NBA Power Rankings: Ranking each division through one month

3. Southeast (E)

And here we have the first division in the rankings with four teams that have 10 or more wins already. But while the past couple of divisions run good chances of picking up some momentum as the season unfolds, the Southeast just might do the exact opposite.

Miami, Washington, Charlotte, and Atlanta have all started strong, but fail to truly look like a title contender on paper, even when performing in the skillfully-inferior Eastern Conference.

A team does not have to look the part to necessarily play the part, though, so their previous shortcomings and/or underwhelming rosters may not define them after all. But nonetheless, it’s hard to see any of the Southeast powers keeping up with several names yet to fall on this list.