NBA League Pass Power Rankings: 16. Toronto Raptors
This might be a bit too high, but I love watching the Raptors. VanVleet’s exuberant celebrations might get penalized in real life, but they’re rewarded here.
Coach Nick Nurse is always running unorthodox defenses and ATO plays. Scottie Barnes has been a revelation as a playmaking rookie forward, and Pascal Siakam’s return adds another high-energy guy. The broadcast crew is excellent.
Dalano Banton never stops running, and watching the willowy 6’7″ point guard push the pace is exhilarating. They’re penalized a bit because there are stretches where the half-court offense gets stuck in the mud. I’m not sure the Raptors are any good, exactly, but they are a very enjoyable team to watch.
NBA League Pass Power Rankings: 15. Philadelphia 76ers
Joel Embiid remains the apex evolution of the traditional (-ish) big man. He’s got a bruising back-to-the-basket game but has developed into a credible shooter with a nasty defensive game, to boot.
Seth Curry is arguably the second-best shooter in the game today. Matisse Thybulle stays attached to his mark like their shadow. Tyrese Maxey gets into the paint at will and provides the off-the-dribble verve the team desperately needs.
Furkan Korkmaz was an excellent watch earlier in the year, with a surprising handle and audacious vision, although his minutes have ticked down recently. Danny Green provides a surprising number of blocks and steals just by being in the right place at the right time, all the time.
NBA League Pass Power Rankings: 14. Atlanta Hawks
It’s a great thing for the league that a highlight factory like Atlanta can barely crack the top half of the League Pass rankings. Trae Young is the only player in the top-five of both points and assists, and he has an incredible ability to both shoot from deep and throw pinpoint-accurate lobs.
John Collins can and will dunk on anyone. Bogdan Bogdanovic has a quiet swag and a killer’s confidence shooting the ball and attacking the rim. A rash of injuries may be a blessing in disguise, as it simplifies the rotation and ensures that everyone still healthy will get ample playing time.
NBA League Pass Power Rankings: 13. Minnesota Timberwolves
Terrific announcers set the stage for an intriguing collection of players. Watching Jarred Vanderbilt’s frenetic defense makes me break a sweat just sitting on the couch.
Karl Anthony-Towns remains the smoothest seven-foot scorer you’ve ever seen, equally comfortable bombing from deep, attacking off the bounce, or posting up down low. Anthony Edwards might kill someone with a dunk one day.
Patrick Beverley’s incessant trash talking and physical defense are entertaining (in small doses). D’Angelo Russell may have questionable shot selection but remains a crunch-time killer.
This team should be higher, but they go through long stretches of weirdly somnambulant play. Consistency is the key to real-life standings and League Pass rankings, so despite a very high ceiling for watchability, I have the Wolves comfortably in the middle here.