2016-17 NBA Power Rankings: Los Angeles Clippers Claim Top Spot In Week 4
Gerald Bourguet
Nov 4, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) and Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) before the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
In Week 4 of our 2016-17 NBA Power Rankings, the Los Angeles Clippers have claimed the top spot thanks to their 9-1 start to the season.
Nov 4, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) and Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) before the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Heading into our fourth week of NBA action, we’re starting to get a better lay of the land. We know the Cavaliers, Warriors and Spurs are all good, just like we know the 76ers and Pelicans are terrible.
There have been some surprises, however. The Nets are hovering just below .500, the Lakers have a winning record and the Hornets are near the top of the East despite losing so many free agents over the summer.
However, it’s the Los Angeles Clippers who have stood out the most through the first three weeks of NBA action, posting a league-best record of 9-1. Here in Week 4, that’s enough to move them into the top spot over the defending champs.
We’ve seen Lob City turn to Slob City come playoff time, and peaking in November has never won anyone a championship. But in what might be the Clippers’ last hurrah, it’s time we acknowledge their league-best defense, improved bench, and the inescapable feeling that 2016-17 might be different for the cursed franchise.
Here’s a look at our Week 4 2016-17 NBA Power Rankings.
Nov 12, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) works against Atlanta Hawks center Dwight Howard (8) during the first half at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) holds his back after hitting the floor during the third quarter of a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 9, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) yells after suffering an apparent leg injury against the Boston Celtics during the second half at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 9, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Seth Curry (30) controls the ball against Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 9, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Jared Dudley (3) celebrates in the fourth quarter against the Detroit Pistons at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated the Pistons 107-100. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Orlando Magic forward Serge Ibaka (7) dunks the ball in front of Oklahoma City Thunder forward Domantas Sabonis (3) during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 10, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Dwyane Wade (3) greets Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari (8) reacts during the second half against the Detroit Pistons at Pepsi Center. The Pistons won 106-95. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay (8) shoots against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. The Kings beat the Raptors 96-91. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 11, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) walks off the court after receiving his second technical foul during the first half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (24) drives to the net against the Phoenix Suns during the second half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Nets won 122-104. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) and guard Andrew Wiggins (22) talk during a time out in the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at Target Center. The Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Los Angeles Lakers 125-99. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) watches as the Pacers shoot a free throw against the Chicago Bulls at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats Chicago 111-94. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Paul George: “We’re all out of whack. There’s no trust, there’s no chemistry, there’s no belief. We’re kind of just lifeless right now.”
Nov 12, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Jon Leuer (30) shoots the ball against Denver Nuggets guard Jameer Nelson (1) during the second half at Pepsi Center. The Pistons won 106-95. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Jabari Parker (12) reacts after scoring during the first quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Louis Williams (23) drives past New Orleans Pelicans guard Langston Galloway (10) during the first half of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 8, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) celebrates during the second half against the Denver Nuggets at FedExForum. The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Denver Nuggets 108-107. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 10, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Dwyane Wade (3) waves to the fans after defeating the Miami Heat 98-95 at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) gestures after a three point field goal against the Washington Wizards in the fourth quarter at Verizon Center. The Rockets won 114-106. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) during the second half against the Denver Nuggets at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) shoots over Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) during the third quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter (11) and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) react after a play against the Orlando Magic during the third quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 11, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) controls the basket against the Orlando Magic during the second half at Amway Center. Utah Jazz defeated the Orlando Magic 87-74. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 11, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) goes up for a shot against Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) in the second half at Spectrum Center. The Raptors defeated the Hornets 113-111. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 8, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Dennis Schroder (17) looks to pass the ball as Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) and forward Channing Frye (8) defend in the first quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) reacts after falling to the floor during the fourth quarter in a game against the New York Knicks at Air Canada Centre. The Toronto Raptors won 118-107. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Pau Gasol (16) drives inside while Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) defends during the second quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports
November 7, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates with forward Kevin Durant (35) after Curry made his 13th three-point basket during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at Oracle Arena. Curry made 13-three point baskets for the NBA record of most three-pointers in a single game. The Warriors defeated the Pelicans 116-106. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 8, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23), guard J.R. Smith (5) and guard Kyrie Irving (2) react in the third quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
A bucket for the history books
LeBron James passes Kobe Bryant to become the youngest player in NBA history to reach 27,000 points pic.twitter.com/AjM4ZeBZkz
Nov 5, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; LA Clippers power forward Blake Griffin (32) dunks the ball against the San Antonio Spurs during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
