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NBA Power Rankings Week 3: A new number one has arrived

By Jack Simone

Nov 6, 2021; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) controls the ball against Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley (11) during the second half at FTX Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2021; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) controls the ball against Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley (11) during the second half at FTX Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports /
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Scottie Barnes #4 and OG Anunoby #3 of the Toronto Raptors celebrate against the Indiana Pacers (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images) /

Week 3 NBA power rankings: 15. Toronto Raptors

81. . 6-4. Previous: 19th. Toronto Raptors. 15. team

Last week: (2-1) – @ NYK (W), @ WAS (W), vs. CLE (L)

Offensive rating: 107.7 (13th in NBA)

Defensive rating: 103.4 (7th in NBA)

When the season was first getting underway, the Toronto Raptors looked awful. They started the year 1-4 and it was looking like they had a one-way ticket to the lottery.

Well, things have turned around significantly in Toronto since then, and they added onto it last week with a 2-1 record. For a team that many pegged as a lottery team, they look really good.

The play of rookie Scottie Barnes has a lot to do with that, but the team as a whole has just been very solid. OG Anunoby is another name that deserves some serious credit.

Pascal Siakam should be back very soon, and this team could surprise people. They jump up a few spots in this week’s power rankings.

Season outlook: Before last season, the Raptors were a perennial playoff team. Last year’s failures and then losing Kyle Lowry this offseason made most people believe they’d be bad this year. Now, they are looking like a potential play-in team at the very least.