NBA Tier List: In a parity-filled league, Warriors and Suns stand out

With the exception of the Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns – the two clear leaders of the pack – there hasn’t been a ton of separation elsewhere around the league.

As an example, the Brooklyn Nets, owners of the league’s third-best record are only 4.0 games better than the Denver Nuggets, who are in a steep slide and have only the 21st-best record in the NBA.

Historically, this kind of parity hasn’t been too common in the NBA. While it makes it more difficult to determine who among the middle of the pack is for real or not, it’s also likely made for a better overall on-court product here during the regular season.

Whether or not this kind of parity is actually good for the post-season is still to be determined, but right now, with seemingly any team just as likely to beat anyone on any night, it’s made the league quite fun to watch.

Tier 1: Waiting for Tuesday

As mentioned off the top, the Warriors and Suns are the exception to the rule this season as they’ve been absolutely dominant.

The Dubs have lost just twice this season and the Suns, with only three losses, are riding a ridiculous 16-game win streak with a chance to match a franchise-best 17-straight victories on Tuesday with an encounter against the Warriors. A matchup that will be appointment viewing for just about any NBA fan.

Tier 2: Here come the Bucks

Don’t look now but after a bit of a rough start dealing with some injuries the defending champions, Milwaukee Bucks, have racked off seven straight wins and are rounding into form again with Giannis Antetokounmpo once again playing like an MVP candidate.

Admittedly, the competition the Bucks have seen during this streak hasn’t been the greatest. But with encounters this week against the Charlotte Hornets and Miami Heat, we’ll likely get a better understanding of how good Milwaukee really is.

Tier 3: Timberwolves turning around at last?

Here‘s something you likely haven’t heard in a while: The Minnesota Timberwolves have won six of their last seven games and sport a top-10 defence in the league right now.

The T-Wolves picked up their latest victory in thrilling fashion, outlasting a 42-point effort from Joel Embiid, who had just returned to the Philadelphia 76ers lineup from COVID-19 protocols, in double-overtime, thanks to huge performances from D’Angelo Russell and Karl-Anthony Towns.

Those two, along with super sophomore Anthony Edwards – who has become one of the NBA’s most exciting players to watch – appear to be forming a good, young core that Minnesota might finally be able to build around.

Tier 4: Denver heading downwards

As much as injuries have derailed the Toronto Raptors’ season, they were never entering the season as a championship contender.

The Denver Nuggets, on the other hand, had high hopes and they could all be dashed away because the injury bug has been particularly cruel with last season’s MVP Nikola Jokic, Michael Porter Jr. and, of course, Jamal Murray all out of the lineup now, Denver has lost six straight. It is likely more losses are on the way unless one of these three – most likely Jokic – can return to the lineup.

Tier 5: Rockets look to be heading towards more drama

It’s been reported that five-time All-Star John Wall would like to play again after initially saying he was fine with sitting out the season until a trade could be made to get him into a better situation for him competitively.

This should’ve been good news for the Rockets, but, unfortunately, there could be tensions building between Wall and the Rockets. Wall allegedly wants to start and Houston, understandably, would prefer he come off the bench to allow Kevin Porter Jr. and other youngsters get valuable reps as the team looks to rebuild.

Something has to give in this situation and, hopefully, it all ends amicably, but given the Rockets’ recent history with max-level players asking for things, chances are there could be more drama on the horizon in Houston.

 

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