Warriors, Bucks top NBA power rankings as season gets underway

1. Golden State: If anybody can overcome the drama caused by Draymond Green's punch of Jordan Poole, it's Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and coach Steve Kerr.

2. L.A. Clippers: They may not finish as the No. 2 seed in the regular season with the injury history of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, but they are deep and can play any style.

3. Denver: Fans might have forgotten how good this team can be when Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. are healthy around two-time MVP Nikola Jokic.

4. Memphis: Jaren Jackson Jr. could be out a while to start the season, but Memphis knows how to compensate for the loss of key players.

5. Timberwolves: The Wolves will likely win a lot of regular-season games. Can the big lineup match up well enough in the playoffs with the elite?

6. Phoenix: Has the Suns' time passed? Hard to doubt Chris Paul, but their loss to Dallas in last year's playoffs could have a lasting effect.

7. Dallas: Luka Doncic is still there but the Mavericks lost Jalen Brunson, raising concerns if they have the depth required to be contenders.

9. New Orleans: Can Zion Williamson stay healthy? If so, the Pelicans could be a dangerous matchup for an upper seed in the playoffs.

10. Portland: Damian Lillard is back healthy, but the Trail Blazers are a ways away from contending again in a crowded West.

11. Sacramento: Perpetually on the outside, can the combination of De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis get the Kings in the play-in conversation?

12. Utah: The Timberwolves of the Mountain Time Zone after all the players traded to the Jazz to get Rudy Gobert. Starting a rebuild.

13. Oklahoma City: The Thunder's massive rebuild took a hit with Minnehaha Academy's Chet Holmgren suffering a foot injury that will cost him this season.

15. Houston: A young team that is likely leading the way in the sweepstakes for French big man Victor Wembanyama.

1. Milwaukee: Hard to doubt a team that has already won a title together, so long as everyone is healthy come playoff time.

2. Brooklyn: Comes with a big caveat that injuries and chemistry issues don't get in the way of one of the most talented rosters in the league.

3. Philadelphia: Can James Harden return to near peak form? Will Tyrese Maxey keep ascending? The latter seems more likely than the former.

4. Boston: The talent (adding Malcolm Brogdon) and playoff experience are there after last year's runner-up finish, but coach Ime Udoka's suspension could be a significant hurdle.

6. Cleveland: A team on the rise added Donovan Mitchell, and should be a team that will give an opponent fits in the playoffs with its size.

7. Atlanta: If Dejounte Murray and Trae Young can coexist, this will be one of scariest backcourts in the league.

8. Toronto: Will be relying on the development of Rookie of the Year Scottie Barnes. The presence of Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet will have the Raptors winning games.

9. Charlotte: LaMelo Ball will be limited early in the season because of an ankle injury.

10. New York: Missed out on Donovan Mitchell and landed Jalen Brunson, but that's not going to be enough to make the Knicks contenders.

12. Washington: Bradley Beal is an all-world talent, but the Wizards always end up going nowhere.

13. Detroit: A promising bottom-tier team in the East with Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren.

14. Orlando: No. 1 pick Paolo Banchero is the key to the future along with Minnehaha Academy's Jalen Suggs, who looks to make a leap in Year 2.