NBN POWER RANKINGS: WEEK 13 — THE SEPARATION IS REAL

The dust has settled on another chaotic five-day stretch in the Nothing But Net Association, and folks, the cream is rising faster than whipped cream on a hot sundae. Nate "Tiny" Archibald is averaging a video-game 31.6 PPG for Sacramento. Chris Paul is dishing 10.4 dimes a night in Atlanta. Nate Thurmond is hauling in 15.2 boards for OKC. The elite have separated from the merely good, and the tank commanders are polishing their ping-pong balls.

Here's your weekly hierarchy, complete with movement arrows, hot takes, and zero apologies.

🏆 TIER 1: CHAMPIONSHIP CONTENDERS

1. Sacramento Kings (14-3) — RISING

Tiny Archibald isn't just leading the league in scoring — he's lapping it. 31.6 PPG on 57.3% true shooting with 8.8 assists? That's not a stat line, that's a cheat code. The Kings have won 9 of 10 and look like the team to beat.

2. Dallas Mavericks (13-4) — STEADY

Two top-15 players in Ron Mercer (30.4 PPG, 59% TS) and Bill Russell (15.0 RPG, 4.5 APG). A 5-point win over San Antonio on Day 90 showed grit. This duo is terrifying.

3. Atlanta Hawks (12-5) — RISING

The only team with three players in the top-20: Carmelo Anthony (29.3 PPG), Chris Paul (28.0 PPG, 10.4 APG), and Kermit Washington (14.5 RPG). That's a Big Three built in a lab.

4. Oklahoma City Thunder (11-6) — FALLING

Lost to Minnesota on Day 87 despite Nate Thurmond's 15.2 RPG and Lester Conner's 29.3 PPG. Conner's 58.5% TS is elite, but OKC's supporting cast is thinner than a soap bubble.

5. Brooklyn Nets (11-6) — STEADY

Shawn Marion (29.1 PPG, 12.5 RPG) and Jay Williams (20.7 PPG, 10.2 APG) form a dynamic duo, but Marion's 52.4% TS raises eyebrows. Efficiency matters in June.

🎯 TIER 2: PLAYOFF HOPEFULS

6. Denver Nuggets (10-7) — RISING

Jermaine O'Neal (21.1 PPG, 14.4 RPG) and Zoran Radovic (25.1 PPG, 10.2 APG) give Denver a rare inside-out combo. Quietly dangerous.

7. Minnesota Timberwolves (10-7) — RISING

That 9-point win over OKC on Day 87 wasn't a fluke. The Wolves are scrappy, balanced, and playing with house money.

8. Miami Heat (9-8) — RISING

Crushed Orlando by 23 on Day 86. No star in the top-20, but depth wins in fantasy. Culture isn't a buzzword here — it's a strategy.

9. Indiana Pacers (9-8) — STEADY

Handled Charlotte by 11 on Day 89. Solid, unspectacular, exactly where you want to be in January.

10. New Orleans Pelicans (9-8) — RISING

10-point win over Philly on Day 88. No household names, but someone's scoring — and in this league, that's half the battle.

11. Utah Jazz (8-9) — STEADY

Mikel Brown Jr. (24.6 PPG, 9.8 APG, 58.4% TS) is a sneaky MVP candidate. The Jazz go as he goes.

12. Vancouver Grizzlies (8-9) — FALLING

Muggsy Bogues at 5'3" dropping 20.1 PPG and 10.4 APG on 60.7% TS is the story of the season. But Vancouver needs a second option yesterday.

😐 TIER 3: MIDDLE OF THE PACK

13. Detroit Pistons (7-10) — STEADY

Michael Olowokandi (16.8 PPG, 14.5 RPG) anchors the paint, but 48.6% TS won't scare anyone. Mediocrity personified.

14. Philadelphia 76ers (7-10) — FALLING

Lost to New Orleans by 10 on Day 88. The Process is processing... slowly.

15. San Antonio Spurs (7-10) — FALLING

Five-point loss to Dallas on Day 90. No top-20 player, no identity, no direction.

16. Charlotte Hornets (6-11) — FALLING

Blown out by Indiana on Day 89. The buzz has died down to a faint hum.

17. Orlando Magic (6-11) — STEADY

That 23-point drubbing by Miami on Day 86 exposed the ceiling. Young, raw, learning.

18. Los Angeles Lakers (6-11) — STEADY

No data, no noise, no hope. The Hollywood script needs a rewrite.

19. Golden State Warriors (6-11) — FALLING

Splash Brothers? More like Trickle Brothers. Where's the offense?

20. Phoenix Suns (5-12) — STEADY

Stuck in neutral. The desert is dry and the wins are scarce.

21. Chicago Bulls (5-12) — RISING

Found a pulse last week. Two wins in three sim days. Don't look now, but they're feisty.

22. Cleveland Cavaliers (5-12) — FALLING

LeBron who? The King's court is empty and the throne is collecting dust.

23. Boston Celtics (5-12) — STEADY

Green bleeds, but the scoreboard doesn't care about history.

🏗️ TIER 4: REBUILDING / TANK COMMANDERS

24. New York Knicks (4-13) — STEADY

The Garden is quiet. The front office is loud. The fans are tired.

25. Washington Wizards (4-13) — FALLING

Magic? More like tragic. The wand is broken.

26. Milwaukee Bucks (3-14) — STEADY

Giannis in this universe must be on a two-way contract. Nowhere to be found.

27. Houston Rockets (3-14) — RISING

Lost 12 straight, then won two. The "Rising" arrow is purely mathematical. Don't get excited.

28. Memphis Grizzlies (2-15) — FALLING

Not to be confused with Vancouver. This Grizzlies team hibernates year-round.

29. Portland Trail Blazers (1-16) — STEADY

Rock bottom. The view from 29th is... actually pretty nice for draft position. Victor Wembanyama watch officially activated.

BIGGEST RISERS: Sacramento (+3), Minnesota (+4), Miami (+3). BIGGEST FALLERS: OKC (-2), Vancouver (-3), San Antonio (-3), Charlotte (-3).

The trade deadline looms in two sim weeks. Contenders will buy, pretenders will sell, and the Blazers will field offers for literally everyone. Stay tuned — the separation only gets sharper from here.

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