2016-17 NBA Power Rankings: Sky Rockets In Flight In Week 7
Gerald Bourguet
Nov 23, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) dribbles the ball as Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) defends during the third quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
In Week 7 of NBA Power Rankings, the Houston Rockets and Toronto Raptors are starting to round into form as legitimate contenders.
Nov 23, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) dribbles the ball as Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) defends during the third quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Entering the first weeks of the 2016-17 NBA season, and even heading into the offseason, everyone knew the Golden State Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers, San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Clippers were legitimate title contenders. Over a month into the season, we still know this to be true.
However, the surprise teams stepping up always make a new NBA season more exciting, and the Houston Rockets and Toronto Raptors have filled those roles early on.
Coming off four dominant wins, We The North is making an early push for the No. 1 seed in the East behind the Cavs. Coming off an impressive back-to-back that featured a road win against the league-leading Warriors, the Rockets are starting to click thanks to the MVP-caliber play of James Harden within his new offense.
Are we ready to bill either of them as legitimate title contenders? Now quite yet. But outside of our Power 4 teams, we’re having a hard time thinking of teams that have been better surprises early in the season.
Here’s a look at our Week 7 2016-17 NBA Power Rankings.
Dec 3, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Wesley Matthews (23) and guard Deron Williams (8) celebrate during the second half against the Chicago Bulls at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeat the Bulls 107-82. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Philadelphia 76ers forward Dario Saric (9) controls the ball against Toronto Raptors in the second half at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Jeremy Lin (7) greets center Brook Lopez (11) in the fourth quarter during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (right) celebrates with teammate Eric Bledsoe in the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated the Hawks 109-107. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) drives against New York Knicks center Joakim Noah (13) during the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden. New York Knicks won 106-98. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 25, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) greets fans on the way to the locker room following an NBA basketball game against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center. The Wizards won 94-91. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Karl-Anthony Towns (32) shoots over New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) and center Marshall Plumlee (40) during the fourth quarter at Target Center. The Knicks defeated the Timberwolves 106-104. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler (21) shoots the ball against Utah Jazz forward Joe Johnson (6) in the second quarter at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) handles the ball in front of Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Miami Heat guard Tyler Johnson (8), guard Goran Dragic (7) and head coach Erik Spoelstra during a break in a game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center. The Trail Blazers won 99-92. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier (10) reacts after a play with forward Serge Ibaka (7) during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Magic win 98-92. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Dennis Schroder (17) of the Atlanta Hawk and Dwight Howard (8) head back to the bench in the third quarter at an NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. Raptors won 128-86. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 2, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Lakers point guard Lou Williams (23) goes up to the basket against Toronto Raptors center Lucas Nogueira (92) at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 25, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Maurice Harkless (4) dunks the ball during the fourth quarter of the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. The Blazers won 119-104. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward John Henson (31) reacts with forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) after scoring a basket in the fourth quarter during the game against the Brooklyn Nets at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Henson scored 20 points to help the Bucks beat the Nets 112-103. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Reggie Jackson (1) dribbles the ball during the fourth quarter against the Orlando Magic at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Magic win 98-92. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) and guard Troy Daniels (30) celebrate after the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at FedExForum. Memphis Grizzlies defeats the Los Angeles Lakers 103-100. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) shoots the game-winning basket over Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins (22) during the fourth quarter at Target Center. The Knicks defeated the Timberwolves 106-104. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) guards Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) in the first half of the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 2, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Dwyane Wade (3) shoots against Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) during the first quarter at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets center Frank Kaminsky (44) shoots the ball against Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins (22) in the second half at Spectrum Center. The Timberwolves defeated the Hornets 125-120 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) dunks the ball in front of Washington Wizards center Marcin Gortat (13) during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 1, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) dribbles up the court during the second half against the Miami Heat at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Miami won 111-110. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) walks off the court after defeating the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. The Celtics defeated the 76ers 107-106. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Kyle Lowry (7) of the Toronto Raptors reacts after scoring a basket against the Atlanta Hawks in the fourth quarter at Air Canada Centre. Raptors won 128-86. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) celebrates after hitting a three point shot during the fourth quarter of the game at the Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. The Rockets won 130-114. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 29, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0), forward LeBron James (23) and guard J.R. Smith (5) sit on the bench during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 2, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; LA Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) controls the ball against New Orleans Pelicans guard Tim Frazier (2) during the second half at the Smoothie King Center. The Clippers defeat the Pelicans 114-96. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 2, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) shoots the ball over Washington Wizards small forward Otto Porter Jr. (22) during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
November 28, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) celebrates with forward Kevin Durant (35) and guard Klay Thompson (11) during the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Hawks 105-100. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
