NBA Power Rankings: Brooklyn Nets rise after acquiring James Harden

NBA Power Rankings: The Brooklyn Nets are on the rise

A few weeks into the 2020-21 NBA season, as the league continues to fight through a global pandemic, we’re beginning to see a few teams separate themselves from the rest of the pack. The Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics have been exceptionally impressive, while the Milwaukee Bucks and LA Clippers have quietly been solid.

Not to mention that the Brooklyn Nets might now be the overwhelming favorite to come out of the Eastern Conference after acquiring James Harden last week. That said, let’s take a look at another installment of SCIC’s NBA Power Rankings.

30. Detroit Pistons

Predictably, the Detroit Pistons have gotten off to a rough start to the season. Blake Griffin hasn’t had the impact that perhaps many thought he would and has looked like a shell of his former self as he struggles to round back into form post-injury.

The Pistons have a few solid young players but don’t have a face of the franchise in place, leading to a complete rebuild that is much-needed in Detroit.

29. Houston Rockets

After trading James Harden, I’m really not sure what to expect from a mix-matched Houston Rockets team that will be leaning on John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins. The good news for the Rockets is that they may have found the second-coming of Chris Bosh in Christian Wood.

Wood has been a really good player for the Rockets and is likely the favorite to win the NBA’s Most Improved Player of the Year award. The big question for the Rockets, however, now revolves around Victor Oladipo.