NBA Power Rankings Tier 4: The Bottom Feeders
There isn’t a team in worse form than the Rockets who are currently on a 14 game losing streak. Success shouldn’t have been on the Rockets checklist this season, but how much losing is too much? According to StatMuse, Houston is currently on pace to finish the season 5-77, which would be the worst record in NBA history (rejoice Hornets fans, we may no longer be the joke of the NBA). At least Houston has Jalen Green who can make their games very exciting.
Yes, Zion Williamson is not playing, but that shouldn’t be an excuse for having the second-worst record in the NBA. Brandon Ingram and Jonas Valanciunas have been solid but it hasn’t been enough to win the Pelicans ball games. They’ll need Williamson to return as soon as possible before they fall too far behind in the West, which might already be the case.
The Magic are a very young and exciting team and will require a lot of patience this season. They’ve gotten good performances from young guys like Cole Anthony, Jalen Suggs, Mo Bamba, and Franz Wagner who all have already played in some exciting games this season. Winning will come for this core, but for now, they’ll go through the growing pains.
First overall pick Cade Cunningham is now playing regularly and he’s looked quite good in some games. Rookie growing pains will always be a thing, but he’s won them a handful of games since being inserted into the lineup and more success is sure to come their way.
The Spurs don’t seem to have a whole lot going for them this season. They’re very average but also very athletic. They lack a true star and go-to scorer so it would be surprising to see them make noise in the West.
Well, the Kings have fired head coach Luke Walton after a three-game losing skid, and it’s sort of weird timing? Might be a little overdue, but why now? Anyways, the Kings have a solid young core and have higher expectations than being the 12th seed in the West. We’ll see if they can start to climb with new leadership.
A solid rise here for the team who sat in dead last in our last power ranking. Oklahoma City has taken advantage of some struggling opponents and found itself on a four-game win streak at the beginning of the month. The Thunder’s young core consisting of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, and Lu Dort has this squad playing competitive basketball.