NBA Week 2 Power Rankings: Cavs limping, Warriors soaring
team. 142. . 1-4. . Washington Wizards. 30
Sometimes it’s comforting for things to be how we expected them to be, and the Washington Wizards fit the bill. This team finally tore down their core infrastructure to begin a rebuild and have the record to match thus far in the season. They rank 29th in defense, first in pace, and have the league’s worst net rating. It will be difficult for another team to challenge them for this spot all season long.
team. 170. . 2-3. . Charlotte Hornets. 29
The Charlotte Hornets started their season out with a 116-110 win over the Atlanta Hawks that only looks better in hindsight, but they proceeded to lose three-straight games to teams not expected to make the playoffs this season. Only 10 players total have taken the court all year for the Hornets, a somewhat baffling statistic. LaMelo Ball is off to a painful start shooting 29.7 percent from the field and tossing around 3.8 turnovers per game.
2-4. . Detroit Pistons. 28. team. 64.
The Detroit Pistons should be incredibly encouraged by the start of the season, as both Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren look like dudes who can develop into long-term building blocks. Cade Cunningham is struggling with the lack of spacing and Jaden Ivey hasn’t earned the trust of Monty Williams yet, and overall this team will lose a lot of basketball games. But the future has brightened in Motor City.