East power rankings: Detroit Pistons come in at fifth after recent play

The contenders

5. Detroit Pistons (13-7)

In seasons past, to believe in the Detroit Pistons has been a daunting task asked of Motor City fans. This year, under Coach Dwane Casey’s leadership, the Pistons are playing a free style of basketball that has forged a confidence in Detroit’s players and supporters alike.

It’s not just the usual suspects putting in work. Blake Griffin is a walking highlight reel with a progressive three-pointer. He’s averaging 24.9 points per game, which sits him at No.11 in the NBA right now. Andre Drummond just wants the rebounds more than everyone else. His tenacity on the boards has him at the top of the league in rebounds per game (16.4).

Yet, it was Stanley Johnson’s downhill attack that kept the Pistons on top of the Warriors throughout their match on Saturday. Under the current staff, Johnson has significantly impacted the Pistons’ efficiency off the bench. Rookie Bruce Brown is taking his defensive assignments personally and it shows.

In contests against the Houston Rockets and the Golden State Warriors, Brown was given the responsibility to guard Stephen Curry and James Harden, respectively. His unwillingness to give up space and gamble, at the right moments, makes him one of the Pistons’ brightest spots on the roster for the future.

Reggie Jackson is starting to pick up in his new role under Casey. It has required him to become more of a spot-up shooter. A role he struggled to consistently succeed in. Jackson averages 39.8 percent from the three-point line in Pistons’ wins. In losses? 24.4 percent. It’s not hard to suffice that the Pistons need Jackson’s shooting to be a constant for them to punch through the ceiling that has capped them for so long.

4. Boston Celtics (13-10)

The Boston Celtics, at 13-10, have slightly fallen in Eastern conference power rankings this season, at least when you consider where they were at the end of the Eastern Conference Finals earlier this year. Unfortunately, plug-and-play has not been as fluid throughout their first 23 games as expected. But, Morris has a bit of light to spread for worried Celtics’ fans.

“Any time Smartie gets tangled up with somebody, it’s good,” Morris said smiling.

This comment came on the back of Gordon Hayward’s 30-point performance to Minnesota Timberwolves. It was a game right after a tangle-up between Marcus Smart and Hayward obviously pushed the Butler product’s buttons. He played with an urgency Boston has been unable to inspire from him – until Saturday.

Not to say that Hayward’s going to score 30 points every night moving forward. But, with all the steps that he has taken, the win against Minnesota will set a trend in his effectiveness on the floor.

Jaylen Brown’s back tightness presents a bit of a worry. Not for Boston’s success short-term. The C’s have been able to make up the production. However, one of Boston’s biggest indictments is their lack of chemistry on the floor.

They don’t look as good at full strength as they did without their two superstars on the floor. Injuries only derail their ability to install a system that EVERYONE not only buys into, but thrives in. The Celtics are a team with so much talent, it is often hard to make the distinction as to which players sit atop Boston’s offensive schemes.

On the other hand, that’s a really good problem to have.

3. Philadelphia 76ers (17-8)

The Markelle Fultz–Ben Simmons–Joel Embiid super trio is cancelled indefinitely. But, Jimmy Butler’s arrival from a toxic situation with the Minnesota Timberwolves put them right back into the conversation to play in and even win the Eastern Conference Finals as they have achieved a 17-8 record.

Jimmy’s buzzer beaters aside, the team has found its identity quickly and have some truly effective offensive sets to show for it.

The JJ Redick-Embiid combo is always a fan favorite. Redick averages more field goal attempts off Embiid’s passes than from anyone else in the club (4.8) and Embiid averages more field goal attempts off of Redick’s passes than any other player at 4.2 FGA.

Simply stated, the all-star and the veteran sharpshooter have a connection on the court that allows them to find each other with an ease that only helps Philly moving forward.

The 76ers are top-heavy, which is to be expected after they traded away assets like Dario Saric and Robert Covington for Butler. When playoff time comes, the Sixers will need consistency throughout the team – even the bench – to compete past the first round.

Landry Shamet is doing a good job offensively filling in off the bench. He fits right into the offense and is averaging 47.6 percent from long-distance and 51.5 percent from the floor over Philly’s last five games.

But, his defense is limited. Shamet is still a rookie who needs to learn how to make up for his lack of athleticism and speed on the defensive end with a better understanding and anticipation of his opponent’s moves on the court.

There should be some movement in the Markelle Fultz saga pretty soon after Fultz met with specialists last week for examinations on his shoulder. The Sixers are likely going to move forward without the former No. 1 pick in the future due to the win-now culture that continues to develop in the Philly lockerroom.

The team’s goal of winning now directly conflicts with Fultz’s development, at least in a Sixers’ jersey.

2. Milwaukee Bucks (15-7)

Giannis Antetokounmpo is leading the Milwaukee Bucks through the trenches and has landed at 15-7 on the season. Don’t mind the fact that he looks like an MVP doing it.

New York Knicks’ coach David Fizdale did not exaggerate Giannis’ skill when he crowned him the best player of the league. Even doubters have to keep him in the top five.

The defensive approach to his game is similar to how players tried to guard Shaq. Everyone knows what he’s going to do, but there is no one physically capable of stopping him from doing it.

Not just punching it in the paint, the Bucks’ organization paid attention to the trend as each NBA team did. You have to be able to shoot from distance to win.

The results are Milwaukee’s players being only second to the Houston Rockets in three-point field goal attempts (40.5). It helps that they are shooting right above 36 percent firing it up long distance. This also attributes to Giannis’ impressive season thus far.

Players like Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez have stretched defenses out this year, leaving the MVP candidate in space or on an island with a lone defender.

That turns things real bad, real quick. The type of teams they have beat also propels them to the No.2 slot. So far, the Bucks have a win percentage of 69.2 against teams with a W/P of at least 50 percent.

This is the highest among the Eastern Conference, ahead of both the Toronto Raptors and the Boston Celtics (66.6 percent each).

The Bucks have to tighten up defensively to trump the Raptors, but are not too far behind in the discussion as the Kings of the East.

1. Toronto Raptors (20-4)

Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green have allowed the Toronto Raptors to sit in a new head space under promoted coach Nick Nurse.

This is not the same squad from last year that folded against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers – again. It’s not just the 20-4 record that stands out.

Kevin Durant dropped 51 points in an inspiring charge for the Golden State Warriors. The Raptors were calm. Stable. Sound. And even won the game.

The performance under pressure was a step in a different direction for Toronto. Coach Nick Nurse has also been able to count on players like Pascal Siakam and Serge Ibaka, who was recently inserted into the starting lineup to replace Jonas Valanciunas.

Kyle Lowry will have his poor shooting nights, but the addition of a powerhouse like Leonard allows him to be comfortable and find other ways to affect the game. Lowry leads the league in assists per game at 10.3.

The Raptors are firing on all cylinders right now and look like the only Eastern Conference team capable of matching up with Golden State. Even if their OT win came without Stephen Curry on the floor.