There comes a moment every year when this happens. The 2022-23 NBA season started on October 18. The Golden State Warriors are seeking to add to their dynasty by winning a fifth championship in eight seasons. The Los Angeles Clippers, the Philadelphia 76ers, and the drama-filled Brooklyn Nets are just a few of the clubs attempting to end their championship drought.
It’s for this reason that the game is played, even though some teams have more reasonable expectations than others. There are established powerhouses this season, but there are also promising young squads like the New Orleans Pelicans and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
We have ranked the league’s top clubs as of now based on their early season performance and their overall record from the previous year’s context. These are the three best teams in the NBA right now.
3. Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns have gotten off to a good start this season, despite all the controversy and commotion they endured this summer leading up to preseason. With the same nucleus of Devin Booker, DeAndre Ayton, Mikal Bridges, and Chris Paul, this team was two victories away from the NBA Finals two years ago. There was a club last year that won 64 games before losing in the playoffs.
The playoffs will be a better indicator of how good they really are, but for now, expect Devin Booker and company to keep piling up victories. While the team’s chemistry off the court remains questionable, they have shown they can play well together on it and win basketball games.
2. Milwaukee Bucks
It’s not unreasonable to think that the Milwaukee Bucks when at full strength, are one of the greatest teams in the NBA at the moment and maybe even the best in the East. Aside from PJ Tucker, the 2021 NBA Finals starting lineup still consists of Giannis Antetokounmpo and the rest of the championship team’s core players.
Although Giannis and Jrue Holiday have missed several games this season, the Bucks have had a strong start. While the impending return of Khris Middleton should give its opponents pause, the club may not be back to full strength until January.
1. Boston Celtics
Even though the Celtics were eliminated from NBA championship contention in six games by the Warriors last season, the team’s future seemed promising. With All-Stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown on the wings, plus the additions of Malcolm Brogdon and Danilo Gallinari in the summer, the Celtics seemed ready to take another step forward in the new NBA season.
There was some doubt that they could repeat their second-half dominance and Finals run from last year when Gallinari tore his ACL in Eurobasket play, starting center Robert Williams required another knee treatment, and head coach Ime Udoka was banned for the whole season. However, their performance so far this year has put such concerns to rest. There was no noticeable drop-off in play when Udoka was replaced by Joe Mazulla, and the Celtics have continued to perform well.
