NBA Power Rankings Rewritten in the Early Season
The start of the 2025-26 NBA season has been unpredictable, with surprise performances and early clashes that challenge preseason forecasts. As teams jockey for position and teams juggle injury updates, we’re revisiting our power rankings after just a couple of weeks of play. The headline grabbers are the Chicago Bulls and the San Antonio Spurs, who have vaulted into the top 10 with balanced scoring, improved defense, and coaching-driven adjustments that are translating into wins.
Bulls’ Resurgence: More than a Quick Start
Chicago’s ascent into the top 10 isn’t a fluke. The Bulls have combined a higher pace with disciplined shot selection, helping a previously inconsistent offense stabilize. A frontcourt rotation that includes versatile height and length is contesting more shots without sacrificing floor balance, and the backcourt has found rhythm in pick-and-roll reads that maximize guard-to-guard ball movement. The result is not merely wins but a team identity: tougher on defense, quicker to push the pace, and more decisive in late-game possessions. While questions about bench depth linger, the early returns show Chicago can sustain a run when its stars take a night off or face a heavy schedule. In a league that rewards efficiency and timely execution, the Bulls’ blend of two-way contribution and offensive diversity makes them a credible top-10 team that demands attention from higher-ranked rivals.
Spurs Strike: Youthful Vigor Meets Strategic Patience
San Antonio’s rise into the top tier is a textbook example of development paying dividends. The Spurs have leaned into their young core, pairing speed with smart spacing and a fearless willingness to attack mismatches. The coaching staff has done a standout job scheming open looks in the half court while maintaining a disciplined defensive scheme that reduces early-season lapses. What makes San Antonio dangerous is their versatility: a lineup that can switch across positions without losing floor spacing, and a guard rotation that thrives in half-court sets and in transition. Their early success isn’t a flash in the pan; it’s the result of a deliberate rebuild turning into on-court chemistry, where players push one another to execute at a high level night after night.
Other Movers and Shakers
Beyond Chicago and San Antonio, several teams are adjusting in real time to new rosters, schemes, and the ongoing tactical arms race in the league. The power rankings shifts aren’t just about teams rising; some traditional contenders are facing challenges they didn’t anticipate, while others are finessing rotations to survive injuries and schedule congestion. The early season is a microcosm: a reminder that every victory compounds confidence, and every setback invites tweaks that can alter trajectories for weeks to come.
What This Means for Contenders and Rebuilders
With the season barely underway, the Bulls and Spurs demonstrate an important truth: momentum matters, but system coherence matters more. Contenders can’t rely on talent alone if cohesion is lacking, while rebuilding teams have a window to harvest confidence when they execute a clear blueprint. The current top-10 snapshot isn’t a guarantee of long-term placement, but it does offer a blueprint: teams that combine sound defense, efficient offense, and adaptable lineups will navigate the grind of the schedule and maintain relevance as the season unfolds.
Takeaways for Fans
- Small sample sizes can mask subtleties in defense and ball movement. Watch how teams sustain leads in the second and fourth quarters.
- Depth and versatility matter more than ever in a grueling calendar. Bench players who fit the system can swing outcomes on back-to-back nights.
- Coaching adaptability is a differentiator. The most impressive teams adjust to opponents and injuries in real time.
