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Nate's Non-Official Official Power Rankings
Preseason [S13]
Welcome to the first installment of the re-introduction of Nate's Power Rankings. These power rankings generate an accumulated average that stems from the combination of points differential, rebounding differential, efficient field goal differential, turnover differential and net rating. Each of these statistics listed previously are given a certain weight in the final formula that outputs the given score. Each edition of this series will offer the power rankings, change from the previous edition and a brief write-up of the rankings below. These rankings literally mean nothing outside of the formula I somewhat developed over my years of not only playing FBB, but commissioning my own leagues. Below, you will find the ranking system used to determine the quality of each team.Preseason [S13]
Power Rankings
*In future editions, there will be a change section added
These Timberwolves are the only team to fall within the "elite" category following the pre-season sim. Led by the likes of defending back-to-back league Most Valuable Player in Kevin Garnett, the Midwest based franchise currently ranks in the top four-of-the-five categories used in the calculations. On top of that, they rank first in point differential turnover differential. They rank tenth in net rating, but with top five performances elsewhere, this team is destined to make some noise come the regular season.
Following the Timberwolves we have three teams that fall into the "contenders" category. The first of which is the Chicago Bulls, who fall essentially in the middle between the "elite" Timberwolves and the next "contender." The Bulls are second to just the T-Wolves in point differential and are third in turnover differential. If there's one trend to follow here, it's that turnover differential plays a major role in success in FBB (or at least these power rankings.) Outside of those two top five finishes, the Bulls are top ten in the remainder of the calculated categories. With the likes of Tracy McGrady and Tim Duncan leading the charge, it's no wonder this team is in contention for a title in Season 13.
Third on our list is the Los Angeles Clippers. The Clippers are an odd team and one I don't expect to be in the "contender" category as we get into the season. They rank 12th in the pre-season in turnover differential. They score the ball efficiently with a fourth place finish in the efficient field goal differential and equalize that performance with a fourth place finish in point differential. Top tens in both rebounding differential and net rating help elevate this team in the rankings, despite their 12th place position in turnover differential. If the Clippers want to be a serious team with title hopes, they need to fix the turnovers. Jason Terry and Paul Pierce are both forces on the court, but combined for 5.5 turnovers in the pre-season.
The last team in the "contenders" category is the Golden State Warriors. This is another team I'm not confident in going into the season. Top three finishes in point differential, rebounding differential and efficient field goal differential is very impressive, but a below average placement of 18th in turnover differential and then 12th in net rating sink their over all ranking. J.J. Reddick can put points up in a hurry, but turned the ball over at a staggering 3.6 times-per-game. Brendan Haywood down low is a big boost for this team.
Now we move onto the "fringe contenders" categories where three teams finished very closely together. Separated by just 0.2 ranking points, the Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets and Seattle Supersonics are all in the same boat. The Kings are much like the aforementioned Warriors as they are a very efficient and high scoring team that rebounds the ball well, with top six finishes in each points, rebounding and efficient field goal differentials. The Kings are actually the second best team in terms of efficient scoring. They just so happen to rank 17th in turnover differential and 11th in net rating. Their front court is what leads their team, which is evident in their rebounding and efficient scoring, with Greg Ostertag and Mo Taylor.
The Houston Rockets are a team that's built around securing the ball. They're top six in both turnover differential and net rating. They're also top nine in point differential and efficient field goal differential. It's the lack of rebounding that sets this team back. They are 13th best in the pre-season, which is not awful, but not great at the same time. Outside of Dwight Howard, who is one of the best rebounders in the league, the team isn't getting much help on the glass.
The Seattle Supersonics may be the favorite to win the west by most, but if the pre-season has anything to tell, that may not be the case. The team is the league's best when it comes to scoring the ball efficiently and net rating. They're also sixth in point differential but have a lack of rebounding and they turn the ball over at an above-league-average. With Shaq and Dirk, you think the team would be built to succussed. However, if they expect to have Raymond Felton to have as big of a role in the regular season as he did in the pre-season, they could be shooting themself in the foot.
The New York Knicks also fall into the "Fringe Contender" category; but just barely. The Knicks are a very well rounded team and play in the superior Eastern Conference. They're top eight in point differential, efficient field goal differential and net rating. I expect the Knicks to be better than most of the Western Conference teams listed above. The lethal combination of Joe Johnson and Tony Parker is one that will take the Knicks on a deep playoff run.
The New Jersey Nets and Philadelphia 76ers finish off the top ten of the Season 13 pre-season rankings in the "playoff team" category. The Nets and 76ers are actually similar teams. The Nets' top category is efficient field goal differential as they rank fourth and the 76ers are third in turnover differential. The Nets and 76ers rank 12th and ninth in point differential, eighth and seventh in rebounding differential, and 17th and 19th in net rating respectively.
Other notable teams outside of the top ten are the Cleveland Cavaliers and Atlanta Hawks who rank second and third in net rating respectively. The Washington Bullets and Boston Celtics rank first and second in rebounding differential respectively. The Charlotte Hornets rank second in turnover differential as the San Antonio Spurs rank fourth in net rating. The Orlando Magic finished the pre-season fourth in rebounding differential.
