LeBron James is still force on a night to night basis. The Sixers defense is elite. Houston's defense....not so much. The Doncic for Young trade should produce a pair of all stars, and the Knicks are - as always - going to Knick.

Throughout the season, Inside Sport will be bringing you our NBA Power Rankings. These are not necessarily ranking based on records. This is a purely subjective assessment of how a team is progressing, projected and playing.

All records are as of Thursday night Australian time.

 

30. New York Knicks (No change)

(1-7 Record) Last week: 0-3

If there is a single sign of the uncertainty in New York (spoiler: there's many) then perhaps it's this: in the first eight games of the season, the Knicks have used four different starting lineups. Rookie RJ Barrett continues to look good, and the inclusion of Bobby Portis into the starting unit has opened things up for Julius Randle. It doesn't matter, though. The Knicks stink.

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29. Cleveland Cavaliers (Down 4)

(2-5) Last week: 0-3

Veteran big man Tristan Thompson continues to impress, averaging career highs of 16.9 points and 11.6 boards. But that's where the fun ends for the Cavs. Thompson's career year will only increase the likelihood he gets traded. The young back court of Collin Sexton and Darius Garland continue to be inefficient, but the Cavs need those two to take their medicine at this stage of their growth.

 

28. Golden State Warriors (No change)

(2-6) Last week: 1-3

Things are going pretty much as expected for this bare bones Dubs lineup. The 2-6 start to the season is their worst since the 2001 season, when they finished 17-65. This season will be better that that, once the stars return. The silver lining amongst the Bay Area clouds this week was rookie Eric Paschall's coming out party in the win against Portland, on his 23rd birthday, no less.

27. Orlando Magic (Down 10)

(2-6) Last week: 0-4

This team is flat out awful on offense. Orlando rank dead last in the NBA in both points per game and field goal percentage. Two of their primary offensive weapons in Aaron Gordon and Terrance Ross have been icy so far, although Gordon is beginning to thaw. Something to keep an eye on: Orlando gave the starting point guard gig to Markelle Fultz this week. It will be interesting to see how he handles the added pressure.

 

26. New Orleans Pelicans (Down 5)

(1-6) Last week: 1-2

The Pels finally got on the board this week. They're still so much fun to watch, with passes flying all over the court, pushing the pace at every opportunity. But are the mirror image of Orlando: their defense has all the resilience of a wet tissue, ranking 29th in the league ahead of only the threadbare Warriors. Injuries haven't helped: Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, Jrue Holiday and Derrick Favors have all missed time so far. Ingram as been ballin', though. He finally looks to be playing with freedom.