NBA 2015-2016 Power Rankings Week 2: Warriors and Cavs remain lead, Eastern teams soaring

In just two weeks of NBA action, teams are already positioning themselves into the power rankings. The Golden State Warriors are on top of the leaderboard after a historical start into the 2015-2016 NBA regular season, while the Cleveland Cavaliers remain a strong contender in the Eastern Conference.

Week 2 of the NBA Power Rankings:

1. Golden State Warriors

The 2015 NBA champions have picked up where they left last season and are poised to let the entire league know they are seriously contending to be back-to-back champions. Reigning MVP Stephen Curry is leading the way for the Dubs as they are ranked no. 1 early in the season by Sports Illustrated.

Steve Kerr, who is recovering from a back surgery, is yet to coach the Warriors, but the defending champs are already showing the potential of Kerr’s brilliance. While Curry continues to impress with his sweet shooting stroke, the Warriors’ bench are also dealing damage against top opponents.

Andrew Bogut returns to the starting lineup after undergoing surgery for a broken nose.

2. Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cleveland Cavaliers are also on a streak of their own despite the absence of All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving. Since their season opener loss to the Chicago Bulls, Lebron James and company have been rolling with seven consecutive wins.

As expected, “King” James is leading the Cavs’ charge, but the surprise for the team is Kevin Love, who seems to have found his All-Star form. In the Cavs’ first eight games, Love averaged 17.6 points and grabbed 12.0 rebounds.

If Love continues to play in an All-Star level, Cavs have a great chance to pull off another NBA Finals appearance even without Irving, who is still recovering from a surgery on his fractured right knee cap.

So far, Matthew Dellavedova and Mo Williams are providing good outputs at the point guard position.

3. Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks may have lost Demarre Carroll in this summer’s free agency, but it only gave way to another talent in their core roster. The continuity of the Hawks’ starting core and Kent Bazemore’s emergence as a legitimate threat at the shooting guard position are propelling Atlanta to potentially top the Eastern Conference side of the league.

Bazemore, shooting 48.1 percent from the field and an impressive 50 percent from the three-point area, has been on a hot start. Bazemore averaged 11.8 points and 4.9 rebounds in his first eight games of the season.

4. San Antonio Spurs

NBC Sports have the San Antonio Spurs at no. 3, but for this week’s Power Rankings, they fall at fourth place.

The Spurs are still figuring out how to utilise LaMarcus Aldridge, but Greg Popovich does not seem too concerned about it. Most basketball pundits also expect Spurs to unleash their roster potential by mid-season once their team chemistry is in full effect.

After losing a close game against the Washington Wizards, the Spurs bounced back with two straight wins against the Sacramento Kings and the Charlotte Hornets. Kawhi Leonard has been leading the way for the Spurs, averaging 22.1 points on 52.8 percent shooting.

5. Los Angeles Clippers

Los Angeles Clippers have had early season problems after losing back-to-back close games against the Houston Rockets and the Warriors. However, Chris Paul, returning from a groin injury, helped the Clippers get back on track after escaping the Memphis Grizzlies with a 94-92 win.

With new additions to the team, the Clippers are still searching for the right mix of players. However, like the Spurs, the Clippers are projected to maintain their winning ways once Lance Stephenson, Josh Smith and Paul Pierce adjust to Doc Rivers’ plays.

6. Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Pistons are continuing to surprise the league, with convincing wins against the Chicago Bulls and the Hawks. Stan Van Gundy, so far, has been doing a great job to keep Andre Drummond relevant on the floor, while Reggie Jackson is poised to keep the starting job after solid displays.

Brandon Jennings is still expected to miss a couple of games for the Pistons, but according to CBS Sports, he could join the team around Christmas Day.

7. Oklahoma City Thunder

With the superstar tandem of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook in full operation, expect the OKC Thunder to continue its rise atop the Western Conference standings. So far, first year coach Billy Donovan has been doing a good job in managing the team.

However, Westbrook may once again take up the scoring load after Durant suffered a strained hamstring against the Wizards. It is unknown yet whether KD will be sidelined for a while, but it would be a big blow to the Thunder if they lose the two-time scoring champion early in the season.

8. Miami Heat

Dwyane Wade and a healthy Chris Bosh are having a great season with the Miami Heat, along with rising big man Hassan Whiteside. They have won their last two games against the Toronto Raptors and the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Heat has traded veteran guard Mario Chalmers and James Ennis to the Grizzlies for Beno Udrih and Jarnell Stokes. Gerald Green, meanwhile, has been released from the hospital but was suspended for the next two games for a law enforcement intervention at his condo that played part in his hospitalisation, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports.

9. Chicago Bulls

Derrick Rose is still finding his way back to MVP-form, but the Chicago Bulls are still doing well early in the Eastern Conference under new coach, Fred Hoiberg.

Rose has been the subject of trade speculations, with reports indicating that the one-time MVP could be heading elsewhere by mid-season. Joakim Noah is also linked to trade rumours after Hoiberg reduced his role to backup power forward with the emergence of sophomore Nikola Mirotic.

10. Toronto Raptors

Dwayne Casey’s Toronto Raptors have gone off to a hot start, winning five straight games. However, they spiraled down the NBA standings with three-straight losses from the New York Knicks, Orlando Magic and the Heat.

The Raptors suffered another major blow, with Terrence Ross out indefinitely due to a thumb injury and Demarre Carroll with foot issues. Ross, who signed a three-year $33 million contract extension last week, is expected to miss at least two weeks, according to Sportsnet.

Other teams:

The Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers are at the bottom of the Power Rankings with winless records, while the Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans was removed from the pit of the standings after getting their first win of the season.

Full list of the NBA Power Rankings Week 2:

1. Golden State Warriors (8-0)

2. Cleveland Cavaliers (7-1)

3. Atlanta Hawks (7-2)

4. San Antonio Spurs (5-2)

5. Los Angeles Clippers (5-2)

6. Detroit Pistons (5-2)

7. Oklahoma City Thunder (5-3)

8. Miami Heat (5-3)

9. Chicago Bulls (5-3)

10. Toronto Raptors (5-3)

11. Utah Jazz (4-3)