Nugg Love: Weekly NBA power rankings
By Blake Holmes
. 7-25. Previous: . Chicago Bulls. 30. team. 24
This is a team that isn’t really playing to the full potential it could, but still wouldn’t be that great. Zach LaVine is out for a couple of weeks with an ankle injury, Denzel Valentine is out for the season, and Jabari Parker has an illness that not many people have information on. Regardless, Kris Dunn is just now getting back on the floor, and that is good news for the Bulls, but he can’t save this season right now.
Atlanta Hawks. 29. team. 125. . 7-23. Previous:
The Hawks are at least interesting to watch right now, and that’s a good thing, because their success on the court is limited. Trae Young has looked like a ROY candidate at times this year and he’s going to be super important in the future. There are some other players to keep tabs on as well, such as John Collins in his young career and Vince Carter, a legend.
They are still missing Taurean Prince, as he should be coming back within the next couple of weeks.
9-24. Previous: . New York Knicks. 28. team. 27.
Hey Nuggets fans, remember how much Emmanuel Mudiay struggled in Denver? Well he seems to have found his spot, unfortunately it’s on the 9-23 New York Knicks. Mudiay has been a bright spot for the roster, dropping 34 in a game against the Charlotte Hornets in an overtime win. However, that doesn’t save them from slipping after a 1-3 week.
. 8-24. Previous: . Cleveland Cavaliers. 27. team. 156
Cleveland jumps up one spot after a successful 2-2 week, with a win over the red-hot Pacers. The Cavaliers are in a similar position that they were in after LeBron James left for Miami. There’s an intriguing young point guard on a bad team that hopes to carve his way into a successful career, while the team will get a good draft pick in the loaded 2019 draft. As bright as it could be, they sit at number 27.
. 8-24. Previous: . Phoenix Suns. 26. team. 66
The Phoenix Suns are…well…weird. With Devin Booker back on the floor, the young team has rattled off four straight wins, beating Dallas, Minnesota and Boston in that stretch. This is also the team that is 7-24 and it’s taken the four straight wins to do that. I feel comfortable leaving them in the lower five, but moving them up just a bit, momentum matters a little doesn’t it?