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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Previous: 4th. Brooklyn Nets. 3. team. 147. . 5-5

Last Week: Lost to Washington Wizards 123-122, Beat Utah Jazz 130-96, Beat Philadelphia 76ers 122-109, Lost to Memphis Grizzlies 115-110

This Week: 1/10 vs. Oklahoma City Thunder, 1/12 vs. Denver Nuggets, 1/13 at New York Knicks, 1/16 vs. Orlando Magic

In a week where the league is starting to see major names start to miss time due to the pandemic, the Brooklyn Nets were missing Kevin Durant for three games and Kyrie Irving for the last two. Irving missed his time for personal reasons but the theory still stands. This was a preview of what to expect when good teams are affected by the outside world.

Rather than focusing on the results, it is more important to look at how the team is figuring out their rotations in the midst of the crazy season. Caris LeVert thrived with his increased role, averaging 29.7 points, 7.0 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals in the games without Durant.

Jarrett Allen is clearly taking a leap and is averaging 15.3 points, 11.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.3 blocks per game over the same span. Given his increased role opening up room on the glass, the nets have climbed to second in the league in rebounds, something they struggled with just a week ago.

More importantly, Steve Nash has shown the ability to adjust from game to game. Bruce Brown has finally cracked the rotation and should grow more comfortable with increased opportunity. Nash is not afraid to change up the starting lineup to try to see what works. The team is clearly looking at this as a testing period so results will vary from game to game.