2016-17 NBA Power Rankings: Hawks On The Rise, Clippers Free Fall In Week 11
Gerald Bourguet
Jan 1, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) grabs a rebound against the San Antonio Spurs in the fourth quarter at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 114-112 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) grabs a rebound against the San Antonio Spurs in the fourth quarter at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 114-112 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
In Week 11 of NBA Power Rankings, the Atlanta Hawks are on the rise while the Los Angeles Clippers are in free fall.
In our first official NBA Power Rankings of 2017, our top 10 remains largely intact. The Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs remain elite, followed closely by the Toronto Raptors and the surprising Houston Rockets.
James Harden and Russell Westbrook continue to dominate the MVP discussion, carrying their teams with Herculean efforts in feel-good seasons. Several teams are only a piece away, like the Raptors and Boston Celtics, while the middle of the East and the bottom of the West continue to jostle for playoff positioning.
After an undefeated week, the Atlanta Hawks are the latest Eastern team on the rise, while the Los Angeles Clippers are in free fall mode after six straight losses.
But where does the rest of the league fall into place? Here’s a look at our Week 11 2016-17 NBA Power Rankings.
Dec 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) dribbles the ball against Chicago Bulls center Robin Lopez (8) during the first half at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Ersan Ilyasova (7) brings the ball up the court against the Utah Jazz during the first quarter at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Josh Richardson (0) reacts during the second half against the Detroit Pistons at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell (1) watches to see if his 3 point shot gets in the net in the second half of the game against the Toronto Raptors at Staples Center. Raptors won 123-114. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Phoenix Suns power forward Dragan Bender (35) shoots the ball over San Antonio Spurs power forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; From left(Dallas Mavericks forward Harrison Barnes (40) and guard Seth Curry (30) and guard Devin Harris (34) and guard Deron Williams (8)) sit on the bench during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard/forward Jimmy Butler (21) celebrates with teammates during the first half against the Milwaukee Bucks at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Andrew Wiggins (22) and guard Zach LaVine (8) celebrate in the fourth quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at Target Center. The Timberwolves beat the Bucks 116-99. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum (3) dribbles in the first quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio (9) at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard T.J. McConnell (1) guards Denver Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler (21) in the second quarter at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) drives around Charlotte Hornets center Roy Hibbert (55) during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Amway Center.The Hornets won 120-101. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris (34) gets defended by Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) during the third quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Warriors won 119-113. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday (11) dunks over New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) during the second quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings forward DeMarcus Cousins (15) reacts to a call against the Memphis Grizzlies during the second quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) reacts to a call during the second half of a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Knicks 104-92. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) high fives center Myles Turner (33) after a play against the Orlando Magic at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) talks with guard Austin Rivers (25) during the first quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) looks on with teammates from he bench against the Brooklyn Nets in the fourth quarter at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 118-95. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) dunks against the Chicago Bulls during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Dwight Howard (8) talks to forward Paul Millsap (4) against the San Antonio Spurs in overtime at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 114-112 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Story posting soon with @WindhorstESPN: ESPN sources say the Hawks have begun listening to trade offers for free agent-to-be Paul Millsap
Dec 31, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) drives to the basket as he is defended by Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jordan McRae (12) during the second half of the game at the Spectrum Center. Cavalier win 121-109. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz guard George Hill (3) dribbles up the court during the first half against the Phoenix Suns at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guards Mike Conley and Vince Carter celebrate with center Marc Gasol and guard Tony Allen (9) after a three point basket against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the fourth quarter at FedExForum. Memphis defeated Oklahoma City 114-80. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) smiles during the second half against the Miami Heat at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after a play against the LA Clippers during the third quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
December 28, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) is congratulated by guard DeMar DeRozan (10) during the third quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Raptors 121-111. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) celebrates a made three-point basket against the New York Knicks during the fourth quarter at Toyota Center. Harden scored a career-high 53 points. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) shoots the ball against the Atlanta Hawks in overtime at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 114-112 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
December 28, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35, right) hugs guard Stephen Curry (30) after the game against the Toronto Raptors at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Raptors 121-111. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) brings the ball up court against the Boston Celtics during the first quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
