NBA Power Rankings: Warriors hold off streaking Suns for No. 1; Knicks, Lakers fall; Hornets make big jump
CBSN
Phoenix is making a move, but Golden State's latest win impressed enough to stay on top
Not all wins are created equal. If they were, the Power Rankings would be rendered useless -- a quick look at the standings would quickly indicate the NBA's best teams. But, as we know, that's not exactly how it works.
The Golden State Warriors suffered their second loss of the season this week, which, in theory, could have bumped them from the top spot. But the beatdown they put on the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center just a couple days later was so impressive that it's impossible to say they're not the best team in the league at this point in time. Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns went 4-0 this week, but the quality of opponents leaves them just a fingernail's length behind the Warriors ... for now.
Similarly, the Charlotte Hornets rocketed up the rankings this week, thanks to the quality of their three wins, including one against the league-best Warriors. Just as quality wins can help you, quality losses can hurt you. That's the case for the New York Knicks, who dropped four spots due in large part to a home loss to the Orlando Magic on Wednesday.
