NBA: Grading every team through the first quarter of 2018-19

NBA Los Angeles Clippers Doc Rivers (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
NBA Los Angeles Clippers Doc Rivers (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
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NBA
NBA Philadelphia 76ers Jimmy Butler Ben Simmons (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Philadelphia 76ers

Record: 15-8 

Grade: B+ 

Even before the trade of Jimmy Butler, the Philadelphia 76ers were progressing quite well. However, they still looked like a young team that was missing the final piece to the puzzle. I’m not sure if Butler will be the final piece to this team’s championship puzzle, but he’s been good.

And together, they’ve been a great pairing. The Sixers look like a real contender with the addition of Butler and he’s the closer that they desperately needed last season. Now they don’t have to depend on Ben Simmons or Joel Embiid to close games.

They have one of the best closers in the NBA in Butler, and he’s already proven himself in that area twice this season.