Paste BN Sports' NBA power rankings: Week 1
With nearly two weeks of the NBA season in the books, we take a look at the top five performances so far in 2016-17. We also give our weekly power rankings for the first time this season.
Statistics and records from Oct. 25 through Nov. 5.
1. Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans
Oct. 26 vs. Denver Nuggets - Davis came out of the starting gates on fire with a 50-point, 15-rebound performance on opening night. He added five steals, five assists and four blocks, shot 17-of-34 from the field and made 16 of his 17 free throws.
2. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
Oct. 28 vs. Phoenix Suns - Westbrook became the first player to put together a 50-point triple-double (51 points, 10 assists, 13 rebounds) since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1975.
3. James Harden, Houston Rockets
Nov. 1 at Cleveland Cavaliers - With his 41-point, 15-assist, 7-rebound outing (13-of-20 shooting), Harden became the first player in Rockets history to post a 40, 15 and 5 stat line.
4. Kevin Durant, Golden State Warriors
Nov. 3 vs. Oklahoma City Thunder - Facing off against his former team for the first time since his offseason departure, Durant put together his best game of this young season, dropping 39 points on 15-of-24 shooting (7-of-11 from three) in just 31 minutes, leading his new team to a commanding 122-96 victory.
5. Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
Nov. 4 at Dallas Mavericks - With 42 points (27 of which came in the second half), Lillard led the Blazers to a 105-95 victory. He shot 12-of-18 from the field, 5-of-6 from beyond the arc and 13-of-14 from the free throw line.
Power rankings
1. Cleveland Cavaliers (6-0)
2. San Antonio Spurs (5-2)
3. Los Angeles Clippers (5-1)
4. Golden State Warriors (4-2)
5. Toronto Raptors (4-1)
6. Oklahoma City Thunder (5-1)
7. Atlanta Hawks (4-2)
8. Detroit Pistons (4-2)
9. Boston Celtics (3-2)
10. Charlotte Hornets (4-1)
11. Portland Trail Blazers (3-3)
12. Houston Rockets (3-3)
13. Utah Jazz (3-3)
14. Chicago Bulls (3-3)
15. Milwaukee Bucks (4-2)
16. Memphis Grizzlies (3-3)
17. Indiana Pacers (3-3)
18. Los Angeles Lakers (3-3)
19. Orlando Magic (3-3)
20. Denver Nuggets (2-3)
21. Miami Heat (2-3)
22. New York Knicks (2-3)
23. Minnesota Timberwolves (1-4)
24. Phoenix Suns (2-4)
25. Sacramento Kings (2-5)
26. Washington Wizards (1-4)
27. Brooklyn Nets (2-4)
28. Dallas Mavericks (0-5)
29. New Orleans Pelicans (0-6)
30. Philadelphia 76ers (0-5)
List of voters this week: Paste BN Sports’ Jeff Zillgitt, Sam Amick, Kevin Spain, AJ Neuharth-Keusch and Michael Singer; The Detroit Free Press’ Vince Ellis; The Arizona Republic's Paul Coro; The (Memphis) Commercial Appeal's Ronald Tillery; HoopsHype.com’s Jorge Sierra and Raul Barrigon; Paste BN Sports Weekly’s Howard Megdal.
