NBA Power Rankings

Alright hoops fans, gather round the computer. It is time for another edition of my NBA Power Rankings.



1. Los Angeles Lakers (11-3)/Previous Rank: 2



I can't stand the Lakers, but I'm not stupid. The defending champs have looked frighteningly good in recent weeks. Now that Pau Gasol is back, Phil Jackson's team is without a weakness. Kobe continues to do his thing, and Ron Artest has finally established himself as a key contributor in Phil Jackson's triangle offense.



2. Orlando Magic (12-4)/PR: 9



That's a big jump for Stan Van Gundy's team, who have come up with two impressive road victories at the Celtics and Hawks. A home loss to the Heat notwithstanding, the Magic are playing the best basketball of any Eastern Conference team right now. The outstanding play of veteran Anthony Johnson in the win over Atlanta is a good sign for a team that is once again without Jameer Nelson.



3. Phoenix Suns (13-3)/PR: 3



After a one-year hiatus, the Suns have returned to their tremendously exciting brand of fast-paced basketball. Steve Nash belongs in the early MVP discussion, and he isn't the only player who has been rejuvenated this season. Amare Stoudamire and Grant Hill also look more healthy and motivated than they have in years. It remains to be seen if the Suns will be able to finally achieve success in the playoffs with this run-and-gun style. But for now, let's just sit back and enjoy the show.



4. Atlanta Hawks (12-4)/PR: 5



That was a putrid second-half performance by the Hawks on Thanksgiving night against Orlando, but I still believe that this is one of the league's best teams. No team has had a louder statement win than the Hawks had last Friday night in Boston. I continue to be amazed by the offensive efficiency of Jamal Crawford, who continues to make me pine for the days when he was a Golden State Warrior.

5. Denver Nuggets (12-4)/PR: 6

As long as Carmelo Anthony continues to play insanely good basketball, the Nuggets will be a force to be reckoned with in the Western Conference. Melo put up 50 points in yesterday's win over the Knicks. The one cause for concern? Despite Melo's brilliant 50-point performance, the Nuggets had to scratch and claw their way to victory at home against the lowly Knicks.

6. Dallas Mavericks (12-4)/PR: 7

Rick Carlisle's team suffered a tough home loss to the Warriors last week, but rebounded nicely with consecutive road thrashings of Houston and Indiana. And while all of the MVP talk is centered around LeBron, Kobe, Carmelo, and D-Wade, Dirk Nowitzki continues to make a strong case that he belongs in the conversation.

7. Portland Trail Blazers (12-6)/PR: 10

The Blazers had a horrendous home loss to the Grizzlies last night at the Rose Garden, but prior to last night's debacle they had been playing terrific basketball. The Brandon Roy-Rudy Fernandez duo has been thriving, and Greg Oden continues to play very well. That's surely a sign of the apocalypse.

8. Cleveland Cavaliers (11-5)/PR: 4

I love the Big Diesel, but let's face the facts. Without Shaq, the Cavs played beautifully, and their offense moved in a more free-flowing fashion. When Shaq returned from injury last night in Charlotte, the Cavs looked thoroughly flustered on the offensive end, as LeBron and company made awkward attempts to involve Shaq. The result was an embarrassing loss to the Bobcats. LeBron James continues to show why he is the best player on the planet, and J.J. Hickson has been a nice surprise off the bench. But 16 games into the season, the Shaquille O'Neal experiment has not worked out as planned.

9. Boston Celtics (12-4)/PR: 1

An eight-point drop for the Celtics? Look, I still think Boston has a great shot at winning the championship, but they have to be penalized for their lazy play as of late. The Celtics were beaten soundly at home against the Hawks and Magic, struggled in an eventual home win against the Sixers, and needed overtime to defeat the Knicks at Madison Square Garden. The C's have won three straight, but for a team as good as Boston, style points count. Things are looking up for Doc Rivers' team, however, thanks to an impressive second half performance against Toronto last night, a game that featured a spectacular dunk by Paul Pierce over Chris Bosh, a dunk that wins the title of posterization of the year so far.

10. Miami Heat (9-6)/PR: 8

This Heat team is a total enigma to me. Erik Spoelstra's team showed tremendous grit and spirit in a road win at Orlando on Wednesday, only to look lethargic in a home loss to the Wizards last night. Thus, I remain unconvinced that Miami is a legitimate contender in the East. Jermaine O'Neal has had some nice games recently, but for the most part the great Dwayne Wade remains stranded without much help.

11. Oklahoma City Thunder (9-7)/PR: 18

I love watching this team play. We all know about the outstanding young trio of Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, and Russell Westbrook, but the Thunder have another superb young player in James Harden. The rookie from Arizona State is having a terrific season, and Scott Brooks' team looks like they have what it takes to make the playoffs. Last week's road win at Utah, one of the toughest places to play in the NBA, was particularly impressive.

12. San Antonio Spurs (8-6)/PR: 12

That's four straight wins for the Spurs. Does this mean that they have finally become the championship-caliber team that we all expect them to be? Perhaps. I still need to see more before I say that the Spurs have arrived, but I don't think Spurs fans should be too worried. By January, San Antonio should be firmly back on the championship path.

13. Utah Jazz (8-7)/PR: 21

On Thanksgiving night against the Bulls, the Jazz demonstrated why they are still an immensely dangerous team. When Deron Williams, Carlos Boozer, and company are firing on all cylinders, they are awfully tough to beat.

14. Milwaukee Bucks (8-6)/PR: 13

Rookie sensation Brandon Jennings has cooled off recently, but he is simply experiencing some growing pains. Jennings will be just fine. The bigger worry for Scott Skiles' team is the play of Michael Redd, who has been plagued with injuries this season. Redd looks completely out of sync on the court. Once an elite player in this league, Redd is no longer a factor on the Bucks.

15. Houston Rockets (8-8)/PR: 11

The fairy tale may be coming to an end for the injury-depleted Rockets. After all, it was only a matter of time before this team started to feel the effects of being without Yao Ming, Tracy McGrady, and Ron Artest. Still, it's foolish to count a Rick Adelman-coached team out. This team still may have some more gas left in the tank.

16. Sacramento Kings (7-8)/PR: 16

When the Kings lost Kevin Martin to injury,I declared them officially dead. I couldn't have been more wrong. Tyreke Evans is playing beautiful basketball in his rookie year, as is Donte Greene, the supremely athletic second-year player out of Syracuse. It's too early to start thinking about playoffs for the Kings, but Paul Westphal's team deserves a great deal of credit for their surprising start to the season.

17. Toronto Raptors (7-10)/PR: 14

Jay Triano's team is slowly sliding down the path toward irrelevance. They have talent (Chris Bosh, Jose Calderon, Andrea Bargnani), but lack chemistry. You might as well start the Chris Bosh free agency countdown.

18. Indiana Pacers (6-8)/PR: 20

Danny Granger is a star, and Dahntay Jones continues to surprise me with his productive play on both ends of the floor. However, I'd like to see Jim O'Brien give Tyler Hansbrough more playing time. Hansbrough is considered by many to be a laughingstock in the NBA, but I haven't given up on him just yet. He has more talent than people realize, and he plays with a tenacity that might translate to success in the pros. The Pacers aren't going anywhere, so they have nothing to lose by playing Hansbrough more minutes.

19. New Orleans Hornets (7-9)/PR: 22

The Hornets have stayed above water in the absence of Chris Paul thanks to the inspired play of Darren Collison. The rookie out of UCLA has done a nice job filling in for CP3. However, I expect New Orleans to eventually fade from relevance this season. There is simply too much dysfunction.

20. Chicago Bulls (6-8)/PR: 17

The long circus road trip has been a total disaster for the Bulls, who have looked especially lifeless in losses to the Lakers and Jazz. Making matters worse, Derrick Rose has yet to blossom into the dominant star that we all expect him to be. Right now, there isn't much to be happy about in Chicago.

21. Charlotte Bobcats (6-9)/PR: 24

The Bobcats have finally started to show some progress on offense, thanks in large part to the spectacular play of Gerald Wallace. Wallace led the Bobcats to a stunning, dominating win over the Cavaliers last night. In an otherwise dismal season, Gerald Wallace provides a glimmer of hope for a struggling franchise.

22. Washington Wizards (5-9)/PR: 25

The return of Antawn Jamison and the addition of Earl Boykins have rejuvenated Flip Saunders' team, who just convincingly defeated the Heat in Miami. However, the loss of Mike Miller to injury is a big blow for the Wizards. Miller was playing great basketball before he suffered a strained calf injury.

23. Golden State Warriors (5-9)/PR: 26

My beloved Warriors showed signs of progress this past week. With assistant coach Keth Smart at the helm, the Warriors beat the Mavs in Dallas and hung with the Spurs for three quarters in San Antonio. Monta Ellis has been amazing, and the return of Ronny Turiaf from injury should give the W's some much-needed energy.

24. Los Angeles Clippers (7-10)/PR: 23

7-10 isn't awful, but let's get real here: Does anybody expect the Clips to be competitive this season. At this point I think we would all understand if Blake Griffin decides to stay injured.

25. Philadelphia 76ers (5-11)/PR: 15

With talented guys like Andre Iguodala, Samuel Dalembert, and Thaddeus Young, the Sixers should be better than 5-11. They have been one of the biggest disappointments in the league this season.

26. Detroit Pistons (5-11)/PR: 19

With all of the Allen Iverson talk this past week, Joe Dumars had to be reminded of that ill-advised Allen Iverson-Chauncey Billups trade last year. If Dumars could take a mulligan, and if Detroit still had Billups, they would be in much greater shape than they are now.

27. Memphis Grizzlies (6-10)/PR: 29

Now that Mike Conley and O.J. Mayo have been given larger roles in the absence of Iverson, the Grizzlies have been improving. I'm most fascinated to see the development of Hashhem Thabeet. The jury is still out on how Thabeet will fare in the NBA.

28. New York Knicks (3-13)/PR: 28

Mike D'Antoni's team put up strong efforts against the Celtics and Nuggets, but let's face it: This is one seriously bad basketball team. The good news? At least they beat the Nets.

29. Minnesota Timberwolves (1-15)/PR: 27

All of the focus has been on the futility of the Nets, but the T'Wolves have been just as bad, losing fourteen straight games. I feel horrible for first-year head coach Kurt Rambis. After spending years as an assistant to Phil Jackson, losing on such a consistent basis has to be mightily difficult for Rambis.

30. New Jersey Nets (0-16)/PR: 30

Wow. That's all that needs to be said.

NBA Power Rankings

Hoops fans gather round the computer. It's time for the second edition of my NBA Power Rankings:

1. Boston Celtics (Last Week's Rank: 1)/Record: 8-1

Despite a lackluster home performance against the Suns, Boston remains dominant. I don't think this team will live up to 'Sheed's 72-win prediction, but there is no doubt that the Celtics are the best team in the league right now.


2. Los Angeles Lakers (LWR: 5)/Record: 7-1

Yup, that's a big jump for the defending champs. Much to my dismay, the Lakers have picked up their energy in recent weeks, and the fact that they are playing so well without Pau Gasol is scary. Last night's blowout victory over the hot Suns was particularly impressive.


3. Phoenix Suns (LWR: 4)/Record: 8-2

Last night's clunker against the Lakers notwithstanding, the Suns are off to a stellar, thoroughly unexpected start. Steve Nash is completely rejuvenated, and the Suns have a chance to be a top five team in the West this season. Last week's road win over the then-undefeated Boston Celtics showed that the Suns, pardon the overused cliche, have still not set.


4. Cleveland Cavaliers (LWR: 10)/Record: 6-3

That is a huge jump for the Cavs, who are finally starting to flex their championship-caliber muscles. No team made a louder statement this week, as the Cavs convincingly completed the Florida sweep on the road at Orlando and Miami. King James continues to play at a superhuman level, but as evidenced by the strong contributions of Mo Williams and J.J. Hickson in yesterday's win over the Heat, he is finally starting to get some help.


5. Atlanta Hawks (LWR: 6)/Record: 6-2

Last week's 25-point dismantling over the Nuggets served as a statement to the rest of the league: Stop dismissing the Hawks. Everyone agrees that the Hawks are not quite at the level of the Big 3 in the East, but this is a fantastic basketball team with some of the best athletes the league has to offer. The addition of Jamal Crawford off the bench has made the Hawks one of the deepest teams in the NBA. Continue to dismiss them if you like, but Atlanta is for real.


6. Denver Nuggets (LWR: 2)/Record: 6-3

That's a four-point drop in the power rankings for George Karl's Nuggets, who looked sloppy in losses to the Heat, Hawks, and Bucks. After a 5-0 start, the Nuggets are 1-3. Still, Carmelo Anthony continues to establish himself as a serious MVP candidate, and the return of J.R. Smith should help the Nuggets right the ship. They have a chance to make a statement tonight at home against the Lakers in the national television spotlight.


7. Dallas Mavericks (LWR: 8)/Record: 5-3

While this team remains somewhat of a mystery, Tuesday's home blowout over the Rockets showed that they are starting to hit their stride. Their recent success is due to Dirk Nowitzki. I've been hard on Dirk in the past, but he is a man on a mission this season.


8. Miami Heat (LWR: 7)/Record: 6-2

Sorry Heat fans, but I am just not sold on this team. Dwayne Wade is, for my money, the second best player in the world, but he can't lead the Heat to the promise land all by his lonesome. Miami's win over the Nuggets was indeed impressive, but watching the Heat lose to the Cavs last night it became evident that this Miami team is a ways away from competing with the elite teams in the East. Still, they are 6-2, so they retain a top ten slot in my power rankings.


9. Orlando Magic (LWR: 3)/Record: 6-3

Okay, maybe I'm being a little harsh. In fact, I'm definitely being too harsh. Are there eight teams in the NBA better than the Magic? Of course not. When all is said and done, Stan Van Gundy's team will be in the championship hunt. But I just want to prove a point. The Magic are coming off a completely lethargic week. Even in their 83-71 win at Charlotte, a game that marked the return of Vince Carter, the Magic played uninspired basketball. This is one of the league's best teams, but here in TJB's Sports Universe, lethargy is not tolerated.


10. Portland Trail Blazers (LWR: 15)/Record: 6-3

Big jump for the Blazers, who have won five of their last six. Right now, everything is going right for Nate McMillan's bunch. Heck, even Greg Oden is playing well, and that is surely a sign of the apocalypse. Okay I'm sorry, I should be focusing on the superb play of the Blazers, but I just couldn't resist taking a Greg Oden cheap shot.


11. Houston Rockets (LWR: 9)/Record: 5-3

They were blown out by the Mavs, perhaps an indication that reality is starting to set in for the depleted Rockets. But Houston is still giving great effort every night, and their game on Sunday against the Lakers will serve as a telling test. Who would have thought that a Rockets team without Yao Ming, Tracy McGrady, and Ron Artest would get off to a 5-3 start?


12. San Antonio Spurs (LWR: 12)/Record: 4-3

I still believe that this is a championship-level team, and Wednesday's convincing win over the Mavericks will hopefully get these Spurs going. But I'm still not satisfied with the energy of the Spurs. San Antonio is far better than 4-3. Perhaps Manu Ginobli is still suffering the side effects from swiping that bat on Halloween night. In all seriousness, I am still waiting for Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and company to hit their stride.


13. Milwaukee Bucks (LWR: 22)/Record: 4-2

That's a nine-point leap in the rankings for the Bucks, who continue to be buoyed by the stellar play of rookie sensation Brandon Jennings. Can Jennings and Michael Redd lead the Bucks to the playoffs? One week ago, I would have said hell no, but a playoff birth in the Eastern Conference is now a fathomable possisbility for Scott Skiles' team.


14. Toronto Raptors (LWR: 17)/Record: 4-4

In wins against the Hornets and Bulls, the Raptors showed signs of progress. Andrea Bargnani is finally starting to live up to the hype, and Jay Triano's team is starting to play inspired basketball. Still, a tough week lies ahead for the Raptors, as they have road games against the Suns, Nuggets, and Jazz.


15. Philadelphia 76ers (LWR: 13)/Record: 4-4

The Sixers have talent, but they aren't looking too golden. Their only two wins in the last week have come against the winless Nets, and rumor has it that the Sixers are looking to trade Samuel Dalembert. The Dalembert talks are likely to cause a major distraction, and I expect the Sixers to fade from relevance in the coming weeks.


16. Sacramento Kings (LWR: 28)/Record: 4-4

A 12-spot leap in the rankings for Sacramento? Absolutely. Last week at this time Paul Westphal's Kings were 1-4, looking very much like the cellar-dwelling bunch we all expected them to be. Three wins later, the Kings are playing fantastic basketball. The fact that they are thriving in the absence of their best player (Kevin Martin) is especially surprising, a testament to the leadership that rookie point guard Tyreke Evans is bringing to the table.


17. Chicago Bulls (LWR: 11)/Record: 4-4

The Bulls' 6-spot drop in the rankings is simply a result of the strong streaks of the competition rather than any sort of collapse on the part of Chicago. Still, Vinny Del Negro's team is reeling from the aftermath of Tuesday's heartbreaking loss to the Nuggets. Brad Miller's incredible shot with four-tenths of a second seemed to be a game-winning buzzer-beater, a shot that would have given the Bulls a nice jolt of momentum. But after further review, it was ruled no good, as the ball was still at the tip of Miller's fingers when the buzzer sounded. The Bulls should be fine, but right now the nasty taste of that loss lingers.


18. Oklahoma City Thunder (LWR: 14)/Record: 4-4

Man, is this team fun to watch. The excitement that the Thunder bring to the table has not and probably will not translate into winning consistency this season, but as I said last week, the young nucleus of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and Jeff Green will eventually bring winning basketball to Oklahoma City. It's just a matter of time.


19. Detroit Pistons (LWR: 23)/Record: 4-4

Without the injured Rip Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince, John Kuester's Pistons have won three of their last five games. Ben Gordon is a reliable contributor off the bench, and it was a nice week for Detroit. But it's only a matter of time before this team's lack of chemistry comes back to haunt them. I would be shocked if the Pistons fare well on their upcoming road trip, a trip that includes stops in Los Angeles, Portland, Utah, and Phoenix.


20. Indiana Pacers (LWR: 24)/Record: 3-3

I must give credit where credit is due. I have been a frequent critic of Dahntay Jones, a player whom I believe has always been overrated as a defensive stopper. With this being said, however, Jones has been a surprising offensive contributor for the Pacers thus far. Add that to the continued brilliance of Danny Granger, and the Pacers have rebounded nicley after a rocky beginning.


21. Utah Jazz (LWR: 16)/Record: 3-5

The road incompetence of the Jazz continues. Even in a 95-93 win the Jazz looked bad at Madison Square Garden against the Knicks, nearly blowing a twenty-point lead en route to what would have been another embarassing collapse away from home for Jerry Sloan's team. But the performance against the Knicks wasn't nearly as bad as the home loss to the Kings, a game in which the Jazz looked utterly defenseless. If I'm Deron Williams right now, I am not a happy camper.


22. New Orleans Hornets (LWR: 18)/Record: 3-6

As I wrote yesterday, this team's struggles will not be cured by the unfair firing of Byron Scott. The Hornets have major problems that are not likely to be resolved this season. Thus, right now, Chris Paul is in the same boat as Deron Williams. It's unfortunate that the league's two best point guards, and two of the league's best players period, are currently in floundering situations.


23. Los Angeles Clipers (LWR: 26)/Record: 3-6

The Blake Griffin injury has cast a pall over the Clippers 2009 NBA campaign, but there is one positive: the stunning productivity of Chris Kaman. I plead guilty to being a Chris Kaman critic, but their is no denying Kaman's brilliant start to the season. Now if the rest of the Clippers could follow Kaman's lead, maybe they would have something. Maybe.


24. Charlotte Bobcats (LWR: 20)/Record: 3-5

The Bobcats have perhaps one of the worst offenses in NBA history. Four times this year they have scored less than eighty points. Right now, Hall of Fame coach Larry Brown has to be wondering how the hell he landed this job.


25. Washington Wizards (LWR: 21)/Record: 2-6

I thought the Wizards were going to be a very good team this year. I thought the return of Gilbert Arenas was going to make the Wizards a top five team in the East. It is still very early, but these Wizards have made all of my predictions look entirely foolish. I know Antawn Jamison is injured, but my goodness, this team looks a lot like the 19-win team from a year ago. Get it together, Washington!


26. Golden State Warriors (LWR: 19)/Record: 2-5

I am a diehard Warriors fan who lives and dies with every dribble, so you can imagine my dismay at the disturbing amount of dysfunction surrouding this team. As if the Stephen Jackson trade rumors weren't enough of a distraction, Monta Ellis and Don Nelson got into a verbal spat yesterday after practice. More fun in Warriorland.


27. Minnesota Timberwolves (LWR: 25)/Record: 1-8

The one bright spot in the Warriors week? Their 41-point shellacking of the T'Wolves. Kurt Rambis' T'Wolves are high on talent, but woefully short on savvy and experience. Expect this team to go through immense growing pains this season.


28. New York Knicks (LWR: 27)/Record: 1-8

Wow. That's all I have to say. I know the idea of playing in New York is incredibly tempting, but you're telling me that LeBron is going to want to play on a team like this? I really do hope the Knicks start playing better. But right now, there is no denying it: This team is god-awful.


29. Memphis Grizzlies (LWR: 29)/Record: 1-8

The Grizzlies are just the latest team to be scarred by the selfish antics of Allen Iverson. In my opinion, Lionel Hollins' team would be better off if A.I. does not return. It's time to let Mike Conley and O.J. Mayo continue to learn the ropes.


30. New Jersey Nets (LWR: 30)/Record: 0-8

Actually, the Nets are playing with inspired effort, as evidenced by their admirable effort against the Celtics last week. But 0-8 is 0-8. Until they win a game, the Nets will reside in last place in these power rankings.

NBA Power Rankings

Welcome to the inaugural edition of my weekly NBA Power Rankings. Every Friday I will rank each and every team in the National Basketball Association, in order from best to worst. Alright, enough with the formalities. Let's get this party started:



1. Boston Celtics (6-0)



Is there any debate? The Celtics have looked astonishingly good through their first six games. Pierce, Garnett, and Allen are better than ever, and Rajon Rondo is blossoming into an elite point guard who can fill the stat sheet in nearly every category. Rasheed Wallace has been a perfect fit in Doc Rivers' system, and Marquis Daniels has provided a nice spark off the bench. Not to mention guys like Eddie House and Glen Davis, who are immensely valuable players off the bench.



2. Denver Nuggets (5-0)



We all knew Carmelo Anthony was good, but this is getting a little ridiculous. Melo has been absolutely sensational thus far, and he looks like he will be sorely disappointed with anything short of a championship. In addition to Melo, Chauncey Billups, Nene, and Kenyon Martin have all gotten off to fast starts. When J.R. Smith returns, George Karl will have another explosive scorer. And let's not forget rookie Ty Lawson, a star in the making who has Usain Bolt-like speed.



3. Orlando Magic (4-1)



Rashard Lewis is in the midst of his 10-game suspension, and Vince Carter is out with a left ankle injury. Oh yeah, and the Magic no longer have Hedo Turkoglu, their go-to playmaker from last season. But a week-and-a-half into the season, the Magic are showing absolutely no signs of decay. Stan Van Gundy's team is playing terrific basketball right now. Jameer Nelson has had a seamless return back into the starting lineup after an injury-riddled 2008-2009 season, Dwight Howard remains the most dominating big man in the game, and J.J. Redick is proving himself to be a legitimate scoring threat in this league. With Matt Barnes and Brandon Bass, Orlando also has a very deep bench that will serve them well come playoff time.



4. Phoenix Suns (4-1)



Prior to the start of the season, I predicted that the Suns would struggle and suffer from an identity crisis. So far at least, my predictions have been thoroughly wrong. After spending the last couple of years on the decline, Steve Nash has looked rejuvenated this season. Nash is averaging 10.8 assists per game, and his superb play has marked a return for Phoenix back to their high-octane ways. I still don't trust Channing Frye at the starting center position, but with the explosive athleticism of Jason Richardson and Amare Stoudamire in the starting lineup, the Suns have had more than enough talent to suffice for the weakness at the center position.



5. Los Angeles Lakers (4-1)



The defending champs are 4-1, and they have been playing without the injured Pau Gasol. So how can I have four teams ahead of them in the power rankings? Well, it's because Phil Jackson's team has looked disturbingly sluggish at times . In the season opener against the Clippers, the Lakers exerted little effort in the second half, nearly blowing a twenty point lead. And at home against the Mavericks, the Lakers got torched. L.A showed tremendous poise in gritty road wins at Oklahoma City and Houston, but I need to see a little more energy from this team before they crack the top three of my power rankings.



6. Atlanta Hawks (4-1)



The Hawks are completely overlooked, lost in the shadow of the Celtics, Magic, and Cavs in the East. But ladies and gentlemen, this is a fantastic team. The Hawks have some of the best athletes in the game with Josh Smith, Marvin Williams, Jamal Crawford, Joe Johnson, and Al Horford. Mike Bibby, meanwhile, has revived his career in Atlanta. I also want to recognize Zaza Pechulia, one of the most infectiously tenacious players in the league. The Hawks have been playoff darlings the last couple of years, but this season they may be able to make a deep run in the playoffs.



7. Miami Heat (4-1)



All is well right now in South Beach, as the suprising Heat are off to a great start. However, there is cause for concern. Dwayne Wade is averaging 32 points a game, and he has been the sole reason for the Heat's fast start. As spectacular as D-Wade is, though, other guys need to step up if Miami wants to continue to play winning basketball. Quentin Richardson has played well, but Jermaine O'Neal and Mario Chalmers have to be more consistent.



8. Dallas Mavericks (3-2)



They have only played five games, but the Mavs' season has already been a wild roller-coaster ride. After appearing listless in a home loss to Washington in the season opener, the Mavs flew to Los Angeles and dominated the Lakers at the Staples Center. After Dirk Nowitzki brilliantly led the Mavs to a come-from-behind victory against the Jazz with 29 points in the fourth quarter, the team failed to build any momentum, loisng the very next night to a struggling Hornets team. Eventually, I think the Dallas Mavericks will be in the upper echelon of the Western Conference, especially if Shawn Marion is a big factor. But Rick Carlisle's team has been a little too Jeckyl and Hyde to start the season.



9. Houston Rockets (3-2)



With Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady injured on the sidelines, and with Ron Artest now a member of the Lakers, all signs pointed to disaster for these Houston Rockets. But this feisty group has defied expectations so far this season, and that is a testament to the brilliance of head coach Rick Adelman. The Rockets have some serious talent (Shane Battier, Aaron Brooks, Luis Scola, Trevor Ariza), but if Rick Adelman somehow finds a way to lead this team to the playoffs, he should win a Nobel Piece Prize.



10. Cleveland Cavaliers (3-3)



I picked the Cavs to win the East, and they are still a definite title contender. But my goodness, these Cavs have looked completely out-of-sync to start the year. Mike Brown doesn't seem to know how to utilize Shaquille O'Neal, and his presence has made for some awkward offensive sets. The Cavs other big offensive aquistion, Anthony Parker, has not yet played up to his potential. King James is King James, but he can't do it alone. There is, however, one positive, and that is the return of Delonte West. West has brought some much-needed energy to this team, and the Cavs better hope that that energy translates to wins. (As of this writing, the Cavs are destroying the Knicks in the second quarter behind yet another brilliant performance by LeBron at Madison Square Garden. Perhaps the Cavs have re-gained their swagger).

11. Chicago Bulls (3-2)

Technically, the Bulls should be ranked ahead of the Cavs after their impressive road win at Cleveland last night. But I still need to see more from this young team before I declare them better than Cleveland. Nonetheless, Vinny Del Negro's Bulls have looked good thus far. Derrick Rose looks more confident and assertive in his second year, as has John Salmons. And there may be no player more fun to watch than the endlessly spunky and agressive Joakim Noah. The Bulls, however, will have to make do for the next four to six weeks without the athleticism of Tyrus Thomas, who broke his left arm in a weight training accident today.

12. San Antonio Spurs (2-2)

Obviously, I expect the Spurs to rise to the top of these power rankings as the season progresses. Gregg Popovich's teams are notorious for their slow starts, and this year is no different. After a near-perfect season opener against the Hornets, the Spurs have looked awfully rusty, and that rust was evident in their blowout loss to the Jazz last night. But don't worry Spurs fans, your team will be just fine. Player to watch: DeJuan Blair. The rookie has the potential to be a great player in this league, and his NBA career is off to a stellar start.

13. Philadelphia 76ers (2-2)

That 32-point embarassment against the Celtics notwithstanding, Eddie Jordan's Sixers have looked pretty good. We saw flashes of how good this team can be last week when they scored 141 points against the Knicks. Granted, it was against the Knicks, but it was still an extremely impressive display of offense from Andre Iguodala, Elton Brand, Thaddeus Young, and Samuel Dalembert.

14. Oklahoma City Thunder (2-2)

This team is bound to experience some growing pains, but they will never stop being exciting. The trio of Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, and Russell Westbrook has shown why this Thunder team is expected to be a prominent player in the West in the years to come. Even in a tough overtime loss to the Lakers, the Thunder played well and provided some hope to their loyal fans in Oklahoma City.

15. Portland Trail Blazers (2-3)

Some were anointing the Blazers championship contenders before the season began, but reality has now set in for Nate McMillan's team. The Blazers are a good team, and with Brandon Roy and Rudy Fernandez they will be competitive in every game. But there is far too much uncertainty on this team. Nate McMillan needs to make a decision at point guard. Who will it be, Andre Miller or Steve Blake? And at center, it is time to give Joel Pryzbilla the majority of playing time. It pains me to say this, because he seems like a nice guy, but Greg Oden has been a complete flop. Sadly, I don't see much of a future in the NBA for Oden.

16. Utah Jazz (2-3)

That was a statement victory for Deron Williams and company last night at home against the Spurs. Carlos Boozer finally played with spirit and motivation, and Wesley Matthews had a coming out party in the national spotlight. All good news for Jerry Sloan. But the Jazz will never, ever be a top-tier team unless they drastically improve their performance on the road. Utah has struggled mightily away from Salt Lake City, and their utter fourth quarter collapse in Dallas on Tuesday night was indicative of their road woes.

17. Toronto Raptors (2-2)

When everything is rolling, the Raptors can be fun to watch, as evidenced by their season-opening win against LeBron and the Cavs. But there is an odd sense of inevitability hovering around Toronto. It is only a matter of time before Chris Bosh departs, a move that will leave the Raptors in shambles. For now, they better hope that Jose Calderon and Hedo Turkoglu find a way to convince Bosh that Toronto has title aspirations in the future. I just don't see that happening.

18. New Orleans Hornets (2-3)

Byron Scott's team has taken a major step back this season. Chris Paul continues to amaze, but the Hornets will be in a difficult fight to make the playoffs this season. David West needs to step up his game. He was awesome in 2007, but West has since been inconsistent. CP3 needs West to be a reliable wingman, or the Hornets will be in for a long season.

19. Golden State Warriors (1-2)

My beloved Warriors got off to a horrible start, but played well in a win against the Grizzlies. Now is the perfect opportunity for the W's to make their move, with their next couple of games against lottery opponents. I like what I see from Stephen Curry, as the rookie guard has developed a nice rapport with Monta Ellis. Still, I'm slightly worried with Don Nelson's handling of Anthony Randolph. Nellie has placed Randolph behind Mikki Moore on the depth chart, and that is not the right move. Randolph is indeed a raw talent, but Nellie needs to have more faith in him.

20. Charlotte Bobcats (3-2)

The future is most definitely not now for Larry Brown's Bobcats, but in Friday night's 103-83 win over the Hawks, the Bobcats showed great promise. With guys like Gerald Wallace, Raja Bell, and Boris Diaw, the Bobcats will keep fans intrigued.

21. Washington Wizards (2-3)

I expect the Wizards to make a huge rise in these power rankings in next week's edition, but Flip Saunders' team has not looked good after their impressive season-opener in Dallas. This team misses Antawn Jamison, but they are better than they have showed. C'mon Gilbert Arenas, Mike Miller, and company, it's time to step up your game!

22. Milwaukee Bucks (1-2)

It goes without saying that the Bucks are in for a long year, so I'll stick with the positives. Brandon Jennings has been sensational for Milwaukee, taking some of the weight off of Michael Redd's shoulders. Jennings is a big-time playmaker who has gone a long way in rebuilding his once-tarnished reputation.

23. Detroit Pistons (2-3)

The good news? Ben Gordon has been everything the Pistons had hoped he would be. The bad news? This is a team completely devoid of cohesion and chemistry. Oh how the mighty have fallen.

24. Indiana Pacers (1-3)

Other than Danny Granger, who can the Pacers turn to for big plays? Troy Murphy? Perhaps. Dahntay Jones? Nah. Mike Dunleavy? Hell no!

25. Minnesota Timberwolves (1-4)

The young duo of Jonny Flynn and Corey Brewer have provided hope in an otherwise dismal start to the season. It was especially fun to watch Flynn go head-to-head with Steve Nash last week in Phoenix. Flynn was undoubtedly the student and Nash was the teacher, but Flynn showed why he will be a great point guard in the NBA for years to come.

26. Los Angeles Clippers (1-4)

Baron Davis is in great shape, and Chris Kaman continues to play better than we'd expect from a guy who looks like a 40-year old overweight couch potato. Other than that, there is not much to be happy about.

27. New York Knicks (1-4)

Can somebody tell me why I picked the Knicks to make the playoffs? I don't remember drinking any alcohol, but that seems to be the only logical explanation of that prediction.

28. Sacramento Kings (1-4)

Now that Kevin Martin is out for two months with an injured wrist and Andres Nocioni has been arrested on suspicion of drunk driving, the Kings have gone from bad to worse. There is no way that this young and inexperienced team will be able to compete in the face of such overwhelming distractions.

29. Memphis Grizzlies (1-4)

It took one game for Allen Iverson to prove once again why he is a selfish jerk, complaining about coming off the bench. There is no getting around it, folks: The Grizz are a freak show.

30. New Jersey Nets (0-5)

The Nets put up one of the most humiliating offensive performances in recent memory against the Bobcats this week. At this point, Devin Harris has to be longing for the days he played in Dallas.