A new year is hear and yet the league’s two best teams are still the same two teams from last year. That’s not surprising as all they do is win.
On that note, here is the first Rebanse NBA Weekly Rankings for 2025 (for the week of December 31, 2024 to January 5, 2025).
1. Cleveland Cavaliers (30-4)
At this point, the Cavs and Thunder are basically 1A and 1B.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder (29-5)
They just keep winning and winning (along with the Cavs).
3. Boston Celtics (26-9)
Celtics have looked beatable of late, but still a force.
4. New York Knicks (24-12)
Karl-Anthony Towns playing his best ball yet for the Knicks.
5. Memphis Grizzlies (23-13)
The offense has stayed prolific even with Ja Morant out.
6. Houston Rockets (22-12)
Young Rockets doing enough on both ends to be a top-tier team.
7. Orlando Magic (21-15)
Injuries keep piling up, but Magic keep soldiering on.
8. Los Angeles Clippers (20-15)
James Harden continues to be great; now he gets some help with Kawhi Leonard back.
9. Los Angeles Lakers (20-14)
Lakers handling business against mid teams is a positive.
10. Denver Nuggets (20-14)
Nikola Jokic putting up MVP numbers and getting enough help.
11. San Antonio Spurs (18-17)
Wemby becoming an even greater force.
12. Indiana Pacers (18-18)
Pacers’ up-and-down season continues.
13. Atlanta Hawks (18-18)
Hawks hitting a cold spell.
14. Detroit Pistons (17-18)
The young thoroughbreds are hitting their stride.
15. Philadelphia 76ers (14-19)
Joel Embiid looks to be rounding into form, finally.
16. Milwaukee Bucks (17-16)
The NBA Emirates Cup hangover is real.
17. Golden State Warriors (18-16)
Solid win versus Grizz without Steph Curry can’t mask lineup woes.
18. Dallas Mavericks (20-15)
Mavs have hit a wall without Luka Doncic.
19. Sacramento Kings (16-19)
Mike Brown’s firing seems to have lit a fire in the Kings.
20. Chicago Bulls (14-18)
Great way to honor franchise legend Derrick Rose with a win.
21. Miami Heat (17-16)
Jimmy Butler suspension casts an even darker cloud on Heat campaign.
22. Minnesota Timberwolves (17-17)
Not even 53 points from Anthony Edwards can hid the Wolves’ mediocrity.
23. Portland Trailblazers (12-22)
Portland’s young athletes are figuring things out slowly but surely.
24. Phoenix Suns (15-18)
Panic button, anyone?
25. Brooklyn Nets (13-22)
Who’ll be next to go?
26. Utah Jazz (8-25)
Not much to say here, really.
27. Charlotte Hornets (7-26)
Even worse.
28. Toronto Raptors (8-27)
Ditto.
29. Washington Wizards (6-26)
Are you not entertained?
30. New Orleans Pelicans (6-29)
We’re trying. We really are.
