Post by frangie on Jul 9, 2020 17:51:01 GMT -8
It’s time for CONTENDER OR PRETENDER! Below I list the teams in order of win % (sticking only to the teams with positive point differentials), and for each squad I give my take on if they are a contender or pretender. Let’s get to it!
1. Thunder (34-9)
OKC ranks 1st in the NBA in point differential per game (+12.2) so far this season. According to my metrics, they have the #1 offense (1.09 PPS) and #16 defense (1.03 PPS) in terms of efficiency. Relative to winning the position battle, they have the 9th-best rebounding differential per game (+2.6) and the best turnover differential per game (+4.0).
Verdict: Contender
2. Heat (32-9)
Miami ranks 2nd in the NBA in point differential per game (+10.7) so far this season. According to my metrics, they have the #2 offense (1.08 PPS) and #1 defense (0.96 PPS) in terms of efficiency. Relative to winning the position battle, they have the 3rd-best rebounding differential per game (+4.5) and the 18th-best turnover differential per game (0.0).
Verdict: Contender
3. Suns (29-13)
Phoenix ranks 3rd in the NBA in point differential per game (+8.5) so far this season. According to my metrics, they have the #5 offense (1.05 PPS) and #4 defense (0.99 PPS) in terms of efficiency. Relative to winning the position battle, they have the 7th-best rebounding differential per game (+3.3) and the 7th-best turnover differential per game (+1.4).
Verdict: Contender
4. Celtics (37-17)
Boston ranks 4th in the NBA in point differential per game (+7.3) so far this season. According to my metrics, they have the #4 offense (1.06 PPS) and #3 defense (0.99 PPS) in terms of efficiency. Relative to winning the position battle, they have the 11th-best rebounding differential per game (+2.3) and the 16th-best turnover differential per game (+0.1).
Verdict: Contender
5. Nets (34-17)
New Jersey ranks 5th in the NBA in point differential per game (+5.6) so far this season. According to my metrics, they have the #6 offense (1.05 PPS) and #17 defense (1.03 PPS) in terms of efficiency. Relative to winning the position battle, they have the 13th-best rebounding differential per game (+1.2) and the 2nd-best turnover differential per game (+2.3).
Verdict: Contender
6. Pelicans (33-17)
New Orleans ranks 6th in the NBA in point differential per game (+5.0) so far this season. According to my metrics, they have the #13 offense (1.03 PPS) and #6 defense (1.00 PPS) in terms of efficiency. Relative to winning the position battle, they have the 10th-best rebounding differential per game (+2.3) and the 10th-best turnover differential per game (+0.7).
Verdict: Pretender
7. Timberwolves (27-19)
Minnesota ranks 7th in the NBA in point differential per game (+3.4) so far this season. According to my metrics, they have the #14 offense (1.03 PPS) and #11 defense (1.02 PPS) in terms of efficiency. Relative to winning the position battle, they have the 12th-best rebounding differential per game (+1.7) and the 6th-best turnover differential per game (+1.5).
Verdict: Pretender
8. Lakers (27-19)
LAL ranks 8th in the NBA in point differential per game (+2.0) so far this season. According to my metrics, they have the #9 offense (1.04 PPS) and #10 defense (1.02 PPS) in terms of efficiency. Relative to winning the position battle, they have the 23rd-best rebounding differential per game (-2.6) and the 8th-best turnover differential per game (+1.2).
Verdict: Pretender
9. Grizzlies (28-22)
Memphis ranks 9th in the NBA in point differential per game (+4.0) so far this season. According to my metrics, they have the #3 offense (1.06 PPS) and #26 defense (1.04 PPS) in terms of efficiency. Relative to winning the position battle, they have the 19th-best rebounding differential per game (-0.8) and the 4th-best turnover differential per game (+1.9).
Verdict: Pretender
10. Rockets (25-20)
Houston ranks 10th in the NBA in point differential per game (+3.8) so far this season. According to my metrics, they have the #18 offense (1.01 PPS) and #9 defense (1.01 PPS) in terms of efficiency. Relative to winning the position battle, they have the 14th-best rebounding differential per game (+1.1) and the 5th-best turnover differential per game (+1.8).
Verdict: Pretender
11. Wizards (24-21)
Washington ranks 11th in the NBA in point differential per game (+0.5) so far this season. According to my metrics, they have the #8 offense (1.04 PPS) and #23 defense (1.04 PPS) in terms of efficiency. Relative to winning the position battle, they have the 20th-best rebounding differential per game (-0.9) and the 18th-best turnover differential per game (0.0).
Verdict: Pretender
12. Bulls (24-22)
Chicago ranks 12th in the NBA in point differential per game (+1.8) so far this season. According to my metrics, they have the #12 offense (1.03 PPS) and #7 defense (1.01 PPS) in terms of efficiency. Relative to winning the position battle, they have the 17th-best rebounding differential per game (-0.3) and the 12th-best turnover differential per game (+0.6).
Verdict: Pretender
13. Pistons (24-22)
Detroit ranks 13th in the NBA in point differential per game (+1.5) so far this season. According to my metrics, they have the #26 offense (0.99 PPS) and #19 defense (1.03 PPS) in terms of efficiency. Relative to winning the position battle, they have the 2nd-best rebounding differential per game (+4.8) and the 9th-best turnover differential per game (+0.8).
Verdict: Pretender
14. Pacers (24-24)
Indiana ranks 14th in the NBA in point differential per game (+0.4) so far this season. According to my metrics, they have the #21 offense (1.00 PPS) and #12 defense (1.02 PPS) in terms of efficiency. Relative to winning the position battle, they have the 4th-best rebounding differential per game (+4.3) and the 21st-best turnover differential per game (-0.7).
Verdict: Pretender
15. Magic (21-22)
Orlando ranks 15th in the NBA in point differential per game (+0.6) so far this season. According to my metrics, they have the #16 offense (1.02 PPS) and #2 defense (0.99 PPS) in terms of efficiency. Relative to winning the position battle, they have the 25th-best rebounding differential per game (-4.1) and the 11th-best turnover differential per game (+0.7).
Verdict: Pretender
16. Warriors (24-27)
Golden State ranks 16th in the NBA in point differential per game (+0.3) so far this season. According to my metrics, they have the #7 offense (1.05 PPS) and #27 defense (1.04 PPS) in terms of efficiency. Relative to winning the position battle, they have the 18th-best rebounding differential per game (-0.4) and the 15th-best turnover differential per game (+0.3).
Verdict: Pretender
17. Hawks (23-26)
Atlanta ranks 17th in the NBA in point differential per game (+0.3) so far this season. According to my metrics, they have the #11 offense (1.03 PPS) and #8 defense (1.01 PPS) in terms of efficiency. Relative to winning the position battle, they have the 27th-best rebounding differential per game (-5.5) and the 3rd-best turnover differential per game (+2.0).
Verdict: Pretender
1. Thunder (34-9)
OKC ranks 1st in the NBA in point differential per game (+12.2) so far this season. According to my metrics, they have the #1 offense (1.09 PPS) and #16 defense (1.03 PPS) in terms of efficiency. Relative to winning the position battle, they have the 9th-best rebounding differential per game (+2.6) and the best turnover differential per game (+4.0).
Verdict: Contender
2. Heat (32-9)
Miami ranks 2nd in the NBA in point differential per game (+10.7) so far this season. According to my metrics, they have the #2 offense (1.08 PPS) and #1 defense (0.96 PPS) in terms of efficiency. Relative to winning the position battle, they have the 3rd-best rebounding differential per game (+4.5) and the 18th-best turnover differential per game (0.0).
Verdict: Contender
3. Suns (29-13)
Phoenix ranks 3rd in the NBA in point differential per game (+8.5) so far this season. According to my metrics, they have the #5 offense (1.05 PPS) and #4 defense (0.99 PPS) in terms of efficiency. Relative to winning the position battle, they have the 7th-best rebounding differential per game (+3.3) and the 7th-best turnover differential per game (+1.4).
Verdict: Contender
4. Celtics (37-17)
Boston ranks 4th in the NBA in point differential per game (+7.3) so far this season. According to my metrics, they have the #4 offense (1.06 PPS) and #3 defense (0.99 PPS) in terms of efficiency. Relative to winning the position battle, they have the 11th-best rebounding differential per game (+2.3) and the 16th-best turnover differential per game (+0.1).
Verdict: Contender
5. Nets (34-17)
New Jersey ranks 5th in the NBA in point differential per game (+5.6) so far this season. According to my metrics, they have the #6 offense (1.05 PPS) and #17 defense (1.03 PPS) in terms of efficiency. Relative to winning the position battle, they have the 13th-best rebounding differential per game (+1.2) and the 2nd-best turnover differential per game (+2.3).
Verdict: Contender
6. Pelicans (33-17)
New Orleans ranks 6th in the NBA in point differential per game (+5.0) so far this season. According to my metrics, they have the #13 offense (1.03 PPS) and #6 defense (1.00 PPS) in terms of efficiency. Relative to winning the position battle, they have the 10th-best rebounding differential per game (+2.3) and the 10th-best turnover differential per game (+0.7).
Verdict: Pretender
7. Timberwolves (27-19)
Minnesota ranks 7th in the NBA in point differential per game (+3.4) so far this season. According to my metrics, they have the #14 offense (1.03 PPS) and #11 defense (1.02 PPS) in terms of efficiency. Relative to winning the position battle, they have the 12th-best rebounding differential per game (+1.7) and the 6th-best turnover differential per game (+1.5).
Verdict: Pretender
8. Lakers (27-19)
LAL ranks 8th in the NBA in point differential per game (+2.0) so far this season. According to my metrics, they have the #9 offense (1.04 PPS) and #10 defense (1.02 PPS) in terms of efficiency. Relative to winning the position battle, they have the 23rd-best rebounding differential per game (-2.6) and the 8th-best turnover differential per game (+1.2).
Verdict: Pretender
9. Grizzlies (28-22)
Memphis ranks 9th in the NBA in point differential per game (+4.0) so far this season. According to my metrics, they have the #3 offense (1.06 PPS) and #26 defense (1.04 PPS) in terms of efficiency. Relative to winning the position battle, they have the 19th-best rebounding differential per game (-0.8) and the 4th-best turnover differential per game (+1.9).
Verdict: Pretender
10. Rockets (25-20)
Houston ranks 10th in the NBA in point differential per game (+3.8) so far this season. According to my metrics, they have the #18 offense (1.01 PPS) and #9 defense (1.01 PPS) in terms of efficiency. Relative to winning the position battle, they have the 14th-best rebounding differential per game (+1.1) and the 5th-best turnover differential per game (+1.8).
Verdict: Pretender
11. Wizards (24-21)
Washington ranks 11th in the NBA in point differential per game (+0.5) so far this season. According to my metrics, they have the #8 offense (1.04 PPS) and #23 defense (1.04 PPS) in terms of efficiency. Relative to winning the position battle, they have the 20th-best rebounding differential per game (-0.9) and the 18th-best turnover differential per game (0.0).
Verdict: Pretender
12. Bulls (24-22)
Chicago ranks 12th in the NBA in point differential per game (+1.8) so far this season. According to my metrics, they have the #12 offense (1.03 PPS) and #7 defense (1.01 PPS) in terms of efficiency. Relative to winning the position battle, they have the 17th-best rebounding differential per game (-0.3) and the 12th-best turnover differential per game (+0.6).
Verdict: Pretender
13. Pistons (24-22)
Detroit ranks 13th in the NBA in point differential per game (+1.5) so far this season. According to my metrics, they have the #26 offense (0.99 PPS) and #19 defense (1.03 PPS) in terms of efficiency. Relative to winning the position battle, they have the 2nd-best rebounding differential per game (+4.8) and the 9th-best turnover differential per game (+0.8).
Verdict: Pretender
14. Pacers (24-24)
Indiana ranks 14th in the NBA in point differential per game (+0.4) so far this season. According to my metrics, they have the #21 offense (1.00 PPS) and #12 defense (1.02 PPS) in terms of efficiency. Relative to winning the position battle, they have the 4th-best rebounding differential per game (+4.3) and the 21st-best turnover differential per game (-0.7).
Verdict: Pretender
15. Magic (21-22)
Orlando ranks 15th in the NBA in point differential per game (+0.6) so far this season. According to my metrics, they have the #16 offense (1.02 PPS) and #2 defense (0.99 PPS) in terms of efficiency. Relative to winning the position battle, they have the 25th-best rebounding differential per game (-4.1) and the 11th-best turnover differential per game (+0.7).
Verdict: Pretender
16. Warriors (24-27)
Golden State ranks 16th in the NBA in point differential per game (+0.3) so far this season. According to my metrics, they have the #7 offense (1.05 PPS) and #27 defense (1.04 PPS) in terms of efficiency. Relative to winning the position battle, they have the 18th-best rebounding differential per game (-0.4) and the 15th-best turnover differential per game (+0.3).
Verdict: Pretender
17. Hawks (23-26)
Atlanta ranks 17th in the NBA in point differential per game (+0.3) so far this season. According to my metrics, they have the #11 offense (1.03 PPS) and #8 defense (1.01 PPS) in terms of efficiency. Relative to winning the position battle, they have the 27th-best rebounding differential per game (-5.5) and the 3rd-best turnover differential per game (+2.0).
Verdict: Pretender