NBA Power Rankings: Which Top 10 Teams Are on Shaky Ground?
The early-season NBA power rankings are going to look a lot different than the final version that come out when the season is over.
Certain teams are playing above and beyond their abilities right now and will soon even out, dropping games and spots in the rankings.
The first couple of weeks of the season are the hardest for some franchises in this shortened schedule, but others have done a great job taking advantage of that.
Let’s take a look at three squads that are near the top now but will not be for much longer, especially as the rest of the league begins to gel.
Philadelphia 76ers
It’s hard to hate on a team that is 9-3 and has only lost on the road so far, but that streak will eventually end and the 76ers will struggle.
They’ve been blessed so far with immaculate health and great play from stars that were written off, like Spencer Hawes, who have yet to prove they can handle a full season playing at a high level.
Portland Trail Blazers
After a great start, Portland has hit a rough patch and has lost three straight games going into today’s battle with the lowly New Orleans Hornets.
If they can’t pull out a win in the Big Easy, they need to enter full panic mode because this team isn’t going in the right direction.
Miami Heat
They are struggling with injury and LeBron James’ poor play in the fourth quarter. Have they not learned anything from last year’s disappointing Finals loss?
While this team is too good not to stay in the Top 10 during the regular season, they need to figure out their road woes and overtime failures before the postseason begins.
Alex Kay’s NBA Power Rankings
1. Chicago Bulls
2. Oklahoma City Thunder
3. Miami Heat
4. Philadelphia 76ers
5. Atlanta Hawks
6. San Antonio Spurs
7. Los Angeles Clippers
8. Los Angeles Lakers
9. Portland Trail Blazers
10. Indiana Pacers
11. Orlando Magic
12. Denver Nuggets
13. Boston Celtics
14. New York Knicks
15. Dallas Mavericks
16. Minnesota Timberwolves
17. Utah Jazz
18. Houston Rockets
19. Memphis Grizzlies
20. Cleveland Cavaliers
21. Phoenix Suns
22. Toronto Raptors
23. Sacramento Kings
24. Golden State Warriors
25. Charlotte Bobcats
26. Milwaukee Bucks
27. New Orleans Hornets
28. New Jersey Nets
29. Detroit Pistons
30. Washington Wizards
