NBA Power Rankings: Undefeated Jazz, Warriors, Bulls lead way; Lakers, Nets, Suns struggle out of the gate

Remember when the consistent gripe with the NBA was that it was too predictable? The Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers meeting in the NBA Finals was all but assured for four straight years, leaving the regular season more of a formality than a meaningful horse race.

Well, if the first week is any indication, that is certainly not the case for this season. The preseason championship favorite Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers are both off to subpar starts, while teams like the Chicago Bulls, Charlotte Hornets, Minnesota Timberwolves and Washington Wizards find themselves among the league’s best after a little over a week of competition.

Coming in at No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, in the first Power Rankings of the season are the Utah Jazz and Golden State Warriors, both of whom have raced out to undefeated starts. They get the edge over their fellow undefeated Bulls due to strength of schedule thus far.

This is a great time to do these rankings because anything is possible. You have to do your best to throw your preconceived notions of who is good and who isn’t out the window, because all that counts is what we see on the court. With that in mind, here are the first NBA Power Rankings of the 2021-22 season.

Source: https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-power-rankings-undefeated-jazz-warriors-bulls-lead-way-lakers-nets-suns-struggle-out-of-the-gate/