NBA Power Rankings Week 11: All-Star break edition

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 09: Kyrie Irving #11 and James Harden #13 of the Brooklyn Nets while playing the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on February 09, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

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89. . 22-14. Previous: 8th. Milwaukee Bucks. 6. team

Last Week: Beat LA Clippers 105-100, Lost to Denver Nuggets 128-97, Beat Memphis Grizzlies 112-111

This Week: 3/11 vs. New York Knicks, 3/13 at Washington Wizards

The Milwaukee Bucks entered the season in one of the most untenable positions in the league. If they had started the year on a dominant run, as they have the two previous years, fans would have said wait and show me in May and June. Show any sign of weakness and the skeptics will jump on the #FireBud hype train.

The reality is that the Bucks appear to be better this season than they were a year ago, no matter what the record says. They are second in offensive rating and 12th in defensive rating. This is with prized acquisition Jrue Holiday missing 10 games in February. When he is on the court is when their true potential is realized and he adds the missing level of playmaking Eric Bledsoe never quite provided.

Voter fatigue has thrown voters off the trail of Giannis Antetokounmpo but he is performing at an MVP level once again. So far this year, he is averaging 29.0 points, 11.7 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.3 steals per game. He has been showered with accolades over recent years and somehow that has made his two-way dominance almost feel normal. Such is the plight of the back-to-back MVP.