Piston Powered 2016-17 NBA power rankings: Week 1
By Duncan Smith
84. I know, I’m surprised too. By virtue of a 2-2 record, with both losses being against top-flight competition (the San Antonio Spurs and the Atlanta Hawks), the Sacramento Kings are in the exact middle of the pack in our power rankings. We’ll see if they can maintain this lofty level, and if history is any indicator they won’t, but for now they’re worthy of 15th.. . Previous: . Sacramento Kings. 15. team
170. The Charlotte Hornets are off to a 2-1 start behind the blazing hot shooting of <a rel=. . Previous: . Charlotte Hornets. 14. team
team. 34. The Portland Trail Blazers are off to a perfectly reasonable 2-1 start thanks to the blistering numbers being put up by Damian Lillard. Through the first three games, Lillard is averaging 35 points, eight rebounds and 5.3 assists per game. He’s hitting 54.9 percent of his 23.7 shots per game, and is 44.4 percent from long range. The Blazers will play the struggling Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night in what could be one hell of an interesting matchup.. . Previous: . Portland Trail Blazers. 13
12. team. 169. Nobody is going to score and surrender more points than the Houston Rockets this season. They may have a top-two offense and a bottom-ten defense. That won’t lend itself to being championship material, but it will lend itself to a lot of 125-120 wins and losses. <a rel=. . Previous: . Houston Rockets
11. team. 64. Your Detroit Pistons are off to an acceptable start. The Pistons lost to a borderline-elite team in the Toronto Raptors and smoked two inferior teams. With Reggie Jackson out, that’s basically what you want out of this team. They play the New York Knicks on Tuesday night and should romp at home.. . Previous: . Detroit Pistons