The Power Rankings: NBA Style

Welcome to the madness. For those of you who haven't been paying attention, this NBA season has been an especially interesting one. The NBA has everything from fights to chants about a Japanese cooking device. Some of the teams once thought of as bad may actually be decent (see: Jazz, Rockets, Raptors). Some of the teams once though to be good may actually be bad (see: Heat, Nets). Some teams once thought to be solid may not even lose 20 games (see: Suns, Mavs). So in my effort to track all this madness, I will attempt to do a weekly power rankings of the NBA. Hibachi.

The Top 10
1. Dallas Mavericks (39-9) 1st Southwest
The Mavs have won 9 of their last 10 and are 25-2 since December 11. In my opinion they have one of the most dynamic and versatile starting 5 in the league. The Mavs should easily coast to a Southwest title because no other team has shown the ability to beat them.
2. Phoenix Suns (37-10) 1st Pacific
The Suns are in the same boat as the Mavs. No other team in the Pacific poses a threat and the Suns should be able to take this division with ease. The tempo they play at suits their personnel perfectly. Steve Nash is making a run at a three-peat for MVP.
3. Utah Jazz (32-17) 1st Northwest
No surprise that the three teams leading their divisions in the West are at the top of the power rankings. The scary thing about the Jazz is that they just keep getting better. They have a wealth of young, talented players that will continue to improve with experience. PF Carlos Boozer is averaging a double-double and should be considered as a MVP contender.
4. Houston Rockets (30-17) 3rd Southwest
With a winning record of 13-7 without Yao, this team could really turn it up when he gets back. Mutombo has stepped up in Yao's absence and should provide size off the bench when he returns. Sixth man Luther Head is improving and is a legit threat to score from the arc.
5. San Antonio Spurs (32-16) 2nd Southwest
You can never count out the Spurs as a contender. With the talent this team has, they could step up at anytime and try to take control of the division. That said, the way the Mavs are playing, the Spurs would have to be near perfect to win the Southwest.
6. Detroit Pistons (28-18) 1st Central
Finally, an Eastern conference team. Lets face it, the Eastern conference is equivalent to the NFC in football and the NL in baseball. They're bad. The Pistons are barely the cream of the crop.
7. Washington Wizards (28-19) 1st Southeast
The injury to Jamison will hurt this team without a doubt. It's time to find out if Arenas can really carry a team. The don't have many challengers in the Southeast. The Magic have the potential and the Heat have the talent but neither team has put anything together.
8. Chicago Bulls (28-21) 2nd Central
With two All-Star snubs on the team, they should have motivation to push for the lead in the central. I no longer consider Ben Gordon a sixth man. He may not start, but he averages 31.8 mpg, more than two of the starters.
9. Los Angeles Lakers (30-19) 2nd Pacific
Phil Jackson is a genius. Besides Kobe, he has a point guard named Smush, a forward who is considered one of the biggest busts of all-time and no depth. This team doesn't have a lot of hope this season, but if Bynum keeps improving and they get Kobe a backcourt mate, watch out.
10. Toronto Raptors (25-23) 1st Atlantic
What?!?!?! An Atlantic team above .500?!?! This is news. The funny part about this is that the Raptors could be better. They have the star in Bosh and they have the depth. What they need to do is play GF Morris Peterson more. He should be starting and playing 35 minutes per game.
The Mediocres
11. Cleveland Cavaliers (27-21) 3rd Central
12. Los Angeles Clippers (24-23) 3rd Pacific
13. Indiana Pacers (26-22) 4th Central
14. Orlando Magic (25-23) 2nd Southeast
15. Miami Heat (23-25) 3rd Southeast
16. Minnesota Timberwolves (22-26) 3rd Northwest
17. New Orleans/OK City Hornets (21-27) 4th Southwest
18. Golden State Warriors (23-26) 4th Pacific
19. New Jersey Nets (22-27) 2nd Atlantic
20. Charlotte Bobcats (18-30) 5th Southeast
21. Denver Nuggets (23-23) 2nd Northwest
22. New York Knicks (21-28) 3rd Atlantic
23. Portland Trailblazers (20-29) 4th Northwest
24. Atlanta Hawks (18-29) 4th Southeast
25. Sacramento Kings (20-26) 5th Pacific
The Oden/Durant Sweepstakes
26. Philadelphia 76ers (16-33) 4th Atlantic
If every team in the Atlantic didn't play each other so much, I can't even comprehend how many losses they would have. But with 3 first rounders in a draft chock full of talent, the future is actually looking bright for Philly.
27. Seattle Supersonics (17-31) 5th Northwest
Seattle has dropped 15 straight road games. I think I found the problem.
28. Milwaukee Bucks (18-30) 5th Central
Michael Redd is back for a team that without him is really, really bad. Really.
29. Memphis Grizzlies (12-36) 5th Southwest
Expect there to be talks about the Grizz moving soon. St. Louis and Las Vegas immediately come to mind.
30. Boston Celtics (12-34) 5th Atlantic
Ummm, I can't even come up with words to express how bad this team is. Wow. And NFL fans thought the Raiders were as close as it gets to a guarenteed win. You have to go back a month to find the Celts last win. And they play more than one game per week.