With the 2019/20 regular season around the corner, ESPN’s Zach Lowe is back with one of his most entertaining annual columns, his NBA League Pass Rankings.
In the first and second parts of the rankings, Lowe lists the NBA teams from No. 30 to No. 1 based on how watchable he expects each club to be during the upcoming season. As he explains, several factors are incorporated into his rankings, including a team’s popularity, highlight potential, playing style, and – of course – unintentional comedy.
After several years of the Warriors finishing at – or near – the top of Lowe’s rankings, Golden State has slipped all the way down to No. 13 for the 2019/20 season, opening the door for some new-look rosters to take center stage.
Of course, the Los Angeles teams and their newly-formed superstar pairings are near the top of the list, with the Lakers coming in at No. 2 and the Clippers coming in at No. 4. But there are plenty of other unexpected teams in the top 10, including the up-and-coming Kings sneaking in at No. 10, while the Bulls land at No. 8.
Zion Williamson‘s arrival in New Orleans helps boost the Pelicans to No. 9, while the tantalizing star power of the Luka Doncic/Kristaps Porzingis duo in Dallas ensures that the Mavericks come in at No. 6. A pair of somewhat under-the-radar Western Conference title contenders – the Nuggets and Jazz – rank at No. 5 and No. 7, respectively, while reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks are at No. 3.
This year’s top League Pass team, according to Lowe? The Sixers, who feature one of the biggest starting lineups in history, including a 6’10” point guard (Ben Simmons) and a frontcourt that features Joel Embiid and Al Horford. Lowe describes the 76ers as “weird, big, goofy and loaded with personality,” noting that he has a ton of questions about how the unusual mix of players will actually look on the court together.
Again, Lowe’s full top 15 can be found here, along with the bottom 15. But we want to know what your personal League Pass rankings would look like.
Outside of your favorite team(s), which clubs are you most looking forward to watching in 2019/20? Do you agree with Lowe’s top tier or are there other teams that intrigue you more? Which club’s games are you most likely to seek out during the coming season?
Jump into the comment section below to share your thoughts!
I feel like Orlando should be fun to watch. The return and development of Fultz, healthy full seasons of Fultz, Bamba, and Isaac. The hugely underrated Aminu. Clifford’s great defensive track record. Aaron Gordon and Terrence Ross’ mind boggling dunks. The continued improvement of Vucevic.
Zack Lowe is sleeping on the warriors this year. Of course they look bad in their first preseason game. It was a team that never played together so they were out of place. The last game they look more like a team but a few players were out of place on defense. You can see they will have a much better bench this year.
I agree. The Warriors are going to be run and gun this year… and maybe try to play a little bit of Defense.
We all know Curry and Russell will be gunslingers with Russell going to the hoop a little more often. Rookie Jordan Poole is a big-time Gunner, we can only just hope his percentage is reasonable. That guy lets it fly whenever and wherever.
I think they’ll be fun to watch unless they shoot themselves out of games LOL
I agree with Philly been the most exciting team to watch right now, probably of the last few years too.
Lakers, Bucks, Nuggets & Mavs will be exciting too & my dark horse would be Minny, you cannot go wrong with the KAT.
Lowe ranked TWolves 22 then said Towns “single-handedly vaults Minnesota over eight NBA teams.”
So I guess he puts MIN last otherwise including the Wiz! But I want to see Culver take over from Wiggins in setting the tone for the team. Lowe likes Okogie and “every Wiggins midranger triggers acid reflux.” lol
Yeah agree with you mate. Wiggins resigning was a mistake and they have done the right thing getting Culver. I think they should try to trade Wiggins maybe even for CP3 and let Culver and Okogie have more time at SG. Plus having Teague off the bench would be good
People were expecting Rosas to do something like that.
As for Presti, I thought he would want to keep Paul to keep the team from collapsing. SGA can play the 2 and they don’t need more picks.
But then there was an HR article saying a Paul retrade was the plan! I doubt it– for one thing, there would be talk of Paul for Wiggins.
These yearly preview articles by Lowe are great and right now at the start pretty much every game offers something.
So many changes.
> Seeing what Brogdon can do with the guards-and-centers Pacers.
> Brooklyn’s new floor and grafitti unis and a possibly overconfident Dinwiddie and happy Irving… Will the new vibes destroy the old ones?
> Fultz & Bamba teasing.
> Newbies in ATL, CLE, BOS
> NYK will likely be dirty & willing to be the bad guys.
Zach Lowe and Luke Adams are definitely the two best basketball analysts imo rn