[ESPN] NBA 实力排行榜：30 支球队实力对比

阿拉莫议事厅
1

By NBA Insiders | ESPN, 2024-12-11 21:00:00

由生成式人工智能翻译，译文内容可能不准确或不完整，以原文为准。

Image

2024 年即将结束，但引人入胜的 2024-25 赛季 NBA 征程还远未结束。

在经历了赛季初的低迷之后，密尔沃基雄鹿队在东部联盟排名中强势反弹。泰瑞斯·哈利伯顿(Tyrese Haliburton)和印第安纳步行者队，在去年首届 NBA 杯赛中取得了前所未有的佳绩后，本赛季却在联盟排名中苦苦挣扎。

在西部，休斯顿火箭队和孟菲斯灰熊队正在展现他们的实力，追赶着领跑联盟的俄克拉荷马城雷霆队，后者似乎稳坐西部榜首。

除了每周的排名之外，我们的 NBA 内部人士还分析了所有 30 支球队在进攻或防守端面临的最大问题。从开局慢热到缺乏内线防守，以下是困扰各队攻防两端的难题。

注：球队排名基于我们专家小组成员（ESPN 的蒂姆·邦坦普斯(Tim Bontemps)、贾马尔·科利尔(Jamal Collier)、迈克尔·莱特(Michael Wright)、蒂姆·麦克马洪(Tim MacMahon)、戴夫·麦克梅纳明(Dave McMenamin)、奥姆·杨米斯克(Ohm Youngmisuk)、克里斯·赫林(Chris Herring)和凯文·佩尔顿(Kevin Pelton)）对球队本赛季实力的判断。

往期排名：季前赛 | 10月30日 | 11月5日 | 11月13日 | 11月20日 | 11月27日 | 12月4日

跳转到球队：
ATL | BOS | BKN | CHA | CHI | CLE
DAL | DEN | DET | GS | HOU | IND
LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN
NO | NY | OKC | ORL | PHI | PHX
POR | SAC | SA | TOR | UTAH | WAS

  1. 波士顿凯尔特人队
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 19胜5负
  • 上期排名： 1
  • 下场比赛： 对阵 DET (12月12日), @ WAS (12月15日)

最大问题： 提升防守水平

卫冕冠军、本赛季被视为夺冠热门的凯尔特人队似乎很难找到明显的缺陷，但他们能否在目前稳健但并不惊艳的防守表现上更进一步，将是一大看点。凯尔特人队目前的防守效率排名联盟第 10 位，远低于上赛季的第 2 位。克里斯塔普斯·波尔津吉斯(Kristaps Porzingis)的回归和状态提升应该会有所帮助。 – 蒂姆·邦坦普斯

  1. 克利夫兰骑士队
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 21胜4负
  • 上期排名： 2
  • 下场比赛： 对阵 WAS (12月13日), @ BKN (12月16日)

最大问题： 每场比赛的罚球次数

公平地说，一支拥有 21 胜 4 负战绩的健康球队唯一的问题就是必须等待四个月才能进入季后赛。然而，场均罚球次数仅为 20.6 次，排名联盟第 26 位，这至少在几个方面令人担忧。这可能意味着骑士队对内线的冲击不够，没有得到很好的哨子，或者两者兼而有之——这种组合可能会让季后赛的成功更加难以捉摸。 – 戴夫·麦克梅纳明

  1. 俄克拉荷马城雷霆队
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 19胜5负
  • 上期排名： 3

最大问题： 篮板球

俄克拉荷马城雷霆队的篮板率 (47.5%) 排名倒数第二，上赛季他们在这个类别中排名第 28 位。然而，在本赛季，有一个 7 英尺高的星号。自从以赛亚·哈尔滕施泰因(Isaiah Hartenstein)完成赛季首秀以来，雷霆队的篮板球表现一直处于平均水平。哈尔滕施泰因因手部骨折推迟了首秀，休赛期他与球队签下了一份三年 8700 万美元的合同，很大程度上是为了解决这个问题。在周二与独行侠队的NBA杯淘汰赛之前，哈尔滕施泰因在前八场比赛中场均抢下 12.8 个篮板。 – 蒂姆·麦克马洪

  1. 达拉斯独行侠队
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 16胜9负
  • 上期排名： 8

最大问题： 卢卡·东契奇(Luka Doncic)的慢热开局

尽管独行侠队的得分支柱之一表现令人失望，但他们仍然拥有联盟第四的进攻效率。独行侠队场均运球七次或七次以上的投篮次数为 14.1 次——联盟第三多——但这些投篮的有效命中率排名第 27 位 (42.9%)。相比之下，上赛季独行侠队在这个类别中排名第五 (52.9% 有效命中率)，当时他们场均有 15.1 次这样的投篮，领跑联盟。下降的主要原因是东契奇由于小腿挫伤缺席了整个训练营和季前赛，导致他的开局缓慢。他在这种投篮上的有效命中率是职业生涯最低的 41.0%，但自从休息了 10 天来治疗手腕扭伤并进行体能训练后，他的状态有所提升（四场比赛中有效命中率为 51.9%）。上赛季，东契奇在 683 次运球七次以上的投篮中，有效命中率为 56.7%，在至少 250 次出手的 28 名球员中排名第一。 – 麦克马洪

  1. 孟菲斯灰熊队
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 17胜8负
  • 上期排名： 5
  • 下场比赛： 对阵 BKN (12月13日), @ LAL (12月15日)

最大问题： 三分球

很难对一支过去 10 场比赛赢下 9 场的球队吹毛求疵，尤其是在客场刚刚终结了对阵波士顿的 10 连败之后。孟菲斯灰熊队的进攻和防守效率都排名前七。在进攻端，灰熊队的有效命中率 (56.1%) 是十年来的最佳水平。但在三分球方面，他们略微落后于联盟其他球队，截至周一的比赛，他们的三分球命中率排名第 17 位。如果德斯蒙德·贝恩(Desmond Bane) (32.3%) 能回到他的职业生涯平均水平 (41%)，那可要小心了。 – 迈克尔·莱特

  1. 休斯顿火箭队
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 16胜8负
  • 上期排名： 4
  • 下场比赛： 对阵 GS (12月11日)

进攻端最大问题： 投篮命中率低

休斯顿火箭队在防守端表现出色，但由于糟糕的投篮，他们的进攻效率排名第 16 位。火箭队的有效命中率 (50.3%) 排名第 27 位，但他们的救命稻草是进攻篮板。火箭队场均进攻篮板 (14.2 个) 排名联盟第一，弥补了他们的投篮失误。火箭队的首发后场弗雷德·范弗利特(Fred VanVleet)和杰伦·格林(Jalen Green)的投篮命中率都低于 40%，而且在过去的六场比赛中，对手在油漆区的得分都超过了火箭队。 – 莱特

  1. 纽约尼克斯队
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 15胜9负
  • 上期排名： 9
  • 下场比赛： 对阵 ATL (12月11日)

最大问题： 卡尔-安东尼·唐斯(Karl-Anthony Towns)防守端的慢热开局

唐斯的高阶防守数据最近几周有所改善，但他仍然让对手在篮筐附近的投篮命中率比他们的赛季平均水平高出 6.5 个百分点。在出战至少 15 场比赛并且每场比赛至少防守 4 次篮下出手的 NBA 中锋中，这是最差的数据。因此，值得关注的是，主教练汤姆·锡伯杜(Tom Thibodeau)让唐斯与普雷舍斯·阿丘瓦(Precious Achiuwa)一起出场的时间会有多长。阿丘瓦是替补中锋和护框者，最近从腿筋受伤中恢复后完成了赛季首秀。 – 克里斯·赫林

  1. 金州勇士队
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 14胜9负
  • 上期排名： 7
  • 下场比赛： @ HOU (12月11日)

最大问题： 平衡深度轮换

史蒂夫·科尔(Steve Kerr)一直在使用 11 到 12 人的轮换阵容，吹捧球队的阵容深度。但随着德安东尼·梅尔顿(De’Anthony Melton)赛季报销以及其他伤病导致关键球员缺席，科尔一直在进行试验，甚至在他们 12 胜 3 负的开局阶段将轮换阵容缩短至 10 人。也许最重要的是找到合适的阵容来最大限度地发挥乔纳森·库明加(Jonathan Kuminga)和巴迪·希尔德(Buddy Hield)的作用。勇士队让库明加首发，看看他是否能成为球队在斯蒂芬·库里(Stephen Curry)身边急需的得分手。科尔很想让德雷蒙德·格林(Draymond Green)在库明加身边打中锋，但他不想让格林在与更大号的中锋对抗时消耗太多体力，最终可能会选择让格林替补出场，让凯文·鲁尼(Kevon Looney)首发。此外，找到合适的阵容让希尔德的三分球再次 humming 起来也会大有帮助。 – 奥姆·杨米斯克

  1. 奥兰多魔术队
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 17胜10负
  • 上期排名： 6

最大问题： 三分球

在过去的九个赛季中，魔术队只有一次三分球命中率没有排在联盟倒数第七名之外，但今年联盟垫底的 31% 命中率将创下现代篮球的新低。（魔术队在 1989-90 赛季，即球队的首个赛季，三分球命中率为 29.5%。）魔术队原本以为新援肯塔维奥斯·考德威尔-波普(Kentavious Caldwell-Pope)会有所帮助，但他的三分球命中率只有 30%，创下职业生涯新低，而杰伦·萨格斯(Jalen Suggs)的三分球命中率也从上赛季的 40% 下滑至 32%。奥兰多魔术队最担心的是球员的腹斜肌健康问题。弗朗茨·瓦格纳(Franz Wagner)的腹斜肌拉伤与保罗·班切罗(Paolo Banchero)的伤势相同，这使得魔术队失去了他们的两名得分王。 – 凯文·佩尔顿

  1. 丹佛掘金队
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 12胜10负
  • 上期排名： 10
  • 下场比赛： 对阵 LAC (12月13日), @ SAC (12月16日)

最大问题： 外线防守

虽然掘金队在周日一场急需的胜利中将亚特兰大老鹰队的三分球命中率限制在 40 投 9 中，但掘金队的防守一直很糟糕。在过去五场失利的比赛中，掘金队每场都丢掉了 122 分或更多，包括在 11 月 25 日以 27 分的巨大差距输给尼克斯队，丢掉了 145 分。在前四场失利的比赛中，掘金队分别让对手投进了 16、22、18 和 19 个三分球，并且让当时已经 16 连败的华盛顿奇才队拿到了 122 分。当尼古拉·约基奇(Nikola Jokic)表示掘金队可能需要一种不同的激励方式时，情况就很糟糕了。“在我的国家，经过这样的连败之后，你的薪水会比你预期的要少一些，”约基奇在输给奇才队后说。“也许这就是我们现在需要做的。” – 杨米斯克

  1. 迈阿密热火队
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 12胜10负
  • 上期排名： 16
  • 下场比赛： 对阵 TOR (12月12日), @ DET (12月16日)

最大问题： 特里·罗齐尔(Terry Rozier)的效率

单独挑出他可能有点不公平，但自从 2023 年 1 月交易得到罗齐尔以来，事情并没有像热火队希望的那样发展。本赛季，当罗齐尔坐在替补席上时，热火队每百回合的得分要高出 7 分。随着罗齐尔替补出场，吉米·巴特勒(Jimmy Butler)在最近的比赛中更多地扮演了持球的角色。 – 邦坦普斯

  1. 洛杉矶快船队
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 14胜11负
  • 上期排名： 11
  • 下场比赛： @ DEN (12月13日), 对阵 UTAH (12月16日)

最大问题： 得分

快船队的防守非常出色，让他们几乎在每场比赛中都能保持竞争力。在进攻端，泰伦·卢(Ty Lue)将不得不找到足够的得分来赢得比赛。快船队本赛季场均得分 108.7 分，排名联盟倒数第七。除了詹姆斯·哈登(James Harden)、诺曼·鲍威尔(Norman Powell)和伊维察·祖巴茨(Ivica Zubac)之外，快船队必须找到更多的进攻火力，尤其是替补席上的球员。随着本赛季场均得分达到两位数的五名快船队球员之一德里克·琼斯二世(Derrick Jones Jr.)因腿筋受伤至少缺席两周，以及特伦斯·曼恩(Terance Mann)因手指受伤缺阵，快船队将需要像小凯文·波特(Kevin Porter Jr.)这样的球员提供更多进攻火力。 – 杨米斯克

  1. 密尔沃基雄鹿队
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 13胜11负
  • 上期排名： 14

最大问题： 外线防守

自从用朱·霍勒迪(Jrue Holiday)换来达米安·利拉德(Damian Lillard)之后，雄鹿队在过去的两个赛季里在防守外线方面都遇到了很大的挑战，而这些问题在本赛季更加突出。根据 ESPN 的研究，密尔沃基在 2 胜 8 负的开局阶段遇到的一个主要问题是对手如何攻击他们的后卫防守，迫使他们在这一阶段采用了联盟第四多的持球掩护。雄鹿队防守的关键是他们的后卫要提供一些阻力，让布鲁克·洛佩兹(Brook Lopez)和扬尼斯·阿德托昆博(Giannis Antetokounmpo)有机会保护篮筐。 – 贾马尔·科利尔

  1. 明尼苏达森林狼队
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 12胜11负
  • 上期排名： 17
  • 下场比赛： 对阵 LAL (12月13日), @ SA (12月15日)

最大问题： 鲁迪·戈贝尔(Rudy Gobert)不在场上的防守

当戈贝尔担任中锋时，森林狼队本赛季的防守仍然非常出色，当他在场上时，球队的防守效率为每百回合丢 107.5 分。但当这位四届最佳防守球员下场休息时，森林狼队的防守就会出现问题，每百回合丢 113.2 分。这相当于联盟第一的防守效率和平均水平的防守效率之间的差距。 – 科利尔

  1. 菲尼克斯太阳队
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 12胜11负
  • 上期排名： 12
  • 下场比赛： @ UTAH (12月13日), 对阵 POR (12月15日)

最大问题： 油漆区得分

菲尼克斯太阳队场均仅得到 15.3 分的油漆区得分，排名联盟第 27 位。这个数据令人沮丧，原因有很多，首先是中锋尤素夫·努尔基奇(Jusuf Nurkic)、梅森·普拉姆利(Mason Plumlee)和奥索·伊格霍达罗(Oso Ighodaro)在进攻端明显缺乏火力。也许最令人担忧的问题是，太阳队过于依赖凯文·杜兰特(Kevin Durant)、德文·布克(Devin Booker)和布拉德利·比尔(Bradley Beal)的跳投得分，如果他们不使投篮位置多样化，最终会更容易被防守。 – 麦克梅纳明

  1. 洛杉矶湖人队
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 13胜11负
  • 上期排名： 13
  • 下场比赛： @ MIN (12月13日), 对阵 MEM (12月15日)

最大问题： 对手快攻得分

困扰湖人的问题有很多，但整个赛季一直困扰他们的一个问题是，他们在转换进攻中很容易丢分。对手场均能从湖人队身上得到 15 个快攻得分——快攻失分比湖人队更多的只有三支球队（波特兰、犹他和新奥尔良），而这三支球队的胜率都远低于 50%。更糟糕的是，湖人队已经控制住了他们的失误——场均失误 12.5 次，排名联盟第 7——这意味着他们在防守端回防的速度不够快。 – 麦克梅纳明

  1. 亚特兰大老鹰队
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 13胜12负
  • 上期排名： 18
  • 下场比赛： @ NYK (12月11日), @ SA (12月19日)

最大问题： 外线防守

亚特兰大老鹰队在迫使对手在篮筐附近投篮失误方面略高于平均水平，将对手的命中率限制在比他们的赛季平均水平低一个百分点多一点。老鹰队也很乐意在外线防守方面达到平均水平。然而，他们在联盟中允许对手投进的三分球数量、三分球出手次数和对手三分球命中率都排名垫底——尽管新援戴森·丹尼尔斯(Dyson Daniels)是迄今为止联盟中最具破坏性的侧翼防守者之一。 – 赫林

  1. 圣安东尼奥马刺队
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 12胜12负
  • 上期排名： 15
  • 下场比赛： @ POR (12月13日), 对阵 MIN (12月15日)

最大问题： 慢热开局

圣安东尼奥马刺队的胜率为 50%。但你可以回顾一下他们 12 场失利中的 10 场，很快就会发现慢热开局对马刺队造成了毁灭性的影响。部分原因是由于德文·瓦塞尔(Devin Vassell)、杰里米·索汉(Jeremy Sochan)和维克多·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama)的伤病，马刺队仍然没有排出他们赛季初设想的首发阵容，导致阵容不稳定。但马刺队在 10 场比赛中都输掉了第一节，在第一节的 120 分钟比赛时间里，净效率值为 -31.4。这是马刺队意识到的问题，但还没有能够解决。 – 莱特

  1. 萨克拉门托国王队
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 12胜13负
  • 上期排名： 20
  • 下场比赛： @ NO (12月12日), 对阵 DEN (12月16日)

最大问题： 对手三分球

值得注意的是，只有雷霆队——联盟中最好的防守球队——场均允许对手的两分球出手次数比国王队少。这在一定程度上是故意的。由于缺乏强有力的护框者，国王队倾向于在对手突破时积极协防，导致联盟中最高的对手三分球出手占比——他们面对的所有投篮中有 46% 是三分球。对手的三分球命中率为 38%，联盟第二高，虽然这种情况通常不会持续下去，但国王队可能是个例外。在过去的四个赛季中，他们的对手三分球命中率都排在联盟倒数前五名。 – 佩尔顿

  1. 布鲁克林篮网队
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 10胜14负
  • 上期排名： 21
  • 下场比赛： @ MEM (12月13日), 对阵 CLE (12月16日)

最大问题： 油漆区内防守

没有哪支球队比篮网队更容易让对手通过投篮获得罚球机会，考虑到他们目前的战绩相对于季前赛人们预测他们将成为 2025 年状元签的热门竞争者来说，这是一个略令人惊讶的数据。篮网队让对手在 6 英尺以内的投篮命中率接近 67%，并列联盟第三高。（同样，或者更糟糕的是，篮网队允许对手的有效命中率是联盟最高的。）无法阻止对手在如此近的距离内得分，让布鲁克林篮网队经常在油漆区内犯规。 – 赫林

  1. 印第安纳步行者队
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 10胜15负
  • 上期排名： 19
  • 下场比赛： @ PHI (12月13日), 对阵 NO (12月15日)

最大问题： 哈利伯顿的进攻挣扎

步行者队上赛季一路杀入 NBA 杯赛和东部决赛，依靠的是他们充满活力的进攻，他们的进攻效率排名联盟第二，仅次于总冠军凯尔特人队。本赛季开赛至今，步行者队的进攻效率已经下降到第 19 位，这是这支步履蹒跚的印第安纳球队最大的不同之处。步行者队依靠的是哈利伯顿，他上赛季是联盟的突破球星之一，但今年他们没能复制出同样充满活力的进攻。简而言之，步行者队需要哈利伯顿打出像上赛季那样扛起球队进攻的表现。 – 科利尔

  1. 芝加哥公牛队
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 10胜15负
  • 上期排名： 23
  • 下场比赛： 对阵 CHA (12月13日), @ TOR (12月16日)

最大问题： 进攻发起点的防守

公牛队知道，当他们用他们最好的防守球员亚历克斯·卡鲁索(Alex Caruso)换来进攻至上的控球后卫约什·吉迪(Josh Giddey)时，他们将面临很多挑战。由于无法对持球人施加压力，他们的防守效率排名联盟第 27 位，这常常导致对手轻松突破到油漆区，尤其是前锋帕特里克·威廉姆斯(Patrick Williams)最近因脚伤缺阵。 – 科利尔

  1. 底特律活塞队
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 10胜15负
  • 上期排名： 22
  • 下场比赛： @ BOS (12月12日), 对阵 MIA (12月16日)

最大问题： 失误

对于一支主要控球手（后卫凯德·坎宁安(Cade Cunningham)和杰登·艾维(Jaden Ivey)）分别只有 23 岁和 22 岁的球队来说，这并不令人意外。坎宁安场均 4.7 次失误，在所有符合条件的球员中排名第一，而活塞队是五支拥有多名球员场均至少三次失误的球队之一。因此，活塞队的失误率排名联盟第三。这些失误限制了他们的进攻，他们的场均得分仍然排名联盟第 22 位。 – 佩尔顿

  1. 费城76人队
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 7胜15负
  • 上期排名： 27
  • 下场比赛： 对阵 IND (12月13日), @ CHA (12月16日)

最大问题： 缺乏球星驱动的进攻

这支球队最大的问题是健康。但从严格的场上角度来看，由于三分球命中率排名联盟第 28 位，球队的进攻效率排名第 27 位。一个简单的解决办法？球队的超级巨星必须投进他们的投篮。乔尔·恩比德(Joel Embiid)本赛季三分球 23 投仅 3 中，而泰瑞斯·马克西(Tyrese Maxey) (29.3%) 和保罗·乔治(Paul George) (31.2%) 的表现也很挣扎——对于一个人们在本赛季初对他们的进攻寄予厚望的三巨头来说，这可不是什么好兆头。 – 邦坦普斯

  1. 波特兰开拓者队
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 8胜16负
  • 上期排名： 24
  • 下场比赛： 对阵 SA (12月13日), @ PHX (12月15日)

最大问题： 防守篮板

开拓者队的问题很多，他们在攻防两端的四个因素中，有三个排在联盟倒数前十，但他们的防守篮板球排名垫底。在波特兰的主要首发球员中，只有中锋德安德烈·艾顿(Deandre Ayton)的防守篮板率高于联盟平均水平，而当艾顿不在场上时，开拓者队的防守篮板率会更低。在目前的四连败期间，波特兰的篮板球略有改善，但几乎没有投篮失误可以让他们抢篮板。在本月的四场失利中，对手的投篮命中率高达 53%，排名联盟第一。 – 佩尔顿

  1. 夏洛特黄蜂队
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 7胜17负
  • 上期排名： 26
  • 下场比赛： @ CHI (12月13日), 对阵 PHI (12月16日)

最大问题： 无法制造犯规

除了拉梅洛·鲍尔(LaMelo Ball)因小腿拉伤缺席比赛之外，黄蜂队最大的问题是球队在进攻端无法获得罚球机会。在罚球次数（以每场比赛的罚球次数或每次投篮的罚球次数来衡量）方面，没有哪支 NBA 球队的罚球率低于黄蜂队；考虑到黄蜂队的两分球命中率也排名垫底，这是一个残酷的现实。考虑到黄蜂队已经打了 16 场关键比赛（在最后五分钟内分差在五分以内），联盟最多，提高罚球线或三分线以内的效率对他们来说会有很大帮助。 – 赫林

  1. 多伦多猛龙队
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 7胜18负
  • 上期排名： 25
  • 下场比赛： @ MIA (12月12日), 对阵 CHI (12月16日)

最大问题： 三分球

猛龙队的整体挣扎在某种程度上是球队阵容重建计划的一部分。但随着球队的不断进步，有一件事需要关注，那就是他们能否提高他们的三分球出手占比。猛龙队场均三分球出手次数排名联盟第 29 位，只领先于掘金队——如果伊曼纽尔·奎克利(Immanuel Quickley)能够回归，这个数字自然会得到提升，本赛季他一直受到肘伤的困扰。 – 邦坦普斯

  1. 新奥尔良鹈鹕队
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 5胜20负
  • 上期排名： 29
  • 下场比赛： 对阵 SAC (12月12日), @ IND (12月15日)

最大问题： 内线防守的不稳定性

你可以将新奥尔良鹈鹕队的所有问题都归咎于伤病。但即使阵容完全健康，鹈鹕队能否避免目前在篮筐附近防守不稳定的问题，也不确定。是的，他们的转换防守和半场进攻都存在问题。但鹈鹕队的对手在油漆区的得分排名联盟第 29 位 (场均 54.7 分)。阵容构成与此有很大关系。主教练威利·格林(Willie Green)称赞了首发中锋伊夫·米西(Yves Missi)的努力。但米西只是一名身高 6 英尺 11 英寸，20 岁的菜鸟。在米西之后，鹈鹕队还有两名中锋，耶利米·罗宾逊-厄尔(Jeremiah Robinson-Earl)和丹尼尔·泰斯(Daniel Theis)，他们的身高都是 6 英尺 8 英寸。 – 莱特

  1. 犹他爵士队
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 5胜18负
  • 上期排名： 28
  • 下场比赛： 对阵 PHX (12月13日), @ LAC (12月16日)

最大问题： 失误

犹他爵士队场均失误 18.4 次，比其他任何球队都多 1.5 次。爵士队有很多缺点——直到最近他们还排在西部垫底——但失误可能是他们在攻防两端最糟糕的问题，因为爵士队因失误丢分也排名联盟第一 (23.7 分，比其他任何球队都多 2.6 分)。二年级控球后卫基翁特·乔治(Keyonte George)场均失误 3.3 次，领跑全队，但他远非唯一的罪魁祸首。犹他爵士队有五名球员场均至少失误两次。 – 麦克马洪

  1. 华盛顿奇才队
  • 2024-25 赛季战绩： 3胜19负
  • 上期排名： 30
  • 下场比赛： @ CLE (12月13日), 对阵 BOS (12月15日)

最大问题： 防守

在又一个失败的赛季之后，奇才队有很多问题，但最大的场上问题是他们的防守。除了周六将掘金队的得分限制在 113 分，爆冷战胜对手之外，在过去七场比赛中（全部失利），华盛顿奇才队有五场丢掉了 121 分或更多。在过去两场失利的比赛中，奇才队分别让独行侠队和灰熊队得了 137 分和 140 分。每个人都知道这对华盛顿来说是一个重建的赛季，但管理层当然希望看到一些渐进式的改进，以保持球队的竞争力。 – 杨米斯克

点击查看原文：NBA Power Rankings: How all 30 teams stack up

NBA Power Rankings: How all 30 teams stack up

Image

We’re nearing the end of 2024, but nowhere close to the end of what’s been an intriguing 2024-25 NBA season.

After a slow start, the Milwaukee Bucks have made a comeback in the Eastern Conference standings. Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers, after an unprecedented run in the inaugural NBA Cup last year, are struggling this season to stay afloat in the conference standings.

In the West, the Houston Rockets and Memphis Grizzlies are making their presence known, chasing the conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder, who seem unmovable at the top.

In addition to our weekly rankings, our NBA insiders break down the biggest issues on offense or defense for all 30 teams. From slow starts to lack of defensive paint presence, here is what is plaguing teams on both ends of the court.

Note: Team rankings are based on where members of our panel (ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, Jamal Collier, Michael Wright, Tim MacMahon, Dave McMenamin, Ohm Youngmisuk, Chris Herring and Kevin Pelton) think teams belong this season.

Previous rankings: Preseason | Oct. 30 | Nov. 5 | Nov. 13 | Nov. 20 | Nov. 27 | Dec. 4

Jump to a team:\

ATL | BOS | BKN | CHA | CHI | CLE\

DAL | DEN | DET | GS | HOU | IND\

LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN\

NO | NY | OKC | ORL | PHI | PHX\

POR | SAC | SA | TOR | UTAH | WAS

1. Boston Celtics

  • 2024-25 record: 19-5
  • Previous ranking: 1
  • Next games: vs. DET (Dec. 12), @ WAS (Dec. 15)

Biggest issue: Elevating their defense

It’s hard to find any blaring issues with the defending champions and a team that’s seen as the favorites to repeat this season, but it will be interesting to see if Boston can improve on its solid, but not spectacular, showing defensively. The Celtics currently rank 10th in the league in defensive rating, well south of its No. 2 ranking last season. Kristaps Porzingis returning and getting up to speed should help. – Tim Bontemps

2. Cleveland Cavaliers

  • 2024-25 record: 21-4
  • Previous ranking: 2
  • Next games: vs. WAS (Dec. 13), @ BKN (Dec. 16)

Biggest issue: Free throw attempts per game

To be fair, the only issue a healthy team with a 21-4 record can have is that it must wait four months for the playoffs. However, ranking 26th in free throw attempts with 20.6 per game is at least mildly concerning for a few reasons. It could mean Cleveland doesn’t attack the paint enough, it doesn’t get a good whistle, or both – a combo that can make postseason success more elusive. – Dave McMenamin

3. Oklahoma City Thunder

  • 2024-25 record: 19-5
  • Previous ranking: 3

Biggest issue: Rebounding

Oklahoma City ranks second to last in rebounding rate (47.5%) after finishing 28th in that category last season. In this instance, however, there is a 7-foot asterisk. The Thunder have been an average rebounding team since Isaiah Hartenstein made his season debut, which was delayed by a broken hand. Hartenstein, who was signed to a three-year, $87 million deal over the offseason in large part to address this issue, averaged 12.8 rebounds in his first eight games entering Tuesday’s NBA Cup knockout-round matchup with the Mavs. – Tim MacMahon

4. Dallas Mavericks

  • 2024-25 record: 16-9
  • Previous ranking: 8

Biggest issue: Luka Doncic’s slow start

The Mavs have the league’s fourth-ranked offense despite one of Dallas’ scoring staples producing disappointing results. The Mavs average 14.1 field goal attempts off seven or more dribbles – third most in the league – but rank 27th in effective field goal percentage (42.9) off those shots. By contrast, Dallas ranked fifth in that category (52.9% eFG) last season, when the Mavs led the league with 15.1 such shots per game. The drop-off is primarily due to Doncic’s slow start after missing all of training camp and preseason due to a calf contusion. His effective field goal percentage on such attempts is a career-low 41.0%, but he’s improved since taking 10 days off to rest a sprained wrist and work on his conditioning (51.9% eFG in four games). Last season, Doncic had a 56.7% eFG on 683 shots off seven-plus dribbles, the best of the 28 players with at least 250 attempts. – MacMahon

5. Memphis Grizzlies

  • 2024-25 record: 17-8
  • Previous ranking: 5
  • Next games: vs. BKN (Dec. 13), @ LAL (Dec. 15)

Biggest issue: 3-point shooting

It’s tough to nitpick a team that has won nine of its past 10 outings, especially one that just snapped a 10-game skid against Boston on the road. Memphis ranks among the top seven in offensive and defensive rating. Offensively, the Grizzlies are putting up their best effective field goal percentage (56.1%) in a decade. But they lag just behind the rest of the league in 3-point shooting, ranked 17th in 3-point percentage heading into Monday’s games. If Desmond Bane (32.3%) gets back to his career average (41%) from deep, watch out. – Michael Wright

6. Houston Rockets

  • 2024-25 record: 16-8
  • Previous ranking: 4
  • Next games: vs. GS (Dec. 11)

Biggest issue on offense: Poor shooting

Houston gets it done on the defensive end, but the Rockets rank 16th in offensive rating due in large part to poor shooting. Houston ranks 27th in effective field goal percentage (50.3%), but its saving grace has been offensive rebounding. The Rockets are No. 1 in offensive rebounds per game (14.2), gobbling up their misses. Houston’s starting backcourt of Fred VanVleet and Jalen Green are shooting below 40% from the field, and opponents have outscored the Rockets in the paint in their past six games. – Wright

7. New York Knicks

  • 2024-25 record: 15-9
  • Previous ranking: 9
  • Next games: vs. ATL (Dec. 11)

Biggest issue: Karl-Anthony Towns’s slow defensive start

Towns’s advanced defensive metrics have improved in recent weeks, however he’s still allowing opponents to shoot 6.5 percentage points better than their seasonlong averages near the basket. That’s the worst rate among NBA centers who have played 15 games and defended at least four rim attempts per outing. Because of that, it will be worth watching how often coach Tom Thibodeau plays Towns with Precious Achiuwa, the backup big and rim protector who recently made his season debut after returning from an injured hamstring. – Chris Herring

8. Golden State Warriors

  • 2024-25 record: 14-9
  • Previous ranking: 7
  • Next games: @ HOU (Dec. 11)

Biggest issue: Balancing a deep rotation

Steve Kerr has been using 11-to-12-man rotations, touting the depth of the roster. But with De’Anthony Melton out for the season and other injuries that have kept key players out, Kerr has been experimenting and even shortening his rotation to 10 during their 12-3 start. Perhaps the most important thing is finding the right lineup to maximize Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield. The Warriors are starting Kuminga to see if he can be the much-needed scorer they need alongside Stephen Curry. Kerr would love to start Draymond Green at center alongside Kuminga but doesn’t want to wear out Green against bigger centers and could settle on bringing him off the bench and starting Kevon Looney. Also, finding the right lineup to get Hield humming from 3 again will go far. – Ohm Youngmisuk

9. Orlando Magic

  • 2024-25 record: 17-10
  • Previous ranking: 6

Biggest issue: 3-point shooting

Only once in the past nine seasons have the Magic ranked outside the NBA’s bottom seven in 3-point percentage, but this year’s league-worst 31% accuracy would be a new modern low. (Orlando shot 29.5% in 1989-90, the franchise’s inaugural season.) The Magic figured newcomer Kentavious Caldwell-Pope would help, but he’s shooting a career-worst 30%, while Jalen Suggs has slipped from 40% last season to 32%. Orlando’s biggest concern is healthy oblique muscles. Improbably, Franz Wagner suffered the same oblique strain that has sidelined Paolo Banchero, leaving the Magic without their top two scorers. – Kevin Pelton

10. Denver Nuggets

  • 2024-25 record: 12-10
  • Previous ranking: 10
  • Next games: vs. LAC (Dec. 13), @ SAC (Dec. 16)

Biggest issue: Perimeter defense

While they held Atlanta to 9-of-40 shooting from behind the arc in a much-needed win Sunday, the Nuggets’ defense has been poor. In each of its past five losses, the Nuggets surrendered 122 or more points, including allowing 145 to the Knicks in a 27-point rout back on Nov. 25. In their previous four losses, the Nuggets allowed 16, 22, 18 and 19 3-pointers to opponents and gave up 122 points to a Washington team that had lost 16 straight. It’s bad when Nikola Jokic says maybe the Nuggets need a different kind of motivation. “In my country, after this kind of stretch, you’re going to get a paycheck that is a little bit less than you had hoped,” Jokic said after that Washington loss. “Maybe that’s what we need to do.” –Youngmisuk

11. Miami Heat

  • 2024-25 record: 12-10
  • Previous ranking: 16
  • Next games: vs. TOR (Dec. 12), @ DET (Dec. 16)

Biggest issue: Terry Rozier’s efficiency

It might be a little unfair to single him out, but things haven’t gone as hoped for Miami since acquiring Rozier in January 2023. This season, the Heat are seven points per 100 possessions better with Rozier on the bench. Jimmy Butler has moved into a more of an on-ball role in recent games as Rozier comes off the bench. – Bontemps

12. LA Clippers

  • 2024-25 record: 14-11
  • Previous ranking: 11
  • Next games: @ DEN (Dec. 13), vs. UTAH (Dec. 16)

Biggest issue: Scoring

The Clippers’ defense has been outstanding, keeping them in almost every game. Offensively, Ty Lue will have to find enough points to win games. The Clippers average 108.7 points this season, seventh to last in the league. Outside of James Harden, Norman Powell and Ivica Zubac, the Clippers have to find more offense, especially off the bench. With Derrick Jones Jr. – one of five Clippers to average 10 or more points this season – out for at least two weeks with a hamstring injury and Terance Mann out with a finger injury, the Clippers will need guys like Kevin Porter Jr. to provide more offense. – Youngmisuk

13. Milwaukee Bucks

  • 2024-25 record: 13-11
  • Previous ranking: 14

Biggest issue: Perimeter defense

The Bucks have had major challenges defending the perimeter for the past two seasons, ever since they swapped Jrue Holiday for Damian Lillard, and those issues have been highlighted even more frequently this season. One of the major issues for Milwaukee during its 2-8 start was how teams attacked its guards on defense, forcing it into the fourth most on-ball screens in the NBA during that span, per ESPN Research. The key for the Bucks defense is for their guards to provide some resistance to give Brook Lopez and Giannis Antetokounmpo a chance to protect the rim. – Jamal Collier

14. Minnesota Timberwolves

  • 2024-25 record: 12-11
  • Previous ranking: 17
  • Next games: vs. LAL (Dec. 13), @ SA (Dec. 15)

Biggest issue: Defending without Rudy Gobert on the floor

The Wolves have still been an elite defense this season when Gobert is at center, holding teams to 107.5 points per 100 possessions with him on the court. It’s when the four-time Defensive Player of the Year sits when the Wolves struggle, surrendering 113.2 points per 100 possessions. That’s the difference between what would be the No.1 defense in the league in efficiency and an average defense. – Collier

15. Phoenix Suns

  • 2024-25 record: 12-11
  • Previous ranking: 12
  • Next games: @ UTAH (Dec. 13), vs. POR (Dec. 15)

Biggest issue: Points in the paint

Phoenix averages just 15.3 points in the paint, which puts it 27th in the league. The stat is damning for a few reasons, starting with the clear lack of offensive firepower the team gets from centers Jusuf Nurkic, Mason Plumlee and Oso Ighodaro. And perhaps the most alarming issue is that the Suns rely heavily on Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal’s jump shots to generate points, which ultimately makes them easier to defend if they don’t diversify their shot locations. – McMenamin

16. Los Angeles Lakers

  • 2024-25 record: 13-11
  • Previous ranking: 13
  • Next games: @ MIN (Dec. 13), vs. MEM (Dec. 15)

Biggest issue: Opponents fast-break points per game

There are myriad issues plaguing the Lakers, but a persistent pain in their side all season has been giving up easy points in transition. Teams are scoring 15 fast-break points per game against L.A. – the only three teams that allow more (Portland, Utah and New Orleans) are all well below .500. To make things worse, the Lakers have gotten their turnovers under control – 7th best with 12.5 miscues per game – meaning that they just aren’t getting back fast enough on defense. – McMenamin

17. Atlanta Hawks

  • 2024-25 record: 13-12
  • Previous ranking: 18
  • Next games: @ NYK (Dec. 11), @ SA (Dec. 19)

Biggest issue: Perimeter defense

Atlanta has been a slightly above-average club at forcing misses near the rim, holding opponents a little more than one percentage point beneath their seasonlong field goal rates. The Hawks would also gladly take being an average club on the perimeter. Instead, they rank dead last in the NBA in 3-pointers allowed, 3-pointers attempted and opponent 3-point percentage – even though newcomer Dyson Daniels has been one of the most disruptive wing defenders in the association to this point. – Herring

18. San Antonio Spurs

  • 2024-25 record: 12-12
  • Previous ranking: 15
  • Next games: @ POR (Dec. 13), vs. MIN (Dec. 15)

Biggest issue: Slow starts

San Antonio sits at .500. But you can look back at 10 of their 12 losses and quickly point out the devastating impact slow starts have had on the Spurs. Part of it is inconsistency with lineups considering San Antonio still hasn’t played with the starting five it envisioned coming into the season due to injuries to Devin Vassell, Jeremy Sochan and Victor Wembanyama. But the Spurs have also lost the opening quarter in 10 contests, owning a net rating of minus-31.4 over 120 first-quarter minutes. It’s an issue San Antonio recognizes but hasn’t been able to solve. – Wright

19. Sacramento Kings

  • 2024-25 record: 12-13
  • Previous ranking: 20
  • Next games: @ NO (Dec. 12), vs. DEN (Dec. 16)

Biggest issue: Opponent 3-point shooting

Remarkably, only the Thunder – the league’s best defensive team – are allowing fewer 2-pointers per game than the Kings. That’s partially by design. Without a strong rim protector, Sacramento tends to help aggressively on drives, resulting in the league’s highest 3-point attempt rate on defense – 46% of all shots they face. Opponents are making those 3s at a 38% clip, second highest in the NBA, and while that typically doesn’t carry over, the Kings might be an exception. They’ve ranked in the league’s bottom five in opponent 3-point percentage each of the past four seasons. – Pelton

20. Brooklyn Nets

  • 2024-25 record: 10-14
  • Previous ranking: 21
  • Next games: @ MEM (Dec. 13), vs. CLE (Dec. 16)

Biggest issue: Defense inside the paint

No one sends opponents to the line more per shot attempt than the Nets, a slightly surprising stat considering how well they’ve been playing relative to the preseason expectations that they would be in the running for the 2025 No. 1 draft pick. The Nets have allowed opponents to shoot nearly 67% from inside of six feet, tied for the league’s third-highest rate. (Similarly, or perhaps even worse, the team is allowing the highest effective field goal rate in the league.) The inability to stop clubs from converting that close in leaves Brooklyn in a position where it is often fouling inside the paint. – Herring

21. Indiana Pacers

  • 2024-25 record: 10-15
  • Previous ranking: 19
  • Next games: @ PHI (Dec. 13), vs. NO (Dec. 15)

Biggest issue: Tyrese Haliburton’s offensive struggles

The Pacers’ run to the NBA Cup and Eastern Conference finals was fueled by a dynamic offense, which ranked second in the NBA last season behind the champion Celtics. That’s fallen to 19th in offensive efficiency to start this season, the biggest difference for a struggling Indiana team. The Pacers are fueled by Haliburton, who last season was one of the league’s breakout stars, and have not been able to generate the same electric offense this year. Put simply, the Pacers need Haliburton to perform like the player who carried their offense last season. – Collier

22. Chicago Bulls

  • 2024-25 record: 10-15
  • Previous ranking: 23
  • Next games: vs. CHA (Dec. 13), @ TOR (Dec. 16)

Biggest issue: Point of attack defense

The Bulls knew they were going to have a lot of challenges when they traded their best defender, Alex Caruso, in exchange for Josh Giddey, an offensive first point guard. Their defense ranks 27th in efficiency because of their inability to put pressure on ball handlers, which often results in easy driving lanes and opposing guards getting into the paint, especially with forward Patrick Williams sidelined recently with a foot injury. – Collier

23. Detroit Pistons

  • 2024-25 record: 10-15
  • Previous ranking: 22
  • Next games: @ BOS (Dec. 12), vs. MIA (Dec. 16)

Biggest issue: Turnovers

This is unsurprising for a team whose two primary ball handlers (guards Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey) are 23 and 22, respectively. Cunningham’s 4.7 turnovers per game lead all qualifying players, and Detroit is one of five teams with multiple players averaging at least three turnovers. As a result, the Pistons have the league’s third-highest turnover rate. Those miscues are limiting an offense that still ranks 22nd in per-possession scoring. – Pelton

24. Philadelphia 76ers

  • 2024-25 record: 7-15
  • Previous ranking: 27
  • Next games: vs. IND (Dec. 13), @ CHA (Dec. 16)

Biggest issue: Lack of star driven offense

The biggest issue with this team is health. But from a strictly on-court perspective, the team is mired at 27th in offensive rating, thanks to ranking 28th in 3-point field goal percentage. One easy fix? The team’s superstars must hit their shots. Joel Embiid is just 3-for-23 from 3 this season, while Tyrese Maxey (29.3%) and Paul George (31.2%) have also struggled – not a good look from a trio with high offensive expectations entering this season. – Bontemps

25. Portland Trail Blazers

  • 2024-25 record: 8-16
  • Previous ranking: 24
  • Next games: vs. SA (Dec. 13), @ PHX (Dec. 15)

Biggest issue: Defensive rebounding

There’s no shortage of issues for the Blazers, who rank in the bottom 10 in three of the four factors on offense and defense, but they’re dead last in defensive rebounding. Among Portland’s primary starters, only center Deandre Ayton is grabbing defensive boards above the league’s average rate, and the Blazers sink even lower when Ayton is on the bench. Portland has been rebounding slightly better during its current four-game skid, but there have been few misses to secure. Opponents are shooting a league-high 53% from the field in four losses this month. – Pelton

26. Charlotte Hornets

  • 2024-25 record: 7-17
  • Previous ranking: 26
  • Next games: @ CHI (Dec. 13), vs. PHI (Dec. 16)

Biggest issue: Inability to draw fouls

The Hornets’ biggest problem, aside from not having LaMelo Ball due to him missing time with a calf strain, is the club’s inability to generate trips to the line on offense. No NBA team has a lower free throw attempt rate – in terms of free throws per game, or free throws taken per shot attempt – than the Hornets; an ugly reality considering that Charlotte also ranks dead last in 2-point shooting percentage. Getting better efficiency from the line or from inside the arc wouldn’t hurt given that the Hornets have played an NBA-high 16 clutch games, where the score is within five points or fewer in the final five minutes. – Herring

27. Toronto Raptors

  • 2024-25 record: 7-18
  • Previous ranking: 25
  • Next games: @ MIA (Dec. 12), vs. CHI (Dec. 16)

Biggest issue: 3-point shooting

Toronto’s overall struggles are a bit by design in the rebuilding of the Raptors roster. But as the team continues to progress, one thing to monitor is whether it can increase its 3-point attempt rate. The Raptors are 29th in the league in 3’s attempted per game, ahead of only the Nuggets – a number that would automatically be helped by the return of Immanuel Quickley, who has been limited this season with an elbow injury. – Bontemps

28. New Orleans Pelicans

  • 2024-25 record: 5-20
  • Previous ranking: 29
  • Next games: vs. SAC (Dec. 12), @ IND (Dec. 15)

Biggest issue: Inconsistent paint presence on defense

You can trace back all that ails New Orleans to injuries. But it’s uncertain whether a fully healthy squad could have avoided the team’s current struggle to consistently defend near the basket. Yes, there are issues with transition defense and half-court offense. But the Pels rank 29th in opponent points in the paint (54.7 per game). Roster construction has a lot to do with that. Coach Willie Green has complimented the efforts of starting center Yves Missi. But Missi is a 6-11, 20-year-old rookie. Behind Missi, the Pels have two centers in Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Daniel Theis who stand at 6-8. – Wright

29. Utah Jazz

  • 2024-25 record: 5-18
  • Previous ranking: 28
  • Next games: vs. PHX (Dec. 13), @ LAC (Dec. 16)

Biggest issue: Turnovers

Utah averages 18.4 turnovers, 1.5 more than any other team. The Jazz have many flaws – and until recently were at the bottom of the Western standings – but turnovers might be their worst on both ends of the floor, as Utah also leads the league in points allowed off of turnovers (23.7, 2.6 more than any other team). Second-year point guard Keyonte George leads the team with 3.3 turnovers per game, but he’s far from the only culprit. Five Utah players average at least two turnovers. – MacMahon

30. Washington Wizards

  • 2024-25 record: 3-19
  • Previous ranking: 30
  • Next games: @ CLE (Dec. 13), vs. BOS (Dec. 15)

Biggest issue: Defense

The Wizards have a lot of issues after another throwaway season, but the biggest on-court matters revolve around their defense. Outside of its stunning win over Denver on Saturday when it held the Nuggets to 113 points, Washington has given up 121 or more points in five of its past seven games – all losses. In their past two defeats, the Wizards have allowed 137 and 140 points each to the Mavericks and Grizzlies. Everyone knows this is a rebuilding season for Washington, but certainly management wants to see some incremental improvements to remain competitive. – Youngmisuk

By NBA Insiders | ESPN, via ESPN