2016-17 NBA Power Rankings: Playing Naughty Or Nice In Week 10
Gerald Bourguet
Dec 25, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) and Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) at Quicken Loans Arena. Cleveland defeats Golden State 109-108. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 25, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) and Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) at Quicken Loans Arena. Cleveland defeats Golden State 109-108. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
In Week 10 of NBA Power Rankings, we play “Naughty or Nice?” with every team in the league, including the surging Sacramento Kings.
As the calendar prepares the flip to 2017, we’ve gotten a pretty good look at where everyone stands in the NBA.
As always, there are pretty clear contenders like the Golden State Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers and San Antonio Spurs. There are pseudo-contenders like the Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Clippers, dark horses like the Houston Rockets and Boston Celtics, and decent but non-threatening playoff teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder, Memphis Grizzlies and Charlotte Hornets.
Through the first two months of the 2016-17 NBA season, however, there’s been plenty to like and dislike about every team in the association.
In a special holiday edition of NBA Power Rankings, we’ll be taking a look at both the “naughty” and “nice” for each squad. Some will be skewed in one direction more than others, but with another week of NBA action under our belts, we’ll try to keep it as balanced as possible.
Here’s a look at our Week 10 2016-17 NBA Power Rankings.
Dec 23, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) drives to the basket in the first half against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Jeremy Lin (7) drives against Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 119-99. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns forward P.J. Tucker (17) and guard Devin Booker (1) react against the Houston Rockets at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
December 25, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell (1) meets with Los Angeles Clippers guard Jamal Crawford (11) following the 111-102 victory at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) shoots against the San Antonio Spurs during the first quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; LA Clippers forward Luc Mbah a Moute (12) defends against Dallas Mavericks forward Harrison Barnes (40) in the first half of the NBA basketball game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic (7) handles the ball during the first quarter of the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Zach LaVine (8) forward Andrew Wiggins (22) and guard Ricky Rubio (9) react as the clock runs out against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena. The Timberwolves defeated the Hawks 92-84. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 25, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Chicago Bulls shooting guard Dwyane Wade (3) shoots the ball past San Antonio Spurs shooting guard Danny Green (14) during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) dunks against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Thunder defeated the Pelicans 121-110. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 19, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Nikola Jokic (15) reacts after scoring during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at Pepsi Center. The Nuggets 117-107. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 19, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers react to forward Thaddeus Young (21) making the game winning shot in the 4th quarter against the Washington Wizards at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats Washington 107-105. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) reacts after a play in the fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. The Hawks won 109-108. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Serge Ibaka (7) reacts and celebrates against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 109-90. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (5) celebrates after making a three point basket during the first quarter against the Golden State Warriors at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings forward DeMarcus Cousins (15) during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Golden 1 Center. The Trail Blazers defeated the Kings 126-121. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
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Dec 19, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Washington Wizards forward Otto Porter (3) reacts as Bradley Beal made a three pointer to take the lead but shot is ruled a two pointer late in the 4th quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats Washington 107-105. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Washington Wizards forward Markieff Morris (5) defends Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during the first quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek looks on during a break in action with New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) against the Indiana Pacers during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Nicolas Batum (5) reacts after a foul call in the first half against the Los Angeles Lakers at Spectrum Center. The Hornets defeated the Lakers 117-113. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
December 25, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul and forward Blake Griffin (32) watche game action against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) draws a foul from Toronto Raptors guard Norman Powell (24) in the fourth quarter at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Toronto Raptors defeated the Utah Jazz 104-98. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) high fives guard Mike Conley (11) during the third quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) drives to the basket past Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 25, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after a play against theMinnesota Timberwolves during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) is congratulated by teammate guard DeMar DeRozan (10) after a basket in the fourth quarter against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Toronto Raptors defeated the Utah Jazz 104-98. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Houston Rockets forward Montreal Harrell (5) talks to guard James Harden (13) during the first quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 25, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs power forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) celebrates with teammate Jonathon Simmons (17, left) after a basket during the first half against the Chicago Bulls at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 25, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) goes up for a dunk against Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 25, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (32) celebrates with guard Kyrie Irving (2) after dunking against the Golden State Warriors at Quicken Loans Arena. Cleveland defeats Golden State 109-108. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
