Chapter 200: Good Guy.
Before the regular season began, the NBA released its first power rankings of the season.
At the top of the list sat the Miami Heat.
The official description was brief but impactful:
"The most dominant team on paper in NBA history."
The defending champions, the Memphis Grizzlies, claimed the second spot.
The comment for them read:
"The 1991 Bulls? The 2001 Lakers? They might just become the next legendary dynasty."
Rounding out the top seven were the Lakers, Spurs, Nets, Mavericks, and Nuggets.
Interestingly, the Oklahoma City Thunder only ranked eighth.
The reasoning?
"The Thunder boast a star-studded lineup, but the compatibility between LeBron James and Russell Westbrook remains in question. They could create explosive synergy—or irreconcilable chaos."