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| Paul George leads his 5-0 Indiana Pacers. Photo credit NBA |
Time for our first NBA Power Ranking of the regular season. Sure it may be early, but there are some teams that have clearly proved their are ahead of the others. After five to six games we can now see how some free agency moves have helped or hurt teams. The impact of some young rookies will play a big role in this first Power Ranking. Let's get started...
1. Indiana Pacers (5-0)
Not only are they undefeated, but they are best defensive team in the NBA. They rank first in the league for lowest opponents points per game average and first in the league with 10.4 blocks per game. Paul George continues to play on a superstar level averaging 25.8 points per game and 8.2 rebounds. No doubt he will be an All-Star again this year.
Highlight Wins: @New Orleans, Chicago
Upcoming Week: @Brooklyn, @Chicago
2. San Antonio Spurs (4-1)
The Spurs are still the Spurs. Their only lose was a second game of a road back-to-back in Portland. They continue to develop new talent by sharing the ball, ranking 6th in the league with 24.2 assists per game. Tonight will be their toughest test as the take on the Golden State Warriors.
Highlight Wins: @Los Angeles
Upcoming Week: Golden State, @New York, @Philadelphia
3. Miami Heat (4-2)
The Heat have more quality wins than San Antonio so far, but you can't excuse road losses to Philadelphia and Brooklyn. Dwayne Wade's health is still a question mark, although Chris Bosh has started the season much better than he ended the regular season last year. All four of their wins are against opponents with a .500 or better record. They are first in the league for assists per game with 28.3.
Highlight Wins: Chicago, Los Angeles Clippers
Upcoming Week: Dallas
4. Golden State Warriors
They are back to light up scoreboards across the NBA! They rank first in points (110.8), fifth in rebounds (45.6), second in field goal percentage (50.2%), second in assists (27.8), second in steals (10.6), and third in blocks per game (7.2). The most complete team in the NBA.
Highlight Wins: @Philadelphia, @Minnesota
Upcoming Week: @San Antonio, OKC
5. OKC Thunder (3-1)
Getting Russell Westbrook back after only missing two games is huge for this team. With only two games under his belt, he is averaging 21.5 points per game with 5.5 assists. They were annihilated by Kevin Love and the Minnesota Timberwolves, but that was pre-Westbrook. Reggie Jackson, Jeremy Lamb, and Serge Ibaka have been good. Oh yeah...Kevin Durant is still pretty good also.
Highlight Wins: Dallas
Upcoming Week: @Los Angeles Clippers, @Golden State
6. Minnesota Timberwolves (3-2)
7. Los Angeles Clippers (3-3)
8. Houston Rockets (4-2)
9. Philadelphia 76ers (3-2)
10. Dallas Mavericks (3-2)
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