NBA Watchability Tracker - Week 4

What is this?

In this weekly tracker, I keep track of which NBA teams are must watch. This isn’t about just the best teams. It’s about heart in the mouth, can’t look away, or downright enjoyable basketball.

I cannot stand lists like this that just have the best teams at the top. Just because a team is good, does not mean they are watchable!

Last week

Spurs, Nuggets, Bulls, 76ers, Lakers.

Honourable mentions: Hornets and Nets.

Number 1: Denver Nuggets

Just as I thought last week, this team had not even reached their final form yet. They are now up to second in Offensive Rating, Defensive Rating and Net Rating. They are first in the league for points per game and assists per game. They are that good now and I don’t even think they are close to their full potential yet!

But as you know, this tracker is not just about the best teams in the league (which Denver are clearly up there, and were my pick to win it all prior to the season), it’s about watchability. This Nuggets team just plays such a beautiful brand of basketball, spearheaded by Jokić.

We just have to enjoy this guy while we have him at or near his peak. The simplicity that he plays with is just such a joy to watch. His passing ability, intelligence and know-how is on another level, and it is immediately obvious when you watch him. I could pull out any stats to evidence just how good this guy is, but in terms of watchability, I think it’s how he leads the league in passes per game (74.4), points from assists per game (28.4) and potential assists per game(19.1!!).

That’s what makes this team so good to watch - it’s how they share the ball. Everyone loves playing for this team and it’s not difficult to see why, you cut and you get the ball, you’re open and you get the ball. Jokić isn’t the only one, they all do it.

Just make sure you watch them from when the game starts, they are absolutely blowing teams out, even with Jokić off the floor! Against Golden State for their second NBA Cup game, from the 9:45 minute mark of the second quarter to the 4:16 mark, they went on a 21-5 run, with Jokić off the floor! That’s another part that makes them so watchable, how good they are with Valančiūnas on the floor instead.

It is going to be difficult for any team to take this stop spot, but it’s possible.

Number 2: Chicago Bulls

“Oh my goodness, Elizabeth, I’m coming again Elizabeth, Oooooh Lawd, Oh! oh! It’s the big one Elizabeth”.

I mean come one!! They have to be up there this week on that game alone and that call by the best in the business, Stacey King. We shouted him out last week and then a day later, he delivers one of the greatest calls in history. He had a similar call for the crazy Josh Giddey half-court game winner last season, but stepped it up a notch here and it is cemented as one of the greats. Absolute cinema.

If they hadn’t lost two in a row after this, they may have been above Denver, but alas two losses in a row drops them to second place.

On the basketball side, this team seems like they are always playing good and fun games. Their most recent game against Cleveland was a great game despite the loss. They had 7 guys in double figures and 27 assists on 38 made field goals. They were up with less than a minute and just couldn’t get it done in the final moments against what promises to be a top 10 (or maybe 5) team in the league in Cleveland.

So, while this team is better than people gave them credit for prior to the season, no one expects a championships out of them. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t one of the most watchable teams in the league.

I have to again shout out my boy, Giddey! What a leap he is making this year! Where would you put him in the league’s top players? He has to make top 25, does he make top 20, 15? Him in the open court is such a joy. I’ll sometimes put on a compilation of his best passes just to cheer up. He is a rare talent and I couldn’t be happier that he’s an Aussie.

Number 3: San Antonio Spurs

Gee they looked good with Fox back in the lineup didn’t they, and they’re still missing Harper.

Wemby has cooled off since his scorching start, for good reason though. Teams have done their homework and have figured out a gameplan against him. It started with Phoenix and every team has done it since. They put a smaller guy on him like Amen Thompson (Rockets) or Saddiq Bey (Pelicans), put their center on Barnes or Shochan. The smaller guy always has a body on Wendy, just staying underneath him basically, and the team tries to crowd Wemby, quickly double and try get the poke-away as soon as he puts the ball on the floor.

That is part of the reason this team is still at number 3. It’s fascinating watching to see how teams try to stop this guy and how Wemby tries to figure this defence out. On top of, of course, that you might see something you’ve never seen before with Wemby, any game.

The other part is their guards. Castle, Vassell, Fox, and Harper are so exciting! I love these guys. For Fox, this feels like a fresh start and a real opportunity for success. He brings another dimension to this team.

We await news about Dylan Harper and his calf strain. I say keep him out for as long as necessary with the recent history of calf strains (and achilleas) in the NBA.

Number 4: Portland Trail Blazers

Perhaps a little bit of a surprise, but this team plays with such pace and defensive tenacity that they are genuinely fun to watch. Especially in this early season when they can catch teams off guard and beat them.

The Chauncey Billups scandal has just added to their watchability. It’s almost like they are playing their way out of being associated with him.

Really, if you haven’t watched them yet, then have a watch! Nearly all their games are close games and they’ve beaten OKC, Denver, Lakers and Golden State.

Avdija has been great and Jrue Holiday has brought a defensive mindset to this team that is really enjoyable to watch. Shaedon Sharpe and Donovan Clingan look like they fit in this league, and there’s the added wrinkles of Scoot Henderson and Yang Hansen.

Not much else to say about this one. They are just a young and hungry team that are a good time. Give them a shot.

Number 5: 76ers

The Sixers have slid down to number 5, while the Lakers have slid out of the rankings altogether.

Edgecombe has cooled off since his hot start, and this has coincided with losing three of their last 4 games (2 of those by 1 shot). This is why they have slid down.

However, Maxey is still on an absolute tear. Grimes is having one hell of a season and McCain is back. So they have a number of different lineups which are pure entertainment involving Maxey, Edgecombe, McCain, Watford and Grimes, and then one or two forwards.

But still, I cannot take my eyes of this team for their on court product and their off court drama. They still have George, Embiid and Kyle Lowry on this team and I have no idea what’s going to happen with this fanbase. It’s a trainwreck waiting to happen (or a trade or two).

Please let these fans just enjoy their team for a bit longer!

Honourable Mention: Utah Jazz

This team was vying for a spot in the top 5, but the news about Walker Kessler has slid them way down the list. I just wanted to acknowledge that they were competing for a spot.

Honourable Mentions: Charlotte Hornets

This team again gets an honourable mention for the same reasons as last week. You never know what you'‘ll get when you watch them.

Honourable Mention: Boston Celtics

How many threes will they shoot? Are Hugo González and Josh Minott good? Luka Garza had one hell of a game vs the Magic today! Derrick White trade incoming?
What’s going on with Jaylen Brown’s hairline? A lot of talking points about this team so far this season, and the product on the court isn’t bad either.

Written by: Andrew Reynolds on 10 November 2025.

No AI was used to write this article.