NBA Power Rankings New Years resolutions

NBA Power Rankings New Years resolutions

So far, the 2022-23 NBA season has lived up to the hype.With nearly half of the season in the books, both the Western Conference and Eastern Conference standings are as tight as can be. Cliff Branch Jersey The title race is as open as it has been in a long time. It feels like history is made almost every night. The MVP race is shaping up to be one of the wildest in recent memory.As the calendar flips to 2023, now is as good of a time as ever to take stock of the league with some good old-fashioned Power Rankings.As a reminder, these Power Rankings are a reflection of where teams stand up to this point in the season, not nece sarily a projection of where they may land later in the season. In addition to ranking every team in the NBA, we're keeping things festive by handing out New Year's resolutions for each team.Got it? Great. Let's get to it. (NBA Entertainment) 1. Boston CelticsRecord: 26-10New Year's resolution:Keep your foot on the gas.The Celtics have the best record in the NBA. Jayson Tatum is playing at an MVP level and Jaylen Brown is flirting with his first All-NBA appearance. Everything is falling into place to return to the NBA Finals but Boston cant get comfortable like it did during a three-game losing streak to the Magic (twice!) and Pacers.2. Denver NuggetsRecord: 23-12New Year's resolution:Get healthy.Nikola Jokics MVP level of play has launched the Nuggets to Alec Ingold Jersey the top of the West despite Michael Porter Jr. mi sing games and Jamal Murray working his way back from injury. Once it gets firing on all cylinders, Denver is going to be a scary team.MORE:3. Brooklyn NetsRecord: 24-12New Year's resolution:Keep flying under the radar.The Nets have been winning and no one is paying attention. Let the NBA world talk about the Lakers, Warriors, Bucks and Celtics, and keep racking up the wins. When expectations are low, it seems thats when Brooklyn is at its best.MORE:4. New Orleans PelicansRecord: 23-13New Year's resolution:Avoid the injury bug.The Pelicans are a top-10 team in offensive, defensive and net rating, and theyre fighting for the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. New Orleans appears to be a legitimate contender, but it has been forced to play stretches without Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson and others. A fully healthy Pels squad could do some serious damage in the playoffs. Lets hope we see it.5. Cleveland CavaliersRecord: 23-14New Year's resolution:Find an upgrade on the wing.Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen are as good as advertised. The only thing mi sing? A more reliable small forward. Figure that out, and the Cavs will be cooking with gas. (Getty Images) 6. Memphis GrizzliesRecord: 22-13New Year's resolution:Back up the words with actions.Ja Morant boldly proclaimed that the Grizzlies are fine in the Western Conference, and to his credit, he hasnt backed down from those comments. After being smacked by the banged-up Warriors and Suns, though, Memphis dropped to 9-10 against West opponents. The trash talk is fun, but how about a few more conference wins?7. Milwaukee BucksRecord: 23-12New Year's resolution: Find a way to open up the court.The Bucks have been woeful from beyond the arc this season, with their halfcourt offense looking stagnant for long stretches. Brook Lopez and Grayson Allen are the only rotation players shooting above 40 percent from deep. While Khris Middletons absence has been a significant factor, without reliable snipers from deep, Giannis Antetokounmpos Divine Deablo Jersey life becomes all the more difficult.MORE:8. Philadelphia 76ersRecord: 21-14New Year's resolution:As Pat Riley would say, Keep the main thing, the main thing.Rumors have already emerged about James Hardens plans in free agency, and Doc Rivers wont be able to escape questions about his job security even if Philadelphia has a terrific regular season. The Sixers Malcolm Koonce Jersey just have to ignore any outside noise and remain focused on the challenge in front of them.MORE:9. LA ClippersRecord: 21-17New Year's resolution:Stay the course.The Clippers have one of the most dangerous rosters on paper, but injuries have limited availability to key players. Theyve managed to keep themselves in the top half of the West. Once they get their whole squad consistently out on the floor, theyll be just fine.MORE:10. Dallas MavericksRecord: 21-16New Year's resolution:Get Luka Doncic some help.The get Superstar X help take may be overplayed, but that doesnt make it any le s true. Dallas has needed Herculean efforts from Doncic to stay around .500. At some point in this calendar year, the Mavs bra s will need to do something in order to keep frustrations at bay. (NBA Entertainment) 11. Phoenix SunsRecord: 20-17New Year's resolution:Find a trade for Jae Crowder.This has gone on for too long. The Suns need something or someone to show up in that locker room and get them back on track. A Crowder trade could get them the boost they need.12. Sacramento KingsRecord: 19-15New Year's resolution:Keep it fun.The Kings have been winning, lighting the beam and restoring the excitement in Sac Town. As the season goes on, pre sure will mount as they look to end a lengthy playoff drought, but they cant let the noise get too distracting. Keep things light and the wins and playoffs will come.13. Portland Trail BlazersRecord: 18-17New Year's resolution:Patch up the leaky defense.After starting the season strong on the defensive end, the Blazers have given Las Vegas Raiders Jackets up some huge point totals in recent weeks, wasting the production of their top-10 offense. The absences of Gary Payton II and Na sir Little havent helped, but Portland will struggle to compete in the cutthroat West if it doesn't improve defensively.14. Utah JazzRecord: 19-20New Year's resolution:Pick a lane.The Jazz were widely expected to be in rebuilding mode after trading Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert during the 2022 offseason. Now, with the team right in the middle of what should be an exciting Western Conference playoff race, the front office has to answer a tough question: Does Utah continue to accumulate future a sets or let this surprisingly fun group chase a postseason berth?15.Indiana PacersRecord: 20-17New Year's resolution:Let Tyrese Haliburton and Benedict Mathurin cook.The Pacers have found their future backcourt core in these two young guys, which

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