Despite winning their first game of the new year, the Brooklyn Nets remain dead-last in ESPN’s most recent power rankings.
ICYMI: Last Week’s Power Rankings
The Brooklyn Nets may have hit their milestone of winning a game this past week, but it still wasn’t enough for them to climb in ESPN’s Marc Stein’s weekly power rankings.
In an extremely convincing win, the Nets defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 143-114 on Friday. The scoring outburst was good enough for the second-highest scoring effort by the Nets in franchise history. To make matters even more surprising, it came without leading rebounder Trevor Booker and starting shooting guard Sean Kilpatrick.
Yet the Nets still went 1-2 this week and hold the last spot in the rankings for a sixth consecutive week.
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While it seems like the Nets can’t get out of the hole they’re in, I think an argument can be made for the Los Angeles Lakers or Sacramento Kings to be competing for the final spot. Both teams are playing at a similar level to the Nets, as they’ve combined for a 6-16 record so far in the new year.
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Within a few weeks, don’t be surprised if the Nets can win a couple of surprising games (like they did at the beginning of the season) and potentially swap spots with either of those teams. Until the Nets can win at a slightly more consistent rate, though, that’s not going to happen – especially considering some of the opponents the Nets will face this coming week.
In an effort to better their last ranking, the Nets will take on the San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Minnesota Timberwolves this week.
Big Mover: Philadelphia 76ers (up 10 spots)
It feels like it was only a few weeks ago that the Nets and 76ers were widely considered the two worst teams in the NBA. Now, the 76ers are not only up to 15th in the power rankings, but they’ve completely turned the page with a 7-3 record since the new year started.
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Big Loser: Sacramento Kings (down eight spots)
This one probably has a big part to do with Rudy Gay tearing his Achilles. Not that the Kings were great beforehand, as they’re 1-9 in their last 10. The Kings will be right down at the bottom with the Nets going forward for the rest of the season.