2022-23 Vendetta NBA Power Rankings: February

2022-23 Vendetta NBA Power Rankings: February

The hot stove is heating up! We are less than 48 hours until the Feb. 9 NBA Trade Deadline with plenty of buyers and not very many true sellers — and multiple teams on the fence! But instead of diving down that deep rabbit hole, it’s that time of the month: Power Rankings time! Let’s dive into it!

30. Detroit Pistons

• Last Ranking: 30
• Average: 29.50
• (Matt 29, Michael 30, Jack 30, Anthony 29)

The Pistons, who are last in this month’s NBA power rankings, will be a prime trade deadline seller with Nerlens Noel, Alec Burks, Saddiq Bey and Bojan Bogdanovic possibly finding new homes, above others. But let’s talk about Jaden Ivey; he’s raised his 3-point shooting to 33.3 percent, knocking down 37.7 percent of his triples since the turn of the new year and 39.3 percent over his last seven games. With Cade Cunningham, he’s been the brightest spot to the Pistons this season. If they accumulate important assets — picks — for the aforementioned players above, their future will look even brighter when Cunningham returns next season.

29. Houston Rockets

• Last Ranking: 28
• Average: 28.75
• (Matt 28, Michael 28, Jack 29, Anthony 30)

The Oklahoma City Thunder scored a franchise-record 153 points against Houston this last weekend and Stephen Silas called out his team for not trying on defense — in two separate games — so there’s that. The Rockets remain of the worst teams in the west; Alperen Sengun is one of the NBA’s most fun players, but the offense is still incredibly murky (when the ball’s not in his hands); and, to echo Jarrod’s demand: TRADE ERIC GORDON!!!

28. San Antonio Spurs

• Last Ranking: 27
• Average: 28.25
• (Matt 30, Michael 27, Jack 28, Anthony 28)

The Spurs are still arguably the worst team in the NBA, having lost 14 of their last 16 games and are still on #WembyWatch™, even though they come in at No. 28 in this month’s power rankings. Their first move of the deadline was acquiring a 2028 second-round pick and Dewayne Dedmon (who they will likely buyout) from the Miami Heat, the first of many moves the Spurs are expected to make between the next 48 or so hours.

27. Charlotte Hornets

• Last Ranking: 29
• Average: 27.50
• (Matt 27, Michael 29, Jack 27, Anthony 27)

The Hornets have been one of the worst teams in the Eastern Conference this season and this could be a week where it ends with plenty of familiar faces out the door. While I have zero intel on what they will do, what I will say is Mason Plumlee, Terry Rozier, Kelly Oubre Jr., P.J. Washington, Jalen McDaniels and others could be on contenders/different squads soon … very soon. It’s full-on fire-sale time for Charlotte.

26. Orlando Magic

• Last Ranking: 26
• Average: 26.00
• (Matt 26, Michael 26, Jack 26, Anthony 26)

The Magic went 3-1 — with victories over the Hornets (duh!), Wolves and Sixers — on their most recent road trip and have gone 9-8 since the New Year! There are still inconsistencies both offensively and defensively, but you can’t help but enjoy where this young duo of Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner are. They still have to figure out what the future of their backcourt looks like, but that will take time and they are still in a great spot moving forward with Banchero and Wagner at their disposal.

25. Toronto Raptors

• Last Ranking: 23
• Average: 24.75
• (Matt 25, Michael 25, Jack 24, Anthony 25)

I just keep waiting for the Raptors to start playing better basketball — and I know I’m not the only one suffering from this.

The stats say that they should be a better team. They have a positive point-differential and a starting five that should be able to hold its own against any NBA unit. Nevertheless, the Raptors have continued to struggle and come February, you are mostly what your record says you are. For this Raptors team right now, that’s a team that would be hopeful to make the play-in tournament.

There are rumors of the Raptors trading guys like O.G Anunoby and Fred VanVleet. It may be too early to completely tear it down, but change is needed soon because time is running out. — Jack Sabin

24. Oklahoma City Thunder

• Last Ranking: 25
• Average: 23.75
• (Matt 22, Michael 24, Jack 25, Anthony 24)

Regardless of Monday’s drubbing, or this month’s ranking, the Thunder have might have officially graduated from “bad team” territory. Put it in print, hang a banner, I don’t care! Thunder fans should be thrilled with how this season has gone up to this point.

They’ve cooled off since they won nine of 13 from Jan. 3 to Jan. 27. They’re now only three games below .500 and will now have a well-deserved All-Star in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander! They’ve lost two of their last three but blew the doors off the Rockets on Saturday by 32 just days after losing to them by six in Texas. It’s safe to say OKC has one of the brightest futures in the NBA, which should be highlighted by how SGA, Josh Giddey and Jalen Williams have played — especially of late.

23. Los Angeles Lakers

• Last Ranking: 21
• Average: 22.75
• (Matt 24, Michael 22, Jack 23, Anthony 22)

This week is a big week for the Lakers. LeBron James broke the NBA’s scoring record set by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on Tuesday. That’s the biggest part of the Lakers’ season up to this point. And then there’s the trade deadline — if the Lakers are serious about winning at least one series in the playoffs, let alone the title, they need to make at least one more move. It all starts with trying to move off Russell Westbrook, one (or both) of their 2027 or 2029 first-round picks and additional salary fillers — aka Patrick Beverley ($13M) and/or Lonnie Walker IV ($6.5M).

This will be an interesting week for James and Rob Pelinka for more reasons than one — which could determine what’s likely to transpire this summer before it even begins.

LeBron James has Broken the NBA Scoring Record

22. Chicago Bulls

• Last Ranking: 22
• Average: 21.25
• (Matt 20, Michael 23, Jack 21, Anthony 21)

The Bulls still sit at the bottom of the play-in and the direction of the franchise — days before the deadline — appears unclear. They look like they might hang onto Zach LaVine, but players like Alex Caruso, Nikola Vucevic, Coby White should garner plenty of interest. Chicago’s not looked the same since the injury to Lonzo Ball and may try to accumulate additional assets for the future if the right deals come into fruition.

21. Indiana Pacers

• Last Ranking: 13
• Average: 20.00
• (Matt 23, Michael 19, Jack 19, Anthony 19)

The Pacers have come back down to earth since the last power rankings. Indiana is now the No. 11 seed in the East with a record of 25-30. The reason for this is that first-time All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton got injured. Indiana went a horrendous 1-9 with Haliburton and now they are fighting for the play-in game. However, Buddy Hield and Myles Turner are playing well so with Haliburton back in the lineup, the Pacers can make a big push. The Pacers need to regroup during the All-Star weekend and their rotation will need to step up their game. — Anthony Miranda

20. Washington Wizards

• Last Ranking: 24
• Average: 19.75
• (Matt 21, Michael 13, Jack 22, Anthony 23)

The Wizards have lost three straight to the Blazers, Nets and Cavs after being victors of six straight. They’re in position to blow it up by Thursday after already trading Rui Hachimura to the Lakers, with possibly Kyle Kuzma, Monte Morris, Taj Gibson, Will Barton and/or Delon Wright finding new homes this week. At the back-end of the play-in, the Wizards will be once again, one to watch, to see if they kick-start their rebuild.

19. Portland Trail Blazers

• Last Ranking: 16
• Average: 19.75
• (Matt 19, Michael 20, Jack 20, Anthony 20)

In a season full of ridiculous scoring, Damian Lillard’s might be some of the most impressive. He’s tallied 40-plus points in seven of his last 14 games — averaging 37.6 points on 51.9/39.4/95.8 shooting splits over that span — raising his scoring output to 30.8 points on the season. He’s also posting career efficiency — sporting a ridiculous 64.5 true-shooting percentage, which would be a career high by nearly three percentage points (if the season ended today).

And crazier enough, the Blazers are 7-7 across those 14 games with losses to the Cavs, Nuggets, Sixers, Lakers, Raptors, Bulls and, most recently, the Bucks. They’re currently on the outside-looking-in on the play-in, but aren’t far away at all, sitting just 2.5 games behind the Phoenix Suns for the No. 5 seed.

18. Utah Jazz

• Last Ranking: 17
• Average: 17.00
• (Matt 16, Michael 18, Jack 16, Anthony 18)

The Jazz are in a precarious spot as the trade deadline arrives. They’re at the back-end of the cluster that is the middle of the Western Conference. Utah’s the No. 10 seed, 1.5 games ahead of the Lakers for the No. 13 seed but are also three games out of the No. 4-seeded Clippers and four out from the Sacramento Kings. They could sell off parts like Jarred Vanderbilt, Kelly Olynyk and Malik Beasley. But will they? Will it be a partial sale, and potentially retain players — like Vanderbilt — who could be beneficial ancillary weapons for their upcoming core. I’m not sure anyone can accurately prognosticate what Danny Ainge will do within the next couple of days, but they’re a team I’m keeping an eye on.

17. Atlanta Hawks

• Last Ranking: 19
• Average: 16.50
• (Matt 17, Michael 14, Jack 18, Anthony 17)

The Hawks have been the definition of mediocrity this season; just check out this tweet from Brad Rowland (from last Thursday, mind you, but still relevant).

The Hawks are 26-26.

The Hawks are 17-17 against the East.

The Hawks are 9-9 against the West.

The Hawks are 8th of 15 East teams.

The Hawks have scored 6,057 points.

The Hawks have allowed 6,057 points. https://t.co/Ar2k5bEaSv

— Brad Rowland (@BTRowland) February 2, 2023

They’re now 27-27 and have lost five of their last eight games, which came after winning seven of nine. They’re in-need of a shake up, with Bogdan Bogdanovic and John Collins as prime candidates to possibly get moved. Only time will tell with what Landry Fields’ first moves as general manager are, but they will be a team to monitor in the thick of the play-in race.

16. Minnesota Timberwolves

• Last Ranking: 20
• Average: 16.00
• (Matt 15, Michael 17, Jack 17, Anthony 15)

The Wolves are sneakily playing very good basketball right now, having won seven of their last 10 and 13 of their last 19. A big part of that has been because D’Angelo Russell has looked much better than earlier in the season — over his last 16 games, he’s averaging 20.5 points, 5.9 assists on 47.6 percent shooting, including 46.4 percent from distance on 8.6 triple tries per game. They’re still a work-in-progress, but they’re on their way up

15. New Orleans Pelicans

• Last Ranking: 8
• Average: 
• (Matt 14, Michael 21, Jack 13, Anthony 14)

The New Orleans Pelicans have fallen back in a bad way in our power rankings, having lost nine straight and recently snapped the worrying streak against a surging Lakers team. Zion Williamson still remains out without a timetable, but Brandon Ingram is rounding into form at the right time. Fully healthy, this team is one of the best on paper, but paper means nothing. — Ivanoskos

14. Golden State Warriors

• Last Ranking: 15
• Average: 14.50
• (Matt 18, Michael 12, Jack 15, Anthony 13)

The Golden State Warriors are 27-26 which is good enough for the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference. The Warriors were 6-4 in their last 10 games, and they had beaten some good teams, including the Cavs and Celtics. However, Stephen Curry has been injured once again and he is set to be out until after the All-Star break.

This is a huge blow for the Warriors as it will be hard to make up any ground in the West without their best player. They are going to need a lot of help from their bench if they want to remain competitive without Curry. The good thing for Golden State is Klay Thompson and Jordan Poole have been playing really well of late. — Miranda

13. Phoenix Suns

• Last Ranking: 9
• Average: 13.00
• (Matt 10, Michael 16, Jack 14, Anthony 12)

Following a stretch of losing 12 of 14, the Suns have won eight of their last 10. Plus, they’ll get Devin Booker back Tuesday after he missed all but 4:20 of the last 25 games due to a groin injury. They’re tied with Dallas for the No. 5 seed at 29-26 and are almost certainly going to make a move at the deadline involving Jae Crowder and possibly Deandre Ayton or one of their many expiring contracts. Could Chris Paul be on the move, too? That’s another question Suns fans are asking themselves after it was leaked (not from Phoenix) Sunday night that he was in a proposal for Irving.

12. New York Knicks

• Last Ranking: 18
• Average: 12.00
• (Matt 12, Michael 10, Jack 10, Anthony 16)

The Knicks went 2-2 on their most recent four-game homestand, but closed it with a crucial 108-97 win over the Sixers on national television Sunday evening.They’ve still lost eight of their last 12, but are a half-game behind Miami for the No. 6 seed in the East. Regardless, their offense is still clicking behind the engine of Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle, who was named to the All-Star team for the second time in three seasons, even if their defense has sputtered. They’re more than a move away, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they shifted a few pieces around come Thursday afternoon.

11. Miami Heat

• Last Ranking: 14
• Average: 11.50
• (Matt 13, Michael 11, Jack 11, Anthony 11)

The Heat, at 29-25, have lost three of their last four and are in need of a shakeup ahead of this week’s deadline if they have any serious possibly at contending in the East. They moved off of Dedmon earlier on Thursday to open up another roster spot and stay ~$5M below the luxury tax but can still part with Duncan Robinson and Kyle Lowry — who’s been a disaster the last month — in other moves with other salary fillers and possibly its 2023 first-round pick. The last thing they can do is stand pat (no pun intended) with help needed in the frontcourt. Oh, and they need new shooting after practically everyone regressed from last season.

10. Brooklyn Nets

• Last Ranking: 3
• Average: 11.50
• (Matt 11, Michael 15, Jack 12, Anthony 8)

If you are a Nets fan reading this, then I first just want to say I’m sorry. Hasn’t really been the best week and it’s been capped off with Kyrie Irving being traded minutes before I’m writing this. The writing for this has been on the wall for a couple months but I think Nets fans just wanted to hold out hope. The departure of Irving will almost certainly mean a departure for Kevin Durant as well.

In the span of a couple weeks, the Nets will go from title contenders to possibly being in the stages of a rebuild, which may be a bit difficult with their next first-round pick not coming till 2027 after this draft. Potential dark times ahead for a team who, at one point, had admirations of winning the title.

If KD stays for this season, then maybe something can be salvaged but with Kyrie leaving, though I don’t see this team having enough firepower. Who else is gonna score? Ben Simmons??? Hahaha, I needed a good laugh. — Sabin

9. Los Angeles Clippers

• Last Ranking: 11
• Average: 9.00
• (Matt 9, Michael 9, Jack 8, Anthony 10)

The Clippers are slowly, but surely figuring it out, now five games above .500. They’ve won eight of their last 10, and one of the two they lost was on the second game of a back-to-back without Kawhi Leonard or Paul George. Leonard’s has looked much more like his old self of late, posting averages of 28.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.0 steals over his last 14 games on 51.6/45.1/92.3 efficiency. They’re a consolidation trade — and a point guard — away from putting themselves somewhat in contention in a deep Western Conference, but it’s nothing less than encouraging to see the Clips playing some consistently good basketball heading into the All-Star break after their roller coaster start.

8. Dallas Mavericks

• Last Ranking: 10
• Average: 7.50
• (Matt 7, Michael 8, Jack 6, Anthony 9)

Did anything happen with Dallas weekend? Oh, wait, they completed arguably the biggest blockbuster trade deadline deal we might see for perhaps the NBA’s most controversial star. The basketball fit between Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving should be lethal offensively. Though there’s still moves for Dallas to make to tighten up the defensive end; they traded their best wing defender (Dorian Finney-Smith) for a defense that’s been a bottom-seven defense. On some nights, Dallas’ offense might be their best defense, but the track record of success in a postseason has been dire.

7. Memphis Grizzlies

• Last Ranking: 6
• Average: 6.75
• (Matt 8, Michael 5, Jack 9, Anthony 5)

The Memphis Grizzlies are slowly getting back to a full bill of health. Ja Morant is starting to ascend towards MVP status. Desmond Bane is reminding us of the All-Star caliber season he was having prior to injury. Jaren Jackson Jr. became a first time All-Star and leads the league in blocks and has emerged as DPOY frontrunner. Danny Green just joined the fray giving the squad a much-needed veteran with championship experience. One of the deeper teams in the association currently. — Ivanoskos

6. Sacramento Kings

• Last Ranking: 12
• Average: 6.50
• (Matt 6, Michael 6, Jack 7, Anthony 7)

The Sacramento Kings are the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference, something that a lot of NBA fans did not expect to see this season. However, the Kings have cooled off a bit recently as they are finishing up a seven-game road trip. De’Aaron Fox has missed time and Sacramento has looked terrible without him. Kevin Huerter and Malik Monk have not played the best as of late, but Harrison Barnes has been extremely productive. Also, Domantas Sabonis has been great but that is expected of the solo Kings’ All-Star. Sacramento will look to get back into its groove after the All-Star break. — Miranda

5. Cleveland Cavaliers

• Last Ranking: 7
• Average: 5.75
• (Matt 5, Michael 7, Jack 5, Anthony 6)

After Cleveland’s 22-11 start to begin the season, they’ve gone 12-11, though they’ve won three straight to the Grizzlies, Pacers and Wizards on Monday by a combined 57 points. Donovan Mitchell hasn’t quite looked himself since mid-December, but Darius Garland and its Twin Tower-esque frontcourt are still playing basketball at a high level. And Isaac Okoro has proved that progress isn’t always linear. He’s currently playing some of the best basketball of his career, averaging 9.7 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.1 steals over his last 16 games on 62.2 percent shooting (51.1 3P% on 2.8 3PA).

4. Philadelphia 76ers

• Last Ranking: 5
• Average: 3.50
• (Matt 4, Michael 4, Jack 2, Anthony 4)

The Sixers are one of the hottest teams in the NBA this last month. Joel Embiid paces the league in scoring at nearly 33 points a night. He was player of the month for the Eastern Conference in January. Doc Rivers also received Coach of the month honors. James Harden is possibly the biggest All-Star snub in the NBA and once he gets enough games under his belt then he will pace the NBA in assists per game. Add in a healthy Tyrese Maxey and this team is a formidable powerhouse. — Ivanoskos

3. Milwaukee Bucks

• Last Ranking: 4
• Average: 3.25
• (Matt 3, Michael 3, Jack 4, Anthony 3)

Before Giannis Antetokounmpo went out with a knee injury on Jan. 12, the Bucks had one of the worst offenses in the NBA — despite being 27-14 — because of poor shooting and uneven production from the supporting cast, Jrue Holiday included. And perhaps the biggest piece to the puzzle wasn’t even there in Khris Middleton, who missed all but a couple of games up to that point because he was recovering from a knee injury.

Thankfully for Milwaukee, Middleton and Antetokounmpo both returned on Jan. 23, and its looked like the NBA’s best team since. They lead the NBA in NET Rating over that span (11.3), having won eight straight. Oh, and Antetokounmpo’s averaged 37.5 points, 14.5 rebounds and 5.4 assists on 60.8 percent shooting and 34.8 percent from deep (3.6 attempts) over that span. That’s good, right?

2. Denver Nuggets

• Last Ranking: 2
• Average: 2.25
• (Matt 2, Michael 2, Jack 3, Anthony 2)

I think I will just preface this by saying that Nikola Jokic is really damn good at basketball. I know nobody wants to see someone win three straight MVPs but that just may be the case with Jokic this year. He is averaging 25/11/10 on 70.4 percent true-shooting. Just insane numbers that very well may give him his third straight MVP.

But aside from Jokic, the Nuggets have finally started seeing some help from other players. Jamal Murray finally seems to be getting back into the swing of things and has been a great addition. Michael Porter Jr. has shown flashes at times and has helped greatly with the Nuggets improved play but is still yet to take that big step fans have been waiting for.

What is clear is that as long as Jokic is playing this team will have a chance to make a serious run at the title. — Sabin

1. Boston Celtics

• Last Ranking: 1
• Average: 1.00
• (Matt 1, Michael 1, Jack 1, Anthony 1)

The Boston Celtics still sit firmly atop the power rankings. They’re the only team top-five in both defense and offense. Joe Mazzulla inherited a mess of a situation from the Ime Udoka scandal but has righted a ship to coaching the All-Star game. The Celtics will also have the NBA’s top duo of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum in Salt Lake City for the All-Star game. Their lead on being the best team in the East may be dwindling but it all remains to be seen. — Ivanoskos

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