NBA Power Rankings Week 1: The rise of the Brooklyn Nets
By Corey Rausch
Previous: 27th. New York Knicks. 28. team. 27. . 0-2
Last Week: Lost to Indiana Pacers 121-107, Lost to Philadelphia 76ers 109-89
This Week: 12/27/2020 vs. Milwaukee Bucks, 12/29/2020 at Cleveland Cavaliers, 12/31/2020 at Toronto Raptors, 1/2/2021 at Indiana Pacers
What an abysmal start to the season for the New York Knicks. Ugly scores aside, the production for their young players simply has not been there. Obi Toppin injured himself in game one and is out at least a week. Immanuel Quickley also missed the second game of the season with injury. RJ Barrett has a strong first game and then disappeared in game two.
To really put things into perspective: Alec Burks has been their best player through two games. Burks and Julius Randle combined for 47 points but also combined to be a minus-24. This team is skyrocketing up the tank rankings if nothing else.
team. 149. . 1-0. Previous: 30th. Oklahoma City Thunder. 27
Last Week: Beat the Charlotte Hornets 109-107
This Week: 12/28/2020 vs. Utah Jazz, 12/29/2020 vs. Orlando Magic, 12/31/2020 vs. New Orleans Pelicans, 1/2/2021 at Orlando Magic
The OKC Thunder started the season with a postponed game because their opponent was not able to field a team. With only one game played this week, they were a fun watch against fellow-bottom dweller Charlotte Hornets.
They continued a similar three-guard lineup this season and George Hill, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Lu Dort combined for 60 points. Gilgeous-Alexander iced the win with a jumper with less than two seconds remaining. This team is still terribly young and may not have many of these nice wins this year but getting one like that is still a fun way to kick start the rebuild.