NBA Power Rankings Week 8: The Phoenix Suns are rising

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 31: Mike Conley #10 of the Utah Jazz drives into Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns during a game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on December 31, 2020 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) /

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24. . 10-15. Previous: 26th. Chicago Bulls. 25. team

Last Week: Lost to Washington Wizards 105-101, Beat New Orleans Pelicans 129-116, Lost to LA Clippers 125-106

This Week: 2/15 at Indiana Pacers, 2/17 at Charlotte Hornets, 2/19 at Philadelphia 76ers, 2/20 vs. Sacramento Kings

Chicago Bulls fans should really pretend that the only game that happened this week was the one against the New Orleans Pelicans. No one wants to remember losing to the Washington Wizards, even if Zach LaVine was awesome in that game. Similarly, how much can really be taken away from a 19-point loss to the Clippers?

Against the New Orleans Pelicans, however, the Bulls got a glimpse of what their future could truly look like. Zach LaVine and Coby White were bombing from long range and the Pelicans did not have an answer for the onslaught they brought forward.

Since a trip to the All-Star game feels increasingly unlikely, it is time to focus again on the box score brilliance of Zach LaVine. Over the last week LaVine went nuclear, posting a line of 35.7 points, 6.0 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game on shooting splits of .556/.552/.786. No longer is it possible to saddle him with the lazy narrative of empty stats chucking the ball constantly at the rim. Honestly, that has not been a fair evaluation for a few years. LaVine is legitimately good. If the rest of the Bulls could get anywhere near his level, the team would have something going for them.