NBA Bubble Power Rankings 3: Toronto Raptors on the rise

NBA Bubble Power Rankings Week 3: Toronto Raptors on the rise

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 10: A view of ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex during a lightning storm following a game between the Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks at The Field House on August 10, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

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NBA bubble, power rankings, Toronto Raptors (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

The NBA bubble was a success. As the playoffs begin let’s take a look at where the defending champion Toronto Raptors and the rest sit in our power rankings

Many fans, myself included, were nervous about bringing 22 teams into the NBA bubble, in the state of Florida, during a pandemic. And they started things off by bringing the Toronto Raptors to Florida a couple of weeks before the rest of the teams in order to work around the complications of bringing an internationally based team into the mix.

While the protocols were in place, this was like something no one had ever seen before. But the NBA has pulled things off masterfully. It has felt like the closest thing to normal in the last six months.

The race for the final playoff spot in the West was exactly what fans needed to get reengaged in NBA basketball. The Memphis Grizzlies and the Portland Trail Blazers will play the first of possibly two games to determine who ends up joining the other 15 teams that have already locked themselves into the playoffs.

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Not all of the results so far in the bubble are created equal. Many teams did not take every game seriously. Teams like the Blazers and the Phoenix Suns have been playing like they have been in the playoffs the whole time. Rather than entirely focusing on a week of results these rankings will be about projecting where their outlook is as of next week.

Much will change one week into the playoffs. Five teams have already left the bubble with another leaving once the eight seed in the West is decided. Some of them have already made some changes to their front office. A few of the teams that have looked less than impressive so far will change their tune once the real games start for them. The future is changing quickly.