We are another week into the NBA season and as always there have been some changes. The biggest story of the week is the return and then injury of Kobe Bryant. Also, the top team of each Conference lost this week, making for an even more dramatic playoff race. So let’s see where each team ranks in this week’s power ranking.
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder finally un-seat the Pacers for the number one spot and they are currently on an eight game win streak.
2. Portland Trail Blazers
The Blazers lost badly to the Timberwolves but are still playing strong and in great position.
3. Indiana Pacers
The Pacers have now lost two in a row including a loss in Miami Wednesday night.
4. San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs continue to amaze me as they seem to be ageless and extremely deep.
5. Miami Heat
The Heat had a big win over their Eastern Conference rival which is only adding to the playoff hype.
6. Los Angeles Clippers
After being blown out by the Nets just over a week ago the Clippers have managed to win 3 straight.
7. Houston Rockets
The Rockets have done a tremendous job on offense but are continuing to struggle defensively.
8. Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks are managing to keep pace in the Western Conference and are looking impressive in the process.
9. Golden State Warriors
The Warriors are just getting Andre Iguodala back from injury and that is a huge boost for them.
10. Phoenix Suns
The Suns continue to surprise as they continue to win games in a very tough conference.
11. Denver Nuggets
The injury to Ty Lawson really hurts this team. They’ll need him to be healthy if they want to compete in the West.
12. Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks manage to hold on to a winning record having won two straight.
13. Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves pulled of a huge victory over a very solid Blazers team.
14. Detroit Pistons
It looks as if the Pistons might finally be figuring things out as they have won 2 in a row.
15. Charlotte Bobcats
The Bobcats have been surprisingly solid this season and they could find themselves in the playoffs.
16. New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans are doing a good job without Anthony Davis and they’ll need to continue to win if they hope to compete when he returns.
17. Boston Celtics
The Celtics are another surprising team this season as they are currently fourth in the East.
18. Washington Wizards
The Wizards are starting to play better and they are moving up the East because of it.
19. Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers might have won their last game but they lost Kobe Bryant for six weeks in the process.
20. Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies have lost five straight and they are desperate for Marc Gasol to return.
21. New York Knicks
The Knicks have gone 5-5 in their last 10 games and that alone is reason to celebrate.
22. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavs are slowing improving and they need to take advantage of a weak Eastern Conference.
23. Brooklyn Nets
The Nets are playing much better with the return of Deron Williams and they should continue to improve.
24. Orlando Magic
The Magic’s hot start has really cooled off as they are now 2-8 in their last ten games.
25. Toronto Raptors
The Raptors are better off long term by trading away Rudy Gay and it’ll be interesting to see if the improve without his presence.
26. Chicago Bulls
The Bulls are really struggling without Derrick Rose and their season outlook is looking bleaker after every game.
27. Sacramento Kings
Rudy Gay has played very well since joining the Kings and he might provide the offensive spark they need.
28. Utah Jazz
The Jazz have managed to turn things around after a terrible start. However, the strong competition will make it difficult for the Jazz to turn things around.
29. Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers have lost seven in a row and they still aren’t last in the power rankings. The 76ers are really struggling with Michael Carter-Williams.
30. Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks are just plain awful. Not much is going right for them and it’s hard to take away anything positive.