Suns Slide Out of Top Ten in New NBA Power Rankings
The week three edition of NBA power rankings come with some major shakeups- several teams fall out of the top 10 this week- including the reeling Phoenix Suns.
In a season where much parity was expected, much parity we have received. The Suns are now 4-6, while other perceived contenders such as the Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks have faced uneven starts as well.
So, who are the top 10 teams in the NBA right now? We will examine that below, along with one honorable mention.
HM: Golden State Warriors
The Warriors weren't necessarily deserving of a mention this week coming off of three consecutive losses, but their 6-2 start coupled with many other teams possessing mediocre records give the Warriors the edge.
Steph Curry continues to look like one of the best players in the world at 35 years old and the Warriors' have a number of solid complimentary pieces, but the lack of a true co-star may hurt them down the line - Klay Thompson is second on the team in scoring at just over 16 PPG.
10. Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks are another team that's not necessarily deserving of rank, but will get a mention this week anyways.
The Bucks won two close games against the Brooklyn Nets and Detroit Pistons, while losing to the Indiana Pacers/Orlando Magic.
Star Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 54 points in the Pacers game and continues to look at the top of his game.
The Bucks are a mess outside of Giannis, however. Damian Lillard is now injured along with seemingly needing time to adjust to new surroundings. Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez have both looked like shells of themselves. The Bucks have one of the worst defenses in the league.
They likely will figure things out eventually, but this certainly isn't the dominant team many predicted after the Lillard trade.
9. Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers continue to look the part of a playoff team. Tyrese Haliburton has taken yet another jump and is undoubtedly the face of the franchise, averaging nearly 24 points per game and 12.2 dimes per game while boasting an absurd 5.2 assist-to-turnover ratio.
Nine other players average at least eight points a contest in what is the league's best offense currently. Rick Carslile has appeared to have turned things around quickly in Indianapolis.
8. Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder are 6-4 and firmly in the playoff discussion a year after making a surprise play-in bid last season.
The Thunder had a dominant fourth-quarter showing against Phoenix last night behind 30-point performances by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams.
OKC appears to have four foundational pieces that are currently in the starting lineup, and potentially more that are easing into bigger roles. The major concern is the lack of growth from Josh Giddey. Perhaps Sam Presti should look to move Giddey before he loses more trade value?
7. Houston Rockets
The Rockets are probably the single biggest surprise in the young NBA season. The Ime Udoka-led squad looked to be bringing much of the same to the table this season that they had for the previous three.
Not so fast!
The Rockets are now on a six-game win streak, including beating the defending champion Nuggets after a dismal 0-3 start.
Dillon Brooks and Fred VanVleet look as if they truly are culture changers. Jalen Green has become an all-around impact player. Alperen Sengun has made a potential most improved player jump.
Is this start sustainable from Houston? It remains to be seen, but it seems like the Rockets could very well be crawling out of a very bleak situation.
6. Miami Heat
Erik Spoelstra and the Heat somehow appear to be overachieving yet again. The Heat have won five in a row after a one and four start, even after losing Tyler Herro in the last week.
Miami is actually lead in scoring by Bam Adebayo, but unheralded players such as Haywood Highsmith and Jaime Jaquez Jr. are contributing in big ways to this win streak for Miami.
Moral of the story: never count Miami out.
5. Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks are another surprise team to start the season.
The team had a forgettable free agency period at the surface, but some of the moves that were made seem to be paying dividends as support pieces around Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.
Grant Williams is a steadying force on both ends. Dereck Lively looks destined to be an all-rookie selection and a steal of a draft pick. Even journeyman Derrick Jones Jr. looks like a high-impact player.
Dallas currently boasts one of the most potent offenses in the league, but the defense still leaves something to be desired. Does Dallas dangle a player like Jaden Hardy at the deadline for perimeter help right now such as Alex Caruso?
4. Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves look much more like the team they were expected to be in the 2022-23 season now, it just came a year late.
Anthony Edwards appears to have made the ascension to superstardom in year four. Rudy Gobert looks like the front runner for defensive player of the year. Jaden McDaniels is possibly the best perimeter defender in basketball. Karl Anthony-Towns looks to be turning a corner after a slow start.
Kyle Anderson, Naz Reid, and Mike Conley remain vital role players as the Wolves look to be a potential contender.
3. Boston Celtics
The Celtics didn't necessarily have a bad week, but some of the cracks that weren't exactly conspicuous showed in the last week in tight losses to Minnesota/Philadelphia.
While Boston possibly has the best top-six in the league, the depth is a serious question mark and they sometimes become too reliant on Tatum/Brown hero ball.
Despite these question marks, Boston still figures to be at the top of these lists all year.
2. Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers appear to be a team that has taken a true leap this season behind swapping out Doc Rivers for Nick Nurse and ending the James Harden era in favor of giving Tyrese Maxey the reins long-term.
Maxey has been a huge factor in Philly's blazing start, dropping 50 points last night. The talented guard out of Kentucky looks primed to be an all-star for the first time this year, and seemingly has a much higher ceiling than James Harden at this stage.
A cause for concern for Philly is the status of Kelly Oubre Jr. after an unfortunate accident on Saturday night. Oubre has been a key contributor this season, and hopefully faces a relatively quick recovery period.
1. Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets retake the top spot despite a loss to the Rockets. Denver has been the most consistent team so far and appears to be trekking through the Jamal Murray absence just fine.
Players such as Christian Braun, Julian Strawther, and Peyton Watson have been key contributors off the bench that have made the losses of Bruce Brown/Jeff Green sting less.
Denver figures to be at or near the top of the mountain all season long.
