I want to start off with saying that I don’t like to change power rankings a lot after one week of play. So, you little punks on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, or whatever it is can shut up about the Cavs and their good start. All the team’s records are as of the 30th of December. Okay now you can hear about my rankings.

#16 New Orleans Pelicans (2-2)

Last week they were number #15. With wins over Toronto and San Antonio these Pelicans are young and have a way to go before we can consider them a real contender. Big loses to Miami and Phoenix could easily drop out of my top 16. But year two of Zion is still must watch TV.

#15 Dallas Mavericks (1-2)

They were high on my radar this year and I ranked them ninth to start the season. Then they flopped big in their first two games. Loses to the Suns and Lakers followed by an ABSOLUTE demolishing of the Kawhi less Clippers. They are still without Porzingis for awhile and they will need him to compete in the deep Western Conference.

#14 Houston Rockets (0-2)

I really don’t like ranking the Rockets here, but James Harden is still in Houston. Man, after the cheating Astro’s, the Texans having a shit year and now the best player to play in Houston since Tracy McGrady wants out of Texas. They lost to the Blazers in OT after Harden dropped 44 points and 17 assists. If Harden is traded these rankings will change a lot.

#13 Toronto Raptors (0-3)

These records maybe don’t make a lot of sense, but the Raptors have a much better roster than their record states. They have lost to the Pelicans, Spurs, and 76ers. I expect better from them and for now they remain, but if they don’t start performing better, they will drop out of the top 16.

#12 Atlanta Hawks (3-1)

The Hawks had one of the better off seasons in the NBA. Their 3-1 record shows that at least early on, the moves have paid off. Wins over the Bulls, Grizzlies, and Pistons show that this team is beating the teams that it is supposed to beat. A 4-point loss to the Nets show that they can stick with the big boys in the East, expect the Hawks to make the playoffs.

#11 Utah Jazz (2-1)

They were ranked number 10 in my preseason power rankings and they haven’t done enough to move up the rankings, but other teams have moved up. Impressive 20-point opening night win over the Trailblazers. Followed by a disappointing loss to the Timberwolves, then a win over OKC. We will have to see what they can do moving forward.

#10 Philadelphia 76ers (3-1)

We are in the top 10 now. Wins over the Wizards, Knicks, and Raptors. Not the greatest competition. With a loss to Cavs sandwiched in there. I wrote in the first power rankings that the 76ers were one of the hardest teams to rank and I stand by that. They could be in the top 5 or out of the top 16. I am still confused by this team and will be for most of the season.

#9 Portland Trailblazers (2-1)

This is one of the teams that I thought had a chance to be a lot better this year than they were last. Wins over the defending champs Lakers and Rockets, and a loss to Jazz. They will be a force to be reckoned with in the West. If they stay healthy and can defend enough, they will be closing in on my top 5.

#8 Denver Nuggets (1-3)

They have been the most disappointing team in the top 10 so far. They have lost to the Kings twice and the Clippers. Their lone win was against the Rockets. This team has too much talent to not have a better record than this. If they don’t start playing better, they will drop far in these rankings. Jokic, Murray, and Porter Jr need to play better and lead this team back above .500.

#7 Indiana Pacers (3-1)

This team! They are the most underrated team in the league right now, but they are 3-1 and continue to play well. Wins over the Knicks, Bulls, and Celtics. Their one loss was also to the Celtics. The Pacers will continue to be a great team, but I still can’t consider them a Finals contender. It wouldn’t surprise me if they prove me wrong.

#6 Miami Heat

They split a back to back against the Bucks, they were shot out of the building in the first game and came back with a win over those same Buck’s. I expected them to have a slow start after having almost no time off after the finals last year. Jimmy Butler will get them into shape soon.

#5 Brooklyn Nets (3-2)

Everyone is very impressed with the Nets, as they should be. KD is back and Kyrie is looking like his former self. The Spencer Dinwiddie injury is brutal to the depth of this team. KD and Kyrie already had a game of rest and I expect them to have more to save their legs for the playoffs. They are officially a contender for the NBA championship.

#4 Los Angeles Clippers (3-1)

The Clippers are out for blood. They were laughed out of the playoffs last year and most of the off season we were worried if they were going to be able to re-group. Impressive win over the Lakers on opening night followed by a revenge win over the Nuggets. Then they got destroyed by the Mavs after Kawhi was hurt in the game against the Nuggets. They are a contender for championship of course and should be in the top 5 all year.

#3 Boston Celtics (3-2)

The Celtics in my mind are the 2nd best team in the East. They have had good wins over the Bucks, Pacers, and Grizzlies. Loses to the Nets and Pacers. Jayson Tatum is a super star and I expect him to lead this team to the Eastern Conference Finals. Their depth will be tested on defense, but Tatum and Jaylen Brown are a dynamic duo on offense, and I like their chances.

#2 Los Angeles Lakers (3-2)

This team has the most depth and they have the best duo in the game. Lebron turned 36 today, his longevity is amazing and any team with Lebron is a championship contender. AD is un-guardable and will be a match up nightmare for any team. Unless this team gets his by injury, they will remain in the top 5 all year.

#1 Milwaukee Bucks (2-3)

This might be a shock to most of you that I kept the Bucks in the top spot after a sad start to their 2020-2021 season. But they have been the best team in the regular season over the last two years and I am giving them the benefit of the doubt. If they continue this mediocre play they will drop by a quite a lot in my rankings next week.

NBA Power Rankings: Week 2