First week Power Rankings are in.
October 16-21:
ESPN (2):
http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/2...-moving-week-1
NBA.com (1):
http://www.nba.com/powerrankings
CBS Sports (2):
https://www.cbssports.com/nba/powerrankings/
SI (1):
https://www.si.com/nba/2018/10/22/nb...s-opening-week
October 16-21:
ESPN (2):
http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/2...-moving-week-1
In the league's first big statement game of the season, the Raptors showed off their depth and versatility in a spirited win over Boston. Though he hasn't shot the ball well for the 3-0 Raps, Kawhi Leonard fits like a glove in Toronto, both as a brawny wing and as a small-ball 4. Meanwhile, Kyle Lowry was one of the league's five best players during the season's opening week, pacing the Raps with red-hot shooting. -- Arnovitz
NBA.com (1):
http://www.nba.com/powerrankings
Kawhi Leonard isn't off to the most efficient start, but had 31 points and a couple of big shots in the Raptors' win over the Celtics, and Kyle Lowry is here to remind us that this team has more than one star. Lowry is 12-for-21 from 3-point range and made a bunch of big plays down the stretch last week, both against Boston and again in Washington on Saturday, with Leonard sitting out the second game of the back-to-back. Bench minutes haven't been great so far, but part-time starter Serge Ibaka gave the Raptors some important second chances (eight of his 11 offensive boards have come in the fourth quarter) in both weekend games.
CBS Sports (2):
https://www.cbssports.com/nba/powerrankings/
Too early to have the Raptors' leap-frogging the Rockets and Celtics for the best non-Warriors team in the NBA? Yeah! Probably! Probably way too early! But Kawhi Leonard looks absolutely awesome (31 points in the Raptors Friday win againstthe Celtics), and Kyle Lowry (28 points and 12 assists) helped the Raptors get a nice road win at Washington with Leonard resting on the second night of a back-to-back. This defense has a chance at becoming elite.
SI (1):
https://www.si.com/nba/2018/10/22/nb...s-opening-week
I was prepared to leave Toronto at No. 2 after pulling out the thriller against the Celtics. Then, without Kawhi, the Raptors went on the road and earned another victory on the second night of a back-to-back that they had every reason to lose. Kyle Lowry might be down a best friend, but the championship experience provided by Leonard and Danny Green will mean more than pregame handshakes come May. And through one week in October, it seems it is already paying off.
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