NBA Power Rankings Week 1: The rise of the Brooklyn Nets
By Corey Rausch
89. . 1-1. Previous: 2nd. Milwaukee Bucks. 4. team
Last Week: Lost to Boston Celtics 122-121, Beat the Golden State Warriors 138-99
This Week: 12/27/2020 at New York Knicks, 12/29/2020 at Miami Heat, 12/30/2020 at Miami Heat, 1/1/2021 vs. Chicago Bulls
Some bumps were to be expected as the Milwaukee Bucks continue to figure out where the new rotation pieces fit some bumps. They were competitive against the Boston Celtics on opening night and were a banked Jayson Tatum game-winner (or a missed free throw from Giannis Antetokounmpo) from being undefeated. They made quick work of the Warriors on Christmas Day.
The best part of the short season so far is the aggressiveness of Khris Middleton. He was the best player on the floor against the Warriors and looks to be taking his All-NBA snub from last season personally. This jump in more consistently letting the offense run through him can only help the team.
team. 77. . 2-0. Previous: 9th. Los Angeles Clippers. 3
Last Week: Beat Los Angeles Lakers 116-109, Beat the Denver Nuggets 121-108
This Week: 12/27/2020 vs. Dallas Mavericks, 12/29/2020 vs. Minnesota Timberwolves, 12/30/2020 vs. Portland Trail Blazers, 1/1/2021 at Utah Jazz
If there was a way to answer the loud doubters, coming out and beating the two Western Conference finalists to start the season by a combined 20 points is a pretty good start. The fact that the LA Clippers were led by the much-maligned Paul George has to feel even sweeter.
George had a hyper-efficient 33 points against the Los Angeles Lakers and followed it up with 23 against the Nuggets. He has started the season looking like the top-five MVP finisher that he was in his last season in Oklahoma City and Kawhi Leonard has been almost as impressive. The team seems to be on the same page and that has caused them to rise this week.