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

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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team. 27. . 5-4. Previous: 20th. New York Knicks. 11

Last Week: Beat Atlanta Hawks 113-108, Beat Utah Jazz 112-100, Lost to Oklahoma City Thunder 101-89

This Week: 1/10 vs. Denver Nuggets, 1/11 at Charlotte Hornets, 1/13 vs. Brooklyn Nets, 1/15 at Cleveland Cavaliers

Do not let the week-ending loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder get away from the fact that the New York Knicks look to have their best team since the Carmelo Anthony years. Tom Thibodeau is getting the most out of his players, even if he is playing the starters an alarming number of minutes.

Julius Randle is having a breakout season, looking like the franchise-leading talent that made him a top-10 draft pick nearly seven years ago. He is averaging 22.6 points, 12.0 rebounds and 7.3 assists a night to start the season. The passing is the most impressive number. He has never averaged more than 3.6 assists per game in a season and this evolution has made his teammates that much more involved in the offense.

RJ Barrett seems to have taken a step forward and is slowly figuring out how to be a consistent contributor. Elfrid Payton has been the best point guard on the roster thus far, but rookie Immanuel Quickley may just catch him given more time. Obi Toppin has barely been available, offering another piece for this team to just get better.

Many laughed when the New York Knicks said things about winning sooner rather than later but there is a clear culture change here. It starts with the front office and trickles down. The veteran players are currently not playing for their own numbers but for the team success and are seeing their stats blossom as a result. Austin Rivers looks like a leader. This Knicks team is fun.