#SLOE: People's Basketball Sim League

Welcome to the first installment of this season's POWER RANKINGS. The Power Rankings are fed by record, strength of schedule, strength of victory, margin of victory, and home/away percentages.

The pair of teams at 14-1 hit the #2 and #3 spots on our rankings, being eclipsed by the #1 San Antonio Spurs who sport a 10-2 record against a tougher schedule than both 14-win teams, a larger margin than Orlando, and more road than home games played. Their slightly worse record in games against .500+ opponents give me pause when projecting future rankings, and I'd expect them to be eclipsed when the Nuggets home/road schedule evens out, or the Magic play some fiercer competition, barring trades/injuries/etc.

Another few numbers that jump out at me are the Bobcats Strength of Schedule is 61% which is crazy high. This could be a playoff team when all is said and done, once they come to an easier run in their schedule. Although with a trade of Azubuike already posted, perhaps they'll slide back down anyway.

The Pistons 9-3 record looks a little soft against the weakest slate of opponents in the league, especially after dropping 3 out of 5 games against opponents with a winning record. That being said, the rankings don't particularly like any Central division team, so let's see how this plays out over the rest of the season.

As always, please feel free to reach out with any questions, comments, suggestions, etc.

Who doesn't love a good power rank. You get 5 points for this initial post, and each update will add a point on to that.

Nice work.


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Nice article and awesome team at #4 lol

That was an awesome article! Check out the powerhouse franchise at #30 ;D

Spurs still on top after sim 3, what's notable is despite only losing a game each, both the Nuggets and Magic drop rankings, with the Nuggets dropping 3 spots. Both have played among the highest percentage of home games in the league which definitely hurts them in these ranks. Don't expect that to change next sim where neither team will face more road than home teams.

The Warriors sit at #27 - but after making a major trade, how far can they climb? With a rest of season SOS 6% easier than their slate so far, looks like they have some opportunity.

The Hawks are perhaps a surprise, though their 16-7 record comes against the 5th hardest schedule so far with only 9 home games in their first 23.

Added 1 to the media point total of this, bringing it to 6 overall (for article 1), but keep on dropping the Bulls in the rankings and see what happens.

Despite a 15-game winning streak, the Nuggets still can't crack the top-two. Partially because the Spurs and Hawks are having great seasons, partially because they play almost all of their road games at the end of their season. We all know a team's worth is determined away from home, and the Nuggets still haven't proved that. I know you might be saying 'hey, why are you talking about the Nuggets all the time?'. Well, one, they're an interesting statistical case, and two - when you do your own power rankings you can talk about your own team first

The Warriors have moved up a couple ticks, and find themselves only 3 games back of the playoffs. Paging Tray, Tray, Buehler, Anyone?

The Rankings LOVE the 19-19 Wizards, predominately because of their abundance of road games on a .500 record, and they hate the Bulls and the Celtics. I'M SORRY JOSH, ITS NOT MY FAULT #math

The top 6 teams are the same from the last version of these rankings, though the Raptors could break through if they continue their winning ways. The Bobcats have dropped 10 spots, predictably, after some tankalicious moves.

TheSyndicate wrote: Mon Jan 28, 2019 6:19 pm The Rankings LOVE the 19-19 Wizards, predominately because of their abundance of road games on a .500 record, and they hate the Bulls and the Celtics. I'M SORRY JOSH, ITS NOT MY FAULT #math

Please subtract the point I gave you last time.

garbageman wrote: Mon Jan 28, 2019 6:34 pm

TheSyndicate wrote: Mon Jan 28, 2019 6:19 pm The Rankings LOVE the 19-19 Wizards, predominately because of their abundance of road games on a .500 record, and they hate the Bulls and the Celtics. I'M SORRY JOSH, ITS NOT MY FAULT #math

Please subtract the point I gave you last time.

But after subtracting that point, feel free to claim 2 points for the update for a net of 1 more point.

This makes me proud to be the first person on the Spurs bandwagon.

Spurs continue to hold down the top spot, though the Nuggets play 6 road games this sim against only one in Denver. If they come out unscathed, or maybe slightly scathed, expect the gap at the top to shrink.

The Pacers continue to be the most ratings-loved 11 games under .500 team in the rankings due to the 2nd highest strength of schedule.

GONE from the top 6 is the Anthony Davis-led Pistons who slide all the way to the 10 spot. Those Raptors that I mentioned were knocking on the door of that elite group? They take the 6 spot, and will threaten to move even higher if they continue to put up W's.

In the TANK RANK, the rankings feel the Grizzlies have the edge on the worst record given that their remaining slate is almost exclusively away from VanMemphis. Which, if you understand VanMemphis isn't actually a real city, isn't all that surprising.

Also, have been playing around with the formulas a bit prepping for next season, and I think next season we'll add 'Record over the past month' as a factor to raise any hot teams in the rank a bit. Think that'll be a fun little wrinkle.

+ 1 point

While the Nuggets have lost the past two sims at a pretty alarming rate, the fact that they've now played half their schedule on the road, and against a much tougher slate of opponents while still maintaining a small lead in win % and a big lead in differential leaves them out in front of San Antonio. Will be interesting to see how a recent form data point impacts a situation like this, but that's for next season to determine. The Spurs, though, have a much easier schedule down the stretch which could send them into the lead for the president's cup - wait, what sport is this?

The playoff race in the East has largely been decided, but out West, the Warriors and Lakers are in a two team race for 8th. These rankings like the Warriors by a tinge, who have a slightly easier schedule, but much more home-heavy. My money is on them sneaking into the 8th seed.

In the TANK RANK, the Grizz are still in the pole position with 12 games left it's a very slim lead. Though it probably doesn't matter as the Bucks are getting the 1st pick anyway...

Penultimate rankings have the Jazz pulling ahead in the TANKRANK, The Nuggets and Spurs almost inseparable at the top, with irrational love for the Pistons and Bobcats, and irrational hate for the Rockets and Hawks. I think these numbers may get a little screwy as the number of games remaining goes down. Hopefully that'll be helped by next year's formula!

+2 points, this article is capped