Golden State Warriors: Best Team in NBA, According to Latest Power Rankings
The Golden State Warriors are currently undefeated with a 3-0 record. Their three wins come against the Sacramento Kings on the road, the Los Angeles Lakers at home, and the Portland Trail Blazers on the road.
Both NBA.com and Yahoo! Sports ranked the Warriors number one in their weekly NBA power rankings, which were released today.
NBA.com ranked the Warriors fourth last week. Here’s what John Schuhmann of NBA.com had to say about the Warriors and their new number one ranking:
"Golden State (3-0)Pace: 102.9 (1), OffRtg: 103.0 (15), DefRtg: 87.5 (1), NetRtg: +15.5 (1)Steve Kerr is the only undefeated coach in NBA history. Klay Thompson is the league’s leading scorer and hit a tough game-winner in Portland on Sunday. The Dubs have been doing it more with defense, but they are moving the ball more, with 57 percent of their possessions seeing more than two passes, up from 48 percent last season, according to SportVU.This week: vs. LAC, @ HOU, @ PHX"
Yahoo! Sports had ranked the Warriors as the second best team in the NBA last week in their power rankings. Marc Spears of Yahoo! Sports explains why the Warriors earned the number one ranking:
"1. Golden State Warriors (Record: 3-0; last week’s rank: 2): The Warriors are 3-0 for the first time in 20 years, and Klay Thompson is playing like an All-Star. The rival Clippers are up next."
ESPN didn’t rank the Warriors quite as high as NBA.com and Yahoo! Sports did. After ranking the Warriors as the fifth best team in the NBA last week, ESPN ranked the Warriors the second in the power rankings this week. Marc Stein of ESPN with more on the Warriors’ ranking:
"Scoring 70 points in his first two games since scoring a richly deserved max contract extension would suggest Klay Thompson doesn’t mind the raised expectations that come with a deal like that. And finally stepping up to pay Thompson realistically edges the Dubs past Miami for Team of the Week status."
ESPN ranked the San Antonio Spurs ahead of the Warriors this week.
The Warriors have a tough stretch of games coming up, including a game at home against the Los Angeles Clippers on November 5th, a road game against the Houston Rockets on Nov. 8th, another road game against the Phoenix Suns on Nov. 9th, and a game at home against the Spurs on the 11th. Given these upcoming games, their 3-0 start will provide them with a little cushion heading into this stretch of games against difficult opponents.
Do you think the Warriors are the best team in the NBA right now? Let us know in the comment section below.