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NBA Power Rankings 18: A new top team as the playoffs approach

By Corey Rausch

HOUSTON, TEXAS - APRIL 23: Paul George #13 of the Los Angeles Clippers walks in reverse to the bench during a timeout in the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on April 23, 2021 in Houston, Texas. 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 Carmen Mandato/Getty Images )
HOUSTON, TEXAS - APRIL 23: Paul George #13 of the Los Angeles Clippers walks in reverse to the bench during a timeout in the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on April 23, 2021 in Houston, Texas. 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 Carmen Mandato/Getty Images ) /
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(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Previous: 30th. Houston Rockets. 29. team. 169. . 15-46

Last Week: Beat Orlando Magic 114-110, Lost to Miami Heat 113-91, Lost to Utah Jazz 112-89, Lost to LA Clippers 109-104, Lost to Denver Nuggets 129-116

This Week: 4/27 vs. Minnesota Timberwolves, 4/29 vs. Milwaukee Bucks, 5/1 vs. Golden State Warriors

The Houston Rockets remain one of the more depressing teams in the league again this week, nabbing a singular win but continuing to lack much in the way of development. Of the young pieces, Kevin Porter Jr. is the most volatile but possesses the most star potential if everything goes to plan. He is the type of prospect that the rebuild should be built around.

Limited this week to two games due to health and safety protocols, Porter averaged 20.0 points, 5.0 assists and 2.5 rebounds per game on shooting splits of .483/.500/1.00. Playing as the secondary playmaker suits him for the time being and if the Rockets were able to add one of the lead guards at the top of the draft then they could easily comprise the backcourt of the future.

Despite how high the NBA intelligentsia tends to rank Jae’Sean Tate among his fellow rookies, the young wing is simply solid. He was able to nab 2.2 steals per game this week and the defensive side of the ball is where he currently sets himself apart from the rest of his teammates. As good as Christian Wood has been (20.8 points, 11.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks per game this week) the Rockets clearly need a young star to build around.