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NBA Power Rankings Week 21: Are the Philadelphia 76ers the best bet to win it all?

By Corey Rausch

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 13: Joel Embiid #21 and Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers look on against the Miami Heat during the first quarter at American Airlines Arena on May 13, 2021 in Miami, Florida. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 13: Joel Embiid #21 and Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers look on against the Miami Heat during the first quarter at American Airlines Arena on May 13, 2021 in Miami, Florida. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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NBA, Sixers (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NBA, Sixers (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

25. New Orleans Pelicans

Last Week: Beat Charlotte Hornets 112-110, Lost to Memphis Grizzlies 115-110, Lost to Dallas Mavericks, 125-107, Lost to Golden State Warriors 125-122, Lost to Los Angeles Lakers 110-98

Over/Under Projection; Guess/Result: 34; Over; Wrong

This season for the New Orleans Pelicans was disjointed from the start. It should be a good feeling to have Zion Williamson take the leap to All-Star (and potentially All-NBA) and for Lonzo Ball to have a bounce-back season where he is back to shooting at elite levels after a slump in the bubble. Nickeil Alexander-Walker took a step forward and Jaxson Hayes got better as the season went along. All of that being said, the Pelicans feel like they are in a rough place going forward.

The trades for Steven Adams and Eric Bledsoe have turned out poorly, to say the least. Moving on from Jrue Holiday for them and a collection of Milwaukee Bucks picks has aged poorly. This is the type of move that can cripple a franchise built on young talent. They believed they were ready to compete and took a swing on expensive veterans to accelerate the process. The fits have been poor and the wins have not come. Combined with the fact that Stan Van Gundy seems to be a bad fit for the roster he is coaching and you get one of the more disappointing teams in the league.

This summer already feels like a pivotal one in the building of Williamson’s career. He posted a remarkable line for a second-year player: 27.0 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists on 61.1 percent from the floor. He is one of only two players in the top 10 in scoring in the league shooting less than 35 percent from distance and the other is a two-time MVP.