NBA Power Rankings: Edwards and Jokic hit early-season struggles while Cavs climb-ZoomTech News

The primary couple of weeks of the 2024-25 NBA season have been something however predictable, with a couple of preseason contenders having some shaky begins.

Within the East, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard are nonetheless struggling to seek out their good partnership because the Milwaukee Bucks have gotten off to one of many worst begins in franchise historical past. The Philadelphia 76ers are additionally stumbling with out newly acquired celebrity Paul George to begin the season and are nonetheless awaiting the return of Joel Embiid.

On the flip aspect, the Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors have had robust begins within the West because the Suns have lastly unlocked their large three in Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, and the Warriors have a 3-point phenomenon in offseason acquisition Buddy Hield.

Let’s have a look at the place all 30 groups stack up two weeks into the season and what to keep watch over as superstars return from damage and groups start to seek out their footing.

Observe: Workforce rankings are primarily based on the place members of our panel (ESPN’s Kendra Andrews, Tim Bontemps, Jamal Collier, Michael Wright, Tim MacMahon, Dave McMenamin, Ohm Youngmisuk, Chris Herring and Kevin Pelton) assume groups belong this season.

Earlier rankings: Preseason | Oct. 30

Bounce to a crew:
ATL | BOS | BKN | CHA | CHI | CLE
DAL | DEN | DET | GS | HOU | IND
LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN
NO | NY | OKC | ORL | PHI | PHX
POR | SAC | SA | TOR | UTAH | WAS

1. Boston Celtics

• 2024-25 document: 7-1

• Earlier rating: 1

• Subsequent video games: vs. GS (Nov. 6), vs. BKN (Nov. 8), @ MIL (Nov. 10), vs. ATL (Nov. 12)

Getting into Monday’s sport in Atlanta, the Celtics are averaging greater than 50 3-point makes an attempt per sport, 5 greater than the present document holders, the 2018-19 Houston Rockets, and 6 greater than another crew this season, whereas making 38.1% of them. That is giving Boston a built-in scoring benefit to begin nearly each sport. And anticipate a lot extra to be launched this week inside TD Backyard, as Boston hosts Golden State and Brooklyn, each of that are within the prime eight in 3-point makes an attempt. — Tim Bontemps

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2. Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder

• 2024-25 document: 7-0

• Earlier rating: 2

• Subsequent video games: @ DEN (Nov. 6), vs. HOU (Nov. 8), vs. GS (Nov. 10), vs. LAC (Nov. 11)

A smothering protection anchored by NBA blocks chief Chet Holmgren has keyed the Thunder’s undefeated begin. Getting into Monday night time, Oklahoma Metropolis had the NBA’s top-ranked protection by a margin of 6.1 factors, permitting solely 95.1 factors per 100 possessions. The final crew to complete a season with a double-digit defensive ranking: the 2015-16 San Antonio Spurs, who misplaced to the Thunder within the convention semifinals. Alex Caruso and Luguentz Dort are extensively thought-about among the many NBA’s greatest perimeter defenders, however second-year guard Cason Wallace is incomes his means into that dialog. Wallace has the bottom defensive ranking (86.3) amongst OKC rotation gamers and averages 1.8 steals and three.7 deflections in 25.3 minutes per sport. — Tim MacMahon

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3. Cleveland Cavaliers

• 2024-25 document: 8-0

• Earlier rating: 3

• Subsequent video games: @ NO (Nov. 6), vs. GS (Nov. 8), vs. BKN (Nov. 9), @ CHI (Nov. 11)

Down 111-108 with 1:18 remaining Monday to the Giannis Antetokounmpo-less Bucks, the Cavs used an 8-0 run to safe the win — and an 8-0 begin to the season. Cleveland has now tied the 1976-77 squad for the most effective begin in franchise historical past, with an opportunity to set a brand new document Thursday in New Orleans. — Dave McMenamin

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4. Phoenix Suns

• 2024-25 document: 6-1

• Earlier rating: 7

• Subsequent video games: vs. MIA (Nov. 6), @ DAL (Nov. 8), vs. SAC (Nov. 10), @ UTAH (Nov. 12)

Jusuf Nurkic began each sport for Phoenix to this point, however he hasn’t essentially completed. In a win towards the Lakers, he performed simply six seconds within the fourth quarter. And in a victory over the Clippers, he performed fewer than 4 minutes within the fourth. Nurkic is taking part in simply 22.2 minutes per sport to this point, his least quantity of burn since splitting time with Nikola Jokic in Denver to start his profession. — McMenamin

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5. Golden State Warriors

• 2024-25 document: 6-1

• Earlier rating: 11

• Subsequent video games: @ BOS (Nov. 6), @ CLE (Nov. 8), @ OKC (Nov. 10), vs. DAL (Nov. 12)

Regardless of shedding Stephen Curry for 3 video games, the Warriors stay extremely stable with a successful document. Buddy Hield and Jonathan Kuminga have supplied Golden State with the supplemental scoring off the bench that it has lacked the previous few years. Nevertheless it’s not simply the offense that has gotten the Warriors off to a robust begin — their protection has been their anchor. The Warriors rank second in opponent subject aim proportion within the paint (49.5%) and first in opponent efficient subject aim proportion on photographs from outdoors the paint (44%). — Kendra Andrews

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6. Dallas Mavericks

• 2024-25 document: 4-3

• Earlier rating: 4

• Subsequent video games: vs. CHI (Nov. 6), vs. PHX (Nov. 8), @ DEN (Nov. 10), @ GS (Nov. 12)

Coach Jason Kidd has caught with Daniel Gafford within the beginning middle position regardless of the overall consensus throughout the group that second-year large man Dereck Lively II has a better ceiling. Kidd has indicated that Full of life will get a chance to begin sooner or later, however the coaches wished to keep away from the notion that Gafford was getting demoted after he performed a vital position within the Mavs’ late-season surge and NBA Finals run. Getting into Monday night time, Full of life was averaging about 4 minutes per sport greater than Gafford this season. The Mavs have outscored opponents by 10.2 factors per 100 possessions with Full of life on the ground and have a minus-6.2 web ranking in Gafford’s minutes. — MacMahon

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7. New York Knicks

• 2024-25 document: 3-3

• Earlier rating: 8

• Subsequent video games: @ ATL (Nov. 6), vs. MIL (Nov. 8), @ IND (Nov. 10), @ PHI (Nov. 12)

Issues have been downright ugly in New York’s season opener towards the Celtics. However within the 5 video games since, the defensive duo of OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges has been stout, surrendering 101.8 factors per 100 possessions in 106 minutes. (That quantity would rank third within the league behind Oklahoma Metropolis and Golden State.) Specifically, the pair was relentless in Detroit this previous week, serving to lead the Knicks to a 16-steal efficiency in a blowout victory. — Chris Herring

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8. Minnesota Timberwolves

• 2024-25 document: 4-3

• Earlier rating: 5

• Subsequent video games: @ CHI (Nov. 7), vs. POR (Nov. 8), vs. MIA (Nov. 10), @ POR (Nov. 12)

Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards hasn’t been afraid to let it fly from 3 to begin the season. He is taking pictures 12.3 3s per sport, main the NBA with by far essentially the most 3s he has averaged in his profession. James Harden or Curry has led the league in that class every season since 2012-13, however Edwards seems poised to uncrown them, particularly if he retains taking pictures 43.2% from deep and the Wolves’ offense could be efficient. Minnesota ranks thirteenth in factors per possession to begin the season. — Jamal Collier

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9. Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers are twenty fifth in defensive ranking, permitting 117.6 factors per 100 possessions — almost three factors greater than they did final season, after they completed seventeenth. When requested what areas of the protection the crew has to shore up after shedding in Detroit on Monday, Anthony Davis bluntly responded: “All over the place.” — McMenamin

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10. Memphis Grizzlies

Ja Morant has been good with 10 assists or extra in 5 of seven video games. However two starters — Desmond Bane and Marcus Smart — are coping with accidents that put them on week-to-week timelines for return, whereas two rotational gamers are additionally working again from accidents in Luke Kennard and John Konchar. All 4 missed Saturday’s win over Philadelphia, together with Cam Spencer and Vince Williams Jr. Memphis’ gamers missed a league-record 578 video games mixed final season due to accidents, and the membership hopes it isn’t experiencing a repeat this season. — Michael Wright

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11. Denver Nuggets

After a rocky 0-2 begin that included a 15-point opening night time loss to the Thunder, the Nuggets received three of their subsequent 4 video games, together with two additional time wins at Toronto and Brooklyn. They misplaced a tricky sport at Minnesota, however Christian Braun‘s dunk on Rudy Gobert is a glimpse at how Braun will substitute Kentavious Caldwell-Pope within the beginning lineup with aggressive athleticism and his two-way sport. Braun scored in double figures in every of the primary seven video games and averaged 14.5 factors, 5.0 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, 1.0 steals and 42.1% taking pictures from behind the arc. — Ohm Youngmisuk

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12. Miami Warmth

• 2024-25 document: 3-3

• Earlier rating: 18

• Subsequent video games: @ PHX (Nov. 6), @ DEN (Nov. 8), @ MIN (Nov. 10), @ DET (Nov. 12)

It has been an odd begin to the season in Miami. Getting into Monday’s motion, each Tyler Herro and Terry Rozier are taking pictures higher than 40% from 3-point vary on greater than eight makes an attempt per sport, whereas each Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler have been, at occasions, bystanders to the motion. There is a steadiness that coach Erik Spoelstra is attempting to strike, which may start after Adebayo scored 32 factors in a 118-98 win in Mexico Metropolis over the Wizards on Saturday. — Bontemps

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13. Orlando Magic

• 2024-25 document: 3-5

• Earlier rating: 10

• Subsequent video games: @ IND (Nov. 6), vs. NO (Nov. 8), vs. WAS (Nov. 10), vs. CHA (Nov. 12)

The Magic discover themselves in tepid water after shedding Paolo Banchero for not less than one month with a torn indirect muscle. As a crew, the Magic battle to supply constant offense and scoring, rating within the backside 5 of the league in offensive ranking. With out Banchero — who had a 50-point sport final week — it’s going to be even more durable to repair their offensive struggles. Orlando may also should survive with out middle Wendell Carter Jr., who suffered a left plantar fascia pressure. — Andrews

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14. Houston Rockets

• 2024-25 document: 4-3

• Earlier rating: 21

• Subsequent video games: vs. SA (Nov. 6), @ OKC (Nov. 8), @ DET (Nov. 10), vs. WAS (Nov. 11)

After placing collectively what coach Ime Udoka mentioned was his crew’s first assertion win Thursday towards the Mavericks, the Rockets adopted that up with an exciting additional time loss to the Warriors wherein they erased an early 31-point deficit. The Rockets rank close to the underside of the league in subject aim proportion, however they’ve feasted on offensive rebounding (15.3 per sport) and second-chance scoring (20.8 factors per sport) to attain a 113.9 offensive ranking. Regardless of the tough exhibiting towards the Warriors, Jalen Green has taken one other step in his growth and is perhaps poised to set new profession highs in scoring and 3-point proportion. — Wright

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15. Sacramento Kings

• 2024-25 document: 4-3

• Earlier rating: 19

• Subsequent video games: vs. TOR (Nov. 6), vs. LAC (Nov. 8), @ PHX (Nov. 10), @ SA (Nov. 11)

Clutch time was an Achilles’ heel for the Kings final season, however they have been optimistic that including DeMar DeRozan would alleviate these points. They obtained their first style of the DeRozan and De’Aaron Fox duo within the clutch — finally successful them an additional time sport in Atlanta. Nonetheless, on Monday the clutch time hero for the Kings was not DeRozan or Fox however as a substitute Domantas Sabonis, who had a buzzer-beating putback to win towards the Warmth, placing the crew above .500. — Andrews

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16. New Orleans Pelicans

Lower than two weeks into the season, the Pelicans’ well being is already in season-threatening territory. Guards Dejounte Murray (hand fracture) and CJ McCollum (adductor pressure) and ahead Herb Jones (shoulder subluxation) are out a number of weeks, whereas ahead Trey Murphy III has but to return from a hamstring pressure. With Zion Williamson sidelined Sunday by hamstring tightness, New Orleans performed with solely certainly one of its prime six gamers. The Pelicans have not misplaced a lot floor within the standings, however their minus-7.0 level differential ranks thirteenth within the West. — Kevin Pelton

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17. Chicago Bulls

• 2024-25 document: 3-4

• Earlier rating: 22

• Subsequent video games: @ DAL (Nov. 6), vs. MIN (Nov. 7), @ ATL (Nov. 9), vs. CLE (Nov. 11)

After ending within the backside 5 of the NBA in 3-point makes an attempt the previous two seasons, the Bulls are letting it fly from past the arc. They entered this week third in 3-point makes an attempt and fourth in made 3s with a remade, up-tempo offense. Josh Giddey, who the Bulls acquired from Oklahoma Metropolis over the summer season, has helped ignite the offense with 14.7 factors and 6.2 assists whereas taking pictures 47.6% from 3.— Collier

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18. Indiana Pacers

Two-time All-Star Tyrese Haliburton has been off to a sluggish begin this season after main his crew to the Japanese Convention finals throughout a breakout 2023-24 marketing campaign. Haliburton is averaging 14.0 factors and seven.3 assists on 33.7% taking pictures, his lowest manufacturing since his rookie season. His struggles have not been a great signal for the Pacers, who’ve stumbled out the gates due to it. — Collier

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19. Philadelphia 76ers

• 2024-25 document: 1-5

• Earlier rating: 12

• Subsequent video games: @ LAC (Nov. 6), @ LAL (Nov. 8), vs. CHA (Nov. 10), vs. NYK (Nov. 12)

Philadelphia obtained a much-needed increase Monday night time when Paul George made his season debut. Nevertheless it wasn’t sufficient because the 76ers fell to the Suns after George missed a 22-foot bounce shot with 3.1 seconds left within the sport. George had been out for 3 weeks since stepping awkwardly and struggling a bone bruise in a preseason sport in Atlanta on Oct. 14. Now, the query can be when Joel Embiid, who additionally has but to play this season, will be a part of him. — Bontemps

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20. Atlanta Hawks

• 2024-25 document: 3-5

• Earlier rating: 20

• Subsequent video games: vs. NYK (Nov. 6), @ DET (Nov. 8), vs. CHI (Nov. 9), @ BOS (Nov. 12)

With out Dejounte Murray on the roster, defenses are loading up on Trae Young. Living proof: Younger is passing on 46.2% of his drives this season, up significantly from 35.5% final season. Younger’s league-leading 11.7 assists per night time has helped spark the Hawks’ ninth-ranked offense, however the problem all through Younger’s tenure in Atlanta has all the time been the protection, which ranks twenty eighth to this point this season. — Herring

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21. LA Clippers

• 2024-25 document:

• Earlier rating: 16

• Subsequent video games: vs. PHI (Nov. 6), @ SAC (Nov. 8), vs. TOR (Nov. 9), @ OKC (Nov. 11)

The begin to the season has been a glimpse of what the Clippers doubtless can be till Kawhi Leonard is ready to return. Their improved protection has helped them pull off upset wins at Denver and Golden State. However outdoors of James Harden, Norm Powell and Ivica Zubac, the Clippers haven’t got sufficient offense to beat extra gifted groups, leaving little or no margin for error. It took longer than anticipated, however after shedding their first 4 house video games, the Clippers lastly obtained their first win at Intuit Dome, rallying from a 26-point deficit to stun the Spurs. Subsequent, they’re hoping to spoil Paul George’s return to L.A. on Wednesday. — Youngmisuk

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22. Milwaukee Bucks

• 2024-25 document: 1-6

• Earlier rating: 14

• Subsequent video games: vs. UTAH (Nov. 7), @ NYK (Nov. 8), vs. BOS (Nov. 10), vs. TOR (Nov. 12)

The Bucks had certainly one of their worst six-game begins in franchise historical past, going 1-5 for the primary time because the 2000-01 season. Milwaukee has misplaced six consecutive video games regardless of some dominant performances by Giannis Antetokounmpo, who shot 62% and averaged 32.2 factors, 12.3 rebounds and 6.3 assists within the crew’s first six video games. Following Monday’s sport in Cleveland, the Bucks have two of the Japanese Convention’s prime contenders over the weekend, as they go to the Knicks on Friday and host the Celtics on Sunday. — Collier

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23. San Antonio Spurs

• 2024-25 document:

• Earlier rating: 23

• Subsequent video games: @ HOU (Nov. 6), vs. POR (Nov. 7), vs. UTAH (Nov. 9), vs. SAC (Nov. 11)

Victor Wembanyama began the season slowly, working his means again into taking part in form whereas coping with an sickness. He is rounding into type, dropping his second profession 5×5 sport Thursday at Utah to grow to be the third participant to ever accomplish that on a number of events. Second-leading scorer Devin Vassell is near getting back from offseason foot surgical procedure, having spent the previous week with the crew’s G-League affiliate on a rehab task. Vassell’s sharp taking pictures ought to assist Wembanyama get extra of the photographs he prefers, whereas lastly giving San Antonio its first probability to develop chemistry with the beginning group. The Spurs are additionally being coached by assistant Mitch Johnson for an indefinite time frame after head coach Gregg Popovich suffered an undisclosed sickness earlier than Saturday’s sport. — Wright

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24. Charlotte Hornets

• 2024-25 document: 2-5

• Earlier rating: 24

• Subsequent video games: vs. DET (Nov. 6), vs. IND (Nov. 8), @ PHI (Nov. 10), @ ORL (Nov. 12)

LaMelo Ball‘s offense has been unstoppable, with a career-high 30.2 factors per sport on career-best effectivity over the primary few weeks of play. The difficulty, apart from his excessive turnover price (tied for many this season with James Harden at 5.5 per sport), is he has already fouled out a league-high thrice whereas ending one other sport with 5 fouls. Coach Charles Lee mentioned the membership is attempting to determine find out how to assist. “We’ve got to proceed to problem him and we’ve to study, ‘Can he guard one-on-one, or do we have to ship a double-team each time, or are you going to foul?'” he advised reporters. — Herring

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25. Brooklyn Nets

For the second straight season, Cam Thomas averaged not less than 30 factors by his first three video games. However there’s ample room for his playmaking to develop. Nets coach Jordi Fernandez mentioned as a lot after the Nets’ loss to Detroit on Sunday. “For those who’re a scorer however they do sure issues to you, then perhaps it is a day that you simply rating much less, however you help extra,” Fernandez advised reporters of Thomas, who’s averaging 26.6 factors per night time however has simply 25 dimes by eight video games. — Herring

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26. Toronto Raptors

• 2024-25 document: 2-6

• Earlier rating: 25

• Subsequent video games: @ SAC (Nov. 6), @ LAC (Nov. 9), @ LAL (Nov. 10), @ MIL (Nov. 12)

After an additional time win Saturday towards the visiting Kings, the Raptors can be ok with remaining aggressive regardless of being with out starters Scottie Barnes (orbital fracture), Bruce Brown (knee surgical procedure) and Immanuel Quickley (pelvic contusion). Down two of its prime three scorers, Toronto has relied closely on RJ Barrett, who’s averaging 28.8 factors and seven.3 assists since getting back from his personal shoulder damage. And second-year guard Gradey Dick has taken a leap as a starter, pushing his scoring common from 8.5 factors as a rookie to 21.0 up to now whereas taking pictures extra precisely. — Pelton

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27. Washington Wizards

Washington put collectively its first successful streak of the season with consecutive wins over the Hawks final week. Whereas that streak resulted in Mexico by the hands of the Warmth, the Wizards have seen some constructive indicators early. With Kyle Kuzma sidelined the previous two video games, younger gamers like Bilal Coulibaly have stepped up. Coulibaly had 27 factors, 9 rebounds and three steals within the Wizards’ second win over Atlanta on Wednesday. He adopted that up with 22 factors and eight rebounds towards the Warmth. Since scoring eight factors within the season opener, Coulibaly scored 22 or extra factors in three of his subsequent 4 video games. And Jordan Poole continued his scorching begin with a team-high 24 factors within the Wizards’ loss to Golden State (his former crew) on Monday night time. — Youngmisuk

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28. Detroit Pistons

• 2024-25 document: 3-5

• Earlier rating: 28

• Subsequent video games: @ CHA (Nov. 6), vs. ATL (Nov. 8), vs. HOU (Nov. 10), vs. MIA (Nov. 12)

With Monday’s spectacular win over the Lakers, the Pistons have already surpassed the 2 wins that they had by their first 30 video games of 2023-24, which included an NBA-record 27-game shedding streak. After beginning 0-4 this season, Detroit has now received three of its previous 4 video games. Most significantly for the Pistons’ future, the younger backcourt of Cade Cunningham (taking pictures at career-high charges on each 2s and 3s) and Jaden Ivey (new profession highs in each utilization and true taking pictures proportion) is flourishing with veteran shooters round them. — Pelton

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29. Portland Path Blazers

• 2024-25 document: 3-5

• Earlier rating: 27

• Subsequent video games: @ SA (Nov. 7), @ MIN (Nov. 8), vs. MEM (Nov. 10), vs. MIN (Nov. 12)

The frisky Blazers have proven their improved depth, taking pictures and protection can catch unsuspecting veteran groups for an upset, as they defeated the Clippers Wednesday at Intuit Dome. But Portland nonetheless boasts the West’s second-worst level differential due to lopsided losses to the Warriors and Thunder. That displays the Blazers’ try to string the needle between exhibiting progress this season — notably second-year guard Scoot Henderson, who has reduce his turnovers and improved his scoring effectivity — whereas remaining in place for an anticipated draft lottery. — Pelton

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30. Utah Jazz

Third-year middle Walker Kessler has been a vibrant spot through the Jazz’s early-season woes. Kessler is averaging 9.7 factors, 11.2 rebounds and three.0 blocks, a manufacturing increase throughout the board. After an All-Rookie season, Kessler admittedly did not make the strides he hoped to in his sophomore yr. He impressed the Jazz’s teaching employees together with his response over the summer season, when the 7-footer packed on greater than 20 kilos to beef as much as 272. — MacMahon