Under this benchmark, which requires winning 40 games before losing 20, only the Oklahoma City Thunder (42-14) and Detroit Pistons (40-13) qualify as true contenders. The San Antonio Spurs are expected to join them soon, while the Boston Celtics have an outside shot. Conversely, the Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, and New York Knicks fail to meet the standard, with the Sacramento Kings, Washington Wizards, and Brooklyn Nets currently ranking at the bottom.
NBA Power Rankings: 40-20 Rule Reveals Top Contenders
Entering the second half of the season, NBA power rankings apply Phil Jackson's '40-20 rule' to identify legitimate championship contenders.