Lakers fall, Trail Blazers soar in latest league hierarchy

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A few changes were made in the first week.

It's the biggest surprise of the season so far for the Portland Trail blazers, who have started the season with a perfect record. The Phoenix Suns and Denver Nuggets are both at the top of this week's rankings.

The Utah Jazz joined Portland in the club with three wins, but then came back down to earth against the Houston Rockets, who were one of the worst teams in the NBA.

The Los Angeles Lakers started the season with a 0-3 record and seem lost from beyond the 3-point line. The Brooklyn Nets look like a mess, with one of the NBA's worst defenses in the early going.

There is a new home for the NBA Power Rankings. Our panel is ranking all 30 teams from top to bottom, taking stock of which teams are.

Week 1 was the previous week's ranking.

1. Milwaukee Bucks 2022-23 record: 2-0

Preseason ranking: 2

Giannis Antetokounmpo looks ready to pick up the slack while Khris Middleton and Pat Connaughton are out. It was the first time in his career that Antetokounmpo scored 40 in less than 30 minutes of playing time.

2. Boston Celtics 2022-23 record: 3-1

Preseason ranking: 4

It's been an impressive start to the season for Boston, with the Celtics looking like they haven't missed a beat from last season's NBA Finals run. The kind of off-the-dribble juice this team simply didn't have during the playoffs has been provided by Malcolm Brogdon.

3. Phoenix Suns 2022-23 record: 3-1

Preseason ranking: 8

The Suns shook off any notion of slippage in the off-season by beating three Western Conference teams. The 29-point win over Golden State could be seen as a statement of how Phoenix's season will end up.

4. Memphis Grizzlies 2022-23 record: 3-1

Preseason ranking: 6

In Monday's win over the Nets, Ja Morant and Desmond Bane each scored 76 points, breaking the Memphis franchise record. Morant has been the league's leading scorer for the last three years. In the first three games of the season, Bane had a shooting slump, but he broke out against the Nets with 14 field goals and 8 3-pointers.

5. Golden State Warriors 2022-23 record: 2-2

Preseason ranking: 1

Klay Thompson got ejected for the first time in his career in the Warriors' loss to the Suns. Draymond Green said a good offensive team and a bad defensive team. He's right. The Warriors have given up at least 70 points in three of their four games.

6. Cleveland Cavaliers 2022-23 record: 2-1

Preseason ranking: 13

It is with pleasure that I welcome you to Cleveland, Mr. Mitchell. In the first three games of the season, Mitchell has scored at least 30 points in each game and has seven assists. The next step will be integrating Evan Mobley, with the second-year star's shots per game down from a year ago to only 8.3 in the early going.

7. LA Clippers 2022-23 record: 2-2

Preseason ranking: 3

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It will take the Clippers awhile to see what they can do. There's early concern with Leonard, who will miss both games at Oklahoma City because of his sore knee. Leonard had played three times on the bench and had played 21 and 28 minutes. John Wall has looked good in limited minutes, Reggie Jackson has had to deal with a groin issue, and Paul George missed Tuesday's game. The Clippers have 18 games in the next 32 days.

8. Portland Trail Blazers 2022-23 record: 4-0

Preseason ranking: 21

Something is happening in Portland. An overtime win against Phoenix, a thrilling two-point victory over the Lakers, and a thumping of the Nuggets have propelled the Portland Trail blazers to a perfect record. Anfernee Simons hit seven 3s against Denver, Jusuf Nurkic is healthy, and Jerami Grant is starting to fit in.

9. New Orleans Pelicans 2022-23 record: 3-1

Preseason ranking: 14

There is a man in this picture. In his first three games, the fourth-year forward made waves despite missing Tuesday's game because of a hip contusion. He scored 25 points on 50% shooting in two of the three games he played. He has accomplished the feat 48 times in his career. Only two other players have registered more such games in their first 100 career games.

10. Denver Nuggets 2022-23 record: 2-2

Preseason ranking: 7

Denver scored 70 points in the first half against the Warriors despite losing to the Jazz. Jokic has already recorded two triple-doubles, tying the record for most triple-doubles by a center in NBA history.

11. Dallas Mavericks 2022-23 record: 1-2

Preseason ranking: 10

Luka Doncic and Christian Wood are the top two players in player efficiency rating. After the Mavs blew a 22-point lead to the Suns in the opener and lost to a New Orleans team without Zion, Brandon, and Herb Jones, they are 1-2.

12. Atlanta Hawks 2022-23 record: 2-1

Preseason ranking: 16

Early returns are encouraging for the Trae Young - Dejounte Murray partnership. Young is averaging 25.3 points and 11.7 assists. His shooting percentage is sure to increase. In his first three games with the Hawks, Murray has averaged 19.7 points, 8.3 assists, 7.3 rebound and 3.3 steals. Young and Murray are both in the top 10 in total assists in the league, which would make them the fourth set of teammates since 2000 to each finish in the top 10.

13. Utah Jazz 2022-23 record: 3-1

Preseason ranking: 28

The Jazz became the second team in the last 30 years to start the season with three wins, despite being seven-point favorites in each game. The other team was the 76ers. 19-65. Following up on his amazing performance at the EuroBasket, Lauri Markkanen is off to a great start in Utah.

14. New York Knicks 2022-23 record: 2-1

Preseason ranking: 18

With 17 points and seven assists per game through three games, and with a steady hand on the wheel, it's easy to see why the Knicks are off to a great start. The Knicks are off to a good start. It's a big reason.

15. Toronto Raptors 2022-23 record: 2-2

Preseason ranking: 15

Toronto has had a difficult start with home games against Cleveland and Brooklyn followed by road games against Miami and Brooklyn. The Raptors went 2-2 through that stretch. Trae Young and the Hawks will visit on Halloween after a baseball series against Philadelphia. Life in the conference will provide difficulties on a daily basis.

16. Washington Wizards 2022-23 record: 3-1

Preseason ranking: 22

It's best to wait before making any judgements on Washington's start to this season since the Wizards got off to a 10-3 start last season. Bradley has been setting up his teammates and averaging six assists so far. Kyle Kuzma is off to a great start, with at least 22 points in three of his four games.

17. Minnesota Timberwolves 2022-23 record: 2-2

Preseason ranking: 12

On paper, the Wolves should have had easy games against the Jazz and theThunder. It will take some time for the Wolves to find their identity, but they have a lot of work to do.

18. San Antonio Spurs 2022-23 record: 3-1

Preseason ranking: 27

On media day, Popovich joked that no one should go to Las Vegas to place bets on the Spurs to win the NBA title, but that hasn't stopped San Antonio from getting off to a good start. San Antonio started the season with a disappointing loss at home to the Hornets, but rebounded with road wins against Indiana, Philadelphia and Minnesota. Vassell has scored at least 20 in three straight games for the first time in his career.

19. Philadelphia 76ers 2022-23 record: 1-3

Preseason ranking: 5

Philadelphia's basketball team should be thanking its lucky stars that the city's baseball team is in the World Series and the football team is the only remaining perfect team in the league. The 76ers' quiet preseason feels like a distant memory after Monday's win over the Pacers.

20. Charlotte Hornets 2022-23 record: 2-1

Preseason ranking: 24

In the coach's first regular-season week back on the job, Kelly Oubre Jr. has provided a boost. Oubre is shooting 40% from beyond the line. While the Hornets wait for LaMelo Ball to return from an ankle injury, Gordon Hayward has provided a solid presence.

21. Miami Heat 2022-23 record: 1-3

Preseason ranking: 9

This has not been the start that the team had in mind. Jimmy has started off well, averaging 23 points, 6.8 rebound and 4.3 assists over his first four games, but he hasn't yet gotten the kind of consistency he needs. During Miami's three losses, Kyle was 6-for-28.

22. Brooklyn Nets 2022-23 record: 1-2

Preseason ranking: 11

The Nets are having a hard time playing defense. They have the worst defense in the league. Steve Nash is confident that his team will catch its rhythm, but the bigger problem for Brooklyn is Ben Simmons. He didn't have much of an impact over the first week and had to sit out two games.

23. Chicago Bulls 2022-23 record: 2-2

Preseason ranking: 17

The Bulls beat the Celtics and Heat in the first week of the season after going 1-14 against the four East semifinalists. The Bulls still have offensive issues to iron out, but they have been about league average on defense to help fuel a.500 start.

24. Detroit Pistons 2022-23 record: 1-3

Preseason ranking: 23

Some ups and downs should be expected from Detroit's young roster. The Pistons need to be encouraged by the start of their rookies. Duren is shooting 42% off the bench and averages nine points and seven rebound. Jaden is shooting 45% from 3 and he is scoring 17 points.

25. Los Angeles Lakers 2022-23 record: 0-3

Preseason ranking: 19

The things in L.A. are bad. A team has attempted at least 100 3-pointers in a three-game span more than 6,000 times. The Lakers' 21.2% showing from deep in their first three games is the second worst out of all the instances.

26. Indiana Pacers 2022-23 record: 1-3

Preseason ranking: 26

Bennedict Mathurin got off to a great start. After a strong preseason, the No. 6 pick put up 22.3 points, 5.8 rebound and 2.0 assists in his first week. Someone will keep an eye on how Mathurin is playing.

27. Houston Rockets 2022-23 record: 1-3

Preseason ranking: 30

The best performance of Smith's young career came in Monday's win over Utah. He had a double-double with 21 points and 9 rebound, as well as 3 blocks, in the win.

28. Sacramento Kings 2022-23 record: 0-3

Preseason ranking: 20

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The Kings have been within five points of their competition in the last five minutes in all but one of their games this season. The Kings are struggling on the margins, such as free throws.

29. Oklahoma City Thunder 2022-23 record: 1-3

Preseason ranking: 29

The Clippers were without Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, but that didn't stop the Thunder from taking care of business. Gilgeous-Alexander had 33 points and 8 assists. It was the third time in his career that he has had at least three blocks and three steals, and the OKC have won all three of them.

30. Orlando Magic 2022-23 record: 0-4

Preseason ranking: 25

Paolo Banchero seems to be that good. He averaged 22.8 points, 7.5 rebound and 3 assists in his first 4 games. The good news is that the Magic are still without a victory. Mo Bamba, who was re-signed in the summer, has had little impact off the bench, averaging 3 points and 2.8 boards in 13 minutes a game.