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In an Eastern Conference free of LeBron James' vice-like grip over the top of the Association for the first time in 12 seasons, there is a clear power vacuum at the apex of East Coast basketball. There was no clear-cut favourite to start the season off, and while the first 2 weeks of action served only to magnify the same quandary that sportswriters like me face in defining which team is for real and which team isn't, the 3rd week was much more helpful in that same regard.
The Bucks and the Raptors, the 2 hottest teams in the league not named Golden State or Oklahoma City Thunder, continue to hold on to their top 2 spots from last week. But are there any new entrant onto our power rankings? Read on to find out!
#5 Philadelphia 76ers
The Sixers are slowly but surely succeeding in their attempt to integrate Markelle Fultz into their starting lineup, as evidenced by their 100-94 win over the Pacers. To the surprise of nobody, the main problem with their lineups was Covington and Saric's cold shooting streak to start the season off. Now that the forward duo has found its shot, the likes of Simmons, Fultz and Embiid have much more spacing to operate with.
Their next 3 fixtures will test their ability to sustain a good run and go on a streak, as they face the Hornets away, and the Grizzlies and the Heat at home. With Embiid in MVP form and Hassan Whiteside seemingly back to his best, the final game should be a humdinger to watch out for.
#4 Indiana Pacers
The Pacers have a 7-5 record right now and are looking pretty much the same team that pushed LeBron James to the brink in Game 7 of the first round series. Domantas Sabonis continues to improve his play and put an argument forth for a starter's role over either Myles Turner or Thad Young (given he can play both positions), while the Pacers' starters have thus far been adequate - nothing too spectacular in Oladipo fashion.
Indeed, they owe at least 2 of their wins solely to the former Indiana Hoosier's clutch gene - Oladipo has been money from long range in clutch periods so far, averaging over 60% conversion. Tyreke Evans, Doug McDermott and Kyle O'Quinn still need to mesh properly into their rotations, so there's untapped potential in this roster to look forward to.
#3 Boston Celtics
The Celtics' offence has stuttered for far too long to dismiss it as merely an early-season hiccup. Gordon Hayward really has gotten a fraction of a second slower in every way on the court, and his bounce is still awaiting a comeback to its previous heights. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have been ineffective for the last couple of weeks.
Terry Rozier can't buy a bucket from long or mid-range, while Al Horford is off to a horrendous start from downtown. The only players who looked good in their overtime win at the Suns today were Kyrie Irving and Marcus Morris, and it's about time they started worrying about how to fit Hayward, Tatum and Morris' minutes on a merit basis.
And yet, they find themselves staring at an exemplary 7-4 record, for that is the amount of talent and depth on the roster. Things can only get better from here for the Shamrock Greens.
#2 Milwaukee Bucks
I did not initially see why Bucks fans all over the NBA were so vocal in their #FireKidd campaign, but having seen what a competent NBA coach can do with the amount of talent on their roster, I'm happy to see the Wisconsin franchise back in contention to emerge from the Conference.
The impact of Mike Budenholzer is clearest on the defensive side of things. The Bucks are no longer bleeding corner 3s like they did last season. Playing Brook Lopez as the starter has helped Giannis' rebounding numbers immensely, as he benefits from the former Stanford big man's excellent boxing out.
The Bucks are also attempting more 3-pointers than ever, and knocking them down at a more-than-passable rate right now - their big men Henson, Lopez and Ilyasova are all money from deep and help them field a 5-out offence that makes things easier for mid-range maestro Khris Middleton and the Greek Freak.
Their latest result - a blowout win at the Oracle Arena against the Warriors - should send out a clarion call to the rest of the Eastern Conference, if one hasn't already been sounded by their impeccable start to the season.
#1 Toronto Raptors
It's official: the Toronto Raptors are the spookiest team in the NBA today, bar none. It helps that they boast of the league's best record despite having one of the tougher schedules so far, but just watching Ibaka play and dominate at the 5 spot, and with Valanciunas having virtually that same impact when Ibaka isn't there, my faith in the Raptors has been restored somewhat half-heartedly following their ignominious second-round sweep at the hands of LeBron.
Lowry is making the best MVP pitch of his career thus far, leading the league in assists and linking up seamlessly with the other MVP candidate on his roster. Danny Green, fit and firing once more, is back to his best, while Pascal Siakam continues to make his candidature for Most Improved Player honours stronger and stronger with each passing game.
The Raptors are the team to beat in the Eastern Conference right now.
Guess the Lakers players!
