing multiple games due to COVID contact tracing.
8. Los Angeles Clippers (24-14)
The Clippers are as unique as an elite team in the NBA can be. Recently, they have found themselves in multiple situations where they fall apart down the stretch especially offensively. This can mainly be attributed to the fact that they do not seem to have a consistent playmaker who can run their offense night after night. Usually, Lou Williams would fill this role, but it seems that his play has fallen off this season for the most part. Regardless of this, the Clippers are getting all the production they could ask for from their two stars, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Kawhi has a stat line of 26.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. Paul George also is pulling his weight with 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.1 steals per game.
However, the big question for this team is whether they can come together especially in the clutch, or will they continue to crumble and fall apart as we saw in the bubble last season in their series against the Nuggets? Health and strong 4th quarter play seem to be the key for this team, but right now it seems that neither of those is a certainty.
9. Portland Trail Blazers (21-14)
After going on a four-game skid, the Blazers turned it around right before the break and won three straight, much to the credit of their star player, Damian Lillard. “Dame Time” is very alive and well in Portland. Building up his resume for this year’s MVP, Lillard is averaging 29.8 points, 8 assists, 4.3 rebounds, and 1 steal per game while continuing to be one of the most clutch guards in the league. What is even more impressive is that he is doing this without many of his key teammates such as C.J. McCollum, Jusuf Nurkic, and Zach Collins. However, Lillard isn’t the only one that has stepped up during this injury-filled time for the Blazers.
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Carmelo Anthony, Gary Trent Jr, Enes Kanter, and Anferee Simons have all been averaging double-digit points per game and carrying their weight while bolstering their team overall. Watch out for this Blazer squad as it returns to full strength and health.
10. Dallas Mavericks (18-16)
COVID and injuries seem to have played a huge part on many teams this season, but the Mavericks may be one of the worst affected teams. Key players such as Kristaps Porzingis, Josh Richardson, and Maxi Kleber have missed a total of 34 games combined which has negatively impacted the team’s overall flow throughout the season. Suddenly though, the Mavericks seem to be trending in the right direction as they have won nine of their last eleven games. This includes a three-game winning streak since Porzingis has returned from injury.
Meanwhile, superstar Luka Doncic continues to dazzle viewers averaging 28.6 points, 9 assists, 8.4 rebounds, and 1 steal per game; he is starting to creep back into the MVP conversation, as the Mavs begin to pick up steam and win more games. Even after an extremely slow start, it is unwise to count this team out as they are rolling heading into the second half of the season.
11. Golden State Warriors (19-18)
If you’ve been following the Warriors this season, you know that this season has been nothing short of a roller coaster for both the team and the fanbase. The Warriors have gone 5-5 in their last 10 games but entered the All-Star break on a three-game losing streak against the Lakers, Blazers, and Suns. The team has struggled with consistency all season and it seems to be a pattern we could continue to see for the rest of the year. The one bright spot for the Warriors? Stephen Curry.
Jeff Chiu/Associated Press
Curry has been back in MVP form this year averaging 29.7 points, 6.3 assists, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game. Despite the 3x champ dropping miraculous numbers on a nightly basis, Golden State has continued to be a fringe playoff team. Draymond Green is the other key player on this team with his exquisite defensive abilities and high assist totals. Green is leading this team to be a strong defensive squad as they rank 6th in defensive rating so far this season. Essentially, however, this team comes down to the brilliance of Curry and how long he can carry them down the stretch.
12. Boston Celtics (19-17)
At times this season, this team has looked lost and confused. Last week was not one of those times. The Celtics got hot and won 4 games in a row, calming the storm which was brewing in Boston. Their wins were very convincing as well, beating a streaking Wizards team, a strong Clippers squad, and the always dangerous Toronto Raptors. Both Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum have upped their play this season as they are both All-Stars, but the team still seems to be missing something.
The return of Marcus Smart from injury will prove valuable but do the Celtics need to make a move at the deadline in order to keep up in the East? Don’t be surprised if you see their starting point guard, Kemba Walker, in trade rumors these next couple of weeks.
13. New York Knicks (19-18)
3 months ago, if I told you that the Knicks would be a top 4 team in the East by All-Star break, you would have laughed at me. However, that’s the reality of the NBA in 2021; anything seems to be possible. The hiring of renowned coach Tom Thibodeau seems like a near-genius move by the front office as he is working extremely well with the Knicks’ young players. Their defense is becoming more and more respected and they seem to have a budding young star in Julius Randle. Randle is currently posting up numbers of 23.2 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 5.5 assists.
Adam Hunger/Associated Press
He has also improved his three-point shooting to 40.8 percent and is leading this Knicks squad to win after win. The team’s defensive rating is second only to the Lakers which is astounding to anyone that hears that now. If this team continues to flourish under coach Thibodeau, the Knicks may actually make some noise come playoff time.
14. Miami Heat (18-18)
Not too long ago, the Miami Heat were a part of the first and possibly only NBA Finals which occurred in a bubble. Even more recently, it seems like that same team had a struggling record of 7-14. However, the Heat have turned it around drastically ever since the return of their star players Jimmy Butler and Goran Dragic. Since Butler’s return, the Heat have the third-best record in the league winning, 12 of their most recent 19 games. Their defense during this stretch has been amazing as they have the best defensive rating in their last 19 games.
Brynn Anderson/Associated Press
Butler has been nothing short of consistent since his return from health protocols as he is averaging 20.5 points, 7.8 assists, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.9 steals. Don’t be surprised if Pat Riley pulls the trigger and makes a trade to improve this team before they make a run at the playoffs. After their early-season struggles, Miami seems to be finding their groove at a good time.
15. Memphis Grizzlies (16-16)
The Grizzlies continue to exhibit their grind it out mentality as a team as they have dealt with injuries and COVID issues all season. Even though their second-best player, Jaren Jackson Jr., hasn’t played a game all season the Grizzlies still stand at a respectable .500 record.
Ja Morant has not faced a sophomore slump since returning from injury and has an impressive stat line of 19.8 points and 7.7 assists per game. Players such as Justise Winslow, Dillon Brooks, Jonas Valancunias, Kyle Anderson, and Brandon Clarke have all stepped up and played respectably to put this team into a playoff contention spot going into the second half of the season. Don’t doubt that the star-studded duo of Jackson Jr. and Morant can’t get this team into a playoff spot.
16. Charlotte Hornets (17-18)
The Hornets have become to be known as one of the most fun, interesting teams in the league right now and have completely flipped the script on their reputation as an organization so far this season. The big story is their prized rookie, LaMelo Ball who is impressing many with 15.8 points, 6.3 assists, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game. Gordon Hayward and Terry Rozier are also playing extremely well as they seem to have had a career rebirth in Charlotte.
Chris Carlson/Associated Press
Key role players such as Malik Monk, PJ Washington, and Miles Bridges are also providing for this team as they are competing night in and night out against any team. One interesting stat about this team is that they are currently 11-5 in “clutch” games which is the third-best record in the league. Watch out for this young, lively Hornets team to sneak into the playoffs against all odds.
17. San Antonio Spurs (18-14)
Even with no superstar talent on their roster, the Spurs have been as consistent as a team could be. Coach Popovich is utilizing his roster extremely well and his coaching is excellent as always. DeMar DeRozan is having a solid year with 20 points and 7.2 assists per game. Even with their COVID struggles, the team is poised for a bright future with strong, young talent like Dejounte Murray, Keldon Johnson, and Lonnie Walker IV. The Spurs have an extremely good chance this year to compete down the stretch if they can continue working together as a team.
18. Chicago Bulls (16-18)
Despite all their roster problems and injuries, the Bulls are currently in contention for a playoff spot, specifically the play-in tournament that is happening this season. Zach Lavine has taken his talents to new heights this year averaging 28.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.1 steals per game.
Nick Wass/Associated Press
On a nightly basis, Lavine attempts to will his way to get his team a win. With a combination of his exquisite play, exciting, young talent, and a new coaching system under Billy Donovan, it would not be a shock to see the Bulls sneak into a playoff spot in a few weeks.
19. Toronto Raptors (17-19)
Toronto has been generally underperforming for most of this year, but they were starting to win some games right before they were hit with a COVID outbreak sidelining several players and coaches. Fortunately, this team has the entire All-Star break to recover from this and try to bounce back as a team.
Other than that, the Raptors do not have much to look forward to. Trade rumors continue to circulate around this team with their longtime guard, Kyle Lowry as the center of attention. One would question whether the Raptors would begin a rebuilding process if they decide to trade Lowry or if they would continue their push for the playoffs. Regardless, the near future for the Raptors seems anything but certain.
20. Washington Wizards (14-20)
Despite going on a nice run in February where the Wizards won 7 of 8 games, they still are 6 games below .500 and continue to struggle. The good news is that they are still in playoff contention in the East.
Rob Carr/Associated Press
Despite pleas from opposing teams’ fans, Beal has not requested a trade from D.C. Instead, he continues to amaze with his spectacular play, mainly his 32.9 points per game. He was named an All-Star starter this season and hopes that his play can trampoline the Wizards to the playoffs. He will need help from his other star player, Russell Westbrook who has been playing very average as of late, and other younger stars such as Rui Hachimura, Garrison Matthews, and Deni Avdija.
21. Atlanta Hawks (16-20)
The big news out of Atlanta recently is that they fired their Lloyd Pierce, their head coach for the past 3 seasons. Many of the players and media members thought it was an odd move, but the Hawks are no stranger to uncertainty and disappointment this season especially as they have dealt with numerous injuries to their players. There were rumors that Pierce clashed with some of the Hawks’ young stars Trae Young and John Collins which prompted his firing.
While this team is are only a half-game out of the play-in tournament, they have wildly underperformed expectations this season especially after making a big splash in free agency. Now under head coach Nate McMillan, the Hawks’ season has uncertain outcomes and expectations.
22. Indiana Pacers (16-19)
Life in Indiana seems to have gone off the deep end ever since trading away Victor Oladipo. Even with their All-Star, Domantas Sabonis, the Pacers have been a huge disappointment winning five of their last fifteen games, struggling in a weaker Eastern Conference. Though their struggles can’t all be blamed on the poor play, the Pacers are without Caris LeVert, Myles Turner, and TJ Warren; three key players who will be a big part of the team’s future, just maybe not this season.
Sabonis, however, is still playing at a high level averaging 20.8 points, 11.1 rebounds and 6 assists per game. Meanwhile, if Malcolm Brogdon can return back to the level of play we were seeing from him in January, the Pacers could make a run at the playoffs as their team gets healthy.
23. New Orleans Pelicans (15-21)
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The Pelicans have been the definition of inconsistent all season. While their two star players, Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson are playing extremely well on the offensive end but the team’s defensive liabilities has cost them a large number of games. Even after a dominant win against the best team in the NBA, the Utah Jazz, the Pelicans went on to drop two games against the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat which just about sums up the inconsistency this team has shown.
Despite this, the Pelicans have a lot to look forward to in the future. At the age of 20, Williamson is dropping insane numbers with 25.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game, and a true shooting percentage of 65%. Their key role players Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart are quietly improving as well, but ultimately, the team must come together and try to develop some consistency under Coach Stan Van Gundy.
24. Oklahoma City Thunder (15-21)
After the departure of Chris Paul this offseason, many wrote off Oklahoma City, deeming them the worst team in the league. However, the Thunder have been a pleasant surprise to many as their young squad has shown flashes of promise from time to time. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is becoming a star in front of our very eyes.
Gorgeous-Alexander is averaging 23.2 points, 6.2 assists, and 5.1 rebounds in his third year in the NBA. You could have easily pinned him as an All-Star this season if the Thunder weren’t rebuilding. Lu Dort is turning into a defensive savant even in only his second year. This Thunder team won’t be looking into the playoffs anytime soon, but this rebuild seems very promising.
25. Sacramento Kings (14-22)
David Zalubowski/Associated Press
It’s 2021, and the Kings are still… the Kings. It has been 14 years since Sacramento has made the playoffs and it doesn’t seem like they’ll be heading there anytime soon. A win against the Lakers last week was exciting, but it was simply just another small victory in an overall disappointing season. Their franchise player however, De’Aaron Fox, is always a sight to see and has upped his play tremendously this season averaging 23 points, 7.6 assists, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game.
Rookie, Tyrese Haliburton, seems like the biggest steal of the draft as he was projected to go top 5 and ended up being picked 12th. Haliburton has not disappointed and looks like he has superstar potential. Even with Harrison Barnes, Marvin Bagley III, and Rashaun Holmes contributing this season, this team still seems like a draft or two away from making the playoffs.
26. Cleveland Cavaliers (14-22)
The Cavs have four pieces that they should be extremely excited about going forward, Collin Sexton, Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen, and Isaac Okoro. Collin Sexton is already a rising star in this league, as he is averaging 24.1 points per game. His counterpart, Garland, has improved in his sophomore season with 16.1 points, 5.9 assists, 2.2 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game.
Allen is a younger, cheaper, and possibly better option for the team going forward compared to Andre Drummond. What they can get for Drummond in the trade market remains a question, but it must be done so that the Cavaliers can look forward to the future. Don’t expect them to be good anytime soon, although Sexton and Garland emerging as one of the league’s best duos.
27. Orlando Magic (13-23)
The Magic’s season seemed lost from the get-go. They began the season without their young talent, Jonathan Isaac. Soon into the year, Markelle Fultz tore his ACL. And of recent, both Cole Anthony and Aaron Gordon have been hurt. This left star center Nikola Vucevic to carry the team’s load as he has done in years recent. He is averaging 24.6 points, 11.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1 steal per game. While this team is really struggling right now, I attribute it mostly to injuries and not developing their young talent. Look for this team to make a run at the playoffs next year when they have more of their players healthy.
28. Houston Rockets (11-23)
The Rockets started off the season with a rocky start due to the drama with James Harden. After that however, it seemed like they were in somewhat of a groove at a respectable 11-10 record. Since then, they have lost 13 straight games and now are without big man Christian Wood who hurt his right ankle.
Nick Wass/Associated Press
The Rockets seem to be going nowhere this season and I think the best move for them would be to trade away some of their assets like Victor Oladipo, PJ Tucker, and Eric Gordon to start the rebuild. Parting ways with John Wall, which seems very unlikely, would not be a bad move either in my eyes. Give their coach, Stephen Silas, Christian Wood, and a new young squad before judging this team. This year though, there are too many times where the phrase, “Houston, we have a problem” is easily applicable.
29. Detroit Pistons (10-26)
The Pistons have been struggling all season and it doesn’t seem like it is going to stop any time soon. However, the management has shown that they are looking forward to the future and towards a rebuild. They have already moved on from Blake Griffin, who recently signed with the Brooklyn Nets.
Other players like Delon Wright, Mason Plumlee, and Wayne Ellington are all rumored to be on the trading block. The one bright spot for this team? Jerami Grant. Ever since signing with the Pistons this offseason, Grant has been a star and is on track to win the Most Improved Player Award. Piston’s general manager Troy Weaver’s next moves should be to try to build around Jerami Grant as the franchise’s cornerstone.
30. Minnesota Timberwolves (7-29).
The Timberwolves have clearly been underwhelming this season as they are the only team in the league that has still not yet reached double-digit wins. Chris Finch was just appointed as their new head coach but there is buzz if his hiring will even make any difference for this team which is down in the dumpsters. Meanwhile, Malik Beasley is still suspended and will miss the next nine games and D’Angelo Russell is hurt for the time being.
Eric Gay/Associated Press
The key for this team going forward is making sure Russell and Karl-Anthony Towns play more games together. Since Russell joined the Wolves, both he and KAT have been on the floor together for only 5 games. Building around KAT, Russell, and top pick Anthony Edwards should be management’s top priority, but I don’t think they need to force any moves at the trade deadline, as this team isn’t going anywhere for a while. It’s going to be interesting to see what record the Timberwolves finish with as Golden State owns the rights to Minnesota’s 2021 first-round draft pick if it falls outside of the top 5.
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