A look at the way-too-early Hoops Wire NBA Power Rankings.
1. Warriors: Steph Curry is as good as ever and Golden State is finding its stride as it waits on Klay Thompson.
2. Bucks: Defending champs have two impressive wins and won bad loss (to the Nets). We’ll count their wins as more meaningful.
3. Jazz: Finished with the West’s best record last year and Donovan Mitchell and company look to have a shot to do it again.
4. Hornets: Hey, you can’t argue with three wins in three games, not to mention the continued rise of LaMelo Ball.
5. Nuggets: Reigning MVP Nikola Jokic and Denver are doing it with depth and (better) defense. Just wait until Jamal Murray gets back.
6. Grizzlies: Ja Morant just dropped 40 on the Lakers in a narrow road loss. So this team has a young star and should only improve.
7. Bulls: Landing Lonzo Ball and DeMar DeRozan is already paying dividends. Those two plus Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic and coach Billy Donovan offer real reasons for hope.
8. 76ers: Joel Embiid is keeping things moving as the world waits for the end of the Ben Simmons saga.
9. Timberwolves: Two wins in two tries. That’s clearly all it takes to be included in the top 10.
10. Knicks: Julius Randle and coach Tom Thibodeau are keeping them legit.
11. Wizards: All the new faces are giving them the look of a playoff dark horse. Who knew?
12. Lakers: Felling fortunate they’re not 0-3, but you have to assume they’ll get things turned around.
13. Nets: Can they overcome the loss of Kyrie Irving? Kevin Durant says yes, but the proof will be in the results.
14. Heat: You just now they’ll be a factor in the East in the end. The start hardly matters.
15. Trail Blazers: Their manhandling of the Suns was impressive, and you have to think maybe they’re making strides under new coach Chauncey Billups.
16. Suns: The defending Western Conference champions should rise back into the top five once the schedule softens (and it’s about to).
17. Hawks: Losing to the Cavs knocked them down a few notches, but that can happen to a still young team on the road.
18. Mavericks: Will this be the season they get out of the first round? Luka Doncic and new coach Jason Kidd think so.
19. Clippers: Eventually, they’ll need Kawhi Leonard. Otherwise, it’s going to be the Paul George Show, and that alone is not enough.
20. Pacers: Plenty to like about this lineup and new coach Rick Carlisle. Now all they need to do is consistently hold leads.
21. Celtics
22. Kings
23. Spurs
24. Raptors
25. Cavaliers
26. Rockets
27. Magic
28. Pistons
29. Pelicans
30. Thunder
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