19. Brooklyn Nets
Three games into the 2017-18 season, the Nets have already done something that took them until March last season: winning two games in a row. Yes, the two wins came against the Magic and Hawks — two of the league’s worst teams. But wins are wins. They all count the same.
The biggest bright spot for Brooklyn this week has to be D’Angelo Russell. So far, he’s showing an improved handle, doing a little of everything in Kenny Atkinson’s offense and more poise than he did in either of his two years with the Lakers. And late in games, he hasn’t moved away from taking key shots and leading the team in key moments. When the Nets acquired him, the potential for him to be this are why.
Jeremy Lin’s season-ending injury is concerning moving forward, as he was likely their best player and a stabilizing force on a young team and alongside Russell. But this team probably won’t go down without playing hard every night. That counts for something.