One of my favorite little tools has made its re-appearance at ESPN for this season:  John Hollinger’s Power Rankings.

The tool takes into account no author bias whatsoever, using entirely point differentials and strength of schedule(i.e. how tough the opposition is) in determining a team’s overall rank.  I’ve found this system to be highly realistic – and as a stats geek – can’t say enough about it.

Interestingly, the Hornets have played the hardest schedule of any team in the league so far, with the Hornet’s opponents owning a combined winning percentage of 66%. That’s pretty nasty. 

And I thought our first seven games would be fairly easy.

Oh – and the Hornets are ranked 5th overall right now according to his system.