NBA Power Rankings: Brooklyn Nets rise after acquiring James Harden

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Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton (Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports) /

6. Milwaukee Bucks

The good news for the Milwaukee Bucks is that they have locked up Giannis Antetokounmpo for the foreseeable future, but there are true concerns about this team moving forward. The rest of the Eastern Conference looks improved and the Bucks are by no means a unanimous favorite to make it out of the conference.

Perhaps the Bucks need a bit more time to mesh together, but something appears to be missing with this team. Even with the offseason additions, I’m not ready to say that this team is improved from last season – a year in which they didn’t even make it out of the second round in the NBA playoffs.

5. Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers are a better team than they were last season. That is something that I believe can be said with confidence at this point in the season. Joel Embiid has been on a tear this season and Ben Simmons continues to be one of the better two-way stars in the league.

The Sixers have *enough* shooting and didn’t have to gut their roster for James Harden (more on that later), which could end up being a blessing in disguise for this team in the long run. Nevertheless, the Sixers are true contenders in the East.