NBA Power Rankings: Each team's most pleasant surprise
The NBA Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's basketball editors.
This week, we're highlighting one pleasant surprise for every team so far this season.
1. Philadelphia 76ers (5-0)
Previous rank: 4
Matisse Thybulle has emerged as a staple of Brett Brown's rotation thanks to his already-elite defensive chops. That's an impressive accomplishment for a rookie on a team with legitimate title aspirations. He leads all qualified players with 2.8 steals per game, and he's doing so over an average of just 20.6 minutes.
2. Los Angeles Lakers (5-1)
Previous rank: 3
The LeBron James-Anthony Davis pairing was always going to border on unstoppable, but the contributions from the Lakers' role players, specifically Danny Green, as well as Dwight Howard's career renaissance, have helped tremendously.
3. Los Angeles Clippers (5-2)
Previous rank: 1
If elite scoring touch and All-NBA defensive abilities weren't already enough, Kawhi Leonard went to work this summer to improve his playmaking. The two-time Finals MVP is averaging a career-high 5.7 assists, which only stands to benefit the Clippers' offensive attack.
4. Utah Jazz (4-3)
Previous rank: 6
The Jazz have managed to start the season on a high note - thanks mostly to their defense - despite the struggles of prized offseason acquisition Mike Conley, who's posting a disastrous 38.2% effective field-goal percentage. It should boost this team's confidence knowing it can win without the guard playing his best.
5. Milwaukee Bucks (4-2)
Previous rank: 2
Are we sure Kyle Korver is still aging? The 38-year-old was on the brink of retirement this past offseason but changed his mind before signing with the Bucks. Now, he's tied for second on the team in 3-point percentage while still playing almost 17 minutes per game.
6. Toronto Raptors (4-2)
Previous rank: 10
OG Anunoby is back on an upward trajectory after an inconsistent 2018-19 campaign. The 6-foot-8 forward is playing with a ton of confidence on both ends of the floor; he's shooting an impressive 45.5% from distance while also averaging 1.7 steals and 1.5 blocks per contest.
7. Miami Heat (5-1)
Previous rank: 14
Jimmy Butler's paternity leave and Dion Waiters' ongoing exile were a blessing in disguise, as their absences gave Tyler Herro and Kendrick Nunn an opportunity to play big minutes to start the year. Both are in the early running for All-Rookie first-team selections.
8. Houston Rockets (3-3)
Previous rank: 5
There are still plenty of kinks to work out, but the Rockets are outscoring opponents by 7.9 points per 100 possessions when James Harden and Russell Westbrook share the floor in the fourth quarter.
9. Boston Celtics (4-1)
Previous rank: 11
Gordon Hayward is off to a great start despite playing the bulk of his minutes at the four next to a rotating cast of Celtics centers. Through five games, the 29-year-old has put up 16.6 points and 7.6 rebounds per game.
10. Minnesota Timberwolves (4-1)
Previous rank: 21
Karl-Anthony Towns' shot selection is a stunning development. He's well-exceeding his career highs in average 3-point makes (4.5) and attempts (8.5), making him an even bigger nightmare to contain.
11. San Antonio Spurs (4-2)
Previous rank: 13
Defensive-minded floor general Dejounte Murray has the Spurs playing at a faster pace than Gregg Popovich-led teams are typically accustomed to. Murray leads the team in rebounds, assists, and steals per game, all while playing under a minutes restriction.
12. Dallas Mavericks (4-2)
Previous rank: 17
The Mavericks have to be thrilled with how Kristaps Porzingis looks in his first few games back from a 20-month rehab from a torn ACL. Porzingis still has still plenty of room for improvement, too, as he gets back up to speed while playing in a perfect role alongside second-year star Luka Doncic.
13. Denver Nuggets (4-2)
Previous rank: 7
Michael Porter Jr. looked good in his NBA debut. He played more minutes than expected in that first game as Nuggets head coach Mike Malone emptied the bench, which gave us an extended look at a skill set some have compared to a young Kevin Durant's.
14. Phoenix Suns (4-2)
Previous rank: 26
Aron Baynes has been terrific in place of the suspended Deandre Ayton. The Aussie big man is averaging 17 points and shooting 44% on over four attempts from deep per game across five starts - including a career-high four triples in the Suns' most recent win.
15. Portland Trail Blazers (3-3)
Previous rank: 9
Rodney Hood has morphed into an offensive threat from downtown. Take early-season averages with a grain of salt, but Hood is shooting above 50% from deep, which is a better mark than those of star teammates Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum.
16. Orlando Magic (2-4)
Previous rank: 18
The Magic needed third-year forward Jonathan Isaac to take the next step in his development this season, and early returns look promising. The 22-year-old is averaging 10.5 points per game and ranks fourth in the league with 15 blocks.
17. Brooklyn Nets (2-4)
Previous rank: 12
Taurean Prince is holding his own as Durant's stand-in at power forward this season. Prince has started all six games for the Nets and is averaging career highs in scoring, rebounding, and 3-point percentage.
18. Indiana Pacers (3-3)
Previous rank: 15
Malcolm Brogdon does a lot of things well, but his playmaking has reached another level with the Pacers. The fourth-year guard is second in the Association with 9.7 assists per game, which is more than double his previous career high of 4.2.
19. Atlanta Hawks (2-3)
Previous rank: 23
The Hawks signed Jabari Parker for some frontcourt experience and have seen some flashes of the player who was drafted No. 2 overall in 2014. He scored 23 points in Atlanta's season-opening loss and has settled in nicely as he splits sixth-man duties with DeAndre' Bembry.
20. New Orleans Pelicans (1-5)
Previous rank: 16
Brandon Ingram has emerged as the Pelicans' top offensive option in the absence of rookie phenom Zion Williamson. The ex-Laker has made a concerted effort to expand his mid-range game to beyond the arc. Ingram is shooting a career-best 50% on 5.3 threes attempted per game.
21. Detroit Pistons (3-4)
Previous rank: 19
It's too hard to get a read on the Pistons without Blake Griffin in the lineup. But Andre Drummond is tallying career highs in points (22.1), rebounds (18.7), and blocks (2.6) per game.
22. Oklahoma City Thunder (2-4)
Previous rank: 22
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's metamorphosis into a star has come early. Despite having to learn a new system in Oklahoma City, the sophomore guard has carried the Thunder's offense through the first two weeks.
23. Cleveland Cavaliers (2-4)
Previous rank: 29
Sophomore Collin Sexton appears to be building on his improvement from the second half of last season. His posterization of Wendell Carter Jr. is a reminder of how exciting Sexton can be when he plays with confidence.
24. Washington Wizards (1-4)
Previous rank: 28
After impressing the Wizards down the stretch last season, Thomas Bryant is picking up where he left off and showing early signs of a breakout campaign. The 2017 second-rounder is averaging career highs with 12.2 points, 10.2 rebounds, and two blocks per game.
25. Charlotte Hornets (3-3)
Previous rank: 30
Charlotte is off to a respectable start in the post-Kemba Walker era. Rookie PJ Washington is shooting the lights out from downtown, connecting at a 50% clip on nearly five attempts per game. He hit seven triples in the Hornets' season opener to break the NBA record for the most threes by a player in their first career game.
26. Chicago Bulls (2-5)
Previous rank: 24
Chicago was tied for the league's worst offensive rebounding mark last season. Through the first seven games of the 2019-20 campaign, the Bulls rank tenth with 10.9 offensive boards per game. Second-year center Carter leads the charge with an average of 3.1.
27. Memphis Grizzlies (1-4)
Previous rank: 25
This rebuilding season in Memphis was always going to be about Ja Morant, and he's impressed thus far. The rookie is averaging 19 points and 5.4 assists on 51% shooting through his first five games, and he had no problem going head to head with Kyrie Irving.
28. Sacramento Kings (2-5)
Previous rank: 20
Ladies and gentlemen: Richaun Holmes. The journeyman center is averaging a career-best 11.4 points and 6.6 rebounds per game for the Kings. His development has been a lone bright spot for a team that is being outscored by 8.6 points per 100 possessions through seven games.
29. Golden State Warriors (1-5)
Previous rank: 8
With the Warriors' season unraveling more dramatically than anyone imagined, there are no pleasant surprises. The new Chase Center looks nice, however, and its video board posts transit times for patrons.
30. New York Knicks (1-6)
Previous rank: 27
RJ Barrett may be better than advertised. The Canadian leads the Knicks in scoring and already looks comfortable with playmaking duties.