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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156. . 14-22. Previous: 24th. Cleveland Cavaliers. 25. team

Last Week: Beat Houston Rockets 101-90, Lost to Indiana Pacers 114-111

This Week: 3/12 at New Orleans Pelicans

Slowly but surely the Cleveland Cavaliers are starting to look a little more competent. Their four young cornerstones (Collin Sexton, Darius Garland, Isaac Okoro and Jarrett Allen) are gelling together. If and when Larry Nance, Jr. returns to the lineup they may be able to recreate the defense that gave elite teams fits earlier this season.

The subtle leaps are more exciting than the big ones. Darius Garland’s numbers do not look that much different from year one to year two: 12.3 points, 3.9 assists, 1.9 rebounds and 0.7 steals per game to 16.1 points, 5.9 assists, 2.2 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game. The comfort level he plays with, however, transcends any sort of statistical measure. He has grown in his role and it, along with the noticeable leap that Sexton has taken, has changed the trajectory for this team.

Collin Sexton would have been an All-Star when the team was riding high. His scoring numbers are great: 24.1 points per game on shooting splits of .487/.400/.803. He is growing into a true number one option before our eyes.

An Andre Drummond trade needs to be executed for this team to truly move on to the next phase. Even if they do not get much back for him, ripping the band-aid off is needed. This could happen soon, with both the Toronto Raptors and Chicago Bulls expressing interest.