NBA Power Rankings: Breaking Down the Top 5 Early-Season Pretenders
It's far too early in the NBA season to tell which team is the favorite to win it all in June, but it's never too soon to speculate as to which teams with inflated records are not long for the top of the standings.
Check out my top five early-season pretenders heading into the new year:
5. Atlanta Hawks (3-1)
Atlanta was a contender last spring, testing the league-leading Bulls in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, but they lack the killer instinct to take their talent-filled roster to the next level.
Don't be fooled by the Hawks early success in 2011-12; their three wins have come against the Wizards and Nets, who they have beaten twice already this season. The lack of solid competition has inflated Atlanta's plus-12.5 scoring differential.
The Hawks were exposed on New Year's Eve, losing their first game of the year on the road to the Rockets, 95-84.
4. Philadelphia 76ers (2-2)
The Sixers have lost their only two close games of the season. Their two wins, meanwhile, have been blowouts.
It's not easy to start five straight games away from home to open the season, but Philly's soft schedule easily presented the opportunity to begin 4-0. Monta Ellis missed Philadelphia's win over Golden State on New Year's Eve, so take their mighty win with a grain of salt.
3. Milwaukee Bucks (2-1)
After losing a tough one to the Bobcats on opening night, the Bucks have bounced by with two straight wins over the Timberwolves and Wizards.
Unfortunately for Milwaukee, its next five games are on the road, and the Bucks struggled away from home last season. The star power is still missing on their roster, and they are far behind the East's best despite their current position in the standings.
2. Golden State Warriors (2-2)
Mark Jackson has got off to a decent start with his new team, but the Warriors' minus-6.3 scoring differential is the worst of any team on this list.
Two blowout losses at home overshadow two quality wins over the Bulls and Knicks. The superstar talent is there, but the Stephen Curry injury is a concern, as is the early inconsistency at home.
1. New Orleans Hornets (2-1)
The Hornets have split with the Suns this season and taken advantage of a banged-up Celtics team on a back-to-back.
New Orleans is 28th in the league in points per game and dead last in assists per game. With Eric Gordon set to miss a few more games because of injury, the Hornets will be out of the mix in no time.
The lack of experience, firepower and Chris Paul is a horrific combination, but the one the Hornets are faced with.
