Here are your NBA Week 9 Power Rankings:
Biggest Positive Mover: Pelicans and Grizzlies
Biggest Negative Mover: Suns
Newcomers: Nets
Drop Outs: Hawks
10. Indiana Pacers - Last Week: 9
The Pacers are basically the exact same team they were last week. They didn't have some sort of positive surge, but they also didn't suffer from a drop off. They went 1-2 this week, but both of their losses were in close games. They have a tough week ahead of them with games against the Heat, Warriors, Cavaliers, and Knicks. I have a feeling they will fall out of the rankings for next week, but then again when you look at it that's not that big of a big deal. The Pacers are a team that not many thought would be vying for a spot as a top ten team, so whether they're here or they're not they are surpassing expectations already.
9. Sacramento Kings - Last Week: 8
From what it looks like the Kings have cemented themselves as a mid-playoff level team in the West. This week they got a big win over the Cavaliers and competed with the Bucks. However, they did suffer a loss to the Knicks, a game they should probably win no matter the status of De'Aaron Fox. This is a team that on a good night looks incredibly solid and on a bad night can look like the same ole' Kings we all know and love. This upcoming week they have winnable games against the Raptors, 76ers, and Pistons. I expect them to end up around the same spot on the rankings next week.
8. Phoenix Suns - Last Week: 3
The Suns find themselves at the 8 spot after going on a four game losing streak this past week. The only thing saving them is that three of those four losses came from the top two teams on this week's power rankings. The other loss was to the Mavericks, but like, Luka Doncic. Basically what I'm saying is that any team could go on a four game losing streak when matched up against these teams. I will say this though, the Suns don't look like the contending team we have grown used to seeing over the past couple of years. I do think that the Pelicans are a better team than the Suns, and even though Phoenix likely crawls back up these rankings I doubt they surpass New Orleans.
7. Brooklyn Nets - Last Week: Unranked
Our only newcomer this week is a team that I personally didn't think would make the power rankings this year. That isn't for a lack of talent, but more so because of all the inner turmoil this team can't seem to escape. I guess it was dumb of me to write off a team featuring Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, but they haven't exactly shown me much to make me hopeful over the past few seasons. Despite struggling to start the season, two solid winning streaks have them holding onto the fourth seed in the East and the 7 spot in these rankings. If they can manage to keep their players on the floor throughout the season they will likely remain on these rankings.
6. Denver Nuggets - Last Week: 7
I actually wanted to drop this team on this week's rankings, but when I looked at the teams surrounding them I realized I couldn't have them lower than six. They just scraped by the injured Utah Jazz on Saturday despite being at full strength, and the game before that they only beat the Blazers by one point. This is a team that hasn't shown me a ton, and yet find themselves sitting comfortably on these rankings every week. I am just waiting for them to go on a little losing streak when they hit a harder stretch of games. This isn't because I'm some sort of a Nuggets hater or just an overall pessimist, I simply just don't believe in this team.
5. Cleveland Cavaliers - Last Week: 5
The Cavaliers are an interesting team to say the least. Sometimes I think they are a for sure thing, bound to contend when the playoffs roll around. Sometimes they look like a team too dependent on Donovan Mitchell despite the fact that they have a loaded roster. Despite these pros and cons they managed to remain at the five spot this week. This week they play the Spurs, Pacers, and the Mavericks twice. That isn't the hardest schedule this week, but it's also not the easiest. As long as Mitchell is playing at an MVP level this team is going to look great, but I do find myself growing concerned that this level of play won't last forever. However, for the time being speculation means nothing, what matters is that the team gets it done on the floor more often than not.
4. Memphis Grizzlies - Last Week: 6
I think the Grizzlies benefited the most from the Suns drop this week. That's not to say they didn't have a good week themselves, but they would definitely be sitting at the fifth spot right now if it weren't for the Suns losing streak. I really only have two things to say about how they stand currently. The first thing is that they are currently on a five game win streak. The second is that two of those wins came against the Pistons and the other came against the Thunder. I'm not trying to totally discredit their recent success, but in a way I kind of am. They are a great team, better than they were last year, but I'm not sure they're contenders. Either way, if they keep winning I am going to keep rewarding them, that's why they're at the four spot this week.
3. Milwaukee Bucks - Last Week: 2
Whoa there, looks like the impenetrable Bucks have somehow fallen down a spot. How could this be? For starters, and the biggest thing, the Pelicans are playing phenomenal basketball right now. Second, and what turned out to be the final nail in the coffin for the Bucks this week, a loss to the Rockets. I am still firm in my belief that the Bucks should be the favorites to win it all this year, but as of today they are the third best team in the league. Will this change? Of course. Great teams like Milwaukee always come through, be it in the regular season or the playoffs. Have no fear in their abilities, this is still a premier basketball club.
2. New Orleans Pelicans - Last Week: 4
I was very close to putting the Pelicans as the best team in basketball this week. I ended up deciding against making that decision, but I just want you to know that the possibility was very real. The Pelicans have been playing incredibly as of late, and the seven game win streak they're currently riding proves that. This week's slate of games includes back to back games against the Jazz, then a rematch with the Suns. I think they probably pick up wins in both of their games against Utah, and walk into a dog fight against Phoenix. My prediction for next week is that they either remain here at two spot or swap places with the Bucks, neither outcome is too shabby.
1. Boston Celtics - Last Week: 1
We all knew they would still be here this week, even with the Pelicans breathing down their neck, we knew. They were riding a nine game win streak before they lost to the Warriors on Saturday, but I'm not putting that much weight on that loss. At the end of the day every great team has a poor performance here and there. They have been by far the best team in the league this year, and I am not going to dethrone them for one loss. If you put them up against any other team in a series today, they win. As far as power rankings go, I am going to rank the most powerful team the highest. This week they play the Magic twice, the Lakers, and the Clippers and I fully expect them to sweep those games.