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NBA Power Rankings: Reaction To Brooklyn Nets Week 10 ESPN Ranking

By Kenneth Teape

Jan 2, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics forward Amir Johnson (90) guards Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics forward Amir Johnson (90) guards Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
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NBA Power Rankings: The Brooklyn Nets didn’t have many games from December 28th-January 3rd, but were able to have a winning record; did that give them a boost in the ESPN Power Rankings?

Each week over at ESPN, they release their NBA Power Rankings that are written by Marc Stein. Here at Empire Writes Back, we will have our weekly reaction to where the Brooklyn Nets are ranked by Stein and a little feedback on the rankings as a whole.

This past week was a strong one for the Nets, who played only three games but were able to pick up a 2-1 record. Despite being considered to be in the same tier, or slightly above at best, of the Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Lakers, the Nets have some impressive victories this season.

They already have a sweep of the Houston Rockets under their belt and played the Golden State Warriors to the final moments. Those strong performances continued this week, as the Nets picked up impressive victories over the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics. In between they lost to the Orlando Magic, giving the Nets a successful 2-1 week and road trip.

Wayne Ellington was the hero in the game against the Heat, as the Nets mounted a huge comeback with help from his three-point barrage. Ellington connected on seven deep balls, as the Nets went 12-of-23 from deep and outscored the Heat 67-47 in the second half.

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Brook Lopez continues to play at a high level for the Nets, as he was dominant in all three games last week. He scored at least 24 points with 11 rebounds in each game as the Nets opponents had no answers for the big man inside. He also imposed his will defensively, picking up at least one steal and block in each game as well.

With the 2-1 week, the Nets were able to move up three spots in the rankings, going from 28th to 25th. They may be in the lower tier of teams in the NBA, but they will always be a difficult out as long as Lopez is in the lineup. Thaddeus Young is a nice compliment next to him at power forward, as the two are a handful for opponents inside.

If the Nets are going to have any success this season, it will more than likely come from those two. They already lost the rematch to the Celtics Monday night, so their homestand is off to a poor start.

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They will round out the homestand this week by hosting the Toronto Raptors and Magic for a rematch from last week. They will end the week on the road against the Detroit Pistons on the second night of a back-to-back after the Magic game.

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