NBA Power Rankings: Where do the Pelicans rank after week one

20. Golden State Warriors (2-2)

After the past five years, it feels so weird putting the Golden State Warriors this low in our NBA power rankings, but that’s just how far they’ve fallen.

This team desperately misses Klay Thompson and Kelly Oubre Jr. has been a solid replacement, he simply doesn’t give this team the same 3-and-D threat they made them elite. On top of that, Andrew Wiggins is no Andre Iguodala, and Draymond Green is aging poorly. James Wiseman is showing up early, but there are still more questions than answers for this Warriors team. I’m not sure they get out this so-so start in a shortened season.

19. New York Knicks (2-3)

I never thought that I’d be putting the New York Knicks anyway near the top half of the league in one of these power rankings, but this team is simply playing hard under new coach Tom Thibodeau.

This Knicks team is fun to watch. They look like they like to defend, and they’re shooting the 3-ball efficiently to start the season. Thibodeau even has Julius Randle playing some of the best basketball of his career this season. It’s a promising start for one of the NBA’s most tortured franchises, and if the Knicks’ younger players can improve, they could push for a late playoff spot.

18. Minnesota Timberwolves (2-2)

The Minnesota Timberwolves are another team whose start is intriguing to me. They clearly have talent with Karl Anthony-Towns, D’Angelo Russell, and recent #1 overall pick Anthony Edwards on their roster, but have they fixed their issues?

Watching the Timberwolves, it’s obvious that their offense is playing great, but how much better has the team’s defense become? We still can’t answer that. I think Minnesota should challenge for a playoff spot, but I’m not sure I believe in them, despite their start.