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NBA standings ordered by bench net rating: Raptors laughably bad

By Mike Luciano

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 17: Gary Trent Jr. #33 of the Toronto Raptors (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 17: Gary Trent Jr. #33 of the Toronto Raptors (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Net rating, which compares a team’s offensive and defensive efficiency and illustrates how much better they are on one end of the floor, has been a more popular way of evaluating teams in the last few years. Unfortunately, Darko Rajakovic and the Toronto Raptors don’t look too favorable in this category this season.

With the challenges this unusual roster is facing from a spacing perspective, on top of the fact they are learning an entirely new system, Toronto is struggling to get their desired results on offense (outside of the Bucks win). The Raptors have scored 100 points in regulation once in six games.

The Raptors’ subpar bench, featuring the talents of the struggling Gary Trent Jr. and Malachi Flynn, is one of the main reasons why. Are they in a position to climb back to at least NBA average, or will they have to get used to an entire season buried at the bottom of the league due to their offensive issues?

NBA standings ordered by bench net rating: Where are the Toronto Raptors?

Eastern Conference

  1. Boston Celtics (+7.4)
  2. Brooklyn Nets (+6.5)
  3. Philadelphia 76ers (+4.8)
  4. Orlando Magic (+4.6)
  5. Milwaukee Bucks (+2.4)
  6. Atlanta Hawks (+2.4)
  7. Washington Wizards (+2.3)
  8. Detroit Pistons (+0.8)
  9. Indiana Pacers (+0.7)
  10. New York Knicks (-1.4)
  11. Chicago Bulls (-2.1)
  12. Charlotte Hornets (-4.9)
  13. Miami Heat (-4.9)
  14. Cleveland Cavaliers (-5.9)
  15. Toronto Raptors (-7.1)

The Raptors have regressed to a point where they have the unsavory designation of worst net rating in the Eastern Conference. While the defense has actually been quite good, especially considering the quality of opponents they have drawn in the first few games, it’s the half-court offense that has provoked the most mockery and scorn.

The season is still early, but the rest of the conference is looking fantastic. More than half of the teams have positive net ratings, and some of the few underperformers like the Knicks, Cavaliers, and Heat will likely be much higher up the standings quite soon.

Western Conference

  1. Golden State Warriors (+8.0)
  2. Dallas Mavericks (+3.8)
  3. Denver Nuggets (+3.4)
  4. Los Angeles Lakers (+2.3)
  5. Minnesota Timberwolves (+2.1)
  6. Phoenix Suns (+0.4)
  7. Portland Trail Blazers (+0.4)
  8. Utah Jazz (-0.3)
  9. Sacramento Kings (-0.4)
  10. New Orleans Pelicans (-0.8)
  11. Oklahoma City Thunder (-2.4)
  12. Los Angeles Clippers (-3.4)
  13. San Antonio Spurs (-3.6)
  14. Memphis Grizzlies (-3.7)
  15. Houston Rockets (-9.9)

The only team who ranks below the Raptors right now in net rating is the Houston Rockets, who are coached by one-time Nick Nurse replacement favorite Ime Udoka and led on the court by Toronto icon Fred VanVleet. What an ironic start that group has had down in Texas.

The Warriors seem to be running away with this title right now, as they are doubling up on second-place Dallas. If the Mavericks regress on defense, however, their hot start could turn to ash despite the best efforts of this new roster.

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