NBA Power Rankings: More Elite Teams Emerge In Week 15?
Gerald Bourguet
Jan 30, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) drives against San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) in the first quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 30, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) drives against San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) in the first quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Welcome to HoopsHabit.com’s Week 15 NBA Power Rankings! We’ll be counting down from 30 to 1, as we break down the last week in the NBA and where each team stands as we move forward.
With the Golden State Warriors still on pace to break that 73-win threshold, they remain the undisputed No. 1 in Week 15. But even if there’s a gap between the top of the ladder and the rest of the team, elite teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder, Cleveland Cavaliers and even the Toronto Raptors are beginning to work their way into the conversation.
There’s still a gap between the Dubs, San Antonio Spurs and everyone else, but as we approach the NBA All-Star Break and Feb. 18 trade deadline, it’s time to take a look at where everyone stands.
We will be updating every Tuesday, so scroll through all of the rankings to find out where your favorite team winds up in Week 15 as we take a look at the last week of action and hand out midseason grades for all 30 teams.
Next: No. 30
Jan 26, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Phoenix Suns head coach Jeff Hornacek talks with guard Devin Booker (1) during the second half against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 113-103. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 29
Jan 7, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell (1) reacts after making a shot against the Sacramento Kings during the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 118-115. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 28
Jan 24, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Nerlens Noel (4) and center Jahlil Okafor (8) react after a score against the Boston Celtics during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 27
Feb 1, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) high fives Brooklyn Nets small forward Joe Johnson (7) during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Pistons at Barclays Center. The Pistons defeated the Nets 105-100. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 26
Jan 27, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) celebrates a basket in the fourth quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Target Center. The Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 126-123. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 25
Jan 23, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) shoots the ball against Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) during the first half at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 24
Jan 29, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Jason Kidd calls a play with forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) in the fourth quarter during the game against the Miami Heat at BMO Harris Bradley Center. The Heat beat the Bucks 107-103. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 23
Jan 6, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon (00) shoots a layup against the Indiana Pacers during the second quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 22
Jan 31, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Golden State Warriors power forward Draymond Green (23) drives against New York Knicks power forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) during the second quarter at Madison Square Garden. The Warriors defeated the Knicks 116-95. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 21
Jan 26, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Washington Wizards head coach Randy Wittman talks to his players at the bench during a time out against Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 20
Jan 30, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Ryan Anderson (33) celebrates after making a three point shot during the second half of the game against the Brooklyn Nets at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans won 105-103. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 19
Jan 25, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) celebrates with forward Rudy Gay (8) after scoring against the Charlotte Hornets during the second quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 18
Jan 29, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Marvin Williams (2) and forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (14) react after making a basket against the Portland Trail Blazers during the fourth quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 17
Feb 1, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) and Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson (22) battle for position in the first quarter at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 16
Jan 29, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) and guard C.J. McCollum (3) look on against the Charlotte Hornets during the fourth quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 15
Jan 30, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) reacts after a play during the fourth quarter against the Washington Wizards at Toyota Center. The Wizards won 123-122. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 14
Jan 29, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) is introduced before the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 13
Jan 28, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) dunks against Atlanta Hawks forward Mike Scott (32) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats Atlanta 111-92. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 12
Jan 23, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) sits on the bench alongside teammate forward Kent Bazemore (24) in the second half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns won 98-95. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 11
January 26, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) is congratulated by guard Wesley Matthews (23) and guard Deron Williams (8) after scoring a basket against Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 10
Jan 31, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra (right) greets forward Amar’e Stoudemire (left) during the first half against the Atlanta Hawks at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 9
Jan 31, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36) celebrates a three point basket in the closing minutes in the second half of a basketball game against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center. The Magic won 119-114. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 8
Feb 1, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Bobby Portis (5) walks off the court after their 105-96 overtime loss to the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 7
Jan 25, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Jeff Green (32) and Memphis Grizzlies guard Tony Allen (9) celebrate after the play during the second half against the Orlando Magic at FedExForum. Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Orlando Magic in overtime 108-102. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 6
Jan 31, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) talks to Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (left) during the second quarter against the Chicago Bulls at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 5
Jan 30, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry (7) and guard DeMar DeRozan (10) during their game against the Detroit Pistons at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Pistons 111-107. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 4
Jan 30, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) and forward Kevin Love (0) celebrate in the fourth quarter against the San Antonio Spurs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 3
Feb 1, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) celebrates with forward Serge Ibaka (9) after a play against the Washington Wizards during the third quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 2
Jan 30, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) drives against Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) in the third quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Next: No. 1
Jan 31, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Golden State Warriors shooting guard Klay Thompson (11) dunks against New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony (7) and Knicks small forward Lance Thomas (42) during the second quarter at Madison Square Garden. The Warriors defeated the Knicks 116-95. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
