2023-24 Vendetta NBA Power Rankings: December
We are over one month into the 2023-24 NBA season! You know what that means: Power Ranking time! Without further ado, let’s dive into our monthly December power rankings!
30. Detroit Pistons
(Matt 30, Anthony 30, Jack 30, Chickster 30, Ezzie 29)
Average: 29.8
Last month: 28
The Pistons were thought to take a leap this year with Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey. However, the team is struggling with the lack of experience with the second-worst point differential in the NBA. They’ve struggled with the 3-ball and Ivey has been sitting on the bench for Killian Hayes, while Ivey has barely improved this season. The team will need to make some trades and sell some young pieces. — Ezzie Douek
29. San Antonio Spurs
(Matt 29, Anthony 29, Jack 29, Chickster 29, Ezzie 30)
Average: 29.2
Last month: 27
The Spurs have the NBA’s worst point differential at minus-12.4 points per game. They have been struggling, with a major lack of veterans and it’s a team that needs to grow together to become more consistent. Victor Wembanyama is going through growing pains while leading the team in scoring on 43.7 percent shooting. The team needs time to grow together and gain some important veteran experience to lead. — Douek
28. Washington Wizards
(Matt 30, Anthony 30, Jack 30, Chickster 30, Ezzie 29)
Average: 28
Last month: 29
The Wizards have lost 11 of their last 12 games, with a lone win against the Detroit Pistons … we don’t need to rehash them. Kyle Kuzma and Jordan Poole haven’t been particularly efficient together, but have respectable individual numbers while they have gotten a good return on investment for Bilal Coulibaly, who’s helped their defense.
27. Portland Trail Blazers
(Matt 27, Anthony 26, Jack 27, Chickster 27, Ezzie 27)
Average: 26.8
Last month: 26
It’s been an ultra-slow start for No. 2 pick Scoot Henderson. He’s averaging just 9.2 points, 2.7 rebounds and 4.2 assists on 34.3 percent shooting and 22.0 percent from 3-point range. He’s been better since returning from injury, but it remains an uphill climb for the 6-foot-3 guard. Shaedon Sharpe, meanwhile, has looked excellent while Jerami Grant–who signed a beefy five-year extension in the offseason–is having arguably the most productive season of his career from a statistical and impact standpoint.
26. Chicago Bulls
(Matt 26, Anthony 27, Jack 25, Chickster 26, Ezzie 24)
Average: 25.6
Last month: 24
Change has to be inevitable in The Windy City … right?!?! Chicago is well on its way to missing the postseason for the seventh time in nine years if things don’t take a complete 180, which doesn’t appear on the horizon.
25. Charlotte Hornets
(Matt 23, Anthony 24, Jack 24, Chickster 25, Ezzie 26)
Average: 24.4
Last month: 30
Despite getting off to a better start than it did last year, the Hornets are still one of the worst teams in the East with the third-worst NET Rating. Its performance has taken a slight since LaMelo Ball–who was off to an excellent start–went down with a right ankle sprain; Terry Rozier has done a good job supplementing production, however, but this team is frankly in a similar position to where it’s been for much of the last five seasons.
24. Memphis Grizzlies
(Matt 25, Anthony 25, Jack 26, Chickster 24, Ezzie 21)
Average: 24.2
Last month: 5
This team has struggled without Ja Morant and it only shows how much he is valuable to the Grizzlies team (and my fantasy teams cause God my teams suck right now). It’s been a rough month for the Grizzlies but they have about five games left before Ja can come back and I know they are more than ready. I wouldn’t be surprised if there is a short jell period and the Grizzlies start putting on a string of winning streaks to get their record right. They’re the second-worst team in the Western Conference right now, but they certainly won’t be there for long when Ja comes back. — Chickster
23. Toronto Raptors
(Matt 24, Anthony 22, Jack 23, Chickster 23, Ezzie 22)
Average: 22.8
Last month: 22
Even though Toronto shifted to a more offensive-minded head coach, who persisted in more movement (player + ball), the Raptors’ myriad wings have still struggled with on-ball shot creation and don’t have enough capable shooting to mitigate it. Pascal Siakam has taken a considerable step back while Scottie Barnes has surged through a quarter of the season. Toronto’s defense is always a calling card, but if has to rely on playing in transition to form a sustainable offense, it’s not in a good position.
22. Utah Jazz
(Matt 22, Anthony 23, Jack 22, Chickster 22, Ezzie 23)
Average: 22.4
Last month: 18
The Jazz weren’t the fulcrum for incredible offense last year, but was still in the middle-of-the-pack in leaguewide efficiency. It’s been a lot murkier to begin 2023-24, as they rank amongst the bottom-seven in both effective field goal percentage and true shooting percentage. Lauri Markkanen’s missed the last five games due to injury, but Omer Yurtseven and Walker Kessler, who just returned from injury, have done a decent job providing frontcourt production of late. Keyonte George has been one of the NBA’s most fun rookies to watch, too.
21. Houston Rockets
(Matt 17, Anthony 21, Jack 19, Chickster 21, Ezzie 25)
Average: 20.6
Last month: 25
Can this team survive on being annoying dickheads alone? No. They went on a little six-game win streak for almost two weeks and that’s…most of their wins. Don’t be fooled, this team isn’t good. Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green are great players and you hate praising any Rockets players, but the rest of this team is doodoo and in the worst position to be in the NBA. Fringe playoff team. You might not make the playoffs or if they do, they’ll get knocked out quickly, meaning you hurt your draft position for what? Glory? Typical Rockets. — Chickster
20. Atlanta Hawks
(Matt 19, Anthony 20, Jack 21, Chickster 20, Ezzie 19)
Average: 19.8
Last month: 21
Good news! The Hawks have the fourth-best offense! Bad news: it has the fifth-worst defense. Prior to Jalen Johnson’s injury, he was playing the best basketball of his career, posting 14.1 points and 7.3 rebounds in the biggest role we’ve seen from him in his career. Coming off an electric 2023 FIBA World Cup run with Serbia, Bogdan Bogdanovic has been a huge spark plug off the bench while Trae Young is slowly–but surely–putting together more efficient outputs. It’s been a comeback down to earth after starting 5-3 with a tough road ahead, so I’m interested to see how Quin Snyder’s group responds as 2023 concludes.
19. Brooklyn Nets
(Matt 18, Anthony 18, Jack 18, Chickster 17, Ezzie 20)
Average: 18.2
Last month: 19
Cam Thomas is averaging 26.1 points on 56.3 percent true shooting; he’s producing nearly nine more points per 100 possessions than he did a year ago on similar efficiency. He’s been a revelation … and so has Lonnie Walker IV, who’s stepped up amicably at different points this season due to myriad injuries and could be a favorite for the Sixth Man of the Year. The Nets’ offense has outperformed expectations and has been one of the NBA’s best rebounding teams, despite being in the middle-of-the-pack defensively. No matter who’s healthy, this group is still very feisty!
18. Golden State Warriors
(Matt 21, Anthony 19, Jack 20, Chickster 19, Ezzie 12)
Average: 18.2
Last month: 8
This is the beginning of the end if we’re not there already. We saw a glimpse of it last year, 2022 was the last year that Golden State was going to be legit title contenders. I love Stephen Curry, he has forever changed the game, but this team just screams old and hopeful; They have old Chris Paul trying to keep them competing; Draymond Green is unhinged; Andrew Wiggins looks like he got his talent taken away by the Monstars (I’m using talent loosely here); Klay Thompson is a shell of himself. This team can’t keep up anymore just as Lightning McQueen couldn’t keep up against Jackson Storm in Cars 3. It’s over. — Chickster
17. Los Angeles Clippers
(Matt 20, Anthony 15, Jack 17, Chickster 16, Ezzie 17)
Average: 17
Last month: 13
I like Kawhi Leonard, and well, I don’t hate Paul George. But the addition of James Harden will be more bad than good. They already have Russell Westbrook is basically playing on sheer will alone. This team is funky and not well put together. In fact, I like Zubac, Bones Hyland, Terance Mann and Norman Powell all more than Harden and Westbrook right now. Harden and Russ can only play with the ball in their hands which causes more problems than solutions for the Clippers. This team has enough talent to be a top-4-ish talent in the Western Conference, but they won’t win a title. The lack of talent/depth in the frontcourt, along with not having a PG that can facilitate and move without the ball will kill this team. — Chickster
16. Cleveland Cavaliers
(Matt 16, Anthony 16, Jack 15, Chickster 13, Ezzie 15)
Average: 15
Last month: 6
I like the Cavs, I liked them and we’re on the train a year ago for them. But it’s becoming more and more evident that Donovan Mitchell isn’t THE guy. He’s a hooper, don’t get me wrong. But if the Cavs are looking to leap into title contention they need a star ready to be the No. 1 guy. Donovan Mitchell screams No. 2 guy. The Cavs have talent on the squad, but being barely above .500 isn’t ideal and they need to make a move for a bigger star. — Chickster
15. New Orleans Pelicans
(Matt 13, Anthony 17, Jack 13, Chickster 18, Ezzie 13)
Average: 14.8
Last month: 12
CJ McCollum, Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson have only played 16 games together–including the postseason–since McCollum was acquired at the deadline in Feb. of 2022. They’re 11-5 in those games and are a plus-8.4 points per 100 possessions when they’re on the floor together. They’re now healthy again and, while they’re on the court, are playing near an All-NBA level. It also makes Herb Jones’ life easier on both ends while Trey Murphy, who also just returned from injury, can provide complementary spacing. This is a good squad–it just needs to stay healthy.
14. Los Angeles Lakers
(Matt 12, Anthony 13, Jack 14, Chickster 11, Ezzie 16)
Average: 13.2
Last month: 13
The Lakers are not off to a good start. The team has not clicked like it did in last year’s playoffs. Los Angeles is currently 13-9 and the new pieces are up and down right now, which is to be expected early in the season. LeBron James is still great but it is clear he has lost a bit of his dominance. Anthony Davis is fantastic, but still a little too inconsistent. The one bright spot for the Lakers is that they dominated the group stage of the in-season tournament and advanced to the Final Four Wednesday. Ultimately, the Lakers look shaky with flashes of brilliance, but it does not matter because nobody judges a LeBron James team by the beginning of the season. — Anthony Miranda
13. Dallas Mavericks
(Matt 11, Anthony 14, Jack 16, Chickster 14, Ezzie 10)
Average: 13
Last month: 17
Just like last year, this Mavs team isn’t good, and even with the addition of Grant Williams, this team lacks defense in the worst way. If you want to watch pickup basketball and watch the Mavs win only on talent and not pure basketball, go for it. But this team is barely over .500, has a net rating of plus-0.1 and is 10th in the Western Conference. I don’t have a high ceiling for them and talent-wise outside of Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic, the floor is very low. — Chickster
12. Phoenix Suns
(Matt 10, Anthony 9, Jack 8, Chickster 8, Ezzie 5)
Average: 12.6
Last month: 4
Phoenix has not gotten off to the start that the team would have wanted. The Big 3 of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal have not logged a lot of minutes together. Beal has only played three games and Booker has missed nine games–this is not ideal for building chemistry among the superstars or for Kevin Durant, who has to carry the load. Nevertheless, Durant is holding down the fort as he is averaging 31 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.7 assists. Despite these hiccups, the Suns are still 12-9 and they are the No. 7 seed in the West. Phoenix looks like they can contend and the boost in playing time among the role players could benefit the Suns in the long run. — Miranda
11. Miami Heat
(Matt 9, Anthony 12, Jack 12, Chickster 12, Ezzie 14)
Average: 11.8
Last month: 9
The Heat have lost four of their last five games, but they are still 11-9 despite battling myriad injuries throughout the first quarter of the season. This is arguably the deepest team in the Jimmy Butler era and Jaime Jaquez Jr. looks like the organization’s most polished rookie since Dwyane Wade. This is a good team, but are still in need of an additional lead guard and a backup big.
10. Indiana Pacers
(Matt 15, Anthony 11, Jack 11, Chickster 15, Ezzie 11)
Average: 8.8
Last month: 20
Tyrese Haliburton has been a star and is looking like a potential superstar, averaging 27 points and 12 assists per game. Haliburton has been on a tear, and the Pacers have a decent amount of depth with the offseason additions of Obi Toppin and Bruce Brown. The Pacers look to continue their improved shooting and prove themselves as possible dark horse contenders in the East. — Douek
9. New York Knicks
(Matt 8, Anthony 10, Jack 10, Chickster 10, Ezzie 6)
Average: 8
Last month: 14
Knicks have been amazing this season outside of Julius Randle. Jalen Brunson has picked up right where he left off last season. Randle’s started the season off rough but recently picked up his performances. Quentin Grimes has also struggled offensively this season; it was hopeful that he would grow and help create better spacing, but he’s averaging only six points per game this season on 35.9 percent shooting. If they can hold their own, they can maybe prove to be ECF contenders, and maybe with a big-time trade around the deadline, they will be contenders. — Douek
8. Orlando Magic
(Matt 4, Anthony 6, Jack 7, Chickster 5, Ezzie 18)
Average: 8
Last month: 23
The Magic ended 2022-23 on a great note and picked up right where they left off to begin this season. Orlando is 14-6 without two starters–Wendell Carter Jr. and Markelle Fultz–for most of the season. Goga Bitadze and Mo Wagner have done a great job mitigating Carter’s loss, while Cole Anthony and Jalen Suggs have done the same for the latter. I’ve been very impressed with Orlando’s activity defensively spearheaded by Suggs at the point-of-attack, which has fueled their pace. Their halfcourt offensive process can still be murky, but they’re figuring it out on the fly while being shorthanded, which is all you can ask for.
7. Sacramento Kings
(Matt 14, Anthony 5, Jack 6, Chickster 7, Ezzie 7)
Average: 7.8
Last month: 10
The Kings are the No. 5 seed in the West with an 11-8 record. Sacramento has not played their best basketball and their defense does not show up sometimes. However, De’Aaron Fox is playing at an MVP level and Keegan Murray is turning into a lockdown defender. The Kings have a winning record against five of the top seven teams in the West. Sacramento has dealt with multiple injuries early in the season, including Fox missing five games, and it’s played more than half of their games on the road. Sacramento after all of this is still a No. 4 seed on track to prove last season was not a fluke. — Miranda
6. Philadelphia 76ers
(Matt 6, Anthony 8, Jack 5, Chickster 9, Ezzie 4)
Average: 6.4
Last month: 11
When the Sixers first traded James Harden away, many wondered if they would have the star power and depth to compete with a very competitive Eastern Conference. But up until this point, the Sixers have not only shown they can do that but that they could pose a real issue for some of these top seeds. The play of guys like Patrick Beverley and Robert Covington has helped lessen the blow of losing James Harden. Also aiding in that has been the emergence of Tyrese Maxey, who seems to finally be taking that superstar jump fans have been waiting for. Joel Embiid has been business as usual and aside from injuries, it’s been a rather good start for Philadelphia. Replacing Doc Rivers with Nick Nurse is also working wonders early in this season. Another guy off the bench is all this team really needs to compete, and getting Kelly Oubre Jr. back will help but more is needed to compete with the top teams in the East. — Jack Sabin
5. Milwaukee Bucks
(Matt 7, Anthony 7, Jack 9, Chickster 3, Ezzie 3)
Average: 5.8
Last month: 2
This team will live and die by Damian Lillard. Giannis Antetokounmpo will do Giannis things but Lillard will make or break this team. After a month of the season, the Bucks are still second in the Eastern Conference with only six losses. But it’s hard to not be concerned about some of these losses, when they lose, they lose by a lot. Also concerned about the lack of usage for Khris Middleton. Going from the No. 2 guy to basically a role player is not ideal for the Bucks. They have to find ways to keep Middleton involved if this team is serious about contending. The drop-off in scoring after Giannis and Dame is huge–it’s not sustainable–and they’ll need help when Damian has a bad night, consistent help. — Chickster
4. Oklahoma City Thunder
(Matt 5, Anthony 3, Jack 4, Chickster 6, Ezzie 8)
Average: 5.2
Last month: 15
I was high on the Thunder this year, but not as high as Trey Daubert was. At first glance, I still may have been too low on them. Maybe Sam Presti knows what he’s doing after all, huh? Their balanced scoring attack after Shai Gilgeous-Alexander gets his nightly 30 points is scary. Five guys after SGA average double figure scoring, each with a chance to have their night as the 2nd guy. ROY candidate Chet Holmgren looks more comfortable and better every game. Josh Giddey (we’re not getting into his situation) can do it all for the Thunder: Score, pass and rebound. The most frightening thing about the Thunder is how young they are and how they’re not even close to their ceiling yet. If lightning doesn’t scare you, the Thunder will. — Chickster
3. Minnesota Timberwolves
(Matt 2, Anthony 4, Jack 3, Chickster 4, Ezzie 9)
Average: 4.4
Last month: 16
I still do not like this team, I don’t think I ever will. But I do have to appreciate how well they have been doing. Their defense is nasty on a consistent basis. Rudy Gobert, as much as I think he is a limited one-trick pony, does help the Wolves succeed by relinquishing Karl-Anthony Towns of a lot of defensive duties so he can focus on scoring. Any doubts about Anthony Edwards are long gone cause he can flat-out play and is a star in this NBA. But now here comes Negative Nancy. They do have some impressive wins like the Celtics and Nuggets, but the rest of their schedule has been a lot of meh. Can they live off of Anthony Edwards and KAT offensive prowess and their defense alone? That’s the question. Some of these other guys are going to have to contribute offensively eventually. The tough hasn’t got going yet, but they still are atop the Western Conference after all. — Chickster
2. Denver Nuggets
(Matt 3, Anthony 2, Jack 2, Chickster 2, Ezzie 1)
Average: 2
Last month: 1
The defending champions are still one of the best teams in the NBA. Shocker, I know. They’re currently 3rd in the west after 25 percent of the season. I’d be surprised if they don’t finish 1st in the Western Conference at the end of the season though. — Chickster
1. Boston Celtics
(Matt 1, Anthony 1, Jack 1, Chickster 1, Ezzie 2)
Average: 1.2
Last month: 2
It’s been business as usual so far for Boston who looks like they will once again be fighting for the top seed in the East. The biggest addition has been Kristpas Porzingis, so far showing just how much the Celtics needed a true center. He gives them scoring at that potion that haven’t seen likely since KG retired. He somehow further opens up this offense and if he can continue this level of play once he returns, the Celtics will be a very hard team to beat. Jrue Holiday has been a great addition and helped to alleviate the loss of Marcus Smart while providing more scoring. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are playing at their usual elite level and should once again lead this Boston team pretty far. — Sabin
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