A typical technique for evaluating and rating basketball groups in a given Nationwide Basketball Affiliation season includes categorizing them into distinct tiers based mostly on perceived energy and potential. These classifications, typically created by analysts, followers, and media shops, present a snapshot of the league’s aggressive panorama at a specific cut-off date. For instance, a crew projected to contend for a championship could be positioned in a “contender” tier, whereas a crew anticipated to overlook the playoffs could be relegated to a “lottery crew” tier.
This categorization serves a number of functions. It offers a concise overview of crew high quality, aiding in predictions about playoff seeding, championship chances, and particular person participant efficiency. Moreover, the historic context of those rankings permits for comparisons throughout completely different eras, illuminating the evolution of team-building methods and the dynamics of the league. Its creation promotes dialogue and debate amongst followers of the game.