NBA power rankings — 3. Phoenix Suns
The Suns are running back an NBA Finals team! It’s hard to knock them much further than this. Milwaukee exposed some flaws, yes, but news flash — every team has flaws. Chris Paul was clearly injured for Phoenix’s final push, and there’s reason to believe the team with the second-best record in basketball last season can return to elite status in 2021-22.
Age is always a concern with Chris Paul, but he has been bucking that concern for going on five years now. He just keeps proving people wrong. Also, the Suns are pretty stacked without Chris Paul, and have two young stars in Devin Booker and DeAndre Ayton who can help carry the regular season load. Monty Williams is also a great coach, and few organizations can rival the strength of Phoenix’s culture at the moment. The Suns are legit.
NBA power rankings — 2. Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks are NBA champions. It’s pretty simple. Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the three or four best basketball players on the planet. Milwaukee lost some depth in the form of P.J. Tucker, but made other impact signings in the second unit and will return with a certified championship core.
No team in the NBA can muck it up like the Bucks. They can out-physical and out-hustle just about any team. Giannis is a perennial MVP and DPOY candidate, while Mike Budenholzer has earned his flowers at head coach. Milwaukee is fully capable of repeating in 2022.
NBA power rankings — 1. Brooklyn Nets
The Bucks are champions, but had the Nets been healthy, we would probably be singing a different song right now. Frankly, had Kevin Durant’s shoe size been a bit smaller, we would probably be signing a different song right now. Even battered and bruised, the Nets were well within striking distance of a championship. If everyone can stay healthy next season (and that’s a big if), Brooklyn is the no-doubt favorite to win it all.
Kevin Durant is probably the best player in the world right now. He sure looked like it last season. There’s a legitimate argument that James Harden is No. 2, and if not, he’s sure as hell top five. Then you factor in Kyrie Irving, a balanced and versatile second unit, and an inventive young coach in Steve Nash, and yeah — the Nets are favorites. It’s really not up for debate.