Teams listed with records through Friday and last week’s ranking
1. Warriors – 6-0 (last week 1)
- Comment: The Warriors seem determined to establish a record-breaking season led by Stephen Curry.
2. Cavaliers – 5-1 (LW 2)
- Comment: Kevin Love is looking more comfortable this season.
3. Clippers – 4-1 (LW 3)
- Comment: Blake Griffin is hot, but the Clippers still can’t figure out Golden State.
4. Hawks – 6-1 (LW 7)
- Comment: Is being dismissive of the Hawks still the thing to do?
5. Raptors – 5-1 (LW 12)
- Comment: DeMar DeRozan is off to an All-Star level start for the Raptors
6. Pistons – 4-1 (LW 25)
- Comment: Andre Drummond is dominating the glass in a way that evokes memories of Dennis Rodman.
7. Spurs – 3-2 (LW 4)
- Comment: Kawhi Leonard is the only Spur averaging more than 14.8 points.
8. Trail Blazers – 4-2 (LW 26)
- Comment: C.J. McCollum is finally getting to show off the shooting touch that made him a star in college.
9. Bulls – 4-2 (LW 9)
- Comment: Chicago isn’t playing defense the way we’ve been accustomed to seeing.
10. Wizards – 3-2 (LW 11)
- Comment: Bradley Beal wants to show he should be mentioned among the league’s elite shooting guards
11. Jazz – 3-2 (LW 21)
- Comment: Alec Burks is healthy, boosting Utah’s core of young guards.
12. Rockets – 3-3 (LW 6)
- Comment: Injuries are already a big factor, but Houston still has James Harden.
13. Thunder – 3-3 (LW 5)
- Comment: Russell Westbrook has not tailed off from his MVP-caliber play last season.
14. Pacers – 3-3 (LW 14)
- Comment: Monta Ellis hasn’t provided the anticipated big scoring lift as he adjusts to his new team.
15. Bucks – 3-3 (LW 15)
- Comment: Jabari Parker is back from his ACL injury and could prove to be a key part of this improving team.
16. Grizzlies – 3-3 (LW 8)
- Comment: Memphis has shown it can win big or get blown out in spectacular fashion.
17. Mavericks – 2-3 (LW 13)
- Comment: Dallas is still counting on Dirk Nowitzki, who is the team’s leading scorer.
18. Heat – 3-3 (LW 17)
- Comment: Hassan Whiteside maintains his popularity among Miami fans with his rebounding and blocks.
19. Suns – 3-3 (LW 18)
- Comment: Ronnie Price is a solid pickup as the Suns’ third point guard behind Brandon Knight and Eric Bledsoe.
20. Celtics – 2-3 (LW 19)
- Comment: Isaiah Thomas leads Boston in scoring and assists.
21. Hornets – 2-3 (LW 27)
- Comment: Jeremy Lamb made enough of an impression to earn a contract extension with his new team.
22. Timberwolves – 2-2 (LW 29)
- Comment: Ricky Rubio has plenty of athletic options to receive his passes on fast breaks.
23. Magic – 2-4 (LW 28)
- Comment: Orlando has shown flashes of possibly being a surprise playoff team in the East.
24. Knicks – 2-4 (LW 22)
- Comment: Rookie Kristaps Porzingis has been better than critics expected when he was drafted.
25. Nuggets – 2-4 (LW 24)
- Comment: It will take some time for Denver to defend the way coach Michael Malone wants.
26. Kings – 1-5 (LW 16)
- Comment: Defense has been horrible and injuries are piling up.
27. Lakers – 1-4 (LW 20)
- Comment: Jordan Clarkson might be Los Angeles’ best guard.
28. Pelicans – 0-5 (LW 10)
- Comment: Perhaps no team has been set back more by injuries than New Orleans.
29. Nets – 0-6 (LW 23)
- Comment: Brooklyn starts slowly for the second straight season.
30. 76ers – 0-5 (LW 30)
- Comment: It’s business as usual in Philadelphia, though Jahlil Okafor is a bright spot.
Jason Jones
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