NBA Power Rankings: Jazz hitting all the right notes early
The NBA Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's basketball editors.
The 2021-22 campaign is nearly two weeks old, so it's time to gauge how everyone stacks up early.
1. Utah Jazz (5-1)
Previous: 2
Everything's clicking for the Jazz to start the season. They boast the league's second-best net rating, and their decision to run it back with mostly the same roster is paying dividends early.
2. Miami Heat (5-1)
Previous: 6
Tyler Herro's got his swag back after a disappointing 2020-21 campaign. The third-year guard's offensive display has made him an early front-runner for the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year award.
3. Milwaukee Bucks (3-4)
Previous: 1
The Bucks haven't exactly separated themselves from the rest of the East just yet. There's still no cause for concern, though, especially when Giannis Antetokounmpo occasionally looks like a long-distance threat.
4. Golden State Warriors (5-1)
Previous: 13
They haven't been winning easily, but the Warriors keep on finding ways to get it done. Stephen Curry has been phenomenal, and he's found an unlikely scoring sidekick in Damion Lee.
5. Brooklyn Nets (4-3)
Previous: 3
James Harden is off to a poor start due to his struggles getting to the free-throw line. Once he settles in along with the rest of the veteran-laden rotation, the Nets should be as good as advertised.
6. Chicago Bulls (5-1)
Previous: 15
Chicago has been one of the NBA's stingiest units so far, but it'll be a stern test without Patrick Williams for the remainder of the regular season.
7. New York Knicks (5-1)
Previous: 17
The Knicks' offseason moves are paying off, with Evan Fournier and Kemba Walker combining to shoot just over 50% from deep (45-of-89) to start the year. They serve as the perfect backcourt next to star Julius Randle.
8. Washington Wizards (5-1)
Previous: 23
Wizards GM Tommy Sheppard deserves a pat on the back. Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and Montrezl Harrell have each provided meaningful contributions. Meanwhile, Spencer Dinwiddie is showing no ill effects from a partially torn ACL.
9. Minnesota Timberwolves (3-2)
Previous: 21
Chris Finch is turning the Timberwolves' defense around in his first full season as head coach. Opposing teams are averaging just over 100 points and the club is forcing 19 turnovers per contest, second-best in the NBA.
10. Atlanta Hawks (3-3)
Previous: 9
Trae Young and John Collins have been great, and Cam Reddish is turning into a trusted third option off the bench. His career-best 16.2 points per game are breathing new life into Atlanta's second unit.
11. Denver Nuggets (4-2)
Previous: 7
Nikola Jokic's scary knee injury had the Nuggets holding their breath. He luckily missed no time - Denver is a staggering 44.1 points better per 100 possessions when the reigning MVP is on the floor.
12. Charlotte Hornets (5-2)
Previous: 16
Miles Bridges is the story of the season so far for Charlotte. He is averaging a team-high 24.6 points per game through seven contests and looks set to cash in as a restricted free agent next summer.
13. Portland Trail Blazers (3-3)
Previous: 14
It's been a mixed bag for the Trail Blazers early on under first-year head coach Chauncey Billups. They rebounded well from a 30-point loss to the Clippers, but Damian Lillard's early shooting numbers are a concern.
14. Los Angeles Lakers (4-3)
Previous: 5
The early season has been nothing but tumultuous for the Lakers. The surprise boost from Carmelo Anthony has helped keep the team afloat while they figure out how their new pieces mesh together.
15. Memphis Grizzlies (3-3)
Previous: 18
Ja Morant is awesome, but who expected Desmond Bane and De'Anthony Melton to combine for 32.5 points, 6.4 threes, and 3.2 steals per game? If they keep up the hot start, Memphis gets a whole lot deeper.
16. Sacramento Kings (3-3)
Previous: 24
Is this the year Sacramento finally breaks its postseason drought? Harrison Barnes is having a career season, while rookie Davion Mitchell has locked down some of the NBA's top guards.
17. Dallas Mavericks (4-2)
Previous: 11
If Dallas desires a deep playoff run, they'll need more from Kristaps Porzingis. The big man's inability to stay healthy along with his shooting woes are among the reasons why the Mavs' offense has sputtered out of the gate.
18. Philadelphia 76ers (4-2)
Previous: 8
Ben Simmons still doesn't appear likely to return to the team anytime soon, which may be detrimental for the 76ers. Joel Embiid is reportedly playing through a knee injury amid the star guard's absence.
19. Boston Celtics (2-4)
Previous: 12
Boston's start to the season has mirrored Jaylen Brown's performance - inconsistent. Brown has sandwiched performances of 46 and 30 points with ones of nine and 13. The Celtics will need better game-to-game production going forward.
20. Phoenix Suns (2-3)
Previous: 4
Something's awfully wrong in the desert. Last season's NBA finalists have struggled mightily out of the gate but specifically in their 3-point defense, allowing opponents to shoot 40% from deep.
21. Toronto Raptors (4-3)
Previous: 19
Scottie Barnes is quickly developing on the offensive end. The Florida State product has shown a soft touch on floaters and the ability to knock down mid-range jumpers.
22. Los Angeles Clippers (1-4)
Previous: 10
The Clippers' single win this season - a 30-point rout of Portland - now looks to be a serious outlier. Paul George has been fantastic, but he hasn't gotten much help from the rest of the roster.
23. Cleveland Cavaliers (3-4)
Previous: 26
Evan Mobley looks like he's going to be a defensive force for years to come. The rookie center can guard multiple positions and leads the Association in contested shots per game.
24. Indiana Pacers (1-6)
Previous: 20
Rick Carlisle's second go-around as head coach of the Pacers is off to a rough start. Indiana ranks in the NBA's bottom-third for defensive efficiency and multiple key players have been sidelined due to injury.
25. San Antonio Spurs (2-4)
Previous: 25
Despite a tough start, the Spurs split their season series with the Bucks and took the Nuggets and Lakers to the wire. They have nearly seven players averaging double-figures for one of the NBA's most balanced rotations.
26. Orlando Magic (1-6)
Previous: 30
This team is clearly low on talent right now but should be enthused by hot starts from Cole Anthony and Mo Bamba. Getting Jalen Suggs going will make this team much better as they grow.
27. New Orleans Pelicans (1-6)
Previous: 22
Not only are the Pelicans 1-6 and among the worst teams in the Western Conference, but the mystery surrounding Zion Williamson's foot injury suggests his return may still be well off.
28. Houston Rockets (1-5)
Previous: 29
It's been a relatively tough start for Houston, but that's to be expected with a young squad. Cleaning up their high 16.8% turnover rate - second-worst in the league - should help them figure the rest out.
29. Oklahoma City Thunder (1-5)
Previous: 28
Josh Giddey is giving Thunder fans another reason to look forward to the club's future. The Aussie guard has been a seamless fit alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, taking some of the playmaking burden off his backcourt partner.
30. Detroit Pistons (1-5)
Previous: 27
No. 1 pick Cade Cunningham finally made his long-awaited NBA debut, and while his performance may have been slightly underwhelming, there's no overstating the optimism he brings to the franchise.