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

Last Week: Lost to the Orlando Magic 120-113, Lost to Chicago Bulls 115-107, Lost to Chicago Bulls 133-130, Beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 130-109

This Week: 1/3/2021 at Brooklyn Nets, 1/6/2021 at Philadelphia 76ers, 1/8/2021 at Boston Celtics, 1/9/2021 vs. Miami Heat

By hours, the Washington Wizards were the final team in the league to secure a win. While this was expected of the Detroit Pistons, the Wizards had significant playoff aspirations. The fact that the team looks better without Russell Westbrook is alarming, to say the least.

Davis Bertans has not been what the team expected either. He is clearly slowly returning to form after such a long layoff and needs time to get back to the player who earned the contract he was given this offseason. However, he is the least of the team’s worries.

The fact that even the broadcasters are having fun at the expense of an All-NBA guard is telling. Westbrook has posted a triple-double in every game so far and the announcers have mentioned how clearly they would prefer wins to stat padding. His efficiency is abysmal and figuring out how to get him back on track will take work.

Thomas Bryant has been an offensive force thus far and would be a bright spot if he could ever stop fouling. Until then, he is only tantalizing potential. Beal is still explosive but the exasperation is clearly growing. With four playoff teams on the schedule for this week, things could start to get ugly.