The Suns have the fourth-ranked defense in the league, and the second-best over the past two weeks, giving up less than a point per possession, and much of the recent run came without Deandre Ayton on the floor (who expected Frank Kaminsky to step up, anyone?). Winners of nine in a row, and while they did it against a soft stretch of the schedule it counts just the same. The Warriors are counting on him to make a leap this season.Ģ. Wiseman showed flashes as a rookie and averaged 11.5 points and 5.8 rebounds on 51.9% shooting, but mostly was running around and looking lost and being out of position, especially on defense. Klay Thompson is still a month away from a return (if things go well), but the Warriors are reportedly going to get big man James Wiseman back in the next week or two. The Warriors are the best team in the league right now and have multiple paths to get better. It may be early, but Stephen Curry and the Warriors made a very public statement that they are contenders again with Tuesday’s thumping of the Nets. The Suns are just the hottest of those right now.ġ. The Warriors have firmly entrenched themselves in the top spot of these NBA Power Rankings, but underneath them there are a lot of teams jockeying for position, trying to prove themselves contenders.