NBA Playoff Power Rankings: Is A Cavs, Warriors Rubber Match Inevitable?

Dec 25, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) and Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) at Quicken Loans Arena. Cleveland defeats Golden State 109-108. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 25, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) and Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) at Quicken Loans Arena. Cleveland defeats Golden State 109-108. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
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Dec 25, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) and Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) at Quicken Loans Arena. Cleveland defeats Golden State 109-108. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 25, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) and Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) at Quicken Loans Arena. Cleveland defeats Golden State 109-108. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

In the first edition of our NBA Playoff Power Rankings, we explore whether a collision course between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors is still in the works

As the 2016-17 NBA season tips off this weekend, we compiled our first edition of NBA Playoff Power Rankings as the action ramps up.

16. Chicago Bulls

Playoff Opponent: Boston Celtics 

This team has been a question mark all season long as they’ve made questionable move after questionable move. As many predicted, the offseason additions of Rajon Rondo and Dwyane Wade to pair with Jimmy Butler has not been ideal.

This team also made a puzzling trade which saw them give away Taj Gibson and Doug McDermott for Cameron Payne, Joffrey Lauvergne and Anthony Morrow – all of which have not made any significant contributions.

Yet, the Bulls still managed to grab the 8th seed in the East where they’ll be matched up with the Boston Celtics in the first round. Don’t sound the upset alarms, but the Bulls will have the best player on the floor every night (Jimmy Butler) even though the Celtics are clearly the better team.