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ESPN Power Rankings: Brooklyn Nets Receive Bump in Week 23

By Tyler Dencker

Mar 14, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson coaches against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the third quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 14, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson coaches against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the third quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 14, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson coaches against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the third quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 14, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson coaches against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the third quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

The Brooklyn Nets solid stretch earned them their first rise in ESPN’s power rankings in 13 weeks.

Current Ranking: 28

Ranking Last Week: 30 (up two spots)

Nets fans, rejoice – the streak is FINALLY over.

For the first time in 13 weeks, the Nets are no longer ranked dead-last in Marc Stein’s weekly power rankings. They bumped up not only one spot, but two.

While 28th out of 30 certainly doesn’t call for any celebration, it is much better than being locked at the bottom. Quite frankly, though, the Nets deserve it.

MUST READ: Nets’ Rebuild in Early Stages of “The Process”

They have four wins and counting in March. To put that in perspective, they had five wins in December, January and February combined.

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Stein doesn’t mention anything about ending the Nets’ last-place streak – instead he directs the majority of his analysis towards Jeremy Lin. He questions whether or not Lin can stay healthy on his “sprained ankle” for the conclusion of the season. Further, he notes that Lin’s numbers would be satisfactory had he played all season long.

Regardless, the Nets are not last, and the team is officially out of the hypothetical rock-bottom.

With the slight bump, the Nets jumped the Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Lakers in the rankings, with LA sitting in the oh-so-coveted 30th slot.

Big Movers: Memphis Grizzlies (up nine spots)

The Grizzlies were in the top 10 of the rankings for much of the season, but dropped all the way down to #19 last week. One week later, and they are right back where they started, as they confidently ride a four-game winning-streak.

Next: Looking at 2017 Free Agent Point Guards

Big Losers: Atlanta Hawks (down five spots)

On the flip side, the Hawks are on a three-game losing-streak, and injuries to Paul Millsap and Kent Bazemore haven’t helped much, either. The Hawks will need to figure things out quickly as the playoffs are quickly approaching.