NBA Power Rankings Week 1: The rise of the Brooklyn Nets

Last Week: Beat Toronto Raptors 113-99, Lost to Miami Heat 111-98

This Week: 12/27/2020 vs. San Antonio Spurs, 12/29/2020 at Phoenix Suns, 12/31/2020 at OKC Thunder, 1/2/2021 vs. Toronto Raptors

The New Orleans Pelicans looked ready to compete on night one in a way many had to be impressed with. Their roster had undergone some transformation and they had a brand new head coach. Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram looked like they were ready to be All-Stars for a playoff team.

That play continued on Christmas Day (combining for 60 points against the Heat). The rest of the team stumbled through. This will be a trend throughout these rankings but it is tough to take much from Christmas Day. This was tied for the closet game in terms of the final score. There is more to be seen with the Pelicans. At a minimum, their young centerpieces look impressive so far. Now it is about the rest catching up consistently on a new team.

Last Week: Beat Memphis Grizzlies 131-119, Beat Toronto Raptors 119-114

This Week: 12/27/2020 at New Orleans Pelicans, 12/30/2020 vs. Los Angeles Lakers, 1/1/2021 vs. Los Angeles Lakers

The San Antonio Spurs are feisty to start the season. At least six players have finished in double figures in consecutive games. The team is starting a four-guard lineup around LaMarcus Aldridge and the team is better for it.

This is the team that excited fans in the seeding games and some believed it was only a function of the players who did not make the trip down. Watching Gregg Popovich tinker with a more modern lineup is a joy. DeMar DeRozan has already made a third of the total 3-pointers he made last season. What a time to be alive for San Antonio Spurs fans.