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

Last Week: Beat San Antonio Spurs 98-95, Lost to Phoenix Suns 111-86, Beat Oklahoma City Thunder 113-80, Beat Toronto Raptors 120-116

This Week: 1/4/2021 vs. Indiana Pacers, 1/6/2021 vs. Oklahoma City Thunder, 1/8/2021 vs. Charlotte Hornets

For a team that has yet to look really fluid to start the season, the New Orleans Pelicans are still banking wins that will come in handy when they actually figure it out. Ignore the borderline malicious headlines body-shaming Zion Williamson. He has been available and devastating to opponents and will be an All-Star this year.

Brandon Ingram has picked up where he left off last year and will likely be making a return to the list of the league’s best. The Steven Adams fit is still bizarre but that is an okay issue to have at this point. It would be nice to see JJ Reddick get on track but you can trust the veteran to figure it out with time.

As the team continues to get Eric Bledsoe and Lonzo Ball involved more, they only become more threatening. The Pelicans have multiple defenders who can hound opponents and then either throw full-court lobs to one of the most earth-shattering forces going or set it up to take advantage of a blossoming, do-everything scorer.

Something is brewing in the Big Easy. The roster is a befuddling fit but the talent in the starting lineup is clear. If Ingram and Williamson remain available, they will oftentimes be enough to overwhelm anyone guarding them. That is a good start for any young team.