NBA Power Rankings Week 11: All-Star break edition

Last Week: Beat/OT San Antonio Spurs 124-113, Beat Houston Rockets 132-114

This Week: 3/11 vs. Boston Celtics, 3/13 vs. Detroit Pistons

It was only a matter of time before the Brooklyn Nets ascended to the top of this list. Since the trade for James Harden, the Nets have the second-best record in the league (18-7) and the best offensive rating. They are still terrible on defense (27th) but despite that, they are still sixth in net rating, giving an indication that their elite talent may be enough to overcome that end of the ball.

Perhaps most impressively, much of this winning has come without Kevin Durant in the lineup. Durant has only played 11 games since the franchise-altering trade. Kyrie Irving has been slightly more available, appearing in 19 contests. Who is in the lineup has been of little consequence. Since the move, six players have averaged double figures for the Nets (although this is cheating with Nic Claxton, who has only played five games).

Harden, Irving and Durant are all over 25 points per game, shooting over 49 percent from the field and 40 percent from 3-point range. Harden is leading the league in assists and has thrived in his new role running the offense but not being the primary option. Bruce Brown is showing out, thriving as shooting guard playing small-ball center and torturing opponents. As the Nets look to add in the buyout market (already connected to Blake Griffin), the sky is the limit for this team in the second half.