2019-20 NBA Power Rankings: Philadelphia 76ers stall on top-10 fringe

The Raptors and Kawhi make for a compelling story of what could have been. It’s clear the Raptors’ success did not fall solely on Kawhi’s shoulders last season. This is a deep, talented team, spearheaded by Pascal Siakam‘s emergence as a top-25 player. Toronto has a real chance to repeat as conference champions — heck, maybe even NBA champions.

The Lakers have emerged as clear frontrunners in a loaded Western Conference field. LeBron James, even at 35, is still LeBron James. The arrival of Anthony Davis has ascended the Lakers to juggernaut status, and the supporting cast, although imperfect, continues to fit neatly next to the franchise cornerstones.

The Bucks are still on pace to win 70 games, which places them in rarified air. This is a superteam in every sense, from the top-end talent of Giannis Antetokounmpo, to a perfectly-fit supporting cast and one of the NBA’s top coaches. The Bucks, at this stage, look almost unbeatable.

Some will poke holes in Giannis’ game, but he has fewer holes than ever. There is shooting at every turn, Milwaukee is a defensive powerhouse, and Budenholzer is a seasoned maximizer of talent. No ifs, ands, or buts about it — the Bucks are title favorites and the undisputed No. 1 on this list.