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Power Ranking - Early Season Woes and Woahs

Nov, 21 (Week 2) - Some thought that week 2 would be the one where things start to stabilize and great teams find their foothold and mediocre teams come back down to earth - there weren't a bunch of huge risers and fallers and there may not be on the immediate horizon. [wizkid]

Rank Rating Team Record Comment
  1 (1) 66 Orl Orlando Magic 8-1
Bos 112, Orl 105 L
Atl 93, Orl 80 L
OKC 101, Orl 84 L
Mil 124, Orl 76 L
GS 104, Orl 89 L
SA 113, Orl 76 L
Phi 146, Orl 58 L
LAL 92, Orl 67 L
From almost getting run out of town to King of the world! LJMaverick felt like he found the team he wanted to go with - and to many critics' amazement, he was exceedingly correct. They have the best record in the league despite a tough strength of schedule, and they haven't been fluke games as they're top 5 in point differential!
  2 (2) 64 Cle Cleveland Cavaliers 7-1
Cle 81, Mem 100 L
Cle 114, Utah 116 L
Cle 88, Ind 116 L
Cle 93, Mia 71 W
Cle 106, Atl 99 W
Cle 84, Bos 103 L
Cle 111, Bkn 102 W
Sure, we're a couple of years removed from the Cavs reign of terror (does anybody even remember Alejandro?) - Pistolpk has these guys on a 6 game winning streak and has been playing Lebron anywhere he'll fit.
3 (4) 64 OKC Oklahoma City Thunder 7-1
NO 64, OKC 106 W
Min 91, OKC 126 W
OKC 101, Orl 84 W
OKC 119, Utah 111 W
LAC 99, OKC 116 W
OKC 115, Phi 116 L
Atl 86, OKC 110 W
After stumbling out of the gate - OKC is on a league leading 7 game winning streak. People can complain about the engine all they want, but OKC being up here is good evidence that talent still wins games.
4 (13) 62 Mil Milwaukee Bucks 7-1
Mil 145, Sac 93 W
Mil 119, SA 74 W
Mil 124, Orl 76 W
Mil 115, NO 90 W
Mil 127, Por 76 W
Mil 121, Ind 93 W
The third consecutive hyper-talented team on a 5+ game win streak. With KAT, Russ, and Giannis running the show it's really tough to go wrong. Even their 4th option, 5th option and bench don't even have to try! Their 4th leading scorer? Thad Young - 6.4 ppg.
5 (6) 55 Mia Miami Heat 6-2
Mia 92, Dal 85 W
Cle 93, Mia 71 L
SA 97, Mia 90 L
Mem 68, Mia 84 W
Sac 68, Mia 101 W
Mia 110, Bos 114 L
NY 85, Mia 109 W
For as shocking as Orlando's start has been to many, the Heat have stunned fans just as much. The Heat were left for dead, with rival GMs literally apologizing to GM Breece for the state of the team he inherited. Word must not have made it back to the players though - they're 6-2 with a top 4 point differential. JJ Redick has been lights out, but past that, they have had an insanely well-rounded attack with 8 players averaging 8 points or better!
6 (5) 54 Dal Dallas Mavericks 6-2
Dal 119, Hou 93 W
LAL 103, Dal 113 W
Mia 92, Dal 85 L
Sac 54, Dal 111 W
Dal 119, Den 107 W
GS 75, Dal 121 W
Dal 118, SA 99 W
Sac 86, Dal 118 W
When do we get back to the comfortable "power house" teams that aren't going to surprise us? Dallas is supposed to be at the front end of the rebuild, but another balanced attack of guys that just won't give up features an impressive 5 players averaging 14 ppg or better.
  7 (7) 54 SA San Antonio Spurs 6-2
Mil 119, SA 74 L
SA 87, Was 104 L
SA 88, Cha 108 L
SA 97, Mia 90 W
SA 113, Orl 76 W
Dal 118, SA 99 L
Min 102, SA 109 W
LAC 117, SA 84 L
San Antonio had a small championship hangover to start the season, but they're back on top of things now - on a 4 game winning streak. Embiid and Davis have both played every game thus far and are combining for well over 50 points and 20 rebounds per game.
8 (3) 46 Bos Boston Celtics 5-3
Bos 112, Orl 105 W
Bos 91, Ind 114 L
Bos 89, Hou 113 L
Tor 120, Bos 85 L
Cle 84, Bos 103 W
Mia 110, Bos 114 W
Bos 98, Chi 108 L
Boston started a bit poorly, but considering KD has only played in half of their games, they've got to be happy to be sitting in a playoff spot on the standings page. KD will come back and they should figure things out before the season gets too much further along.
9 (15) 41 NO New Orleans Pelicans 5-3
NO 64, OKC 106 L
NO 97, Phi 115 L
Cha 99, NO 67 L
Min 97, NO 107 W
Mem 83, NO 109 W
Mil 115, NO 90 L
Den 105, NO 112 W
The Pels talked about blowing it up and looking for future assets before Alex Len - MVP candidate arrived. Talk about a contract year - Len bet on himself by taking the Qualifying Offer and looking forward to unrestricted free agency... he's now letting the whole league know.
  10 (10) 40 Cha Charlotte Hornets 5-3
Phi 124, Cha 116 L
Por 76, Cha 92 W
SA 88, Cha 108 W
Cha 99, NO 67 W
Chi 79, Cha 123 W
Min 54, Cha 147 W
Tor 107, Cha 119 W
Digga got some flack for not trying to "win now", but the team is doing a decent job of winning now, and probably doing it more than many of the GMs that cast critical glances towards their cost-conscious methods.
11 (8) 38 Chi Chicago Bulls 5-3
LAL 91, Chi 79 L
Ind 109, Chi 98 L
Chi 73, Bkn 120 L
Chi 87, Tor 104 L
Chi 79, Cha 123 L
Was 114, Chi 117 W
Bos 98, Chi 108 W
Hou 125, Chi 117 L
Splash city has arrived! Does Daz even care if they win games? Or is he just watching their starting lineup intro on repeat? Seeing Curry and Klay high-fiving has to be the highlight of his day - but the winning is pretty nice too!
12 (17) 38 Mem Memphis Grizzlies 5-4
Cle 81, Mem 100 W
Mem 103, GS 118 L
Tor 108, Mem 85 L
Mem 68, Mia 84 L
Bkn 133, Mem 72 L
Mem 90, LAL 91 L
Mem 83, NO 109 L
They're sitting at .500, which would probably snag them a playoff spot this season. Chriss looks like he's made a jump and Tatum is looking like he could be great too.
13 (27) 38 NY New York Knicks 5-3
NY 117, LAL 108 W
Phi 119, NY 107 L
Was 109, NY 105 L
Por 96, NY 102 W
NY 93, Phi 116 L
NY 85, Mia 109 L
Kyrie, Harden and company shouldn't be this low in the rankings for long. They're getting their numbers and Dwight is turning back the clock - averaging 20 and 12. Tim has them riding a 5 game winning streak and I'd be surprised if it took more than one week to see them in their normal spot in the top 5.
14 (9) 35 Sac Sacramento Kings 4-4
Mil 145, Sac 93 L
LAC 130, Sac 79 L
Sac 54, Dal 111 L
Sac 79, Den 107 L
Was 125, Sac 68 L
Sac 68, Mia 101 L
Sac 86, Dal 118 L
Melo is putting up some serious numbers and this team is scoring with the best of them with 6 guys in double figures. The biggest problem is that they need to play on the other end. Okafor being out this week could help the D just by his absence.
15 (16) 30 LAL LA Lakers 4-4
LAL 91, Chi 79 W
NY 117, LAL 108 L
LAL 103, Dal 113 L
LAL 77, Pho 87 L
Mem 90, LAL 91 W
Min 82, LAL 91 W
Pho 106, LAL 89 L
LAL 92, Orl 67 W
Vucevic is making his own surprising run at the MVP trophy. The Lakers have a winning record now, and with a PER of over 32, he hasn't even needed much help to get there.
16 (19) 28 Por Portland Trail Blazers 4-5
Por 76, Cha 92 L
Por 88, Atl 126 L
Por 100, Pho 83 W
Por 96, NY 102 L
Hou 139, Por 118 L
Por 73, LAC 136 L
Mil 127, Por 76 L
Portland is another shocker, sitting at the bottom of the Western Conference playoff picture. Rudy Gay is showing everybody why Toby had so much confidence in him bouncing back from an injury and Mahinmi and Rivers are showing everybody why they got paid last season - despite struggling previously.
17 (23) 22 Phi Philadelphia 76ers 3-5
Phi 124, Cha 116 W
Phi 119, NY 107 W
NO 97, Phi 115 W
Phi 146, Orl 58 W
NY 93, Phi 116 W
OKC 115, Phi 116 W
The Sixers shouldn't be this low, but obviously missing an legit MVP candidate can do that to you. Dame and "Gobby" are doing the best they can to keep things going without Kawai, but the team really needs him back, but it doesn't sound like he's in a hurry at this point. The good news in Philly is that with all of their talent, they should be able to improve their record even without him.
18 (12) 21 LAC LA Clippers 3-5
Den 94, LAC 116 W
GS 92, LAC 118 W
LAC 130, Sac 79 W
LAC 131, Bkn 122 W
LAC 99, OKC 116 L
Por 73, LAC 136 W
Min 77, LAC 118 W
LAC 117, SA 84 W
The Clippers have successfully transitioned from draft pick hoarding mode to wining mode - something that is harder to do than most people give credit for. They're looking pretty good with a bevy of young talent that already seems to mesh well.
19 (18) 21 Min Minnesota Timberwolves 3-6
Min 91, OKC 126 L
Hou 102, Min 111 W
Det 94, Min 73 L
Min 97, NO 107 L
Min 82, LAL 91 L
Min 54, Cha 147 L
Min 77, LAC 118 L
Min 102, SA 109 L
Sad to see a a good GM and a great friend leave the league in such sudden fashion. Almost as sad to see a great Minnesota team struggling to that point of frustration. Most teams are struggling to find what works in this young season - and despite Cousins and McCollum playing well, this team is no exception. They have to figure out how to get more out of Kevin Love and Evan Fournier to be successful.
20 (24) 20 Atl Atlanta Hawks 3-5
Atl 93, Orl 80 W
Atl 103, Bkn 125 L
Por 88, Atl 126 W
Hou 163, Atl 153 L
Cle 106, Atl 99 L
Atl 93, Det 108 L
Atl 86, OKC 110 L
Bkn 120, Atl 97 L
Atlanta topped out at 3-3 and I think their GM is hoping that they can get back to that .500 record despite their current 3 game skid. With Greg Monroe back in the lineup, and the NLL debut of Fultz not too far behind him - they may be able to surprise some people as a dark horse for a playoff spot.
21 (14) 19 Det Detroit Pistons 3-5
Det 103, Pho 83 W
Det 94, Min 73 W
Det 101, GS 84 W
Det 99, Utah 74 W
Atl 93, Det 108 W
Det 95, Bkn 117 L
The Simmons/Nurkic pairing has been great. Ryan Anderson seems to be fitting in nicely, and is a great compliment to those two on offense. Their point differential is better than their record indicates, due to a couple of tough losses - but more than anything they need Oladipo to make the same leap he has in the NBA in order to put them in playoff contention.
22 (11) 18 GS Golden State Warriors 3-5
Mem 103, GS 118 W
GS 92, LAC 118 L
Det 101, GS 84 L
GS 104, Orl 89 W
GS 75, Dal 121 L
GS 101, Utah 92 W
GS 81, Hou 124 L
After shooting out of the gate and keeping the magic going that had them realize their first sniff of the playoffs in years - they're back to losing... currently on a 4 games skid. MaiLo is a veteran GM at this point and she may be able to figure out how to get that sweet shooting frontcourt trio of Barnes, Saric, and Kaminsky playing fast paced fun to watch basketball again.
23 (22) 16 Ind Indiana Pacers 3-5
Ind 116, Pho 91 W
Bos 91, Ind 114 W
Ind 109, Chi 98 W
Cle 88, Ind 116 W
Was 109, Ind 99 L
Hou 115, Ind 108 L
Mil 121, Ind 93 L
After losing 5 of their first 6, the Pacers have the big Kiwi back and have won a few games. With Tobias getting close to a breakout, Blake continuing to be an all-star and Adams back - they really just need some help in the backcourt to get this thing going well.
24 (30) 12 Was Washington Wizards 2-6
SA 87, Was 104 W
Was 135, Den 71 W
Was 95, Utah 97 L
Was 109, NY 105 W
Was 125, Sac 68 W
Was 109, Ind 99 W
Was 114, Chi 117 L
Pho 111, Was 106 L
Two young guns (Hield and Randle) and two vets (Crawford and Lopez) have looked solid - but everybody knew when they pulled the trigger on that Klay deal, that they were playing the long game. Curry isn't playing yet, Bender is young, and the pile of draft picks is yet to come - don't get frustrated with this team just yet!
25 (21) 10 Hou Houston Rockets 2-6
Hou 102, Min 111 L
Dal 119, Hou 93 L
Bos 89, Hou 113 W
Hou 163, Atl 153 W
Hou 139, Por 118 W
Hou 115, Ind 108 W
GS 81, Hou 124 W
Hou 125, Chi 117 W
Vitticus is no stranger to rough starts - having a comeback for the ages in his rookie season as the team's GM last year. With Hayward undergoing recovery in another city and IT yet to give a timeframe for his return - the team is pretty thin behind Waiters and Whiteside. But Hassan has been dominant and 16/night from Waiters is his best in a couple of years. Chandler and Yogi need to step up for the team to maintain long enough for Isaiah's return to matter.
26 (25) 7 Bkn Brooklyn Nets 2-6
Atl 103, Bkn 125 W
Bkn 120, Utah 113 W
Chi 73, Bkn 120 W
LAC 131, Bkn 122 L
Bkn 133, Mem 72 W
Cle 111, Bkn 102 L
Bkn 120, Atl 97 W
Det 95, Bkn 117 W
No comment? Ever have that feeling that you've gone through every team before finally reaching yours... We're at a low point right now. Maybe the Nets will get healthy, maybe they'll figure out how to address their awful shooting. Maybe they won't?
27 (26) 6 Den Denver Nuggets 2-6
Den 94, LAC 116 L
Den 119, Tor 122 L
Was 135, Den 71 L
Dal 119, Den 107 L
Sac 79, Den 107 W
Den 105, NO 112 L
This team is way to good to be last place in the West despite a relatively clean bill of health. Kanter fits the mold of the centers that are beasting in 2k17. Morris and Porter should be enough talent at the forward spots, and Gordon/Wade should be plenty at the two. That really leaves one spot as the issue - John Wall has the worst +/- on the team despite being their unquestioned star... is it time for a change of scenery?
28 (20) 5 Tor Toronto Raptors 1-7
Den 119, Tor 122 W
Tor 120, Bos 85 W
Tor 108, Mem 85 W
Chi 87, Tor 104 W
Tor 103, Pho 108 L
Tor 105, Utah 85 W
Tor 107, Cha 119 L
Toronto has been in almost every game but just can't get a win. Beal, Olynyk, and Hernangomez have all exceeded expectations in both health and performance - if you'd told me that those 3 would be combining for 60 ppg with no games missed due to injury I definitely wouldn't have been thinking worst record in the league - they've lost 7 straight.
29 (28) 5 Utah Utah Jazz 2-6
Cle 114, Utah 116 W
Bkn 120, Utah 113 L
Was 95, Utah 97 W
OKC 119, Utah 111 L
Det 99, Utah 74 L
GS 101, Utah 92 L
Tor 105, Utah 85 L
This team must really need CP3! Missing Rose and Paul both is pretty tough - take two solid point guards off of any team and they'll struggle. Paul is back now and Utah is hoping that is the cure for all of their ills. Aldridge and Gasol are doing ok, but not great and the team really needs Wiggins to step up when other stars are out.
30 (29) 1 Pho Phoenix Suns 1-7
Det 103, Pho 83 L
Ind 116, Pho 91 L
Por 100, Pho 83 L
LAL 77, Pho 87 W
Tor 103, Pho 108 W
Pho 106, LAL 89 W
Pho 111, Was 106 W
The team that just won't rebuild had a really rough start - waiting until a league high 8th game of the year to get their first win. Kemba is looking great. Gortat is looking like a good option in 2k17 at 20 and 11. Horford was out in week 2, but he was so down in week 1 that maybe that helped. The team really needs Al and Clarkson to step up... they can't combine for less than 20ppg.

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