It comes as no surprise, but the Golden State Warriors start the season on top of the TSN.ca NBA Power Rankings.
Even though the Warriors coughed up a 3-1 series lead in the Final against Cleveland, they were a record-setting team last year, winning 73 games, and went out and added Kevin Durant, one of the top handful of players in the league. It's hard to imagine a team more prohibitively favoured at the start of a season, so that's where the Warriors sit -- in pole position with the rest of the league trying to figure out how to catch up.
Following the Warriors, the San Antonio Spurs and Cleveland Cavaliers feel like other legitimate title contenders, and then it's another tier down to the next group, which includes the Los Angeles Clippers, Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics.
It's going to be fun to watch the Warriors work this year, and just as fun to see if any challengers can reel them in.
LA Clippers
Record: This Week 4 Last Week: -
-
PPG
104.5
-
PAPG
100.2
-
DIFF
+4.3
-
FG%
.465
-
OPP FG%
.434
Having PG Chris Paul and PF Blake Griffin gives the Clippers a chance to contend, and they've added to the supporting cast with the likes of C Marreese Speights, PF Brandon Bass, SF Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, but none of those guys are difference-makers, which leaves the Clippers as a good team, but probably not good enough.
Key Injuries: SF Paul Pierce (ankle).
Toronto Raptors
Record: This Week: 5 Last Week: -
-
PPG
102.7
-
PAPG
98.2
-
DIFF
+4.5
-
FG%
.451
-
OPP FG%
.444
Toronto's big offseason addition was power forward Jared Sullinger and he's out indefinitely with a broken foot, so the Raptors will need some internal improvement, whether that comes from a healthy SF DeMarre Carroll, or young players like C Lucas Noguiera, SG Norman Powell as well as rookies PF Pascal Siakam and C Jakub Poeltl. DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry drive play for the Raptors and C Jonas Valanciunas can be an impact player but, as close as the Raptors were last year, reaching the Eastern Conference Final, they need to find ways to get better if they are going to have a shot to advance further.
Key Injuries: PF Jared Sullinger (foot).
Houston Rockets
Record: This Week: 12 Last Week: -
-
PPG
106.5
-
PAPG
106.4
-
DIFF
+0.1
-
FG%
.452
-
OPP FG%
.459
These are new-look Rockets, starting with star SG James Harden, who showed up in-shape this year. But, SG Eric Gordon, PF Ryan Anderson and C Nene shake-up the rotation, and Clint Capela gets a chance to take over at centre. With Patrick Beverley underdoing knee surgery, there could be a nice role for Canadian PG Tyler Ennis right from the start of the season.
Key Injuries: PG Patrick Beverley (knee).
Washington Wizards
Record: This Week: 15 Last Week: -
-
PPG
104.1
-
PAPG
104.6
-
DIFF
-0.5
-
FG%
.460
-
OPP FG%
.462
While the Wizards have continuity in the starting five, their bench looks dramatically different, with wings Kelly Oubre Jr. and Tomas Satoransky taking on more significant roles. The Wizards also brought in PG Trey Burke, from Utah, C Ian Mahinmi, from Indiana, and power forwards Jason Smith and (Canadian) Andrew Nicholson, from Orlando. That bench is different, but will they be better?
Key Injuries: None.
Memphis Grizzlies
Record: This Week: 17 Last Week: -
-
PPG
99.1
-
PAPG
101.3
-
DIFF
-2.2
-
FG%
.440
-
OPP FG%
.456
There is a familiar core -- PG Mike Conley, SG Tony Allen, C Marc Gasol and PF Zach Randolph and SF Vince Carter are coming off the bench, which might not be enough to get them to the postseason, but if F Chandler Parsons can play at least semi-regularly and PF JaMychal Green takes a step forward, maybe the Grizz get in.
Key Injuries: PF Brandan Wright (ankle), F Chandler Parsons (knee).
Dallas Mavericks
Record: This Week: 18 Last Week: -
-
PPG
102.3
-
PAPG
102.6
-
DIFF
-0.3
-
FG%
.444
-
OPP FG%
.451
Dallas' starting lineup, which includes PF Dirk Nowitzki, C Andrew Bogut and PG Deron Williams -- is long in the tooth, and will need big years from wings Harrison Barnes and Wesley Matthews. More interesting, perhaps, is the bench, where (Canadian) PF Dwight Powell and SG Seth Curry could emerge as significant parts of the rotation. As is, though, a lot will need to break right for the Mavs to get to the playoffs.
Key Injuries: PG Devin Harris (foot).
Orlando Magic
Record: This Week: 22 Last Week: -
-
PPG
102.1
-
PAPG
103.7
-
DIFF
-1.6
-
FG%
.455
-
OPP FG%
.460
The Magic have upgraded their frontcourt, adding C Bismack Biyombo, PF Serge Ibaka and F Jeff Green, yet they seem a tad big, with Aaron Gordon shifting to small forward, and that's not really the trend in the Association right now. That being the case, can the starting backcourt, PG Elfrid Payton and SG Evan Fournier, carry the perimeter game enough for the Magic to be competitive?
Key Injuries: None.
Philadelphia 76ers
Record: This Week: 29 Last Week: -
-
PPG
97.4
-
PAPG
107.6
-
DIFF
-10.2
-
FG%
.414
-
OPP FG%
.473
The Sixers' process seems to be a perpetual rebuild, because even when they land a top pick like Ben Simmons, he suffers a long-term foot injury that will likely undo any real hopes for this season. PF Nerlens Noel is hurt too, though that might open up playing time in the frontcourt because the one positive for Philadelphia is that C Joel Embiid, the third pick in 2014, appears ready to play, after a mere couple of seasons on the shelf.
Key Injuries: G Jerryd Bayless (wrist), PF Nerlens Noel (groin), SF Ben Simmons (foot)