NBA Power Rankings Week 2: The rise of the Atlanta Hawks

Last Week: Lost to Denver Nuggets 124-111, Beat the Sacramento Kings 122-119, Beat the Sacramento Kings 102-92

This Week: 1/4/2021 vs. Dallas Mavericks, 1/6/2021 at Indiana Pacers, 1/8/2021 vs. Orlando Magic

Prepare yourselves for the weirdest, most unexpected run to the MVP the league has ever seen. James Harden seemingly torpedoed the Houston Rockets’ chances at any level of success, came into the preseason looking like he had stuffed his shirt with pillows and then proceeded to be the offensive dynamo we have come to expect. Then with him sitting out with an ankle injury, his teammates still took it to the Sacramento Kings to end the week.

Christian Wood is playing like a man ready to enter the All-Star conversation. He has been a true delight for the NBA fans finally taking notice of him (his numbers look startlingly equal to his productivity in Detroit after Andre Drummond left town) and he seems on track to make his first All-Star game. Finally given the chance to thrive on a playoff hopeful squad, Wood is destroying expectations early.

In the most pleasant story of the young season, John Wall looks like John Wall. In his first game in years, he posted a line of 22 points, nine assists and six rebounds while taking turns with Harden feeding the aforementioned big man. Then with Harden out, he took it a step further, going off for 28 points, six assists, four rebounds, three steals and two blocks to lead his team to a win.

There is no telling how long any or all of these fun stories will last. Houston still feels like a team on the brink of something league altering. But until then, just enjoy the fun of one of the greatest scoring talents ever, a blossoming young star and the return of another.