1 year, 11 months ago

NBA Pre-Postseason Player Tiers 2023: Joel Embiid’s next step is playoff success

My guess is two of the players about whom I’m going to get the most pushback in terms of what slot they’re in are Jayson Tatum and Joel Embiid, especially given both having seasons that will place them in the top five, and in Embiid’s case, possibly at the top of the MVP voting. GO DEEPER NBA Pre-Postseason Player Tiers 2023: Donovan Mitchell levels up, LeBron still shows flashes of greatness And I’m here to tell you there is literally nothing they could have done this regular season to move any higher. Maybe if the late-game offensive foibles hadn’t plagued the Celtics earlier in the postseason — they made harder work of the series against the Bucks and Heat as a result of similar breakdowns — or across the regular season wherein the Celtics were one of the worst-performing teams in the clutch of the last few decades, the disappointment would stick to him less. Getting the to conference finals in the bubble, winning a series without Jamal Murray in 2021 and performing well at least on an individual level despite being the sole focus of Golden State’s game planning last year has been “proving it” relative to circumstances. Related reading Player Tiers, 2023: LeBron James still shows flashes of greatness Player Tiers, 2023: Jaylen Brown’s, Anthony Edwards’ stock rises Player Tiers, 2023: De’Aaron Fox, Aaron Gordon climb the ranks Player Tiers, 2023: Klay Thompson, Karl-Anthony Towns among top 75 Player Tiers: 2022 | 2021 | 2020

2023 Player Series Playoff Embiid Celtics Tatum Jokić Player Tiers Tiers series 2023 tiers prepostseason embiids jokić player playoff nba playoffs players tatum step joel success embiid celtics

History of this topic

1 month, 3 weeks ago

NBA trade deadline: Grading all the big deals of the 2024-25 trade season

New York Times

The Athletic has live coverage of the 2025 NBA trade deadline. Cavs grade: A+ Hawks grade: C GO DEEPER De'Andre Hunter trade grades: Cavaliers get just what they need on the wing Feb. 5/6: Lakers fill hole at center Lakers get: Mark Williams Hornets get: Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, 2030 first-round pick swap and 2031 first-round pick On the surface, …

1 month, 3 weeks ago

Every deal made during a monumental 2025 NBA trade season

New York Times

The NBA trade deadline has finally passed, and what a trade season it was. Here’s a list of every trade made this season, from the massive to the mundane: The big, big one LAKERS GET: Luka Dončić, Maxi Kleber, Markieff Morris Luka Dončić, Maxi Kleber, Markieff Morris MAVERICKS GET: Anthony Davis, Max Christie, 2029 first-round pick Anthony Davis, Max Christie, …

5 months ago

NBA Reliability Tiers: Jalen Brunson, Tyrese Haliburton and a tier fit for 2 Kings

New York Times

Welcome to The Athletic’s NBA Reliability Tiers, in which we measure the All-NBA status of the 49 All-Stars during the last three seasons and weigh how much those stars play in the regular season. Sacramento Kings C Tier 2 12 Donovan Mitchell Cleveland Cavaliers Average games played last three seasons: 63.3 All-NBA/All-Star last three seasons: 2022 All-Star, 2023 All-NBA Second …

5 months, 1 week ago

NBA 2024-25 Season Preview: Can Anyone Stop the Boston Celtics Going Back-to-Back?

CNN

The 2024-25 season in the NBA is shaping up to be a battle between the Boston Celtics and the New York Knicks. The Celtics, seeking their third consecutive championship, boast a formidable roster with the return of key players like Tatum, White, and Holiday. However, the Knicks have made a significant move by acquiring All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns, who should provide …

5 months, 1 week ago

NBA 2024-25 Season Preview: Can Anyone Stop the Boston Celtics Going Back-to-Back?

CNN

The 2024-25 season in the NBA is expected to be just as unpredictable as the past six years, with several teams vying for the Larry O'Brien Trophy. The Boston Celtics, who won the championship last year, are still strong contenders, but the Knicks, Sixers, and Nuggets will be looking to make a serious run at the title. The West Conference …

7 months, 2 weeks ago

NBA’s best 2024 offseason moves by team: Celtics, Knicks, Sixers among top 10

New York Times

We now arrive at, as my man Kid Twist would have said in “The Sting,” the quill. Western 9 San Antonio Spurs 2023-24 record: 22-60; did not make playoffs Added: G Chris Paul ; F Harrison Barnes ; G Stephon Castle ; G Juan Nunez ; F Harrison Ingram ; F Riley Minix ; G Malachi Flynn ; G Brandon …

9 months, 1 week ago

NBA Player Tiers 2024: Rookies make their debut in Tier 5 and … Naz Reid

New York Times

NBA Player Tiers: ’20 | ’21 | ’22 | ‘23 | ’24 pre-playoffs: Tiers 4 & 3 | T2 & 1 With the 2023-24 season coming to a close, many teams have already started planning for what’s ahead. GO DEEPER 2022-23 NBA Player Tiers: Russell Westbrook, RJ Barrett among those in Tier 5 Other ground rules to remember: Tiers are …

10 months ago

James extends his All-NBA appearance record, while Doncic, Gilgeous-Alexander set for supermax deals

Associated Press

NEW YORK — LeBron James is now the youngest — and the oldest — player to make an All-NBA team. And Dallas’ Luka Doncic and Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are in position to make around $1 million per game a few years from now. Denver’s Nikola Jokic and Gilgeous-Alexander were the only unanimous first-team selections on this season’s All-NBA team, …

11 months, 1 week ago

NBA Power Rankings: Thunder move up as playoffs near; what’s next for each team?

New York Times

We made it through the 2023-24 NBA season! Key Stats Record 49-33 Offensive Rating 116.8 Defensive Rating 113.7 Net Rating 3.1 Rank over time Wins at Clippers 124-106 at Kings 108-107 at Wolves 123-104 Losses Clippers 105-92 Western Tier 3 - Playoff Teams Tier 4 - Play-In Tournament Teams Or Better 9 New Orleans Pelicans 8 Last Rank First-quarter grade: …

11 months, 2 weeks ago

NBA Pre-Postseason Player Tiers 1 and 2: Wembanyama quickly rising; Giannis, Jokić steady at top

New York Times

Yesterday, I largely focused on setting the table for the updated NBA Pre-Postseason Players Tiers before revealing Tier 3 and Tier 4. For starters, a consistent bit of feedback — and one I’ve gotten from multiple sources since the release of Tiers 3 and 4 — is the always difficult evaluation of which player is more valuable between an elite …

1 year ago

NBA Power Rankings: Bucks back in top tier; third-quarter grades; revisiting preseason predictions

New York Times

We’ve made it three quarters of the way through the 2023-24 season, and we’re shaping up for an unbelievable finish to the regular season, an epic Play-In Tournament and an incredible playoff run for two NBA Finals-bound teams. Key Stats Record 34-27 Offensive Rating 117.6 Defensive Rating 117.0 Net Rating 0.6 Rank over time Wins at Raptors 136-125 Losses at …

1 year, 1 month ago

NBA Power Rankings: Chet Holmgren, Thunder move up two spots; rookie class check-in

New York Times

Read the latest edition of The Athletic’s NBA Power Rankings. Key Stats Record 32-26 Offensive Rating 113.0 Defensive Rating 112.2 Net Rating 0.8 Rank over time Wins at Cavs 116-109 at Pistons 112-109 Losses at Hawks 109-92 Eastern Tier 3 - Playoff Teams Tier 4 - Play-In Tournament Teams Or Better 15 Indiana Pacers 15 Last Rank Did the draft …

1 year, 1 month ago

NBA Power Rankings: Cavs climb into top five; trade deadline thoughts for each team

New York Times

Read the latest edition of The Athletic’s NBA Power Rankings. Key Stats Record 28-23 Offensive Rating 120.7 Defensive Rating 119.1 Net Rating 1.6 Rank over time Wins at Hornets 115-99 Losses at Celtics 129-124 at Knicks 109-105 Kings 133-122 Eastern Tier 3 - Playoff Teams Tier 4 - Play-In Tournament Teams Or Better 15 Dallas Mavericks 14 Last Rank Do …

1 year, 2 months ago

NBA trades, storylines and who’ll make the finals? Experts examine the midseason state of play

New York Times

The NBA’s 2023-24 season is about to hit its halfway point, and it’s time for Part II of The Athletic’s midseason review, along with predictions for the future. Kelly Iko: I think Tuesday’s slate of games — the highly anticipated Joel Embiid/Nikola Jokić matchup, a thrilling Kevin Durant-led fourth-quarter comeback win for the Suns and a wire-to-wire Thunder/Clippers tilt featuring …

1 year, 2 months ago

NBA MVP Tiers: Joel Embiid, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are front-runners; who’s waiting in the wings?

New York Times

Perhaps it’s wishful thinking, but one of the surprising, yet most welcome, results of the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament is that there has been very little chatter at all about this season’s MVP race. I don’t think there should be any bright line rules imposed; I would have voted for Nikola Jokić in 2021-22 even with the Denver Nuggets finishing …

1 year, 4 months ago

NBA Power Rankings: Magic look like playoff contenders; checking in on new faces in new places

New York Times

Read the latest edition of The Athletic’s NBA Power Rankings. Performance Rating : 10 Key Stats Record 11-5 Offensive Rating 117.9 Defensive Rating 109.6 Net Rating 8.3 Wins Bulls 116-102 Losses Sixers 127-123 Western Tier 2 - Brink of Contention Tier 3 - Playoff Teams 8 Orlando Magic 12 Last Rank New face in a new place: Goga Bitadze The …

1 year, 4 months ago

NBA Power Rankings: Rockets, Mavericks rising; Warriors drop from contenders tier

New York Times

Read the latest edition of The Athletic’s NBA Power Rankings. Key Stats Record 5-4 Offensive Rating 116.2 Defensive Rating 113.1 Net Rating 3.1 Wins at Magic 120-119 Losses Heat 117-109 Eastern Tier 3 - Playoff Teams 9 Indiana Pacers 20 Last Rank The question: Are the Pacers this season’s version of last season’s Kings? Key Stats Record 5-4 Offensive Rating …

1 year, 5 months ago

NBA Power Rankings: Nuggets are No. 1 to start season; question, random prediction for each team

New York Times

Read the latest edition of The Athletic’s NBA Power Rankings. Key Stats Record 54-28 Offensive Rating 117.0 Defensive Rating 112.7 Net Rating 4.4 Eastern Tier 3 - Playoff Teams Tier 4 - Play-In Tournament Teams Or Better 15 New Orleans Pelicans What do we like? Key Stats Record 42-40 Offensive Rating 113.8 Defensive Rating 112.0 Net Rating 1.9 Western Tier …

1 year, 5 months ago

NBA 2023-24: Denver Nuggets eyes repeat from the West as revamped Celtics and Bucks favoured in East this season

The Hindu

The Denver Nuggets heads into the 2023-24 NBA season as defending champion but not necessarily the title favorites after the Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns all upgraded their rosters via blockbuster offseason acquisitions. The Nuggets brings back the same starting five that delivered the franchise its first championship last season, led again by the tandem of Finals MVP …

1 year, 5 months ago

Each NBA team’s biggest breakout candidate for 2023-24

New York Times

Several NBA players get to the start of the regular season thinking, “This is the year.” With opening night around the corner, who are the players best positioned to actually make that statement become a reality? Didn’t Bridges already breakout last season after he was traded to the Nets, averaging 26.1 points per game with a 54.3 effective field goal …

1 year, 6 months ago

NBA offseason rankings, revisited: Damian Lillard trade catapults Bucks into Top 5

New York Times

Update: Jrue Holiday was traded to the Boston Celtics on Oct. 1. San Antonio Now let’s explore the teams most impacted by the Lillard trade: 2022-23 record: 58-24; lost in first round Added: G Damian Lillard ; G Malik Beasley ; C Robin Lopez ; Andre Jackson Jr. ; F Chris Livingston ; C Drew Timme ; G TyTy Washington …

1 year, 7 months ago

NBA Player Tiers 2023: Why are Kyrie Irving, Zion Williamson in Tier 3? It’s a matter of trust

New York Times

This is the fourth annual NBA Player Tiers project, in which Seth Partnow names the top 125 players in the league after each season and then separates them into five distinct categories of value, each with their own sub-categories to further delineate them. Estimated +/- per 100 possessions RAPM +5.9 4 3-yr Regularized Adjusted +/- per 100 possessions Prod. Estimated …

1 year, 9 months ago

2024 NBA title odds: Nuggets open as favorites to repeat, followed by Celtics, Bucks

New York Times

The Denver Nuggets are the early favorites to win the 2024 NBA title at +500, per Bet MGM. Here’s what you need to know: Full opening 2024 NBA title odds, via BetMGM GO DEEPER Inside the Nuggets championship roster and how it was built to win it all The Athletic’s instant analysis: Should the Nuggets be favored next season? I …

1 year, 10 months ago

Hollinger: Warriors, Mavs, Hawks, Timberwolves highlight NBA’s Summer of Stuckness

New York Times

It’s all fun when it’s time to make the big deal. If you talk to execs around the league, they’ll at least offer that the Clippers overpaid to get two prime stars rather than one, since it also clinched Kawhi Leonard’s free-agent arrival. Meanwhile, Atlanta sits $11 million above next year’s projected tax line with a 41-win team that has …

1 year, 10 months ago

NBA considering change to All-Star Game format: Sources

New York Times

The NBA is considering changing the All-Star Game format from the current player draft back to Eastern versus Western Conference, among other concepts, sources briefed on discussions told The Athletic’s Shams Charania and Mike Vorkunov. Here’s what you need to know: Changes to the All-Star Game format have been a topic of discussion at recent Board of Governor and general …

1 year, 11 months ago

NBA playoffs 2023 predictions: Anonymous scout, coach, exec pick Nuggets-Suns, Knicks-Heat winners

New York Times

Will the second round of the 2023 NBA playoffs feature an upset as stunning as the Heat eliminating the Bucks? Between Brunson and the addition of Josh Hart, since they got him they are rolling.” Executive’s outlook: “I’m going with New York. I think they’ll do a better job on Jimmy Butler defensively, and I think New York is that …

1 year, 11 months ago

NBA Pre-Postseason Player Tiers 2023: Klay Thompson, Karl-Anthony Towns among top 75

New York Times

Evaluation, much like ball, never sleeps. In addition to the ever-higher bar set by the league’s overall skill level, different skill sets and player types gain or lose value as the collective style of play changes. GO DEEPER 2022-23 NBA Player Tiers: Russell Westbrook, RJ Barrett among those in Tier 5 Player Tiers are the best way I know to …

2 years, 1 month ago

NBA Power Rankings: Celtics, Kings and Lakers rise as final stretch approaches; Reviewing team predictions

New York Times

And down the stretch they come! Toronto Raptors | 30-32 | +0.5 net rating Weekly slate: Win over Pelicans, Win at Pistons, Loss at Cavs First-quarter grade: C+ | Ranked 13th Halfway grade: C- | Ranked 22nd Third-quarter grade: C+ It isn’t exactly dominating the league, but the Raptors have won 10 of their last 16, and they have a …

2 years, 5 months ago

2022-23 NBA season preview: Your cheat sheet for everything you need to know

New York Times

It’s October, which means the 2022-23 NBA season is here! When that gambit failed to create a viable market, Durant and the team “agreed to move forward with our partnership.” Go deeper: Robert Sarver’s workplace misconduct in Phoenix The Phoenix Suns owner is on his way out after the league released the results of a 10-month investigation that largely corroborated …

2 years, 5 months ago

NBA 2022-23 season futures best bets: Six division title sleeper teams

New York Times

The 2022-23 NBA season is nearly upon us. And though the Celtics may very well make good on these odds — they’re certainly the most proven team in this division — there are multiple Atlantic Division teams with a chance to win as many, or even more games, this regular season. They’ve got the league’s best player in Giannis Antetokounmpo, …

2 years, 5 months ago

Leroux: NBA Western Conference over/under win total picks for 2022-23

New York Times

Will the Knicks win 39 games? Dallas Mavericks: 48.5 wins My pick: Over Losing Jalen Brunson without really replacing him with another offensive creator hurts, especially since the Mavericks stunningly outscoring opponents by 4.3 points per 100 possessions when Luka Dončić was on the bench was a big part of how they went 52-30 last season. New Orleans Pelicans: 45.5 …

2 years, 5 months ago

Leroux: NBA Eastern Conference over/under win total picks for 2022-23

New York Times

Will the Lakers win 45 games? Atlanta Hawks: 46.5 wins My pick: Under This is a fascinating line because the Hawks won 43 games and had the point differential of a 44.6-win team last season, so Vegas sees Atlanta as a largely similar team, at least in terms of eventual outcome. But the reason I prefer the under is that …

2 years, 5 months ago

NBA win total best bets: Sixers to hit over, Suns to go under and more

New York Times

The summer of 2022 marked the first full NBA offseason since 2019 when Anthony Davis, Paul George and Kawhi Leonard relocated to Los Angeles, as Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving joined forces on the opposite end of the country. Philadelphia 76ers: Over 50.5 wins There’s an outstanding possibility the Sixers will enter this season with their most talented and best-put-together …

2 years, 8 months ago

NBA Top 125 players for 2022-23: Stephen Curry, Nikola Jokic rank among best of Tier 1

New York Times

I’m actually a little uncomfortable having this many players here, as it is usually much closer to a top five than a top 10. Editor’s Note: This is the third annual edition of Seth Partnow’s NBA Player Tiers project, in which he names the top 125 players in the league after each season and then separates them into five distinct …

2 years, 8 months ago

NBA Top 125 players for 2022-23: Brandon Ingram, Jalen Brunson among those in Tier 4

New York Times

Editor’s Note: This is the third annual edition of Seth Partnow’s NBA Player Tiers project, in which he names the top 125 players in the league after each season and then separates them into five distinct categories of value, each with their own sub-categories to further delineate them. The Old Guard Player Team 2022 Tier 2021 Tier 2020 Tier EPM …

3 years, 5 months ago

NBA power rankings for 2021-22 season

LA Times

Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving, middle, gathers with guard James Harden and forward Kevin Durant during the second half of the team’s NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco, on Feb. 13. Milwaukee Bucks The NBA’s defending champions might have conquered their demons last season with comebacks against the Nets and Suns. Sports Complete coverage: NBA …

3 years, 7 months ago

NBA Player Tiers: Joel Embiid, Luka Doncic & Damian Lillard among Tier 2 superstars, just short of the very top

New York Times

Throughout the week, we’ll be sorting the NBA’s best 125 players into five distinct tiers, differentiating solid starters from the league’s absolute superstars while offering insight on them and everyone in between. Tier 2C: Players 15-19 Player Team Tier Last Year Bord$ EPM Wins RAPM Rank Bam Adebayo MIA 2C 3A $30.30 8.6 45 Chris Paul PHX 2C 2C $36.20 …

3 years, 7 months ago

NBA Player Tiers: LaMelo Ball, Kyle Lowry & Julius Randle check in at Tier 4 alongside 40 other players

New York Times

Throughout the week, we’ll be sorting the NBA’s best 125 players into five distinct tiers, differentiating serviceable starters from the league’s absolute superstars while offering insight on them and everyone in between. So, on to the 2021 members of Tier 4B: Tier 4B: Players 57-79 The old warhorses Player Team Tier Last Year Bord$ EPM Wins RAPM Rank Al Horford …

3 years, 10 months ago

Nikola Jokic, Julius Randle and other stars with most to gain (or lose) in this year’s NBA playoffs

New York Times

With one of the oddest regular seasons in NBA history behind us, our focus can turn fully to the playoffs. I’ll quote what I wrote about the importance of playoff success — both team but also individual ability to produce in a postseason environment — in introducing the Player Tiers Project last offseason: We might be approaching our second decade …

4 years ago

NBA player rankings, midseason update: Risers, fallers and new faces in The Athletic’s Player Tiers

New York Times

Player evaluation never stops. De’Aaron Fox, Fred VanVleet and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are all young guards making strong cases for Tier 3 as well. I don’t think a half-season of strong play for a rebuilding team is quite enough to put him in Tier 3 consideration, but my eyes are open to the possibility. He’ll remain in the tiers somewhere, but …

6 years, 10 months ago

NBA Offseason Series: The Mavericks have options, but which way the front office decides to go will determine what the future holds

New York Times

While the NBA playoffs are still going, the 2018 offseason is rapidly approaching for many teams with significant decisions to make for their present and future. But it is also worth remembering that unrestricted free agents can sign wherever they like without any sort of matching rights and that the early Bird exception only really helps if the Mavericks choose …

6 years, 11 months ago

NBA play-offs Eastern Conference preview: Unpredictable, exciting competition on cards with no clear favourites to win

Firstpost

The Eastern Conference of the NBA is expected to be an entertaining and unpredictable conference, featuring superstar players, breakout youngsters, and a couple of old men still with tricks up their sleeves. What we’ll be left with is, hopefully, an entertaining and unpredictable conference, featuring superstar players, breakout youngsters, and a couple of old men still with tricks up their …

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2 days, 6 hours ago

LeBron James has big finish to lift Lakers past Pacers...

Daily Mail

INDIANAPOLIS - LeBron James started the fourth quarter Wednesday in danger of failing to extend his NBA record for consecutive double-digit scoring games. Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin shoots over Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Wednesday, March 26, 2025. "It's the first time I've ever been walked off …

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3 days, 9 hours ago

NBA: LeBron James makes bold claim about Giannis dominating the 1970s

India Today

The Los Angeles forward LeBron James is set to appear on the Pat McAfee Show, and a preview of the conversation has already sparked debates. “You trying to tell me Giannis wouldn’t be able to play an NBA game in the ’70s?” LeBron questioned before doubling down. “Giannis Antetokounmpo would have 250 points in a game in the ’70s.” “You …

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3 days, 9 hours ago

NBA Standings: Playoff, predictions and play-in tournament

India Today

As the NBA playoffs are just around the corner, beginning on April 19, teams are battling to clinch a spot and every game matters. Current NBA Standings: Eastern Conference Cleveland Cavaliers – Clinched playoff spot Boston Celtics – Clinched playoff spot New York Knicks Indiana Pacers Milwaukee Bucks Detroit Pistons Atlanta Hawks – Play-in position Orlando Magic – Play-in position …

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4 days, 3 hours ago