Now it is time for these rankings to start reflecting some of the early season trials and tribulations of some teams and the successes of others. The rankings will become less fluid as we learn more about each team as they play more games. I don’t expect some of these teams to remain where they are, and I expect some to shock us on where they finish. All records are as of the morning of 1.4.2021

#16 Denver Nuggets (2-4)

The Denver Nuggets were a team that some picked to reach the WCF’s again this year. After starting the season off 1-4 they didn’t look at all like the same team that beat the Clippers in 7 games last year. They started to right the ship after a win over Minnesota to end the week. They still have a long way to go.

#15 Miami Heat (2-3)

The Heat have been a very confusing team to start this season. They had surprisingly little turnover during their short offseason but have been playing very inconsistently to start. Their star Jimmy Butler has missed some games and it might take some time for them to get really going. Miami is a much better team than where I am ranking them and expect them to get back into the top 10 by the end of the 2021.

#14 New Orleans Pelicans (4-2)

The Pelicans are a feast or famine franchise right now. They either blow teams out of the water or their shooting runs dry and they get blown out. Zion and Ingram the two stars of this team haven’t hit their stride yet and they will have to soon to keep pace in the Western Conference.

#13 Cleveland Cavaliers (4-2)

I really don’t like ranking the Cavs in the top 16, I really don’t. They started their season 3-0 but followed it up with a 1-2 week. Colin Sexton has been a bright spot averaging 26 points a game. They may not be a contender, but the Cavs have enough talent to compete every night. With that said I don’t expect them to remain in my top 16 for long.

#12 Orlando Magic (4-2)

The Magic started 4-0 but have since dropped 2 in a row to the 76ers and the Thunder. Their depth scoring will be an issue all year. Terrence Ross and Nikola Vucevic are performing well offensively, Fultz and gang will need to pick up the slack if they want to continue to towards a playoff spot.

#11 Milwaukee Bucks (3-3)

Oh, how the mighty have fallen. I had the Bucks ranked number 1 last week after saying I wasn’t going to judge them too quickly. They have had a fair amount of turnover in the offseason and they are still figuring out their game. Without the contract talks surrounding Giannis no longer an issue I thought this team would coast in the regular season, maybe some adversity will help toughen them up for the playoffs. Expect them back in the top 10 after another week or two to grow.

#10 Brooklyn Nets (3-4)

Man, everybody was riding the Nets hype train after the first couple of games. Since then, they haven’t played well. They split the back-to-back with the Hawks and lost at the last second the Wizards. Now KD is out for the next 4 games due to Covid issues. This Nets team can’t have too many setbacks when they are finally all playing together. One note Spencer Dinwiddie is out indefinitely with a partial tear in his ACL. Brooklyn’s depth is going to be tested early on, will they hold up?

#9 Atlanta Hawks (4-2)

Atlanta starts with Trae Young, but it isn’t what they are all about. The development of their young core has been a huge part in the Hawks early run. They haven’t even been healthy this year. Rondo, Gallinari, and Dunn have combined for 2 games played. With Clint Capella back in the fold too they should only be getting better. This might be ranking them too high but I have faith they will continue to play good basketball.

#8 Utah Jazz (4-2)

Utah is finally getting the Mike Conley the asked for when they acquired him from the Grizzlies. He is averaging above 20 points a game with 45% shooting. Spida Mitchell on the other hand is not following up with his breakout 2020 playoff performance. Watch out when he does break out of this slump.

#7 Portland Trailblazers (3-3)

I am much higher on the Trailblazers than most. I think they could shock the west and become a top 4 seed if they stay healthy. A very up and down week for Portland with wins over the Lakers and Warriors. But blown out by the Clippers and then by Steph Curry and his 62 points. Enes Kanter has been a bright spot in his return to Portland and is leading the team in Rebounds.

#6 Boston Celtics (4-3)

Jaylen Brown has been on fire to start the season for the Celtics. He is averaging 28 points and paired with Jayson Tatum’s 24 a night they are a dynamic pair. Kemba Walker is yet to play a game and head coach Brad Stevens isn’t expecting him back soon. They will need to stay healthy and get some more balanced scoring if they want to go deep into the playoffs.

#5 Indiana Pacers (4-2)

This Pacers team just doesn’t quit. They did lose TJ Warren to a foot injury and his replacement didn’t fare well in his place. Indiana is still a work in progress but with Oladipo, Sabonis, and Brogdon all averaging above 20 points a game they will have enough scoring to compete in the East.

#4 Los Angeles Clippers (5-2)

They Clips have responded well to one of the most embarrassing losses in the NBA history. Kawhi is masked up and back on the floor for LA. Nicolas Batum has been a surprise addition after he was let go in the offseason by the Hornets. The Clippers are good, but they can be better, their rebounding is 2nd to last in the league and they foul more than almost any team in the association. If they can fix these errors, they may be the team to beat.

#3 Philadelphia 76ers (5-1)

The 76ers have taken care of business against teams that they are supposed to take care of. They are the best defensive team in the league right now. Three of their opponents this year haven’t scored above 93 points, that is rare in todays NBA. The offense still has some work to do though. With Seth Curry and Tobias Harris finding their stroke from distance it won’t be long until this team is clicking on all cylinders, I mean hell Ben Simmons hit a three early in the week. Is this finally the year we see the 76ers make a deep run?

#2 Phoenix Suns (5-2)

What can be said about Chris Paul that hasn’t been said before. He has taken this young Suns team to another level. I am now realizing I didn’t even have the Suns ranked in the top 16 last week. That was a mistake on my part. Paul and Devin Booker are off to a great start together and I don’t see a reason as to why that would stop. The complimentary pieces are performing well also. The Suns are playing great defense, ranked third in defensive rating so far in this season. Do I think they will hold onto this spot in my rankings? No. But hey it’s a good story so far.

#1 Los Angeles Lakers (5-2)

Repeat what I said about Chris Paul and you can say that about Lebron James. This Lakers team is the deepest in the league. With so many new players they are expected to be some hiccups like the loss to Portland early in the week. Frank Vogel is still experimenting with his new pieces. What I said before holds true, this team is just now getting their legs under them after a short offseason and watch out when they get going, they will be hard to stop.

NBA Power Rankings: Week 3