The AccuScore computer reviews team statistics to date and rates teams along multiple statistical dimensions including average margin of victory, field goal percentage, opponent field goal percentage, rebounding differential, turnover margin, points scored and points allowed.

The team that is best in any area is scored 100% and the lowest rated team is 0%.  Every other team is rated 1-99% based on their relative strength in that dimension.  AccuScore looks at relative power because it is more informative than numerical ranking.  For example, Boston has started the season with a sizable lead in margin of victory and at 100% is a full 15 percentage points higher than #2, San Antonio.  The difference between #2 San Antonio and #3 Utah is just 5%.   The difference between #5 Orlando and #12 Houston is less than the difference between #1 and #2.

Our analysts are provided with the raw data.  They are allowed to weight the different statistics by importance.  For example, one analyst might prioritize turnover margin and weight it by 2x while de-valuing rebounding differential and scoring it just 0.5.  In this example, a team’s rating in turnover margin would be worth 4 times as much as their rebounding rating.  In addition to customizing the power rating formula, the analyst is given the option to adjust a team’s rating in any category if they feel that team will be improving or getting worse in that statistical category in the near future.

Each Analysts’ individual power rating is posted along with the average of each team.

At this point in the season I thought it would be interesting to take a look at a couple of teams that have surprised thus far into this NBA season.  The first surprise team on my list is the LA Lakers.  After their tumultuous off-season with Kobe, most people expected very little from this team.  Kobe has been very critical of Lakers management in their inability or unwillingness to trade some young talented players like Andrew Bynum for proven veterans like Jason Kidd.  However, Bynum is showing Kobe and the rest of the NBA that he’s the real deal and that Lakers management was smart in holding on to this guy.  So far this season he’s averaging 11 points, 10 rebounds and 2 blocks in only 26 minutes per game.  The Lakers have been playing well lately, winning 5 of their last 6 and climbed in my power ranking up to 6th.  Whether the Lakers can advance past the first round of the playoffs remains to be seen, it most likely will depend on who they get matched up with.  If they can get up to the 5-6th spot and face a Utah or Denver, then they’ve got a great shot.  Drop to 7-8th and face the Spurs or Suns and their chances don’t look so good. 

The second surprise team so far this year has to be the Toronto Raptors.  This past week they pulled off a string of 4 straight wins, including wins at home against the Mavs and Rockets.  The only team they can’t seem to find an answer to is Boston, having lost to them 3 times already.  Chris Bosh has been his usual all-star self so far, averaging 19 points and 9 rebounds, but team balance has been the key for the Raptors with 6 players (nearly 7) averaging double-digits in points.  TJ Ford has been solid at the point as well, he took a nasty fall recently but should hopefully return to the court soon.  The Raptors sit at 10th in my power rankings and I see no reason why they can’t stay there as the season progresses, even if nobody is paying attention.

Stephen Oh - AccuScore Analyst

I was a little shocked by my own rankings this week.  It takes a little getting used to seeing two Eastern Conference Teams (Boston #1 and Detroit #2) lead the way.  We’ll have to see how these teams do against Western Conference powers, but for now they are both in the upper 25th percentile in the four major categories I prioritize (MOV, FG%, DEF FG%, REB Diff, TO Diff). 

Despite a string of losses, Utah is still tied for 3rd.  Every team goes through tough times and the team has played more road games than home games this season.  Phoenix is relatively low in the ratings because they are second to last in rebounding differential.  Even though they won in San Antonio despite being manhandled on the boards I still have a sinking feeling that come playoff time, defense and rebounding could once again sink the Suns.

The surprise team on the list are the Washington Wizards who have begun to box out for defensive rebounds while also being average on defense.  In my opinion Caron Butler is the most underrated SF in the league.  I would take him over Paul Pierce and a number of other “better” small forwards.  Butler may not be the best shooter, best defender, best rebounder, best ball-handler, best passer, best slasher at his position, but he probably ranks in the top 5 in all these categories at the SF position.  His all around excellence make him a Top 3 SF.  DeShawn Stevenson obviously has worked on his three point shooting ever since losing to Gilbert Arenas on that youtube broadcast shooting contest.  Arenas’ absence has forced the team to buckle down defensively and has allowed other players to get used to taking and making the big shot.

The Atlanta Hawks and Portland Trail Blazers also deserve to be praised.  They are both .500 as of 12/17.  Atlanta has a number of quality wins and Portland has been streaking without their best post player, LaMarcus Aldridge.  I think I’ll try to put in a super-early 2008-2009 futures bet on the Blazers winning 50+ games next season when Greg Oden is ready to play.