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.

25. Washington Wizards (Down 3)

(2-5) Last week: 1-2

The East Coast Pelicans! The Wiz are fantastic at putting the ball in the basket. Davis Bertans & rookie Rui Hachimura have gelled nicely. Bradley Beal is still elite. But that defense......wow. A question, dear reader. What's worse: giving up 159 to the Rockets, or 131 to a T'Wolves side missing Karl Anthony Towns. A reminder that both games were not overtime contests.

 

24. Sacramento Kings (Up 5)

(2-6) Last week: 2-1

Signs of life from the Kings this week. It came from a couple of unlikely sources: Richaun Holmes and Nemanja Bjelica. In home wins against the Jazz and Knicks these two combined to average 21.5 points, 13.5 boards and 6.5 assists. Their threat to hit the three opened up the key for D'Aaron Fox to make a welcome return to form.

23. Chicago Bulls (Up 4)

(3-6) Last week: 2-2

Welcome to the season, Otto Porter. The high-prices wing finally broke out with strong performances Detroit and the Lakers. This team is still struggling though. Second year centre Wendell Carter is still the only Bull with a positive net rating on the season.

 

22. Memphis Grizzlies (Up 2)

(2-5) Last week: 1-2

Jaren Jackson Jr went down with a knee last week, meaning it's all Ja Morant, all the time. Currently hovering at around a 30% usage rate, he is the favourite for Rookie of the Year, assuming Zion Williamson doesn't play enough games.

 

21. Charlotte Hornets (up 5)

(4-3) Last week: 2-0

Could it be that we have a foundation in Charlotte? After years of relying on veterans on bloated contracts (Marvin Williams, Nic Batum, Bismack Biyombo), the Hornets have a foundation made entirely of their own draft picks. Malik Monk, Cody Zeller, Miles Bridges and flame throwing rook PJ Washington, along with 2nd round steals Devonte Graham and Dwayne 'Crispy' Bacon finally give the Hornets something to build on. Or this is just smoke and mirrors and we'll see Charlotte slip back into their customary 25 win pace in short order.

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20. Detroit Pistons (Up 3)

(4-5) Last week: 2-2

The Pistons are juuust doing enough to keep their heads above water whilst they await Blake Griffin's return. Contract year Andre Drummond is, of course, leading the league in rebounding (18.6 rpg). Surprisingly, he's also averaging 2.2 blocks – good for 7th in the league. Luke Kennard's development is pleasing to see.

 

19. Atlanta Hawks (Down 4)

(3-4) Last week: 1-2

With Trae Young sitting with an ankle sprain, the Hawks have predictable struggled. Compounding that is the 25 game suspension of fellow franchise cornerstone John Collins for PED use. He is appealing the 25 game suspension, but in the meantime the Hawks will lean heavily on the soon to return Young with some help (on offense at least) from Jabari Parker.

 

18. Brooklyn Nets (Up 1)

(3-4) Last week: 2-2

The Nets blows hot and cold. After a rousing win against Houston, Brooklyn followed it up with an insipid performance against an ailing Pistons side missing Blake Griffin and half of their guard rotation. Maybe they could start by taking care of the ball? The Nets lead the league in turnovers at 19.9 per contest. Also, this timeshare between DeAndre Jordan and Jarrett Allen has to stop. Allen is the far better player right now. Sure, Jordan's a great team mate but if he's hurting the team on the court he has to play backup minutes.

17. Oklahoma City Thunder (Up 3)

(3-4) Last week: 2-0

This team is staying competitive. So far, it's only some horrible crunch time defense holding them back. The Thunder are ahead of only the woeful Wizards defense in crunch time defensive rating. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is continuing his evolution into a #1 option. He's shooting the lights out from mid-range (Chris Paul's influence?).

 

16. San Antonio Spurs (Down 5)

(4-3) Last week: 1-3

DeJounte Murray - the skinny point guard coming off an ACL – is leading the Spurs in rebounding at over 8 per game. And he's doing it on a minutes restriction, only playing 23.3 per contest. This kid is the real deal, jump shot or not. As a team,.the Spurs continue to buck the trend, eschewing the deep threat for the mid-range. They're doing is masterfully. They currently sit 2nd in the NBA in overall offensive efficiency.

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15. Indiana Pacers (Up 3)

(3-4) Last week: 2-1

It's Goga time! Georgian rookie Goga Bitadze has stepped in to the starting unit for the injured Miles Turner like a seasoned veteran, rebounding the ball and defending the rim with gusto. Throw in his deep range, and the Pacers have found another young versatile big. Any scepticism about Malcolm Brogdon's contract has been put to bed. Currently averaging 22.2 points and 9.9 assists (2nd in the league) his partnership with Victor Oladipo is mouth watering.

 

14. Portland Trailblazers (Down 1)

(3-4) Last week: 0-2

The shoulder injury to big man Zach Collins dissolves what front court depth the Blazers had. As per usual things will now fall onto their super back court of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. Lillard is quietly having an MVP calibre season again. The 29 year old is averaging 31.1 points and 7.3 assists, whilst hitting over 40% of his deep tries.

 

13. Houston Rockets (Down 9)

(5-3) Last week: 2-2

For all of that offensive firepower, the Rockets just can't – or won't – stop anyone. They're currently giving up 119 points per game. No team can out shoot a defensive performance like that every night. James Harden is heating up, but Russell Westbrook has leveled off after a hot start, culminating in a -46 in a listless performance against Miami. There is no Jeff Bzdelik shaped silver bullet this time. The Rox need to work this out on their own.

12. Phoenix Suns (Up 4)

(5-2) Last week: 2-0

Aussie centre Aron Baynes continues to play fantastic basketball, filling in for the suspended DeAndre Ayton. His defense and ability to stretch the floor has allowed Devin Booker to flourish, culminating with a 40 point masterclass to inflict a first defeat of the season on the 76ers. Dario Saric has quietly been vital to this team, filling whatever role is needed at both ends of the floor.

 

11. Minnesota Timberwolves (Up 1)

(4-3) Last week: 1-2

Karl Anthony Towns has morphed into the illegitimate child of Kevin McHale and Dirk Nowitzki. And it's gorgeous. KAT is averaging 26.8 points, 11.8 boards, 3.6 assists, 2 steals and 1.8 blocks. He's shooting the lights out from deep (39.5%) and dominating down low to the tune of 1.15 points per post up possession, good for 3rd in the league.

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10. Utah Jazz (Down 4)

(5-3) Last week: 1-2

The Jazz were surely hoping for more from high profile recruit Mike Conley. Currently averaging 12.8 points, a measly 3.6 assists and shooting the rock at 33%, the expected pressure release for Donovan Mitchell has only piled more pressure onto the young star. The good news for the Jazz is that Mitchell is responding, averaging 25 points per night. With the team only scoring a horrific 82 points per 100 possessions with Mitchell on the pine, Conley needs to break out of his early season funk.

 

9. Dallas Mavericks (Up 1)

(5-2) Last week: 2-1

Luka Doncic is a superstar. He's not a youngster with potential, not a star on the rise. He's here and he's dominating. They even sing songs about him. Luka is a legitimate threat to one day be the 3rd player in league history to average a triple-double on the season. But it's not just the stats with this kid. You simply have to watch him play. The passes are dynamic, the step backs dramatic, the finishes at the rim flamboyant. He will lead his team back to the playoffs this season and for many more to come.

 

8. Toronto Raptors (Up 1)

(5-2) Last week: 1-1

This team is old fashioned. They play elite defense led by Pascal Siakam and ably assisted by a cadre of solid defenders in Kyle Lowry, OG Anunoby, Serge Ibaka, Fred Vanvleet and veteran defensive savant Marc Gasol. Speaking if Siakam: his rapid rise into a lead scorer has been well documented, but his play making has slipped under the radar. He's averaging a career high 3.6 assists and making some passes that he just didn't have in his repertoire last season. He clearly spent his year alongside Kawhi taking notes.

7. Denver Nuggets (Down 4)

(5-2) Last week: 2-1

Denver are a confounding team. They sit at a solid 5-2 record despite slow starts for Nikola Jokic and Gary Harris. But something is a little off. Jokic looks unfit, even by his own standards. The intensity of last season hasn't appeared yet. Coach Mike Malone gave it to his team after losing to the Pelicans by 15. The Nuggets should be fine, but the suspicion of them being a one season wonder won't go away.

 

6. Boston Celtics (Up 1)

(5-1) Last week: 2-0

Coach Brad Stevens is back to his creative best, throwing out some remarkable sets. But his best achievement might be getting the team back on the same page. Their win over the Knicks this week is the sort of game that last year's side would have downed tools and lost. Missing Enes Kanter and Jaylen Brown, the team rallied to a dramatic victory. Second year pivot Robert 'Time Lord' Williams has been a pleasant surprise. His ability as an athletic roll man has opened up the offense for Kemba Walker and Jayson Tatum.

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5. Miami Heat (Up 3)

(5-2) Last week: 2-1

This Miami side is legit. The coaching is excellent. The squad is talented and deep. Veteran guard Goran Dragic looks revitalised as the captain of the 2nd unit. Bam Adebayo is a force. Kendrick Nunn continues to confound and captivate in equal measure. Their deconstruction of Houston was a basketballing lesson. Games against Phoenix and especially the Lakers will tell us a lot about where this team is at.

4. Milwaukee Bucks (Up 10)

(6-2) Last week: 4-0

The Bucks are still not getting to the cup at anything near last seasons league leading rate, but you can't argue with a perfect week including wins over the Raptors and Clippers. The offense is humming along nicely at a league leading 112.3 offensive rating. Giannis is averaging a career high 7.6 assists and his phalanx of 3 point marksmen are not letting him down. After a sluggish start, the Bucks are back to normal.

 

3. Los Angeles Lakers (Up 2)

(6-1) Last week: 3-0

Undefeated since their opening game loss to the Clippers, this incarnation of Lakers Royalty is living up to the hype. Anthony Davis has been a monster, whilst LeBron James has been as active as he's been in years. The soon to be 35 year old is leading the league with 11.1 assists per league. Many thought that late career LeBron would morph into a power forward, like Magic Johnson during his comeback. Perhaps we all underestimated LeBron's adaptability. The concerns are his poor 3 point shooting (28%) and playing 35 minutes a night. The Lakers should want to keep those old legs fresh for the playoffs.

 

2. Los Angeles Clippers (No change)

(5-3) Last week: 2-1

Speaking of supersized point guards – you'll notice the top four teams in these rankings have them – is Kawhi now a full time point guard? He is running more pick and roll's than any other Clipper (it's not close) and showing off some nifty passing in doing so. This roster has the highest of high end role players around their star. And we're still yet to see Paul George in a Clips uniform.

1. Philadelphia 76ers (No change)

(5-2) Last week: 1-2

With reason, much has been made of the Sixers starting five. They're simply so long that it's impossible to get clean looks. Only one five-man unit has allowed fewer deep attempts per 100 possessions – as a team the 76ers are 2nd overall on that mark. With Joel Embiid suspended, the bench made themselves known, scoring 43 points in the win against the Blazers, including Furkan Korkmaz's game winner. This team is frightening.

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