Another week of NBA basketball has gone by and we are getting a slight picture of each team’s capabilities. A lot of young teams have struggled this past week while some perceived contenders are slowly making their strides in the standings.
The Boston Celtics are looking like the team to beat this season but as we all know by now, nothing is cast in stone in the association. Injuries hampered the progress of some teams while others have yet to reach their full potential due to an incomplete lineup.
This week, we will be ranking all 30 NBA teams after week 2. A lot of teams fell and a lot of them also jumped in the rankings. Let’s get into it.
30. Memphis Grizzlies (Last Week's Rank: 30)
The Grizzlies have completely lost their identity as a team when they let go of key players this offseason. As a result, they have started the season in an ugly manner with losses piling up fast. Ja Morant’s presence is badly needed ASAP.
29. Washington Wizards (Last Week's Rank: 17)
The cracks have started to show for this rebuilding Wizards team this past week. Nobody could score aside from Poole and Kuzma. Their bench is hapless and extremely awful to watch. This is slowly becoming a long season for their fans.
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28. Utah Jazz (Last Week's Rank: 23)
Jordan Clarkson is struggling badly with his shot. John Collins has been a huge disappointment for this team. Markkanen is still adjusting to playing the small forward spot this season. In conclusion, this team is sinking fast and that’s not good after their success last year.
27. Detroit Pistons (Last Week's Rank: 9)
This is quite a huge fall for the Pistons. Coach Monty Williams has elected to restrict Jaden Ivey’s minutes due to inconsistency on the defensive end. Is he going to alienate the young stud like what he did to Deandre Ayton in Phoenix? That seems highly likely right now in the eyes of many.
26. Chicago Bulls (Last Week's Rank: 24)
Several teams around the league are already monitoring Chicago’s situation in just the second week of the season. It goes to show that their dysfunction is far worse than we thought.
25. New York Knicks (Last Week's Rank: 25)
Julius Randle is in a deep slump right now. Jalen Brunson is the lone bright spot for the Knicks. They are piling up losses and the toughness they had last season has been missing badly this year.
24. Toronto Raptors (Last Week's Rank: 26)
When engaged, Toronto has the potential to become a playoff-caliber team. Dennis Schroder and Scottie Barnes have been playing well for them as of late. This team is long and athletic.
23. Miami Heat (Last Week's Rank: 21)
This is not the dream start the Heat have hoped this season. The losses were painful to watch and they needed to get their head back into the game in order to win some games and gain momentum.
22. Phoenix Suns (Last Week's Rank: 8)
Things are quickly heading south for the Suns. The absence of Beal and Booker has been a huge factor in their slide this past week. On a side note, Durant still scores like it’s 2014.
21. Charlotte Hornets (Last Week's Rank: 18)
LaMelo Ball cannot find the bottom of the hoop to start this season. His teammates are picking up the slack but they still need him to get it going in order for this team to reach another level.
20. Houston Rockets (Last Week's Rank: 27)
After a slow start, Houston has started to turn things around in week 2. Much of their recent success is due to Dillon Brooks and Alperen Sengun’s impressive play.
19. Oklahoma City Thunder (Last Week's Rank: 7)
This has not been a good week for OKC. The team has gone 1-4 this past week and their inexperience has begun to show on both ends of the floor.
18. Cleveland Cavaliers (Last Week's Rank: 22)
The reason for Cleveland’s slight jump is due to other teams sliding in the rankings. Donovan Mitchell is playing insanely well to start the season but the same can’t be said to his teammates.
17. Indiana Pacers (Last Week's Rank: 4)
Indiana’s massive slide this past week was expected as a young team like them isn’t really expected to sustain the momentum they had after a stellar start to this season.
16. Los Angeles Lakers (Last Week's Rank: 15)
With Vanderbilt and Hachimura sitting out, the Lakers’ rotation has been largely affected. Austin Reaves’ game has regressed a bit this year and they need him to get going sooner rather than later.
15. Portland Trail Blazers (Last Week's Rank: 29)
The biggest jumper this week, the Blazers surprisingly racked up some wins in week 2. A huge part of it is due to Malcolm Brogdon’s leadership and insertion into the starting lineup.
14. San Antonio Spurs (Last Week's Rank: 19)
A huge part of San Antonio’s jump is because of Victor Wembanyama’s stellar play on both ends of the floor. He is as good as advertised and will become a much better player as the season progresses.
13. Sacramento Kings (Last Week's Rank: 14)
Things will be tough from now on for the Kings with De’Aaron Fox sidelined due to an injury. Other players need to step up to the plate in order for them to win some games within the next few weeks.
12. Brooklyn Nets (Last Week's Rank: 28)
After a disastrous first week, Brooklyn is finally hitting their stride in week 2. Mikal Bridges has found his shot again and Dorian Finney-Smith has played tremendously for them lately.
11. Minnesota Timberwolves (Last Week's Rank: 16)
Anthony Edwards is slowly regaining his past form and Karl-Anthony Towns has been playing well this past week. While there are still some things they need to improve as a team, they are definitely heading in the right direction.
10. Milwaukee Bucks (Last Week's Rank: 13)
The Antetokounmpo-Lillard pairing hasn’t clicked yet for the Bucks but things should smooth out as the year progresses. They also need Brook Lopez to be effective on the defensive end like what he did last season.
9. Los Angeles Clippers (Last Week's Rank: 12)
Leonard, George and Westbrook have played extremely well for the Clippers in week 2. Now with James Harden added to the lineup, this team is going to be a huge problem for the rest of the season.
8. New Orleans Pelicans (Last Week's Rank: 5)
The Pelicans suffered a slight dip in their rankings due to their inconsistent play this past week. It’s important to note that this team isn’t fully healthy yet and once everybody is back, this will be a dangerous team to deal with.
7. Atlanta Hawks (Last Week's Rank: 20)
Going 3-1 this past week has been a great morale booster for Atlanta. Trae Young is still shooting the ball inconsistently but his teammates have finally decided to help him out lately.
6. Orlando Magic (Last Week's Rank: 6)
The Magic retained their position this week due to their stellar performance on both ends of the floor. This is a young team that’s looking for recognition this year and teams should not take them lightly.
5. Dallas Mavericks (Last Week's Rank: 3)
The Mavs continued to play great in the second week of this season despite missing the services of Kyrie Irving. Their loss against the Nuggets was eye-opening and it made them realize that they still have tons to do in order to be considered as legitimate contenders this year.
4. Philadelphia 76ers (Last Week's Rank: 11)
Harden who? The Sixers had a stellar week even with James Harden’s departure to the Clippers. Maxey has proven that he’s the second star of the team. Harris and Oubre also had a great week for Philadelphia.
3. Golden State Warriors (Last Week's Rank: 10)
The Warriors are playing at a different level now that Draymond Green is back in the lineup. Klay Thompson’s shots are finally falling and Stephen Curry is still the best shooter in the world. This team is a legitimate contender to win it all this season.
2. Denver Nuggets (Last Week's Rank: 2)
Nikola Jokic is one of the best players in the world right now. Nobody in the league has figured out how to stop the guy and that fact will remain for years to come. Michael Porter Jr.’s game has improved tremendously and that bodes well for their quest for a repeat.
1. Boston Celtics (Last Week's Ranking: 2)
Boston currently has the best starting five in the league this season. Tatum is playing at an MVP level and the rest of the cast are playing well too. Porzingis has been a revelation as well. He is playing at a very high level on both ends of the floor. Without a single drop of doubt, this is the team to beat in the league right now.
