Official /r/nba Power Rankings #1 - Time to overreact (11.1.2021)

26/30 rankers reporting this week. /R/NBA's Power Rankings are published every two weeks which is a bit different from most rankings. Other than that we rank the teams the same way as our competition. If write ups are left blank the team rep decided not to submit. We are still looking for Lakers and Pelicans reps. See their comment box in the table to apply. We encourage any user to fill in the blanks in the comment section. Rankings were supposed to be completed prior to today's games.

#	Team	Δ	Record	Comment
1	Jazz	+3	5-1	The reigning regular season champions have picked up where they left off starting 5-1 to tie for the leagues best record early on. Through 6 games the most pleasing part of Utah’s early play has been the success of new recruit Hassan Whiteside. The Jazz have outscored opponents by 60 points with him on the court compared to just +20 with him off the court. Rudy Gobert has been averaging 17 points and 17 rebounds per game on 72/-/72 shooting splits as the center duo has the Jazz hold the leagues 3rd best DRTG. After five games the Jazz are 5th in ORTG despite Mitchell, Bogdanovic and Clarkson shooting just 41/145 (28%) from long range. With significant room for improvement offensively, but still producing wins, the Jazz are sitting in a good spot after 2 weeks of the regular season.
2	Heat	+6	5-1	Honestly, I'm pretty pessimistic with my expectations for South Florida sports but I am very impressed at how we've started the season. It is very much still early days and its important to keep a level-head but Tyler Herro is averaging 22 points per game. There's only been 2 games so far where Tyler hasn't scored at the same rate as the other 4 but this is exactly what I want to see from him and hope to see fro Duncan Robinson. DRob's numbers aren't as sexy as Herro's so I hope that he figures it out throughout the year. Our main concern at the moment is probably who is backup PG if Lowry is out. We have Herro who should slot in normally behind Lowry but after that we get into Gabe Vincent. He's not a bad player but it's a sizable drop off from Lowry/Herro to Herro/Vincent. Not much to celebrate outside of that yet but if this form continues (which is highly unlikely) it'll be a great sign for our success this year.
3	Warriors	+9	5-1	Curry has been doing Curry things but the other story with the Warriors start to the season is their new found depth. Damion Lee has been putting up 6MOY worthy stats. Porter is looking like a great 3D pick up and Bjelica fits in really nicely alongside Draymond. Wiggins has been quietly putting up 40% from deep while playing good defensive and making timely shots. Warriors are expecting Wiseman back soon and hopefully we'll have some more info on Klay by next ranking period.
4	Bulls	+12	5-1	Seeing red yet? The Bulls are taking the league by storm, starting off 5-1 with the only loss coming as a 1-point game against the old rival Knicks. Coach Donovan has built the new squad into the 5th-best defense in the NBA, and the offense is clicking with Lonzo Ball at the point. But something something, never lucky. Sophomore Patrick Williams is out for the season with a wrist injury that sounds very bad for his long-term health. This leaves the Bulls thinner than we'd like to be, and surely requires scheme adjustments for the season. Nevertheless, expect Chicago to be a fun team to watch this year, and in advance- why yes, Stacey and Adam are great commentators!
5	Nuggets	+1	4-2	I'm already regretting not picking a Jokic MVP repeat in my predictions, as he's picked up right where he left off last season. His assists are down at 5.5 per game (which is still the highest among centers this season), however once the rest of the team can figure out how to score again, those numbers along with the Nuggets' record will improve. My concerns about MPJ have been valid thus far, but his 33% clip on field goals should start moving back towards the mean any day now.
6	Knicks	+9	5-1	We all know about it, and we all see it. It's obvious. Nobody ever wants to admit it, but it's there. People on this subreddit hate RJ Barrett. The first question to ask: why? Why do you all hate him? The obvious answer: you didn't watch him in his prime. Likely explanation: I know that most of you are around 14 or 15 years old. That means you only got into basketball in the last couple years. So you never watched RJ in his prime. And because you didn't watch him in his prime, you try to compensate for that by diving into stat sheets and analyzing box scores. But here's the thing: basketball isn't played on Excel spreadsheets. The moment somebody brings up "true shooting percentage" or "win shares" I know they know nothing about basketball. RJ's game cannot be encapsulated by one stat. He's the second greatest SG ever, and one of the 5 best players to ever play the game. So when I hear somebody say that LeBron James is better than RJ Barrett, I laugh, because I know that anybody who watched RJ in his prime wouldn't think that. Unlike you guys, I have watched basketball for a significant amount of time, so I know that RJ is better. You might be jealous of RJ's five rings, or jealous of his status as the greatest scorer in NBA history, or whatever. Unless you're a Bulls fan who watched basketball in the 90s, or a Knicks fan who watched basketball in the 2020s, you don't know what real, cold-blooded, killer instinct, will-to-win basketball looks like. And there's nothing wrong with that. This sub would make you think that RJ isn't even a top 100 player ever. So don't go spouting bullshit about players you didn't watch. Talk about your "greats" like LeBron James The Best Player in the World™, but leave the RJ talk to the adults. Fair?
7	Nets	-5	4-3	Due to some early season struggles from James Harden, the Nets offense has come out of the gates slowly. As he gets back into game shape, we've seen improved play from him which opens up the game for our role players and we've seen a bump across the board in their shooting. Kevin Durant continues to dominate whenever he touches the ball but we're not seeing him be aggressive like he was in the playoffs - I expect KD to take on a more passive role this year and ramp up as the playoffs near.
8	76ers	+2	4-2	Once again, the Sixers are near the top in overall net rating. However, to add onto the bizarro world the Sixers have been experiencing in 2021, they've completely flipped the script as they currently hold the top overall spot in OFFRTG while they are totally middle of the pack in DEFRTG. The Sixers have still shown flashes of incredible defense, such as the masterclass put on by Matisse Thybulle in Saturday's blowout of the Atlanta Hawks, but the expanded range of the bench's shooting is almost certainly to credit for the rise in scoring. Joel Embiid battling his chronic knee pain is obviously not ideal in Oct./Nov., and while it is admirable that he wants to be a leader and play through it, eventually the SIxers are going to be forced to decide what matters more: Embiid's current pride or his future health. Player to watch out for? Seth Curry. While he has a tendency to disappear at certain quarters, his ability to get hot immediately along with his 61/63/81 splits are making him a centerpiece of this offense.
9	Bucks	-8	3-4	The Bucks have been ravaged by injuries to begin the season. Last night vs. the Jazz the team was missing 4/5 starters, and then lost Rodney Hood to a hand injury during the game. Thankfully, none of the injuries have been too serious and the Bucks hope to soon return to full strength (aside from Donte who won't be back anytime soon), but until they get a bit healthier the team will just hope not to fall too far behind the East's leaders.
10	Hornets	+10	5-2	The Charlotte Hornets are 5-2!!! Their only two losses came in Miami, and in an overtime thriller against Boston. Miles Bridges is off to an almost unbelievable start - he’s the way-too-early frontrunner for MIP and putting up all star numbers. That man is gonna get himself PAID and we love to see it. LaMelo Ball has had ups and downs so far to be sure, but clearly has developed his game over the summer. Pair those two guys with Hair Gordon, Kelly Oubre, Scary Terry, a Plumlee, and a bench mob led by Ish Smith, Cody Martin, and PJ Washington and you get…. an East playoff contender? Crazier things have happened.
11	Wizards	+13	5-1	The Wizards are good?! It feel as if Etta James is playing every time the Wizards are playing because at last, the team is playing defense. Our lord and savior Wes Unseld Jr continues to impress in his head coaching debut -- winning games with his line-up management and strategic time-outs. A slow start to the season from Bradley Beal has presented some caution and his late game blunders have nearly cost the Wizards some wins. But his teammates have been able to carrying some of the weight. Off-season acquisitions Kuzma, Harrell and Dinwiddie have been excellent to start the season and don't look to be slowing down any time soon. It is so fun to be a Wizards fan right now. Don't use the "c" word around them just yet when it comes to their status in the eastern conference but do keep an eye on them. A shockingly deep line-up that has been tested with absences hasn't backed down from any challenge.
12	Mavericks	-3	4-2	The Mavs do not have the look of a team with 2 losses, both of which were some of the ugliest losses over the last 12 months. Until the Mavs get out of the basement in 3P%, which will come when Porzingis returns, and Sterling Brown & Reggie Bullock get into their grooves, the Mavs will struggle to dominate teams. The defense looks at least slightly improved, but to be 4-2 through 2 weeks is one of the best outcomes the Mavs could have had through the first 6 games.
13	Lakers	-8	4-3	We are looking for a Lakers Rep. Click here to Apply.
14	Hawks	-7	3-3	Last year Nate McMillian said that he wasn't going to institute his system until the offseason as not to overload the players. Well let me tell ya, if this is his system it fucking stinks. Rather than the free flowing offense built around Trae Young driving and kicking for threes, the Hawks this year have reverted the Nate McMillian special, mid-range jumpers. The Hawks currently have the worst team shot mix in the NBA including the most shots from mid range & long mid range. Maybe the only consistent positive this season has been the play of Cam Reddish who looks like a sleeper for the Sixth Man of the Year, averaging 16 points per game on 46/43/82 splits. I think the Hawks will correct and get back on track, but things have started about as roughly as anyone could have expected.
15	Trail Blazers	-1	3-3
16	Suns	-13	2-3	The Suns have stretches were they look like last years team, like the 50-12 run against the Cavs, but many more where they just don't seem to be trying at all.
18	TWolves	+3	3-2	Wolves have started the season strong and surprisingly built their victories off the back of their high flying defense. While the defense has been stout they are lagging way behind on offense if the defense can remain strong and the offense starts hitting the Wolves could find themselves in the playoffs sooner rather than later.
18	Raptors	+1	4-3	Two weeks in, and it’s fair to say the raptors have exceeded my expectations. Starting off 4-3, we’ve been incredible defensively, and struggled offensively, as expected. Scottie Barnes has been an absolute joy to watch. He’s constantly putting in as much effort as possible on the glass, is shooting a scorching 63% in the paint/restricted area, along with a surprising 43% from mid range, and is somehow our leading scorer. Freddy has been trying to become more of a facilitator this year, which has a little ways to go, but it’s a good sign. His shooting has been streaky, and he’s continued to shoot poorly from the paint/restricted area (43%), but he seems to be improving overall after a bit of a slow start. Additional players that have been key contributors include OG, Gary Trent Jr’s improved defensive abilities, and Dalano Banton as a spark plug slasher off the bench. Overall I’m incredibly content with this first stretch of games from the raptors, they have been engaging to watch, and I’m looking forward to seeing what the healthy team looks like once Pascal has returned.
19	Grizzlies	-2	3-3	This is just a good, honest .500 basketball team. The yo-yo of 2020 continues despite Ja looking to make an early season MVP case. Defensively the team has taken a significant step back, though the return of Chad Brooks should help reinvigorate a defensive unit that ranks second to last in the NBA. JJJ has been disappointing early in the season but Bane and Melton have looked like great 3&D players. Certainly many promising things to look forward too, and expectations are definitely high.
20	Kings	+2	3-3	The Kings capped off a decent run these last two weeks with wins over the suns, blazers, and pelicans with an absolute brick of a performance against Luka and the Mavs, shooting 19.4% from the three point line. While Harrison Barnes has been surprising many with a late career resurgence, Haliburton and fox have both taken steps back from their past season forms. Richaun Holmes is quietly having another great season, ranking 5th in the league in FG%(71.4%), while Buddy Hield is second in 3pt shots made behind only Steph Curry. Unfortunately, the 2018 2nd overall pick Marvin Bagley III has been frozen out of the team without rumors of a trade. The next few games against the Jazz, Pelicans, Hornets, and Pacers are all winnable(well maybe except that Jazz Game)
21	Celtics	-10	2-4	The Celtics are 2-4 to start the season, with their only 2 wins coming over the Rockets and Hornets. Through 6 games, the Celtics have played in 5 overtimes. Tatum has had a rough start to the season shooting a blistering 40% from the field, including only 27% from deep. It's no coincidence that the two games the Celtics have won so far this season, were Tatum's best games. When he's off, the team is practically dead in the water barring Jaylen and role players going off. With competition in the East improved, the Celtics quickly need to get their footing before they're too deep in the hole to dig themselves out. These next two weeks should tell us a lot about the Celtics, as they match up against the Bulls, Magic, Heat, Mavericks, Raptors, Bucks, and then the Cavs twice in a row. It could get ugly for the Celtics if they don't get their act together.
22	Clippers	-9	1-4	Off to a rough start. PG hasn't been as consistent as we have needed, but the small silver lining is that Ibaka and Morris should be back soon. It's easy to forget that the team is missing 3 starters, so considering how injured the team is, it's not so bleak.
23	Cavaliers	+3	3-4	The Cavs going 3-4 on a very tough schedule to start the year is a good look, and most of that weight is on the back of Evan Mobley. If he stretches the floor better, his offensive potential is limitless. It’s the same story defensively, he’s leading the league in both shots contested and 3 point shots contested per game, and the tape is better than the stats. He’s switching 1-5 and playing everyone well, and if they get by him, they have to deal with Jarrett Allen, the 2nd tower in this defensive nightmare. Throw in Okoro, and your favorite team isn’t going to shoot well against the Cavs... however, the Cavs probably aren’t going to shoot well against your favorite team, and we’re going to turn it over a lot. It’s the same story as last year: If defenses collapse on Sexton, there’s just not enough consistency elsewhere on offense. To close, a quick shoutout to what appears to be a bought-in Kevin Love
24	Spurs	+1	2-4	The Spurs may have a losing record, but don't let that fool you; this team fights every night and has yet to look outmatched in a game. Lots of expected growing pains, especially in the 4th quarters of close games (read: all of our losses), but I feel like Spurs fans shouldn't smash that panic button just yet—for one, we've been losing to teams with MVP candidates during this entire stretch; secondly, Dejounte is playing like an absolute stud to start the year, averaging 17.7/8.5/8.8 with 2.2 steals per game. The whole team needs to stop being awful at FTs, but I'm definitely encouraged by the first two weeks of the youth movement in San Antonio.
25	Pacers	-7	1-6	The start to the Pacers' 2021 season has been...distressing, at best. Injuries are already piling up (even more than they already had), as Malcolm Brogdon has missed the last few games with a hamstring injury, and exciting rookie Isaiah Jackson is out indefinitely. To try and find any silver linings seems pathetically optimistic, BUT rookie Chris Duarte has been everything Indiana was hoping for in terms of shooting and defense, and Caris LeVert returned for limited minutes and was able to show his scoring prowess. Small victories however, are not actual victories.
26	Pelicans	-3	1-6	We are looking for a Pelicans Rep. Click here to Apply.
27	Rockets	--	1-5	As expected, this season so far has been... not so great. Silas can only do so much with the roster he's got, but concerns are being raised. Many argue that more should be done to empower Sengun and Green, but others support Silas, saying "they've got to earn their spot."
28	Pistons	--	1-5	We aren't just bad, we are a dumpster fire. Cade had a miserable debut (2 pts/2 ast/7 rebs), Casey inexplicably can't find time to play our young guys, and nobody on this roster can shoot efficiently. Cade should eventually turn it around but nothing else is a certainty. Good news is we will have a high draft pick and about $35-40 mill in cap space next year. I'd like to take this chance to start the recruitment of Miles Bridges back to the Mitten.
29	Thunder	+1	1-5	Going into this season, OKC fans knew three things: SGA is good at offense, DORT is good at defense, and pretty much everyone else is bad. The big mystery was largely unheralded rookie Josh Giddey, the 6th pick in what was often called a 4- or 5-man draft. For Thunder fans who follow my method of blocking out the scoreboard at the bottom of the screen and just watching individual players, the season has actually shown quite a bit of promise so far. Giddey has flashed the ability to be a "true point guard" at his 6'8 size with excellent vision, passing, and ball control, which might make him an extremely valuable player in the increasingly "positionless" sport of basketball. The polish in his game from playing at the professional level already is apparently in his comfort on the floor. His free throw percentage could use some improvement, especially given his preference of driving to the rim over taking pull-up jump shots, but otherwise he is off to a great start and is on pace to at least appear in the back half ROY voting.
30	Magic	-1	1-6	Well, if there's one good thing about the start to this season for the Magic it's the immediate impact that Franz Wagner has had on the court. Very few thought he'd be this good so early but he's proven most wrong. Suggs, on the other hand, has been a little underwhelming. Most fans agree he'll get it together once his shot starts falling but it's a bit disheartening that Suggs wasn't as "NBA ready" as most suggested. While it came about because of injuries to our forwards, the WCJ-Bamba starting front court has also been surprisingly effective. Jamahl Mosley's rotations have been questionable to start, so it'll be interesting to see how they evolved once everybody is healthy.