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The 2021-22 NBA season is one week old and there’s already some big movers in the league’s power rankings. The Chicago Bulls have jumped up 10 spots to move into the top five after a 4-0 start. The offseason additions have made an immediate impact and Zach LaVine remains one of the league’s most explosive offensive players. Chicago’s defense is better than expected, which could mean big things for the Bulls as the season keeps going. The Golden State Warriors have also made a jump into the top five after ranking ninth in the initial list.
Most teams have only played between two to four games, so there hasn’t been much data to go on so far. The Milwaukee Bucks look ready to pick up right where they left off in July as defending champions, while the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers have struggled in the early going. Aspiring playoff teams like the Sacramento Kings and Minnesota Timberwolves have been better than expected, while trendy picks such as the Atlanta Hawks and Dallas Mavericks have slightly underwhelmed.
Let’s take a look at Chinmay Vaidya’s power rankings for Week 2 of the NBA season.
NBA Power Rankings: Week 2
Rank | Team | Previous Rank |
---|---|---|
Rank | Team | Previous Rank |
1 | Milwaukee Bucks | 2 |
2 | Golden State Warriors | 9 |
3 | Utah Jazz | 5 |
4 | Chicago Bulls | 14 |
5 | Philadelphia 76ers | 4 |
6 | Miami Heat | 8 |
7 | Denver Nuggets | 11 |
8 | Atlanta Hawks | 7 |
9 | New York Knicks | 19 |
10 | Brooklyn Nets | 3 |
11 | Los Angeles Lakers | 1 |
12 | Phoenix Suns | 6 |
13 | LA Clippers | 10 |
14 | Charlotte Hornets | 20 |
15 | Memphis Grizzlies | 17 |
16 | Dallas Mavericks | 13 |
17 | Sacramento Kings | 22 |
18 | Minnesota Timberwolves | 23 |
19 | Boston Celtics | 12 |
20 | Washington Wizards | 24 |
21 | Portland Trail Blazers | 16 |
22 | Indiana Pacers | 15 |
23 | San Antonio Spurs | 25 |
24 | Toronto Raptors | 21 |
25 | Houston Rockets | 28 |
26 | Cleveland Cavaliers | 29 |
27 | New Orleans Pelicans | 18 |
28 | Orlando Magic | 26 |
29 | Detroit Pistons | 27 |
30 | Oklahoma City Thunder | 30 |