Nba Standings and stretch run report cards put Pistons atop the East
As the schedule moves past the All-Star break and teams jockey for position, the latest stretch run report cards aim to reset expectations — and the nba standings picture looks different for several clubs.
Nba Standings show Pistons atop the East
It’s no surprise Cade Cunningham, Tobias Harris and the Pistons get a high mark for their play this season; the Pistons are listed at 42-13 with a Grade: A+. The write-up places Detroit first and applauds how far the team has come since a 14-win season two years ago.
Weekly recap and the NBA Stock Report
Every Monday, the column catches readers up on NBA happenings. This week’s package gives a grade for each team post-All-Star break and notes that there is also an extended version of the NBA Stock Report, a Monday staple newsletter that offers a deeper look every day in subscribers’ inboxes. The column opens by noting play has resumed and the stretch run is underway.
Why the period after the break is the stretch run, not a 'second half'
The piece stresses that people shouldn’t call the portion of the season after the All-Star break the "second half of the season. " It’s not: every team comes out of the break with fewer than 30 games left, which makes this officially "the stretch run. " The author quips that for tanking teams it’s the "stretch saunter because we’re going to say our best players are out for the rest of the season with a surgery they probably needed in the summer. " Allegedly!
Grades and early-moving teams through No. 9
The report hands grades to all 30 teams and begins with these rankings and notes for the top nine:
- 1. Detroit Pistons (42-13): Grade: A+
- 2. Boston Celtics (37-19): Losing Al Horford, Kristaps Porziņģis, Luke Kornet and Jrue Holiday (plus Jayson Tatum so far) and still having the second-best record in the East is called a remarkable feat. Grade: A+
- 3. New York Knicks (37-21): The Knicks’ inconsistency is noted, and their 0-3 showing against Detroit with a minus-84 point differential draws scrutiny. Grade: A-
- 4. Cleveland Cavaliers (36-22): The Cavs are described as being on a hot streak and the addition of James Harden has many expecting a big playoff run. Grade: B
- 5. Toronto Raptors (34-23): Fueled by defense and two All-Stars; winning a playoff series would be a major payoff. Grade: A-
- 6. Philadelphia 76ers (31-26): The Sixers’ inconsistency with Joel Embiid and Paul George is noted, but Tyrese Maxey and company have been successful. Grade: A
- 7. Orlando Magic (30-26): The Magic are said to have played far below expectations this season; injuries are mentioned but the verdict is negative. Grade: D-
- 8. Miami Heat (31-27): The Heat are described as playing faster than before, which has given them a jolt; the piece highlights questions about fitting Bam Adebayo and Kel’el Ware together. Grade: B
- 9. Atlanta Hawks (28-31): The Hawks made a big change in sending out Trae Young; it was called the right call, but this team was never close to their "sleeper in the East" status from this summer. They’re still very much the Hawk
Other context and a stray headline
The column includes a photo credit naming Jayden Mack. Separately in the context bundle is a short headline reading "429 Too Many Requests. " No additional text is provided for that item in the available material.
With the stretch run under way and fewer than 30 games left for every team, the next regular check-in comes the following Monday when the weekly recap and the extended NBA Stock Report are published for readers.
