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NBA Power Rankings Week 3: Are the Golden State Warriors back?

By Corey Rausch

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 04: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors is congratulated by teammates after he made a three-point basket against the Sacramento Kings at Chase Center on January 04, 2021 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 04: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors is congratulated by teammates after he made a three-point basket against the Sacramento Kings at Chase Center on January 04, 2021 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /

. 5-4. Previous: 7th. Portland Trail Blazers. 13. team. 34

Last Week: Lost to Golden State Warriors 137-122, Lost to Chicago Bulls 111-108, Beat Minnesota Timberwolves 135-117, Beat 125-99 Sacramento Kings

This Week: 1/11 vs. Toronto Raptors, 1/13 at Sacramento Kings, 1/14 vs. Indiana Pacers, 1/16 vs. Atlanta Hawks

It is time to admit that the Portland Trail Blazers might not have been as good as their offseason made some of the more optimistic NBA fans think they would be. They are one of the worst defensive teams in the league and that is unlikely to improve with the players in place.

The offense is explosive and the Blazers will have to focus outscoring their opponents on a nightly basis. Boasting a top-five offensive rating indicates something they can hope to do but it may simply not be sustainable. Every year, there is a team that fools people into thinking they are a real contender because they have a prolific offense and ignore the other side of the ball.

Damian Lillard has been fantastic and is currently third in the league in scoring. CJ McCollum is also off to an explosive start and is jacking 3-pointers with no regard for his opponent’s safety. The rest of the team just needs to be better.

Jusuf Nurkic has not been the same player he was in the bubble. Ditto for Carmelo Anthony. Gary Trent Jr. has been good but at times is too similar to what the two stars offer. The spotlight falls on the wings in Robert Covington and Derrick Jones, Jr. who were brought in for their defense. They have been fine but they need to be better than that to give the team chance.