NBA Standings 2018-2019: Warriors Dominating, Lakers, Rockets Among Most Disappointing Teams

There are plenty of surprises when taking a look at the early 2018-2019 NBA standings. While we’re used to seeing the Golden State Warriors (7-1) at the top of the conference, few likely predicted that both LeBron James and the reigning MVP would be sitting near the bottom of the West.

With their loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves (3-4) Monday night, the Los Angeles Lakers (2-5) are just a half-game out of last place in the West after two weeks. The Houston Rockets (1-4) are percentage points behind L.A., having played just two games with both James Harden and Chris Paul in the lineup at the same time. Houston’s only victory of the season came at Staples Center against the Lakers when a fight resulted in suspensions for players on both teams.

Neither the Rockets nor Lakers are expected to challenge the Warriors this season, but the two teams began the season with relatively high hopes. Houston started the year with the second-best odds of any team in the West to win the 2019 NBA Finals after leading the league in wins a season ago and taking Golden State to seven games in the conference finals. Los Angeles was given the third-best odds after signing James in July.

It certainly doesn’t help Houston or Los Angeles that Golden State looks better than ever. The defending champs are averaging an incredible 120 points per 100 possessions. Kevin Durant is tied for sixth in scoring with 28.3 points per game on 55.6 percent shooting. Stephen Curry might be the early MVP with averages of 32.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game while shooting 54.3 percent from the field and making 51.6 percent of the 11.6 threes he takes each night.

The Warriors’ only loss came on the road against the Denver Nuggets (5-1), who are the No.2 seed in the West. They are a game ahead of the San Antonio Spurs, Utah Jazz, New Orleans Pelicans, Portland Trail Blazers, and Los Angeles Clippers, who all sit at 4-2.

The NBA’s only undefeated team resides in the Eastern Conference. The Milwaukee Bucks (7-0) have the league’s best record. They defeated the previously unbeaten Toronto Raptors (6-1) Monday night to take sole possession atop the East standings. Milwaukee is the only team that ranks in the top six in both offensive and defensive rating.

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kawhi Leonard could be competing all season long to be recognized as the best player in the conference. Antetokounmpo is 12th in scoring (25.0 ppg) and fourth in rebounding (14.2 rpg). Leonard is 10th in scoring (26.6 ppg) with 8.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game.

Starting the season as the overwhelming favorites in the East, the Boston Celtics (4-2) have the fourth-best record, trailing the Detroit Pistons (4-1) by a half-game. Blake Griffin is averaging 28.4 points, 10.0 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game for Detroit.

The Indiana Pacers and Philadelphia 76ers are both right behind Boston with a 4-3 record. The Charlotte Hornets (3-4) are the current No.8 seed.

In their first season since 2014 without LeBron James, the Cleveland Cavaliers (0-6) are the only team without a win.