The Chicago Bulls haven't started a season like this in quite a while. Not for almost 30 years, in fact, since Michael Jordan's Bulls were in the second year of their second three-peat. A 5-1 record through the opening 10 days and the No. 2 spot in the Eastern Conference will earn a team some praise, though -- even top-10 level praise, according to some of this week's NBA power rankings.
Josh Giddey and Co. have been one of the league's most pleasant surprises after beginning the 2025-26 campaign with wins over the Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks, four teams expected to make the playoffs in the East. A win over the Sacramento Kings in Zach LaVine's return to the United Center was sprinkled in for good measure.
The week ended with a loss to the Knicks in Madison Square Garden, but that shouldn't leave a bad taste in the mouth of Bulls fans. More losses will surely follow, but it's fair to revel in the moment given the recent run of mediocrity.
Here's a roundup of this week's power rankings from analysts across the league.
Chicago Bulls NBA power rankings roundup: Week 3
NBA.com: No. 13
John Schumann has the Bulls jumping four spots from 17 to 13 this week after their rapid beginning. He highlights Nikola Vucevic: The 35-year-old is averaging 19.3 points and 12.3 rebounds and has been a playmaking hub for Chicago, posting 4.3 assists per game, which would bypass his previous career high of 3.8 if it lasts the full season. Vooch had nine assists in the win over the Hawks and seven against the Kings two nights later.
As Schumann notes, among 111 players who've attempted at least 60 shots, Giannis Antetokounmpo is the only player with a higher effective field-goal percentage than Vucevic.
The Athletic: No. 8
Law Murray considers Chicago to be one of the eight best teams in the NBA. Soak it in, Bulls fans.
Murray is quick to pour water on this hot start by mentioning how the Knicks made 18 and 20 3-pointers, respectively, in the home-and-home series last weekend. He adds that the Bulls' starting five has actually been outscored so far this year.
NBC Sports: No. 7
Kurt Helin goes a step further than Murray in his own rankings this week, bringing Chicago from 16th all the way to No. 7.
Helin calls out Giddey for his exceptional leadership of the Bulls' fast breaks ... and "decisions a middle schooler would get called out for." The 23-year-old has surely been a net positive for head coach Billy Donovan, though.
Helin also writes that the Bulls' top-10 defense "defies all logic" and ends on a sour note by reminding everyone that Chicago plays the Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland Cavaliers and Milwaukee Bucks this week. Ouch.