NBA Power Rankings: Top 10 teams heading into Week 2 of 2020-21 season

#4 Milwaukee Bucks (1-2)

Milwaukee Bucks v Boston Celtics

The Milwaukee Bucks are already starting to feel the negative effects of a shallow bench. They pulled out all the stops to land Jrue Holiday but their second unit is simply not good. Losing a close one against Boston is excusable but getting blown out by the Knicks is not for a team with championship aspirations.

The Bucks have two critical fixtures against the team that had their number all season last year in Miami Heat. It's the perfect opportunity for Giannis Antetokounmpo and co. to bounce back, but also an opening for more humiliation.

#3 LA Clippers (2-1)

Dallas Mavericks v Los Angeles Clippers

The LA Clippers have experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows in one week alone. They beat the LA Lakers and Denver Nuggets to start the season but got humiliated by Dallas Mavericks in a 51-point blowout loss.

Kawhi Leonard missed the last game, so you can rest assured that this won't be a common sight. Besides this blip, Ty Lue's men have done well. Paul George is playing at an MVP level and Marcus Morris' return, whenever that is, will be an additional boost.

#2 Brooklyn Nets (2-1)

Golden State Warriors v Brooklyn Nets

The Brooklyn Nets have gone from pretenders to contenders in just one week by dispatching the Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics with ease. They did lose a close game to the Charlotte Hornets to record their first loss of the season but every team has an off-night.

First duo in Nets history to score 20+ points in each of the team's first three games of a season ➡️@KyrieIrving ▪️ @KDTrey5 pic.twitter.com/7IqwuyMBqc

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) December 28, 2020

Most importantly for them, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant are in top form and together the duo is averaging 55 points per game. They've lost Spencer Dinwiddle for the season due to an ACL injury so it'll be interesting to see how they shape up from here onwards.

#1 LA Lakers (2-1)

Minnesota Timberwolves v Los Angeles Lakers

The LA Lakers are clearly the deepest team in the league. They lost to the LA Clippers in the season opener but have eased to two wins since then without Anthony Davis and LeBron James having to force the issue.

Marc finds LeBron, LeBron finds the rim x 2. (📺: @SpectrumSN) pic.twitter.com/goam4n06S7

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) December 28, 2020

They boast of Dennis Schroder, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Kyle Kuzma, and Marc Gasol, all of whom are solid two-way players. Then there's the 2020 Sixth Man of the Year in Montrezl Harrell who's averaging 17 points on 73.3% shooting to start the season. Expect the LA Lakers to be at the top of the Western Conference standings soon.

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