NBA Power Rankings: Warriors Still First

Now that the Golden State Warriors have lost, the question in this space becomes whether or not there's a legit argument to be made for the Warriors not being No. 1. On the surface, it looks absurd. The Warriors have one loss -- ONE LOSS -- this season. The San Antonio Spurs have five times that, and have as many losses this week as the Warriors do.

However, consider that in the past 15 games, the Spurs have a better net point differential per 100 possessions, while the Warriors' defense has been just 12th in the league in that span. The Spurs have three losses in their last 15, but the Warriors also struggled with teams like the Nets and Raptors, before the double-overtime win over Boston which led to their stumble vs. the Bucks on the back to back.

The Spurs, meanwhile, have played more consistently, game to game, and their losses have come in single-possession games. Still, the Warriors still found ways to win, so they hold on this week. But the debate is there, and honestly? You can consider them tied at the top.


1) The Warriors are the best team in the league and I have every expectation that they'll rattle off another 24 straight. Seventy-three wins is in play. You can make the argument that the Spurs have played better as of late, but the Warriors still have just one loss and have destroyed enough teams (like the Pacers and Hornets this week) to keep them at the top. It is awful close, though.

2) The Spurs are four games back of the Warriors. The Warriors won 24 straight games, and the Spurs are only four games back. The Warriors having the longest streak to start a season and the second-longest streak (across seasons because apparently we care about that) in NBA history, and the Spurs could still very realistically get the No. 1 seed. That's just disgusting.

3) They've won two straight, but their performance against the Magic in Iman Shumpert's first game back, combined with the impending return of Kyrie Irving has me confident enough to put them here. The win over Orlando Friday was a game where they absolutely put the hammer down and proved a point for the first time in weeks. Could we actually be getting the Cavs at a top level before the Christmas matchup?

4) In the last 10 games, the Thunder are 26 points per 100 possessions better with Russell Westbrook on the floor vs. off, and Kevin Durant is averaging 26.6 points along with 8.5 rebounds and 5.2 assists while shooting 56 percent from the field and 44 percent from 3-point range. Run. For your lives.

5) Pushed the Warriors to double OT, then beat the very-good Hornets on the back to back. If you ask me how they're doing this, other than A. defense and B. Brad Stevens has uncovered some sort of secret book of spells, I have no idea. Jared Sullinger is shooting terribly and has an incredible net rating. Nothing makes sense, but the Celtics are a top team in the East.