NBA Power Rankings Week 2: Scorching Heat and what scares me

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Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs, Orlando Magic. Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images

Orlando Magic 1-6

Last rank: 30

Last Week: (W) over NYK, (L) to MIA, (L) to CHA, (L) to TOR, (L) to DET

I thought the Orlando Magic would be the worst team in the league this season, and so far, so depressingly accurate. They cast off their shackles for a few days by winning against the New York Knicks, but it was a short-lived freedom once all of the teams around them lost.

Cleaning the Glass has their adjusted point differential at -12.4, the second-worst in the league. They have the league’s worst defense and the 21st offense, propped up by some hot shooting from Cole Anthony. Mo Bamba has been fun to watch early in the year, averaging career-highs across the board as he finally starts to embrace the potential he entered the year with.

Scares Me: That Jalen Suggs was the wrong pick. Look, I am still a big supporter of Suggs, and a shaky start to the season for a one-and-done freshman means nothing. Yet the emergence of Cole Anthony (17.7 points, 7.4 rebounds and 5.3 assists with a 42.2 percent 3-point mark) and the presence of Markelle Fultz crowds the point guard room. Given the play of Josh Giddey who went one pick later, would the Magic have better roster balance with Giddey instead of Suggs? Maybe, but long-term I’m still a believer in Suggs’ upside, even if he is shooting 30 percent from the floor to start things off.

Next: No. 29

the three preseason title favorites</a> — sit at just .500 through Saturday’s games. The last undefeated team, the Utah Jazz, also lost on Saturday, unusually early for that to happen. It’s still early, but this season could be one of increased parity all across the league, including at the top level.</p> <h2>Our Halloween Edition of the NBA Power Rankings hits the risers, fallers and the scariest thing on every team.</h2> <p>As I do every week, let’s walk through all 30 teams in the league and check in on how they are doing. In honor of Halloween, we’ll also include something that “Scares Me” for every team. The rankings will take their play this season into account more than last week, but a team’s preseason expectations will still weigh heavily. In the next couple of weeks we will transition to primarily just weighing this year’s production, but for now we will anchor to those preseason expectations. Teams like Washington and Phoenix don’t rise or fall as much as they would unmoored from preseason projections.</p> <p>For most of last week we had a new team at No. 30, but then those Pistons won a game and both tightened the standings and left room for a new representative. Similarly, our No. 1 team has tumbled after a mediocre week. Early in the season a single win or loss can swing things a lot more than later on.</p> <p>With that note, we can start with No. 30, back to its rightful owner in Orlando, FL. Note that this week I am using <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"https://cleaningtheglass.com/stats/league/summary" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cleaning the Glass’s adjusted point differential</a> when referencing such a stat.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 30 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_437298" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-437298" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2132,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1349581642.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2132" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1349581642.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1349581642-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs, Orlando Magic. Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="30" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Orlando Magic" data-team-id="38" data-meta-a="1-6" data-meta-b="Previous: 30th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">30 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Orlando Magic <span class="score">1-6</span> </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">30</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fmagic.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p><strong>Last Week</strong>: (W) over NYK, (L) to MIA, (L) to CHA, (L) to TOR, (L) to DET</p> <p>I thought the Orlando Magic would be the worst team in the league this season, and so far, so depressingly accurate. They cast off their shackles for a few days by winning against the New York Knicks, but it was a short-lived freedom once all of the teams around them lost.</p> <p>Cleaning the Glass has their adjusted point differential at -12.4, the second-worst in the league. They have the league’s worst defense and the 21st offense, propped up by some hot shooting from Cole Anthony. Mo Bamba has been fun to watch early in the year, averaging career-highs across the board as he finally starts to embrace the potential he entered the year with.</p> <p><strong>Scares Me</strong>: That Jalen Suggs was the wrong pick. Look, I am still a big supporter of Suggs, and a shaky start to the season for a one-and-done freshman means nothing. Yet the emergence of Cole Anthony (17.7 points, 7.4 rebounds and 5.3 assists with a 42.2 percent 3-point mark) and the presence of Markelle Fultz crowds the point guard room. Given the play of Josh Giddey who went one pick later, would the Magic have better roster balance with Giddey instead of Suggs? Maybe, but long-term I’m still a believer in Suggs’ upside, even if he is shooting 30 percent from the floor to start things off.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 29 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_437297" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-437297" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1067,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1350076476.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="1600" height="1067" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1350076476.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1350076476-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">Killian Hayes, Detroit Pistons. Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="29" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Detroit Pistons" data-team-id="64" data-meta-a="1-4" data-meta-b="Previous: 28th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">29 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Detroit Pistons <span class="score">1-4</span> </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">28</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fpistons.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p><strong>Last Week</strong>: (L) to ATL, (L) to PHI, (W) over ORL</p> <p>The Detroit Pistons were on track to be last in the rankings for much of last week, but a convenient showdown between Detroit and Orlando on Saturday night saw the Pistons come out ahead, and therefore out of the cellar. They are still on the stairs leading down, though, as this rotation has looked rough to start the year.</p> <p>Part of that is the absence of first overall pick Cade Cunningham, who just made his debut Saturday night. Cunningham started and played 19 minutes, scoring just two points as he shook off the rust but finishing with a positive net rating. He should settle down as a shooter and may give Detroit signs of life moving forward.</p> <p><strong>Scares Me</strong>: Killian Hayes looks like a bust. This would scare me a lot as a Detroit fan, that my team went into the Top 10 and came away with the worst player in the NBA. The second-year point guard is averaging 5.2 points and shooting only 26.3 percent from the field. He’s a turnstile on defense, he turns the ball over and he hasn’t been able to shoot yet. He could turn it around, and he’s getting nightly starts to try and play out of the pit, but it’s been absolutely brutal thus far.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 28 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_437296" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-437296" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2509,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1347811921.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2509" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1347811921.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1347811921-768x602.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder. Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="28" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Oklahoma City Thunder" data-team-id="149" data-meta-a="1-5" data-meta-b="Previous: 29th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">28 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Oklahoma City Thunder <span class="score">1-5</span> </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">29</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fthunder.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p><strong>Last Week</strong>: (L) to PHI, (L) to GSW, (W) over LAL, (L) to GSW</p> <p>There was a lot of talk this week among the national media about the Oklahoma City Thunder being the next edition of “The Process” and embarrassingly trying to lose every game. They may not care about wins and losses, and they absolutely want to maximize their draft pick. But they are absolutely not blatantly tanking in a shocking way.</p> <p>Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a fringe All-Star player, and he is getting a full workload. The Thunder have been competitive in multiple games, including pushing the Philadelphia 76ers and Golden State Warriors before <em>beating</em> the preseason contender Los Angeles Lakers. If they’re supposed to win nine games or less they’ll have to stop playing so well.</p> <p><strong>Scares Me</strong>: That SGA is wasting his prime. After defending the Thunder, it is obvious that they will finish with a bottom-5 record, if not bottom-3. This team wants and needs to add more blue-chip talent, and the draft is the absolute best way for a small market team to do that. Yet they have a star player right now who is wasting years of his prime for a very bad team. Does that make him antsy in a few years? Does it make him antsy now? He signed a maximum rookie extension with no opt-outs this summer, so there are no warning signs, but it would still hang out at the back of my mind if I were a Thunder fan.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 27 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_437295" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-437295" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2134,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1348817088.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1348817088.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1348817088-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Kevin Porter Jr., Houston Rockets. Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="27" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Houston Rockets" data-team-id="169" data-meta-a="1-4" data-meta-b="Previous: 27th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">27 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Houston Rockets <span class="score">1-4</span> </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">27</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Frockets.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p><strong>Last Week</strong>: (L) to BOS, (L) to DAL, (L) to UTA</p> <p>The Houston Rockets should be giving plenty of minutes to their young prospects and minimize the mileage for their more veteran players. Jalen Green has certainly been a beneficiary of that, averaging 32 minutes per game, but behind him his fellow rookies have much smaller roles. That doesn’t have to be a bad thing, but thus far the Rockets are trying to thread the needle of development and competing for wins.</p> <p>Is it the organization that wants to push for wins? Is head coach Stephen Silas on the hot seat? Regardless the Rockets have Eric Gordon, Daniel Theis, David Nwaba, D.J. Augustin and Danuel House all in the rotation, while players like Usman Garuba and Josh Christopher are buried. Perhaps as the season unfolds and their fate is more clear the youth movement will begin in full and they can continue evaluating their four rookies.</p> <p><strong>Scares Me</strong>: They are investing in Kevin Porter Jr. The Houston Rockets seem to think that Porter can be their point guard of the future alongside Jalen Green. That’s already a difficult idea since both are slight, defensive liabilities. Add in the fact that Porter is an inefficient scorer and his long-term value is in question. There is no doubt he is a talented player still with huge upside, but his ability to capture that upside depends on maturity growth that may or may not have happened. The Rockets need to conclude soon that he and Green are not a good fit and look to move KPJ rather than invest in him long-term.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 26 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_437294" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-437294" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1350135222.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1350135222.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1350135222-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Jonas Valanciunas, New Orleans Pelicans. Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="26" data-rank-type="team" data-name="New Orleans Pelicans" data-team-id="69" data-meta-a="1-6" data-meta-b="Previous: 25th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">26 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>New Orleans Pelicans <span class="score">1-6</span> </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">25</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fpelicans.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p><strong>Last Week</strong>: (W) over MIN, (L) to ATL, (L) to SAC, (L) to NYK</p> <p>This reality for the New Orleans Pelicans is brutal. They spent the offseason making questionable personnel decisions, had poor asset management, and tried to trick themselves and fans into thinking they would be in the playoffs solely due to Zion Williamson.</p> <p>That may even have been true, but they have been without their superstar as he recovers from offseason foot surgery. The Pelicans in his absence have lost six of their first seven, turned the ball over like they’re shaving points and have the league’s third-worst point differential. This team has to find a way to win without Williamson, as he will likely continue to miss games throughout his career given his frame and injury history.</p> <p><strong>Scares Me</strong>: Zion’s health. Let’s keep banging that drum: Zion’s health scares me. The man is an incredible physical specimen, one capable of handling the ball on the perimeter and scoring inside against anyone through a dazzling combination of speed and strength. It all means nothing if he is not on the court. He has already lost some bounce on defense that he had in college; if injuries continue sapping his athleticism he could become an average player a lot sooner than the Pelicans, and the NBA, wants to see.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 25 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_437293" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-437293" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2135,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1236225487.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2135" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1236225487.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1236225487-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Myles Turner, Indiana Pacers. Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="25" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Indiana Pacers" data-team-id="100" data-meta-a="1-6" data-meta-b="Previous: 21st" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">25 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Indiana Pacers <span class="score">1-6</span> </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">21</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fpacers.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p><strong>Last Week</strong>: (L) to MIL, (L) to TOR, (L) to BKN, (L) to TOR</p> <p>The Indiana Pacers are one of the better 1-6 teams you will see out there, but the reality is that injuries have hit them hard and they haven’t been able to rise above. TJ Warren is yet to play a game as he rehabs, Caris LeVert has played in just one for 16 minutes, and Malcolm Brogdon has missed two games.</p> <p>Even so the Pacers are hanging tough, with two one-point losses and only one (against the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday) was more than 10 points. They have a good coach, a solid roster, and their one win was against the league’s hottest team. It’s not crazy to think they will turn this season around, but given the strength of the East this year that’s no easy task, even this early.</p> <p><strong>Scares Me</strong>: They don’t know who their best big is. Domantas Sabonis scores the most points and get the All-Star nods, but Myles Turner is the Pacers’ best big man is. His combination of rim protection and floor spacing is exactly what you want from a modern big. He is averaging 2.9 blocks per game and 1.4 3-pointers despite playing just 27.1 minutes per game. In multiple games Rick Carlisle has elected to close with Sabonis as the only big despite Turner’s skillset. Instead of marginalizing them, what about trading him?</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 24 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_437292" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-437292" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1350347906.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1350347906.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1350347906-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Dejounte Murray, San Antonio Spurs. Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="24" data-rank-type="team" data-name="San Antonio Spurs" data-team-id="29" data-meta-a="2-4" data-meta-b="Previous: 26th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">24 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>San Antonio Spurs <span class="score">2-4</span> </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">26</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fspurs.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p><strong>Last Week</strong>: (L) to LAL, (L) to DAL, (W) over MIL</p> <p>The San Antonio Spurs are genuinely trying to win games this season, but they are hindered in doing so by a young rotation that always had veterans to lean on. Now Dejounte Murray and Derrick White and Jakob Poetl <em>are</em> the veterans, and they have full command of the rotation outside of Doug McDermott.</p> <p>They have been solid defensively, 10th in the league, and they’re hung in there for every game they’ve played. Despite being 2-4 they have a positive net rating at +1.7. Their most recent win was over the defending champs. The Spurs will have a lot of growing pains, but short of playing Josh Primo the Spurs are playing their young guys and giving them room to grow.</p> <p><strong>Scares Me</strong>: Trying to dribble on Dejounte Murray. This fear is a little different, as instead of my fear manifesting as a fan it is manifesting as a potential opponent of Murray’s. How many attempts would it take for me to turn the corner on Murray – a million? Ten million? Murray is averaging a career-high 2.2 steals per game, picking pockets and jumping passing lanes at an elite level. No thanks.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 23 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_437291" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-437291" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1106,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1350105332.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="1600" height="1106" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1350105332.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1350105332-768x531.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">Collin Sexton, Cleveland Cavaliers. Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="23" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Cleveland Cavaliers" data-team-id="156" data-meta-a="3-4" data-meta-b="Previous: 24th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">23 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Cleveland Cavaliers <span class="score">3-4</span> </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">24</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fcavaliers.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p><strong>Last Week</strong>: (W) over DEN, (W) over LAC, (L) to LAL, (L) to PHX</p> <p>An up-and-down week for the Cleveland Cavaliers ends on somewhat of a downer. After winning three straight against expected playoff teams on the back of a strong defense, they lost to a pair of scuffling squads in the Lakers and Suns. Still, splitting a West Coast trip against playoff squads from last year is a strong accomplishment, even if the sequencing of wins set expectations that were not met.</p> <p>Evan Mobley has been a revelation, looking every bit like a future defensive superstar who is already an impact maker on that end. His offensive game has been up-and-down, but that’s absolutely to be expected for a rookie. His length and foot movement allow him to contest inside and outside, and coming into the weekend no player in the league contested as many 3-point shots as Mobley. The Cavs have a star on their hands.</p> <p><strong>Scares Me</strong>: The 10-inch gap. The Cavs are starting a lineup with two 6’1″ guards and three bigs, the shortest of whom is 6″11″. That 10-inch gap is a significant problem, because the bulk of NBA players rside within it. They have no lineup versatility to hand off matchups between the guards and bigs. They aren’t starting any wings and there aren’t any on the bench screaming for a spot. Against teams with strong wing play, the Cavs will struggle to defend given the insane height difference of their lineup.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 22 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_437290" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-437290" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1350135185.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1350135185.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1350135185-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Buddy Hield, Sacramento Kings. Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="22" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Sacramento Kings" data-team-id="84" data-meta-a="3-2" data-meta-b="Previous: 22nd" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">22 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Sacramento Kings <span class="score">3-2</span> </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">22</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fkings.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p><strong>Last Week</strong>: (L) to GSW, (W) over PHX, (W) over NOP</p> <p>The Sacramento Kings tried to move Buddy Hield this offseason. They drafted Davion Mitchell a year after drafting Tyrese Haliburton, leaving little room for Hield in their long-term plans. They very nearly pulled off a deal to send Hield to the Los Angeles Lakers before the Russell Westbrook trade materialized. How has Hield responded to all of this? By having a career season.</p> <p>The sharpshooter is hitting 44 percent of his 10 3-pointers per game, an insane number. He has also been much better on defense than in earlier seasons, including getting the game-winning stop on Devin Booker in their win earlier this past week. The fit of Hield in lineups with two of the other guards is questionable, but so far so good for the Kings, whose 3-2 record has to be considered a success given a tough early schedule.</p> <p><strong>Scares Me</strong>: They will mess this up. The Kings are brimming with optimism as Hield and Harrison Barnes look rejuvenated and Davion Mitchell is everywhere on defense no matter the name on the back of his opponent’s jersey. The fear every Kings fan likely has is that management and/or ownership will somehow mess this up. They’ll trade a player for a terrible return, sign a crippling contract or somehow, in some spectacularly depressing way, mess this up. Kings fans won’t recover until a playoff berth (of some sort) is clinched.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 21 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_437289" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-437289" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2134,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1350265209.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1350265209.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1350265209-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Jaden McDaniels, Minnesota Timberwolves. Photo by David Berding/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="21" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Minnesota Timberwolves" data-team-id="86" data-meta-a="3-2" data-meta-b="Previous: 19th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">21 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Minnesota Timberwolves <span class="score">3-2</span> </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">19</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Ftimberwolves.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p><strong>Last Week</strong>: (L) to NOP, (W) over MIL, (L) to DEN</p> <p>The Minnesota Timberwolves are off to a strong start, helped in part by their schedule but still a positive sign for a team that has been bad for most of the last 15 seasons. their defense has been much improved from last season, with players like Jaden McDaniels, Josh Okogie and Patrick Beverley making an impact on that end.</p> <p>On the other end it’s a 3-person show, and Anthony Edwards has been the main event. He is scoring 23 points per game, leading the team in rebounding at 8.4, and doing all of those despite poor shooting numbers. Karl-Anthony Towns has also been sublime, shooting 50/50/90 with 25.2 points per game. The offensive should improve; if it does, will the defense stick around the Top-10 or fall back to earth in contrast to the rising offensive numbers?</p> <p><strong>Scares Me</strong>: D’Angelo Russell’s role on the team. The Minnesota Timberwolves are acting like they have a “Big 3” with Russell, Edwards and Towns. That’s not too incredibly bad on the offensive end, especially since Towns erases all defensive advantages other teams have with his shooting and passing. Defensively it’s a disaster, but it’s clear that Russell’s peak is nowhere near as high Towns’ or where Edwards’ potential suggests he is going. If they can get a strong return for Russell or can use him as part of a superstar trade then they should do so.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 20 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_437288" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-437288" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2032,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1349488460.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2032" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1349488460.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1349488460-768x488.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Luka Doncic and Jason Kidd, Dallas Mavericks. Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="20" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Dallas Mavericks" data-team-id="79" data-meta-a="3-2" data-meta-b="Previous: 11th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">20 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Dallas Mavericks <span class="score">3-2</span> </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">11</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fmavericks.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p><strong>Last Week</strong>: (W) over HOU, (W) over SAS, (L) to DEN</p> <p>The Dallas Mavericks have won three of their five games but have tumbled down the standings to land at 20th. Why is that? It’s because the Mavericks’ three wins have been relatively close contests against unlikely playoff teams. The two losses, when Dallas played surefire playoff teams, were by a combined 57 points.</p> <p>The Mavericks are experimenting with things like 15-man lineups and dishing out post-up possessions for non-Luka Doncic players like they’re Oprah giving a few of her favorite things. The Mavs are talented, but they haven’t shown yet that they are all that good. Beating a good team would be a place to start.</p> <p><strong>Scares Me</strong>: Jason Kidd will be Jason Kidd but also become close with Mark Cuban. Jason Kidd is not a good NBA head coach, something he proved in two previous stops and has confirmed here yet again. It’s early to judge the season already, but Kidd is not a modern NBA coach, not a good x’s and o’s guy and leans too much into his tough-guy persona, one that won’t fly with players like Doncic. Yet if he gains the ear of owner Mark Cuban then the rest doesn’t matter as he will get a long runway with which to coach.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 19 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_437287" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-437287" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2216,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1349789703.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2216" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1349789703.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1349789703-768x532.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors. Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="19" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Toronto Raptors" data-team-id="81" data-meta-a="4-3" data-meta-b="Previous: 23rd" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">19 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Toronto Raptors <span class="score">4-3</span> </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">23</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fraptors.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p><strong>Last Week</strong>: (L) to CHI, (W) over IND, (W) over ORL, (W) over IND</p> <p>The Toronto Raptors were one of this season’s enigmas. Were they as bad as their record stated last year? Probaly not. Were they ready to resume contention at the top of the conference? Probably not. Where in the middle would they fall?</p> <p>Probably smack dab in the middle as the Raptors have been a really good, but not purely dominant squad. The headline is the rookie Scottie Barnes, who has been unexpectedly canning jumpers alongside his gifted passing and elite defensive work. He looks like the right pick for the Raptors at No. 4, and should finally put to silence the cries for Jalen Suggs, picked fifth in this past summer’s draft.</p> <p><strong>Scares Me</strong>: This all-4 lineup will work. That is, the Raptors have been experimenting with lineups stacked with big combo forwards who can handle, pass and defend. Pascal Siakam will be part of these when he is back, but for now it’s a combo of Barnes, OG Anunoby, diamond-in-the-rough Dalano Banton, Precious Achiuwa and Chris Boucher. They are a terrifyingly large combination of players, all 6’9″ to 6’11” tall, with enough skill to make it work without elite shooting. As any team left on their schedule that would scare me.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 18 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_437286" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-437286" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1344860739.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1344860739.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1344860739-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics. Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="18" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Boston Celtics" data-team-id="18" data-meta-a="2-4" data-meta-b="Previous: 17th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">18 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Boston Celtics <span class="score">2-4</span> </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">17</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fceltics.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p><strong>Last Week</strong>: (W) over HOU, (W) over CHA, (L) to WAS, (L) to WAS</p> <p>It’s been a rough start to the year for the Boston Celtics. They have two overtime losses already in six games, both of which they could have easily won and which would have flipped their record. They have twice wasted a career night from Jaylen Brown, who has vaulted into the season as a confident star player.</p> <p>Brown is averaging 26.4 points per game and taking big shots in big moments. He is shooting just 32.4 percent from 3-point range but his shot looks excellent and he is absolutely more confident. Together he and Jayson Tatum form one of the league’s most exciting duos in the league, two-way wings who can pass and score.</p> <p><strong>Scares Me</strong>: Tatum lost something defensively for good. Jayson Tatum used to be a plus defender with both hustle and personal ability but that has dropped off a cliff since his COVID-19 absence last year. He is stiff and upright so players blow by him and he doesn’t get into position for a contest. He has been downright terrible defensively thus far, hopefully serving as a challenge for the young player.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 17 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_437285" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-437285" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1350152244.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1350152244.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1350152244-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Eric Bledsoe, LA Clippers. Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="17" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Los Angeles Clippers" data-team-id="77" data-meta-a="1-4" data-meta-b="Previous: 16th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">17 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Los Angeles Clippers <span class="score">1-4</span> </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">16</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fclippers.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p><strong>Last Week</strong>: (W) over POR, (L) to CLE, (L) to POR</p> <p>The LA Clippers are the league’s best 1-4 team. They have a point differential and a team performance around league average, and that is despite shooting ice cold on a lot of good looks, especially against both the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Portland Trail Blazers. If they take the same shots and just hit them at an expected level, they can easily go 4-1 over their next five and right the ship.</p> <p>Those losses already accrued were despite Paul George’s heroics. The star wing is stepping up in the absence of Kawhi Leonard and having an extremely strong start to the season. He is averaging 27.6 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.6 3-pointers per game, carrying a Clippers team that is otherwise unable to hit the broadside of a barn.</p> <p><strong>Scares Me</strong>: Reggie Jackson reached midnight. One of those players shooting ice-cold is Reggie Jackson, the Clippers’ most successful reclamation project to date. After being waived by the Detroit Pistons, a team that could certainly have used a point guard, Jackson bounced back and was their second-best player after Kawhi Leonard went down last season. He hit 43.3 percent of his 3-pointers last year. This season? He is hitting only 29.2 percent, and 31.3 percent overall.</p> <p>Is this just a mini-slump he will pull out of? Is he struggling under an increased load in the absence of Leonard? Or was last year the aberration, and he has reverted back to a fringe rotation player? Given the team’s lack of other guard creators, the last option is plenty scary.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 16 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_437284" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-437284" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1350325833.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1350325833.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1350325833-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">CJ MCCollum, Portland Trail Blazers. Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="16" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Portland Trail Blazers" data-team-id="34" data-meta-a="3-2" data-meta-b="Previous: 13th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">16 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Portland Trail Blazers <span class="score">3-2</span> </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">13</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Ftrailblazers.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p><strong>Last Week</strong>: (L) to LAC, (W) over MEM, (W) over LAC</p> <p>The Portland Trail Blazers have been the picture of consistency over the last half-decade, winning enough games to make the playoffs but never enough to indicate true contention. That’s what makes the start to this season so bizarre. They are a reasonable 3-2, but to get there they have won their games by 29, 20 and 19, while they have a 30-point loss in the ledger as well.</p> <p>Larry Nance Jr. was looked at as a strong offseason addition who could help transform the bench’s defense. It’s hard to tell exactly what sort of an impact he can have as he is averaging just 17.8 minutes per game in the early going, ninth on the team and behind players such as Nassir Little and Cody Zeller. Portland’s up-and-down play has me hesitant to trust them right now; if they can be a little more consistent next week they will likely move back up.</p> <p><strong>Scares Me</strong>: Dame will ask out. Lillard is the kind of competition who understandably wants to win, but he also has a deep sense of loyalty. He won’t leave Portland just to leave, or because of some flimsy reasoning. Yet at some point he will wonder about winning somewhere else, and the longer Portland goes without putting a true contender around him, the riskier it is that Dame’s thoughts stray that way. That would scare me if I was a Portland fan.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 15 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_437283" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-437283" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2560,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1349560683.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2560" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1349560683.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1349560683-768x614.jpeg 768w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1349560683-600x480.jpeg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Kyle Kuzma and Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards. Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="15" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Washington Wizards" data-team-id="142" data-meta-a="5-1" data-meta-b="Previous: 20th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">15 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Washington Wizards <span class="score">5-1</span> </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">20</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fwizards.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p><strong>Last Week</strong>: (L) to BKN, (W) over BOS, (W) over ATL, (W) over BOS</p> <p>The Washington Wizards are being held down a little bit by our expectation anchoring; they were expected to be in the play-in, and so even a 5-1 start doesn’t completely unmoor them from that. Even so, they are racking up wins against good teams, including two wins over Boston and one over Atlanta.</p> <p>Spencer Dinwiddie has played very well in the early going, showing that the Wiz were right to pursue him this offseason and find a way to work out a sign-and-trade as part of the larger Russell Westbrook deal. He is shooting 40.7 percent from 3-point range, calming the greatest concern about him, and scoring 19.8 points per game, one of three Washington players averaging 19 points or more.</p> <p><strong>Scares Me</strong>: They don’t play Gafford enough. Daniel Gafford is the best center on the Washington Wizards, full stop. Yet for some reason the Wizards are starting him and then giving him the hook, choosing to play Montrezl Harrell big minutes in contrast. That is working for Harrell’s box score, but it’s a one-sided play for his scoring and ignoring Gafford’s two-way impact on the entire team. The Wizards will be better served if they slide minutes back to Gafford. Instead I’m afraid when Thomas Bryant returns from injury rehabilitation it will be Gafford losing out.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 14 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_437282" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-437282" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2324,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1349069532.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2324" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1349069532.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1349069532-768x558.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Miles Bridges, Charlotte Hornets. Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="14" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Charlotte Hornets" data-team-id="170" data-meta-a="4-2" data-meta-b="Previous: 18th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">14 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Charlotte Hornets <span class="score">4-2</span> </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">18</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fhornets.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p><strong>Last Week</strong>: (W) over BKN, (L) to BOS, (W) over ORL, (L) to MIA</p> <p>The Charlotte Hornets had a hot start to the season, and week two was about settling into a more expected pattern. Even so, that new balanced output is higher than we expected coming into the year, largely based on the play of Miles Bridges and the depth of this team. Even with P.J. Washington missing two games and Terry Rozier missing five, the Hornets have impressed.</p> <p>LaMelo Ball is one of many players shooting poorly to start the year, but his ability to affect the game in a holistic way is helping push the Hornets forward. He is averaging 17.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game. If and when his shooting percentages balance out and Rozier comes back, this team will have a number of options opponents have to contend with.</p> <p><strong>Scares Me</strong>: Getting back in transition and seeing Miles Bridges coming. One of two “M. Bridges” in the 2018 NBA Draft, Miles Bridges is a nuclear athlete with a high-energy defensive approach. What is new this season is the offensive swagger, as he is taking 18.7 shots per game (by far a career-high) and averaging 25.5 points and 8.0 rebounds. If I was back on defense and he was bearing down on me, I would be all sorts of terrified.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 13 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_437281" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-437281" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1349573330.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1349573330.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1349573330-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies. Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="13" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Memphis Grizzlies" data-team-id="211" data-meta-a="3-3" data-meta-b="Previous: 12th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">13 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Memphis Grizzlies <span class="score">3-3</span> </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">12</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fgrizzlies.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p><strong>Last Week</strong>: (L) to LAL, (L) to POR, (W) over GSW, (L) to MIA</p> <p>The Memphis Grizzlies have exploded out of the gate offensively, with Ja Morant making a leap into stardom (in an extremely crowded Western Conference All-Star guard field; it’s certainly not fair to him or any of the other guards not named Stephen Curry). Morant is dropping 28.7 points and 7.7 assists per game in the early going.</p> <p>What’s great about the Grizzlies is that they have plenty of depth around him, at every position. They may have lost three games this week, but all three were against strong foes and the Grizzlies look to have found a sustainable balance around Morant. The team can even tighten things up moving forward by not playing raw rookie Zhaire Williams, who is getting 17.7 developmental minutes per game thus far.</p> <p><strong>Scares Me</strong>: Drawing up a defensive gameplan against this backcourt. The Grizzlies have just about every look you could want from a backcourt. Morant is the explosive athlete who will fearlessly attack you, Tus Jones is the calculated chess player, De’Anthony Melton is the frenetic glue guy and Desmond Bane is a knockdown shooter who can attack closeouts when they come. If you have the personnel to stop one combination the Grizzlies can just create another.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 12 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_437280" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-437280" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1350134142.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1350134142.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1350134142-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns. Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="12" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Phoenix Suns" data-team-id="66" data-meta-a="2-3" data-meta-b="Previous: 8th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">12 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Phoenix Suns <span class="score">2-3</span> </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">8</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fsuns.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p><strong>Last Week</strong>: (L) to SAC, (W) over CLE</p> <p>The Phoenix Suns have had a very rocky start to the year. They have had two blowout losses to the Denver Nuggets and Portland Trail Blazers and haven’t been dominant in their wins. Their adjusted point differential of -3.5 ranks 22nd in the league, a far cry from their second-place finish last year and run to the NBA Finals.</p> <p>Devin Booker and Jae Crowder have both been exceptionally cold from outside, and DeAndre Ayton is producing solid numbers rather than breakout-star numbers. Cameron Payne has been such a bad offensive player he has lost minutes to Elfrid Payton. The Suns should be able to right the ship, and soon, but they haven’t instilled any confidence in their ability to sustain success with this start.</p> <p><strong>Scares Me</strong>: Chris Paul has gotten old. One of the most amazing things about the NBA right now is the high-level play from a number of older stars. LeBron James and Chris Paul are still All-NBA players even at their ages. That is, Paul was last year, but thus far this year he has looked creaky and slow. He’s picking his spots on offense, trying to direct traffic without fighting to get open himself. He is leading the team in turnovers despite having a usage rate under 20 percent. Hopefully, he’s just trying to help the team in specific ways and can bring back the scoring output, but at some point Father Time has to catch up. Right?</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 11 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_437086" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-437086" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2214,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1236063320.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2214" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1236063320.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1236063320-768x531.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Russell Westbrook, Loa Angeles Lakers. Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="11" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Los Angeles Lakers" data-team-id="20" data-meta-a="3-3" data-meta-b="Previous: 7th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">11 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Los Angeles Lakers <span class="score">3-3</span> </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">7</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Flakers.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p><strong>Last Week</strong>: (W) over MEM, (W) over SAS, (L) to OKC, (W) over CLE</p> <p>Everyone knew the Los Angeles Lakers would have growing pains with their new “Big 3” and completely remade rotation, but no one was expecting this. After an 0-2 start the Lakers came back and barely scraped out wins over the Memphis Grizzlies and San Antonio Spurs before losing to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Seriously: they lost to a team some predicted to win single digit games this year.</p> <p>Russell Westbrook has been better over his last few games, but he still introduces significant problems to this team and their rotation. LeBron James missed a pair of games before returning to stop his old team on Friday night. Carmelo Anthony’s hot shooting is propping up a bench that has been a mess thus far with multiple players out with injury. Health will help this team, but there are still underlying issues.</p> <p><strong>Scares Me</strong>: The Lakers will trade their best rotation players for Russell Westbrook. Oops, this nightmare already happened. The Lakers decided against the strategy that has always worked around LeBron, shooting and defense, and instead opted for a player who does neither. If I were a Lakers fan I would be angry on a daily basis. They have two superstar players capable of winning a title, and they fastened a lead collar around their necks.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 10 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_437279" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-437279" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1066,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1349560562.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="1600" height="1066" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1349560562.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1349560562-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks. Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="10" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Atlanta Hawks" data-team-id="125" data-meta-a="3-3" data-meta-b="Previous: 5th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">10 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Atlanta Hawks <span class="score">3-3</span> </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">5</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fhawks.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p><strong>Last Week</strong>: (W) over DET, (W) over NOP, (L) to WAS, (L) to PHI</p> <p>The Atlanta Hawks are something of an enigma this season, as they have been mostly healthy (a major issue last season) but have struggled to beat teams around their level. They beat the Detroit Pistons and New Orleans Pelicans this week, but lost to the Wizards and 76ers. In a small sample that’s fine, but it’s a problem if they consistently lose to good teams all year long.</p> <p>For now, let’s focus on what this team <em>is</em>. They go legitimately 13 or 14 players deep, have at least two viable options at each position and can move around the pieces to match up against whatever formation they see. That’s an incredibly valuable roster reality in 2021. Cam Reddish has continued to be a difference-maker off the bench, averaging 16.2 points and hitting 43.3 percent of his 3-pointers.</p> <p><strong>Scares Me</strong>: Playing this team in 2023. Right now the Hawks are a team on the rise, and the majority of their core is 24 and under. In two years this team will be much more expensive, but there is a very good chance they are good enough for ownership to pay the tax to keep them together. Trae Young, Kevin Huerter, Cam Reddish, DeAndre Hunter, John Collins, Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu is a fearsome team in two years, not to mention Bogdan Bogdanovic and Clint Capela.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 9 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_437278" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-437278" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2134,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1349305728.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1349305728.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1349305728-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Michael Porter Jr., Denver Nuggets. Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="9" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Denver Nuggets" data-team-id="73" data-meta-a="4-2" data-meta-b="Previous: 6th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">9 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Denver Nuggets <span class="score">4-2</span> </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">6</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fnuggets.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p><strong>Last Week</strong>: (L) to CLE, (L) to UTA, (W) over DAL, (W) over MIN</p> <p>Most teams lose an All-Star player and lose a step, but the Denver Nuggets have continued to play like a team in the mix for the top-half of the Western Conference. Secure home-court advantage by the time Jamal Murray comes back and suddenly this team is dangerous again.</p> <p>They fall a few spots because of a brutal loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers where the Nuggets put up just 79 points against a lottery squad, rookie defensive phenom or no. Nikola Jokic looks great, dropping 24 points and 14.8 rebounds, although he’s averaging just 5.5 assists. The other exciting factor is rookie Bones Hyland who has scored 21 points in 37 minutes and needs to get more playing time.</p> <p><strong>Scares Me</strong>: Michael Porter Jr. isn’t as good as we thought. What if the Denver Nuggets finally paid up, committed to paying the luxury tax, for a player who isn’t able to take a step forward as an All-Star player? Michael Porter Jr. has been atrocious to start the season, averaging just 10.8 points per game on 33.3 shooting from the field and 25 percent shooting from deep. Was the hyper-efficient season last year a product of the right context, and he’s a much worse player in reality? I don’t think so — it’s only been six games — but I would be feeling a little tendril of fear if I rooted for Denver.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 8 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_437277" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-437277" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2135,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1236223214.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2135" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1236223214.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1236223214-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Brooklyn Nets. Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="8" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Brooklyn Nets" data-team-id="147" data-meta-a="3-3" data-meta-b="Previous: 3rd" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">8 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Brooklyn Nets <span class="score">3-3</span> </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">3</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fnets.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p><strong>Last Week</strong>: (L) to CHA, (W) over WAS, (L) to MIA, (W) over IND</p> <p>What’s going on with the Brooklyn Nets? The biggest problem is one I’ll address below. The second biggest problem is that Kyrie Irving is voluntarily opting out of playing for the team. Third? That this team has a bunch of tweener bigs who are filling rotation minutes and not elevating the play of the team.</p> <p>Kevin Durant has been brilliant, and assuming the Nets right the ship he’ll be in the MVP race at the very least. Yet as we talked about last week, he is playing too many minutes at the 3 because of the roster composition. They have righted the ship somewhat after a really tough start, but they have clearly been a worse team than the Bucks and Heat. They would probably be in the 12-14 range if we weren’t assuming this team will figure things out.</p> <p><strong>Scares Me</strong>: Harden will never be the same guy. The hot topic has been the new foul-drawing rules and how they have affected Harden, but he also seems to be a step slow after a nasty hamstring injury and is 32 years old with a body that won’t necessarily age well. It’s possible the Harden who contended for MVPs is never coming back, and given how much the Nets gave up for him that’s a scary thought.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 7 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_437276" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-437276" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1263,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1349905066.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="1600" height="1263" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1349905066.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1349905066-768x606.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">Julius Randle, New York Knicks. Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="7" data-rank-type="team" data-name="New York Knicks" data-team-id="27" data-meta-a="5-1" data-meta-b="Previous: 14th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">7 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>New York Knicks <span class="score">5-1</span> </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">14</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fknicks.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p><strong>Last Week</strong>: (L) to ORL, (W) over PHI, (W) over CHI, (W) over NOP</p> <p>The New York Knicks have been barnstorming teams out of the gate, and they forced their way up this list. I wanted to place them lower, but outside of one stinker against the Magic where Orlando shot the lights out, the Knicks have five wins over some good teams and sit first in the Eastern Conference.</p> <p>Their win over the Chicago Bulls was especially impressive given that the Bulls are otherwise undefeated. Randle has kept last season’s gains, trading in a little efficiency and volume for an absolutely impressive 11.2 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game. RJ Barrett is likewise just as good if not better than a season ago, and Kemba Walker has righted the ship after a cold start and is now shooting 50 percent from the field.</p> <p><strong>Scares Me</strong>: Thibs running stars into the ground. Julius Randle is averaging 37.3 minutes per game. Barrett is at 34.3 and Evan Fournier 33.2. This is a very deep team now, with backup options at every position. If Tom Thibodeau can stop himself from killing his own players, this team should be able to continue winning with a more balanced rotation to save his stars for the postseason.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 6 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_437275" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-437275" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2134,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1350348616.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1350348616.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1350348616-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks. Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="6" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Milwaukee Bucks" data-team-id="89" data-meta-a="3-3" data-meta-b="Previous: 1st" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">6 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Milwaukee Bucks <span class="score">3-3</span> </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">1</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fbucks.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p><strong>Last Week</strong>: (W) over IND, (L) to MIN, (L) to SAS</p> <p>The defending champions have quietly been nailed with injuries to start the season. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton have started all six games, but the lineup around them has been shuffled up, with eight different players starting a game thus far. Jrue Holiday has played just two games, and Brook Lopez only one. Starting 2-guard Donte DiVincenzo is not back yet from surgery during the postseason.</p> <p>Thus the fact that they are 3-3 is fine, even if they lost a couple of games to middling teams. The plus side is that plenty of bench players are getting extra run to develop and be ready to help in a much smaller role once everyone is healthy. Antetokounmpo is putting up another MVP-level season and the Bucks should be this conference’s best team once everyone is back.</p> <p><strong>Scares Me</strong>: Stopping Giannis in the open court. There are a number of players it would be scary to try and stop in transition, with Miles Bridges and LeBron James high up on the list. Yet no player right now is scarier than Giannis, with his impossibly long strides, slow-motion Europstep and desire to finish with a dunk. You wrap him up and hope to somehow stop him from scoring anyway.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 5 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_437274" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-437274" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1347961698.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1347961698.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1347961698-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Seth Curry, Philadelphia 76ers. Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="5" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Philadelphia 76ers" data-team-id="93" data-meta-a="4-2" data-meta-b="Previous: 9th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">5 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Philadelphia 76ers <span class="score">4-2</span> </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">9</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2F76ers.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p><strong>Last Week</strong>: (W) over OKC, (L) to NYK, (W) over DET, (W) over ATL</p> <p>Seth Curry scored 23 points in the first quarter of a surprisingly close win over the Oklahoma City Thunder early this past week. His ability to shoot from anywhere has helped to prop up an offensive that otherwise gets frequently stale without the playmaking of Ben Simmons on the floor. He is a vital player while Simmons is out, despite their complete difference in size playing style.</p> <p>Joel Embiid is another MVP candidate, and the 76ers are handling business with losses to the two New York teams only. Tobias Harris has stepped up as the secondary scoring option, averaging 19.8 points per game with nine rebounds and an impressive 4.2 assists. The team will hopefully start to give Isaiah Joe and Paul Reed some more run to see what they can do.</p> <p><strong>Scares Me</strong>: Simmons plays and plays just ok. If Ben Simmons continues to find ways to hold out, eventually someone will decide to pay up and add an All-Star player. If he starts playing and is his normal self, he is the easiest to trade. If he is incredible, they keep him. If he’s purposefully awful the Sixers are motivated to move him and he probably doesn’t decrease his value.</p> <p>Yet what if Simmons plays merely ok? What if he’s a reasonable 5th starter for a team that needs something more? Suddenly the 76ers lose their leverage, but won’t be able to trade him because they need a player of equal talent who is a better fit. Trading a back-end starter doesn’t net you an impact return, and especially not one making as much as Simmons. That could doom the team and Simmons’ options.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 4 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_437273" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-437273" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1198,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1350343463.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="1600" height="1198" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1350343463.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1350343463-768x575.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">Nikola Vucevic, Chicago Bulls. Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="4" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Chicago Bulls" data-team-id="24" data-meta-a="5-1" data-meta-b="Previous: 15th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">4 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Chicago Bulls <span class="score">5-1</span> </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">15</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fbulls.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p><strong>Last Week</strong>: (W) over TOR, (L) to NYK, (W) over UTA</p> <p>The Chicago Bulls were one of the most contentious teams coming into the season. They indisputably had weaknesses on a roster that was built to “win now” and the moves to bring in multiple players were poor value. Yet once that team took the court they have been blitzing teams.</p> <p>Their starting lineup is geared towards offense, with Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic forming a devastating duo but even more so with DeRozan available for secondary passing and Lonzo Ball spotting up. Their bench brings the defense, with multiple athletic, active players to balance things out. They are 5-1 with their only loss a one-point defeat by the New York Knicks. The Bulls’ win over Utah legitimized their start and vaulted them up the list.</p> <p><strong>Scares Me</strong>: Losing Pat Williams for the season. The bummer in the midst of their exciting start is that second-year forward Patrick Williams is expected to miss the rest of the regular season with a dislocated wrist. He was their best defensive option in the starting lineup. Against the Jazz they started Javonte Green in Williams’ place, but it could also be Alize Johnson or Derrick Jones Jr. Either way Williams was the best two-way option and now he’s out for a long time.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 3 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_437272" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-437272" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2134,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1349889175.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1349889175.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1349889175-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors. Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="3" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Golden State Warriors" data-team-id="41" data-meta-a="5-1" data-meta-b="Previous: 4th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">3 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Golden State Warriors <span class="score">5-1</span> </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">4</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fwarriors.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p><strong>Last Week</strong>: (W) over SAC, (W) over OKC, (L) to MEM, (W) over OKC</p> <p>The Golden State Warriors had a wild two years in the wilderness, bringing lottery picks in triplicate but also an MVP-campaign from Stephen Curry last year. This season he’s not quite as hot but the Warriors are, winning their first four games and five of six.</p> <p>Stephen Curry is excellent, Draymond Green has been more aggressive and Andrew Wiggins shook off some early lethargy and was excellent in his most recent game. Head coach Steve Kerr is blessed with a plethora of wing options to mix-and-match from Andre Iguodala to Otto Porter Jr. to Damion Lee and has been switching them around at will.</p> <p><strong>Scares Me</strong>: Facing this team in playoffs with a healthy Klay Thompson. The Warriors are good and plenty dangerous right now, but Klay Thompson is a top-5 all-time shooter and a prolific scorer who should help this team immediately. If the principals are all healthy the Warriors would be a threat to beat anyone, and I would fear them if I was any opponent game planning against them in the playoffs.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 2 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_437271" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-437271" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2134,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1347809390.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1347809390.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1347809390-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz. Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="2" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Utah Jazz" data-team-id="118" data-meta-a="4-1" data-meta-b="Previous: 2nd" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">2 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Utah Jazz <span class="score">4-1</span> </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">2</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fjazz.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p><strong>Last Week</strong>: (W) over DEN, (W) over HOU, (L) to CHI</p> <p>Rudy Gobert has been a monster inside for the Utah Jazz. He is averaging 17.8 points on 72.5 percent shooting and a whopping 18 rebounds per game. His blocks are down slightly to 1.2 per game, which is still plenty. Gobert wants it this year and is ready to shake off the negative opinions aimed at him and play ball.</p> <p>The rest of the team has stepped up too, and until the loss to the Bulls last night the Jazz were the league’s final undefeated season. Through five games they have the fifth-best offensive rating and 3rd-best defense rating. Eric Paschall has even chipped in some helpful numbers with off the bench.</p> <p><strong>Scares Me</strong>: Driving at Gobert. If I had the ball and had to score inside the arc against any player, Rudy Gobert would be one of the worst choices to make. He is terrifying in the paint, arms outstretched, swatting all comers. The man known as the Stifle Tower would absolutely destroy any attempt I made at the rim.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 1 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_437270" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-437270" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2059,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1349559812.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2059" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1349559812.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1349559812-768x494.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat. Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="1" data-rank-type="team" data-name="Miami Heat" data-team-id="110" data-meta-a="5-1" data-meta-b="Previous: 10th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">1 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Miami Heat <span class="score">5-1</span> </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">10</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fheat.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p><strong>Last Week</strong>: (W) over ORL, (W) over BKN, (W) over CHA, (W) over MEM</p> <p>This was very unexpected, but the Miami Heat are the best team of the early season. They have wins over the Nets, Hornets and Grizzlies, the latter two probably more important given the stakes. They’ve built a new bench from cast-offs and projects that is playing well to start the season.</p> <p>Last year they lost in the first round to the Milwaukee Bucks and decided to make drastic changes, bringing in Kyle Lowry and PJ Tucker. This new lineup is nasty. It’s why their defensive rating of 95.5 percent is so low (ranks first) and they have the league’s best net rating. Tyler Herro is having a bounceback season and positively shooting the ball, with fairly good efficiency.</p> <p><strong>Scares Me</strong>: Robinson going cold in the playoffs. Given the shooting limitations on Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and PJ Tucker, and how cold Kyle Lowry has been to start the season. Duncan Robinson is an elite shooter, but even those kinds of players have slumps. If one comes during the postseason the Heat may not have another option to hold onto.</p> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="Ranking the 75 best players in NBA history for 75th anniversary" data-url="https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/19/ranking-75-best-players-nba-history-75th-anniversary/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/31/nba-power-rankings-week-3-scorching-heat/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/19/ranking-75-best-players-nba-history-75th-anniversary/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> Ranking the 75 best players in NBA history for 75th anniversary </a> </div> </div><!—pageview_candidate—>">

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NBA Power Rankings Week 2: Scorching hot Miami Heat and what scares me

Orlando Magic 1-6

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