NBA Power Rankings: 7 teams enter season as legitimate title threats

Last season: 53-29; projected 2019-20: 54-28

Of all the new duos that were formed over the summer, none may be more intriguing than the reunion of former MVPs James Harden and Russell Westbrook with the Houston Rockets.

Drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder a year apart, the speculation about how the two will share the ball often fails to take into account two factors: (1) They are close friends and (2) Westbrook wants to be there.

Eric Gordon will be the other perimeter starter with workmanlike P.J. Tucker up front along with Clint Capela, who will have to make some strides after being rendered unplayable at times in the Rockets’ second-round loss to the Golden State Warriors last year.

Houston was 4-2 in the preseason (3-2 against NBA competition). Gerald Green, a valuable reserve, is out with a broken foot and may miss the entire season. Nene is out at least for the opener with an adductor strain, while Eric Gordon (ribs), Austin Rivers (neck) and Westbrook (finger) are day-to-day.

Last season: 51-31; projected 2019-20: 54-28

The Philadelphia 76ers are answering the small-ball trend in the NBA with a serious case of tall-ball, with four starters 6-foot-9 or taller and only two players on the roster shorter than 6-foot-5.

The 76ers lost J.J. Redick and Jimmy Butler in free agency, replacing them in a roundabout way with Al Horford and Jason Richardson. Horford’s arrival takes one of Joel Embiid‘s defensive nemeses off the board, while Richardson gives the 76ers a two-way threat who is much younger than either of the players who exited town.

Tobias Harris got a max deal and will slide from the 4 to the 3 in the new order, which could be a defensive issue, and Ben Simmons signed a max extension that kicks in next year. But it may still come down to the health and availability of Embiid, who has entered the playoffs banged up each of the last two years.

Philadelphia was 4-1 in the offseason (3-1 against NBA competition) and go into the season with Simmons (back), James Ennis (calf) and Raul Neto (hamstring) listed as day-to-day.

Last season: 60-22; projected 2019-20: 55-27

The Milwaukee Bucks added some veteran depth in the offseason, while losing Malcolm Brogdon (which will sting a lot). But with reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo leading the charge, the Bucks are poised to make another run at the NBA’s best record.

Brook Lopez, after becoming the most prolific shooting center in NBA history, was retained and they brought twin Robin Lopez in to back him up. Khris Middleton also got paid, Eric Bledsoe was extended last spring and Wesley Matthews slots into the vacant spot in the lineup.

Milwaukee also took a chance on former No. 4 overall pick Dragan Bender and brought in Kyle Korver to bomb away off the bench. Their rise from the middle of the pack to 60-win juggernaut brought Mike Budenholzer his second Coach of the Year award and the Bucks should be more comfortable in Year 2 under his system.

Milwaukee was 5-0 in the preseason and may be without Bledsoe, who fractured cartilage between two ribs, for opening night.