Here at the ICT Zone, our power rankings are based on a very simple philosophy. "To be the man you gotta beat the man", if a lower ranked team beats a higher ranked team, then the two teams automatically swap spots regardless of results from prior weeks. With that we move on to the NBA.
The NBA has been anything but predictable through the first two weeks of the regular season. Teams like the Suns and Timberwolves have surprised with their competitive play, while teams like the Warriors and Magic have underperformed relative to expectations. That being said, it's important not to overreact to the results so far, as the NBA doesn't tend to have too many surprise playoff teams.
Of all the teams to be featured at the top of the first rankings of the season, the Kings would not be who most would expect. However, following a 0-5 start to the season, the Kings rattled off two consecutive wins, including a win over at-the-time number one team in the Utah Jazz. On the other side of things, the bottom of the rankings does not have any teams out of the ordinary. The Grizzlies and Cavaliers were expected to be bottom-feeders, and the Pelicans sans Zion Williamson are not world-beaters.
1. Sacramento Kings
(2-6)
2. Phoenix Suns
(5-2)
3. Milwaukee Bucks
(5-2)
4. Los Angeles Lakers
(6-1)
5. Washington Wizards
(2-5)
6. Dallas Mavericks
(4-2)
7. Los Angeles Clippers
(5-2)
8. Philadelphia 76ers
(5-1)
9. Boston Celtics
(5-1)
10. Minnesota Timberwolves
(4-3)
11. Denver Nuggets
(5-2)
12. Golden State Warriors
(2-6)
13. Toronto Raptors
(5-2)
14. Oklahoma City Thunder
(3-4)
15. Atlanta Hawks
(3-4)
16. Charlotte Hornets
(4-3)
17. San Antonio Spurs
(4-3)
18. Brooklyn Nets
(3-4)
19. Houston Rockets
(5-3)
20. Miami Heat
(5-2)
21. Indiana Pacers
(4-4)
22. Chicago Bulls
(3-6)
23. Detroit Pistons
(4-5)
24. Portland Trail Blazers
(3-4)
25. Orlando Magic
(2-5)
26. Utah Jazz
(4-3)
27. New York Knicks
(1-7)
28. New Orleans Pelicans
(1-6)
29. Cleveland Cavaliers
(2-5)
30. Memphis Grizzlies
(2-5)
Teams that have been first: Sacramento Kings (1x)
Teams that have been last: Memphis Grizzlies (1x)
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