NBA Power Rankings, Week 9

As Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry continues his pursuit of Ray Allen’s all-time 3-point report — Curry is presently six behind the mark — we’re presenting our newest NBA Energy Rankings with a concentrate on the deep ball.

Which gamers are on tempo to change into their groups’ chief in 3s? Which franchises’ marks may very well be untouchable? Which Corridor of Famers are subsequent to get handed on the all-time checklist?

As for our newest rankings, the league has a brand new No. 1 group: the Phoenix Suns, who enter this week with the NBA’s finest report at 21-4, following the Warriors’ loss Saturday evening in opposition to the Philadelphia 76ers. Phoenix has gained 20 of its previous 21 video games and leads a trio of groups — Golden State and the Utah Jazz are the others — which have separated themselves from the pack within the Western Convention.

Within the Jap Convention, the Brooklyn Nets nonetheless lead, however the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks are proper on their heels. Giannis Antetokounmpo & Co. have gained 12 of their previous 14 contests.

Be aware: All through the common season, our panel (Tim Bontemps, Jamal Collier, Nick Friedell, Andrew Lopez, Tim MacMahon, Dave McMenamin and Ohm Youngmisuk) is rating all 30 groups from high to backside, taking inventory of which groups are enjoying one of the best basketball now and which groups are wanting most like title contenders. Stats offered by ESPN Stats & Data analysis.

1. Phoenix Suns
2021-22 report: 21-4
Earlier rating: 2
Franchise 3-point chief: Steve Nash (1,051)

Whereas it is unlikely to occur by the top of this season, Devin Booker is on tempo to change into the Suns’ profession chief in 3-point subject targets by the end of the 2022-23 season. Booker, who handed Dan Majerle for second place on the checklist within the Suns’ third sport of the season, remains to be 206 behind Steve Nash for the highest spot. — Lopez

This week: @LAC, @POR, WAS, CHA

2. Golden State Warriors
2021-22 report: 21-5
Earlier rating: 1
Franchise 3-point chief: Stephen Curry (2,967)

Steph Curry is seven 3s away from eclipsing Ray Allen’s all-time 3-point report. Klay Thompson is anticipated again within the subsequent few weeks after 2½ years away. The continuing shock for the Warriors is the continued enchancment of guard Jordan Poole. The College of Michigan product is capturing 42.7% from past the arc over his previous 10 video games and is averaging 19.3 factors over that stretch whereas filling in for Thompson. — Friedell

This week: @IND, @NY, @BOS, @TOR

3. Utah Jazz
2021-22 report: 19-7
Earlier rating: 6
Franchise 3-point chief: Joe Ingles (1,045)

Joe Ingles broke John Stockton‘s all-time franchise report for 3s made final season, however Ingles might be simply holding the spot heat for Donovan Mitchell. Ingles has made 1,045 3s in his profession, all in a Jazz uniform, solely 237 greater than Mitchell. Mitchell (82 3s this season) is also on tempo to shatter Utah’s single-season report for 3s, a mark set by Jordan Clarkson (208) final season. — MacMahon

This week: LAC, SA, WAS

4. Brooklyn Nets
2021-22 report: 19-8
Earlier rating: 3
Franchise 3-point chief: Joe Harris (842)

There’s understandably been loads of consideration paid to Stephen Curry’s pursuit of the all-time report, however James Harden is not far behind him. Harden is 51 treys behind Reggie Miller for third all time, a milestone he ought to lock up earlier than the All-Star break. — Bontemps

This week: TOR, PHI, ORL, DEN

5. Milwaukee Bucks
2021-22 report: 18-10
Earlier rating: 5
Franchise 3-point chief: Khris Middleton (1,086)

Ray Allen already had one among his 3-point data damaged earlier within the season, when Khris Middleton broke his Bucks franchise report for many made 3-pointers. Allen did it in fewer video games (494) than Middleton (566), however that did not take away from the accomplishment of transferring previous one of many all-time nice sharpshooters. “To have the ability to break a report like that’s one thing you positively consider as a child,” Middleton mentioned after passing Allen. “Now, it is simply maintain attempting to develop on that checklist or transfer up on the NBA checklist.” — Collier

This week: @BOS, IND, @NO, CLE

6. Miami Heat
2021-22 report: 16-11
Earlier rating: 7
Franchise 3-point chief: Tim Hardaway (806)

The Warmth are giving up 13.7 3s a sport, which places them on tempo for his or her third straight season of yielding a minimum of 13 3-pointers per contest. Previous to the 2017-18 season, they hadn’t given up a mean of greater than 9 per sport. — Friedell

This week: @CLE, @PHI, @ORL, @DET

7. Chicago Bulls
2021-22 report: 17-10
Earlier rating: 4
Franchise 3-point chief: Kirk Hinrich (1,049)

It is solely Zach LaVine‘s fifth season with the Chicago Bulls, however earlier this yr, he handed Michael Jordan (555) on the franchise’s all-time 3-point checklist. If LaVine (625 profession 3s with the Bulls) produces comparable numbers from past the arc as in comparison with the previous three seasons, he’ll move Scottie Pippen (664) to maneuver as much as third on the franchise’s all-time checklist. However LaVine has a methods to go to get to Kirk Hinrich’s all-time mark. — Collier

This week: DET, @TOR, LAL

8. Philadelphia 76ers
2021-22 report: 15-12
Earlier rating: 9
Franchise 3-point chief: Allen Iverson (885)

Stephen Curry is ready to change into the NBA’s all-time 3-point chief, however he is not one of the best shooter — by share, anyway — in his circle of relatives. Seth Curry is a profession 44% shooter from deep as in comparison with 43.2% for his older brother. — Bontemps

This week: @MEM, MIA, @BKN, NO

9. Memphis Grizzlies
2021-22 report: 16-11
Earlier rating: 10
Franchise 3-point chief: Mike Conley (1,086)

Second-year wing Desmond Bane (71 3s this season) may find yourself rewriting Memphis’ 3-point report e-book. He’s on tempo to interrupt Mike Miller‘s mark for many 3s made in a season (202). Bane has already established himself as a core participant for the Grizzlies, so he’ll possible spend a number of seasons in Memphis. That makes Bane, who has shot 42% from deep in 94 profession video games, a menace to interrupt Mike Conley’s profession group report. — MacMahon

This week: PHI, @POR, @SAC, POR

10. Cleveland Cavaliers
2021-22 report: 16-12
Earlier rating: 15
Franchise 3-point chief: LeBron James (1,251)

Cleveland, the most important shock success story of the NBA season, is averaging 12 3s per sport, which places it sixteenth within the league. To place that in perspective, the Cavs group that gained the championship in 2016 solely averaged 10.7 3s per sport within the common season en path to the one title in franchise historical past. — McMenamin

This week: MIA, HOU, @MIL, @ATL

11. Washington Wizards
2021-22 report: 15-12
Earlier rating: 8
Franchise 3-point chief: Bradley Beal (1,406)

There is likely to be fewer 3-pointers hoisted in upcoming Wizards video games. Kyle Kuzma, who led the group in getting up 5.8 3-point makes an attempt per sport and lately made the game-winner in opposition to Detroit, entered well being and security protocols on Saturday. The Wizards already common the fewest 3-pointers made per sport (10.1) within the league, however Wes Unseld Jr.’s protection is also permitting a league-low 10.2 3-pointers per sport this season. — Youngmisuk

This week: @DEN, @SAC, @PHX, @UTAH

12. LA Clippers
2021-22 report: 15-12
Earlier rating: 16
Franchise 3-point chief: Eric Piatkowski (738)

Paul George missed two video games final week on account of an elbow harm, however the Clippers had been nonetheless in a position to put collectively a three-game profitable streak on account of massive video games from Brandon Boston Jr. and Reggie Jackson. Previous to George’s absence, the Clippers’ star swingman was averaging 3.1 made 3-pointers per sport. That’s on tempo to interrupt Eric Piatkowski’s franchise report someday subsequent season in what might be George’s fourth marketing campaign with the Clippers. — Youngmisuk

This week: PHX, @UTAH, @OKC

13. Los Angeles Lakers
2021-22 report: 15-13
Earlier rating: 18
Franchise 3-point chief: Kobe Bryant (1,827)

LeBron James has come on as a 3-point shooter late in his profession, a lot in order that with 2,023 makes, James is knocking on the door for high 10 all time within the class. James is eleventh, 86 makes behind Damian Lillard and in vary of previous nemesis Paul Pierce, who’s ninth with 2,143.— McMenamin

This week: @DAL, @MIN, @CHI

14. Charlotte Hornets
2021-22 report: 15-13
Earlier rating: 13
Franchise 3-point chief: Kemba Walker (1,283)

Kelly Oubre Jr. is averaging 26.4 factors a sport up to now this month and has offered offensive stability for a Charlotte group that has been coping with a number of COVID-19 protocol-related absences. The distinction for Oubre this season is that he has been significantly better from lengthy vary. Oubre is capturing 38.6% from deep with the Hornets as in comparison with the ice-cold 31.6% he shot final season with the Warriors. — Friedell

This week: @DAL, @SA, @POR, @PHX

15. Atlanta Hawks
2021-22 report: 13-13
Earlier rating: 12
Franchise 3-point chief: Mookie Blaylock (1,050)

Possibly one participant who can catch Steph Curry is Atlanta’s Trae Young. By means of 230 profession video games, Younger has hit 568 3-pointers on 1,631 makes an attempt. By means of Curry’s first 230 video games, he hit 527 treys, albeit on 1,191 makes an attempt. — Lopez

This week: HOU, @ORL, DEN, CLE

16. Denver Nuggets
2021-22 report: 13-13
Earlier rating: 17
Franchise 3-point chief: JR Smith (768)

It nonetheless stays to be seen when Jamal Murray will return from his ACL surgical procedure, however he continues to rehab and shoot. When the Nuggets star level guard is again, he’ll resume his pursuit of turning into the franchise’s all-time 3-point shooter. Whereas Will Barton handed Murray for second on the group’s checklist earlier this season, Murray is 96 treys away from breaking JR Smith’s group report. — Youngmisuk

This week: WAS, MIN, @ATL, @BKN

17. Boston Celtics
2021-22 report: 13-14
Earlier rating: 11
Franchise 3-point chief: Paul Pierce (1,823)

Each Jayson Tatum (fifth) and Marcus Smart (fourth) have an opportunity to maneuver previous Ray Allen on Boston’s all-time 3-point makes checklist — with Tatum, presently 42 behind Good, prone to wind up forward of each of them by season’s finish. — Bontemps

This week: MIL, GS, NY

18. Dallas Mavericks
2021-22 report: 13-13
Earlier rating: 14
Franchise 3-point chief: Dirk Nowitzki (1,982)

This is a rarity: The Mavs’ single-season report for made 3s was set earlier than the flip of the century. George McCloud nonetheless holds it with the 257 that he hit in 1995-96, when solely 4 gamers within the league made greater than 200 3s. Tim Hardaway Jr. is the one different participant in franchise historical past to hit greater than 200 3s in a season, having accomplished it twice. — MacMahon

This week: CHA, LAL, @MIN

19. Toronto Raptors
2021-22 report: 12-14
Earlier rating: 22
Franchise 3-point chief: Kyle Lowry (1,518)

Fred VanVleet (632) ought to move Morris Peterson for second on Toronto’s all-time checklist this season, however VanVleet remains to be not going to be wherever close to Kyle Lowry’s franchise report. — Bontemps

This week: SAC, @BKN, CHI, GS

20. Minnesota Timberwolves
2021-22 report: 12-15
Earlier rating: 19
Franchise 3-point chief: Karl-Anthony Towns (692)

Karl-Anthony Cities has already made his stamp in Minnesota’s report e-book, holding the highest mark for 3-point makes an attempt and makes in Timberwolves historical past, regardless of rating solely seventh in video games performed. Curiously, second-year ahead Anthony Edwards is already within the group’s high 10 in 3-point makes an attempt, an indication of the fashionable NBA. — Collier

This week: @DEN, LAL, DAL

21. New York Knicks
2021-22 report: 12-15
Earlier rating: 20
Franchise 3-point chief: John Starks (982)

New York has struggled defensively — an oddity for a Tom Thibodeau group — and opponent 3-point capturing is enjoying an element, because the Knicks are among the many backside 10 groups within the league in opposing 3-pointers made and tried this season. — Bontemps

This week: GS, @HOU, @BOS

22. Portland Trail Blazers
2021-22 report: 11-16
Earlier rating: 21
Franchise 3-point chief: Damian Lillard (2,109)

Damian Lillard missed 5 straight video games on account of a decrease belly harm earlier than returning on Sunday. The Blazers desperately wanted him after dropping CJ McCollum indefinitely with a collapsed lung. Portland’s season has been a large number up to now, however a more healthy Lillard may quickly surpass a Corridor of Famer on the all-time 3-pointers checklist: After Sunday, he’s 35 3s away from eclipsing Paul Pierce for ninth place. — Youngmisuk — Youngmisuk

This week: PHX, MEM, CHA, @MEM

23. San Antonio Spurs
2021-22 report: 10-16
Earlier rating: 23
Franchise 3-point chief: Manu Ginobili (1,495)

How a lot has the league modified prior to now decade or so? The Spurs are final this season with 29.0 3-point makes an attempt per sport. Additionally they had been final a season in the past with 28.4 makes an attempt. Each numbers would have led by a large margin over the Rockets’ league-leading 26.6 makes an attempt from the 2013-14 season. — Lopez

This week: CHA, @UTAH, @SAC

24. Indiana Pacers
2021-22 report: 12-16
Earlier rating: 24
Franchise 3-point chief: Reggie Miller (2,560)

Reggie Miller’s franchise mark is in no hazard of falling. Indiana’s closest lively menace is Myles Turner, who presently sits 2,180 3-pointers from passing the Corridor of Fame sharpshooter. — Collier

This week: GS, @MIL, DET

25. Sacramento Kings
2021-22 report: 11-16
Earlier rating: 25
Franchise 3-point chief: Buddy Hield (1,160)

Peja Stojakovic was a member of the Kings’ entrance workplace when Sacramento traded with New Orleans for Buddy Hield throughout his rookie marketing campaign in 2017. 5 seasons later, Hield surpassed Stojakovic — who has since stepped down because the Kings’ assistant normal supervisor — because the franchise’s all-time chief in 3-point makes in his time with the Kings. — McMenamin

This week: @TOR, WAS, MEM, SA

26. Houston Rockets
2021-22 report: 8-18
Earlier rating: 26
Franchise 3-point chief: James Harden (2,029)

James Harden may maintain Houston’s profession 3-point report ceaselessly. “The Beard,” whose step-back 3 grew to become one of many league’s most deadly weapons throughout his Houston tenure, made greater than 2,000 3s in a Rockets uniform. Eric Gordon ranks second with 896. — MacMahon

This week: @ATL, @CLE, NY, @DET

27. New Orleans Pelicans
2021-22 report: 8-21
Earlier rating: 27
Franchise 3-point chief: Jrue Holiday (628)

Pelicans heart Jonas Valanciunas is capturing 46.3% on 3-pointers this season. If he holds that share for the remainder of the season, it will be the very best for a participant listed at 6-foot-11 or taller for an NBA season that qualifies for the league lead. The present finest mark is held by Troy Murphy, who hit 45% of his 3-pointers for Indiana within the 2008-09 season. — Lopez

This week: @OKC, MIL, @PHI

28. Oklahoma City Thunder
2021-22 report: 8-18
Earlier rating: 29
Franchise 3-point chief: Kevin Durant (1,143)

The Thunder are permitting 14.6 made 3s per sport, which is on tempo to be the second most in NBA historical past for a season, in response to ESPN Stats & Data knowledge. Oklahoma Metropolis additionally ranks final within the league in 3-point share (.307). That is the sort of mixture prone to result in a excessive lottery choose. — MacMahon

This week: NO, LAC

29. Orlando Magic
2021-22 report: 5-23
Earlier rating: 28
Franchise 3-point chief: Dennis Scott (981)

Cole Anthony‘s improved play this season is due partially to his strong long-range capturing. The second-year guard got here into Sunday’s contest capturing 41.7% from past the arc this month, and he continues to look extra snug on the ground for the rebuilding group. After capturing 33.7% from distance final season, Anthony has kicked that as much as 37.7% up to now this marketing campaign. — Friedell

This week: ATL, MIA, @BKN

30. Detroit Pistons
2021-22 report: 4-22
Earlier rating: 30
Franchise 3-point chief: Joe Dumars (990)

The Pistons have been an abysmal 3-point capturing group this season. They rank twenty ninth within the NBA in 3-point share, barely forward of the Thunder for final within the league, and the Pistons already set a report for futility earlier this season. Detroit went 8-for-47 (17%) from 3 throughout a sport in opposition to the Bucks; no different group in NBA historical past has shot so many 3s whereas making so few. — Collier

This week: @CHI, @IND, HOU, MIA