Power Rankings

Teams under these Power Rankings are being judged when at full capacity (healthy), and judged on where they stand within the league when at full capacity rather than through their current form. So teams that are losing because of injuries will not suffer, and teams who are top squads but lose 7 of 9 will not be downgraded because of it.

Eastern Conference

#1 Boston Celtics

Still the class of the East

The Celtics endured a rough patch to their season shortly after their magnificent wining streak, but they’re still on track as the East’s best team.

#2 Cleveland Cavaliers

They’ve done just about everything they can do to prove their stature this season … but the real tests lie ahead.

If the Cavs can get past Boston and Orlando, they look a mighty proposition for Western Conference teams.

#3 Orlando Magic

Is Orlando the second best or third best team in the East?

I desperately want to see the Orlando Magic play the Cavaliers. I thought they owned the Cavs last season and presented huge matchup problems for Cleveland. Is that still true? Have Cleveland developed their all round game enough to cancel that?

For now I’m going to hold them back in third place because of Cleveland’s established prowess in the postseason.

Orlando are currently playing the best basketball in the league. The next three teams are established powers though, and it’ll be tough for them to climb ahead of them.

#4 Detroit Pistons

Their squad is a mess but they’re still the fourth most talented team in the Conference. The Pistons are no match for the three teams above them.

#5 Atlanta Hawks

The East is crumbling below this fifth seed so the Hawks should be fairly safe in achieving either the fourth or fifth seed for the playoffs, and in doing so they’ll set up a matchup with the Detroit Pistons.

Pay particular attention to Pistons vs Hawks games in the remainder of this season to see which side may have the upper hand. It looks close right now … but there’s a lot of time left.

#6 Washington Wizards

Injures have decimated this franchise and they’re currently the worst team in the East as a result. The playoffs is an unattainable dream.

But talent wise …. they’re impressive. We’re still waiting on news about when Haywood and Arenas will return, but unless that happens soon the Wizards will finish bottom of the East.

#7 Miami Heat

Michael Beasley has been showing signs of life here in January with 16.6ppg and 6.4rpg against 13 and 5 in the first two months of the season. If Beasley can continue progressing in the second half of the season he could be the that extra weapon Miami needs to solidify itself as the East’s sixth seed.

There is another key variable in Miami’s equation and that’s the possible return of Alonzo Mourning, appearantly a decision is forthcoming over the next few weeks. His defense/rebounding/experience would be a major addition to a weak supporting cast in Miami.

Dwyane Wade continues to put up an MVP caliber season.

#8 Milwaukee Bucks

Scott Skiles has done an amazing job in Milwaukee.

The Bucks have the fortitude to hang tough and outlast the middle of the pack Eastern squads because of their fantastic rebounding and defense.

#9 Indiana Pacers

Mike Dunleavy has finally returned to action after missing the first 35 or so games to the season. With his return, Indiana regains their best offensive player and second best player overall. This is a huge addition for the Pacers because without Dunleavy, Marquis Daniels was their second best scorer.

The Pacers depth should become more of an advantage as several players will return to their natural roles with Dunleavy back in the fold.

#10 Toronto Raptors

Bargnani has been dynamite for about a dozen games but the rest of the squad continues to misfire through a series of inconsistent and uneven performances.

The Raptors have more talent than they’ve shown, but they’re not getting as much out of it as they should.

#11 Philadelphia 76ers

I still have a lot of faith in this roster but their management clearly doesn’t and that will be the undoing of this team. I’d be willing to leave them higher if not for that.

Radical changes are on the cards and who knows what this squad looks like following those.

If Phily stick with their plan to start this season, well then they could move back up this rankings fairly quickly.

#12 Charlotte Bobcats

Tough team but not a good team.

They’ve got a lot of team orientated defensive minded veterans … this is a scrappy team that is going to win games by outworking sides.

#13 Chicago Bulls

Lot of talent out there in Chicago but they it doesn’t appear that they have the structure and cohesiveness necessary to maximize it.

That said they’ve played better as of late, but for this power rankings it’s too little too late.

#14 New Jersey Nets

The Nets have played very well so far but they’re a gimmicky ball club that will falter sooner rather than later.

They rely too much on their backcourt’s scoring prowess in order to stay in games.

#15 New York Knicks

The Knicks are the second worst team in the East behind the Wizards but they sure can be fun to watch.

There’s good news on the Gallinari front, which is very exciting.

Western Conference

#1 Los Angeles Lakers

Jeez …. could it be any more comfortable for the Lakers at the top of the West?

#2 Houston Rockets

The Rockets are the one team that I think have enough talent to beat a healthy and in form Lakers team in the playoffs.

The Rockets, however, are still struggling to find their form and the ongoing injury concerns with Tracy McGrady may decide their Championship hopes before a playoff game is ever played.

#3 Portland Trailblazers

This is the final power rankings edition where I’m going to be patient with Portland and allow Greg Oden time to develop. So if there’s no improvement with Greg or defensively by the next quarter, the Blazers will drop and likely drop fast and hard.

Portland are the one team in the West who have enough talent/potential already on their team to grow into a squad who can challenge the Lakers …. but they’re clearly not there now and Oden’s progress has been slower than I expected.

The Blazers are a very good team regardless of the above, but I have higher hopes for them … and those hopes will remain for the time being.

#4 San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs continue to show their immense talent but I can’t get past that supporting cast, I think they’re going to cost them a shot at a title.

That said, the Spurs have enough quality to beat anyone in a playoff series.

#5 New Orleans Hornets

Peja Stojakovic’s and Tyson Chandler’s slow starts are becoming a season long rut. The Hornets playoff chances will fall down by the wayside if these two players don’t get it together.

And for the love of all that is right, would someone please tell Byron Scott to play Julian Wright already.

#6 Utah Jazz

The Jazz still match up too poorly with too many of the teams ahead of them in the West to be considered a legitimate contender.

Beautiful team to watch though … just a few moves away, but those moves aren’t coming.

#7 Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets are a very good squad, just not as good as the team’s ahead of them.

Without a breakout performance from either JR Smith or Linas Kleiza in the second half of the season, I think the Nuggets stretch of playoff disappointments will continue. JR Smith is their best bet.

#8 Phoenix Suns

The Suns looked out of the Western Conference race, but with one big acquisition in Jason Richardson they’re suddenly a team to be reckoned with once again.

Their lack of defense will likely doom them in the first round, but they’ll be an incredibly tough out.

#9 Dallas Mavericks

Somebody has to be out, which one of these top nine teams will it be?On a talent basis, I think the Mavs are bottom of these nine teams.

I think Dallas will find a way to sneak in (other team’s injuries?) because I trust Carlisle to bleed this squad dry of every available morsel of talent he can get out of these players.

The Mavs look like first round fodder should they make the big dance.

#10 Golden State Warriors

Monta Ellis is back … well almost. Monta should provide a jump start and get the Warriors back towards respectability (.400).

#11 Los Angeles Clippers

They were 6-6 when Zach Randolph was starting and got to play a full game. Himself and Camby looked an impressive combination. Meanwhile, the two young wings continue to expand their scoring abilities and provide some quality on the perimeter.

Injuries have hurt the Clippers badly. Their record isn’t an accurate indicator of where this team is …. but even when healthy, they’re no better than the 10th seed and even that is not a certainty.

Oh by the way, the Clippers are 3-24 in games where they don’t have Zach.

#12 Minnesota Timberwolves

Kevin McHale is the right coach at the right time. The respect he carries in that locker room has proven inspirational.

Kevin Love’s play has shown some great signs.

#13 Oklahoma City Thunder

The Thunder have been playing a lot better under new coach Scott Brooks. Kevin Durant has taken his game to new level and Russell Westbrook looks like a stud.

The Thunder’s hard working role players set them apart from the rest of the cellar. That work ethic, competitiveness and rebounding should allow them to peep ahead of their fellow dwellers over the second half of the season.

#14 Sacramento Kings

The coaching change hasn’t paid any dividends despite the return to fitness of star guard Kevin Martin.

#15 Memphis Grizzlies

They’ve been better than I expected entering into the season, but they’ve also tailed off over the past few weeks. It’ll be interesting to see where their season goes from here.

Power Rankings Archive

• Preseason
• First Edition – made at the quarter mark of the NBA season