Welcome back to this week’s TSAHoops NBA Power Rankings, where we’re shifting the ranks week to week, giving our excerpts on why each team earned their spots, the movements that occurred and so on. As play occurs, only the top 15 teams will get an explanation as to why they have earned their rank. We hope you enjoy.
We’re all square with the end of Week 2 of the NBA Season, and while a few teams continue to plummet out of sight (Milwaukee, Philadelphia), other teams continue to rise and surprise. Most of the top teams shouldn’t shock anyone. They have played the most consistent, at a high clip, and have most importantly, been the most healthy in the league. As we go over out risers and fallers this week, take note to the reasons – they may be a glimpse into what we can expect in the next 4 weeks to come.
| Oklahoma City | 6-0 | 1 | 2 | Up 1 | LAC (A) | This team is simply putting together the best ball it can early in the season. They’re effective inside and outside the paint, and have managed to put togetther a solid road trip. The quality of teams hasn’t been top-tier, but the way this group has played against them has made things look that much better. |
| Boston | 6-1 | 2 | 1 | Down 1 | MIL (H) | The Celtics have had some interestingly close games this week, one coming as a loss to the on again, off again Pacers. The good thing is that no team can stop the C’s scoring pace (1st overall). The bad part – and it might not happen often – is when the defense lapses leading to some wild/close finishes. |
| Cleveland | 7-0 | 3 | 3 | None | ORL (H) | Evan Mobley and Darius Garland are proof that you can have names that aren’t market big, but should be, and can punish you when they’re healthy. That close win against Milwaukee should’ve been a loss, but Milwaukee took their foot off the gas. We’ll see what improvement this team can make as December looms. |
| Phoenix | 5-2 | 4 | 6 | Up 2 | DAL (H), LAL (H), LAC (A) | The Suns have had a great set of runs since that less-than-ideal loss to the Lakers. They are using JOnes well, but Beal is playing better, when available. |
| Golden State | 5-1 | 5 | 10 | Up 5 | HOU (A), NOP (H /H) | You’ll notice a weird signifier that says “H/H.” It means “home-and-home.” The craziest part about that (for the thousandth time) is that this team played and defended home 2 days in a row – and you don’t usually see that until playoffs – but against the SAME team. That proves that Kerr is doing something right. He has Heild looking like a Splash Bro, the team is scoring at a high clip and they’re doing it without Steph Curry! |
| Dallas | 4-2 | 6 | 5 | Down 1 | MIN (A) | I can”t quite figure out what Dallas is doing, but when it’s on, it really works. Going into MInnesota and gutting out a close win down the stretch is the mark of a champion. Now, if it can get the same production on a more consistent basis like the teams ahead of them, we’ll see this team climb the ranks and standings. |
| Los Angeles Lakers | 4-2 | 7 | 4 | Down 3 | None | The gas is starting to let up on a team that shocked the league out of the gate, and we’re seeing the consequences of two things: lack of a back up big to help rebounding and poor defense at the point. This team is already a bad 3-point shooting team, but it could help itself by making runs. You can’t do that without one of the 2. Shoutout to LA for getting AD on the MVP path though. |
| Memphis | 4-2 | 8 | 6 | Down 2 | Ja Morant is marching this team back into the spotlight! We’re hoping his play sticks this time, that he stays healthy, and the team continues to follow suit. | |
| Houston | 3-3 | 9 | 15 | Up 6 | DAL (A) | Houston had great wins against both Dallas and San Antonio before coming back to earth. Right now the early season is about which teams are playing more cohesively and Houston is doing that. |
| New York | 3-2 | 10 | 12 | Up 2 | MIA (A) | Finally getting some games to gel together. KAT and Brunson are starting out better in games. Great win on ht eroad against the Heat |
| Miami | 3-2 | 11 | 16 | Up 5 | None | This team is playing more like a better-than-.500 team, but has the consistency that other teams don’t, helping them survive and succeed against teams like Detroit and Washington that are still figuring out their identites. Consistency is going to be key for MIami. We figure there will be a roster change come January. |
| San Antonio | 1-3 | 12 | 19 | Up 7 | MIN (H) | Great team win with Chris Paul running the clock back. This team is showing that it can, in fact, beat better teams, but they’re going to need a more consistent scorer to do so. |
| Minnesota | 2-2 | 13 | 8 | Down 5 | DEN (H) | Great close win against Denver, but we’re starting to worry that Anthony Edwards is going to need to change his approach to the game this early in the season. Why? Other players are going to need to score.the ball, mainly from 3. |
| Orlando | 3-2 | 14 | 11 | Down 3 | IND (A) | Paolo Banchero’s injury definitely killed this team’s momentum heading into Week 3. Franz Wagner is not enough to sustain this team’s offense, although his development has improved, which is a plus. |
In case you we’re wondering where the other 15 teams fared, be sure to check here for our updated takes on the league. Think we got it wrong? Right? Let us know in the comments below!
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