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NBA Power Rankings: Week 1

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The new, shortened NBA season kicked off on Christmas Day and the first week was filled with a bevy surprises. From the Mavericks’ slow start to the Heat’s fast-paced switch up from the 2011 season, this past week has reminded fans what made them miss the NBA so much and in doing so has created a different look at the Power Rankings to begin the 2012 season.

1. Miami Heat (4-0)

The Heat kicked off their season with back to back blowouts against two quality opponents in the Mavericks and the Celtics. The new fast paced run and gun offense is blowing teams out the water and relying on Dwayne Wade instead of LeBron James for back to back buzzer beaters has payed off in their new 4th quarter success.

2. Oklahoma City (5-0)

The condensed season should benefit the young, fast paced Thunder who look to finally make their pursuit for the championship this year. The combination of Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant makes for one of the best duos in the league. The consistent offensive production from Durant who is 3rd in the league in scoring (27.4). And he currently has the highlight of the year so far with his deep fadaway three point buzzer beater to beat the Mavs.

3. San Antonio Spurs (3-1)

Many forget that the Spurs lead the league with the best record last year. The consistent play from San Antonio’s veteran Big 3, as well as the role production from big man DeJuan Blair and newly acquired T.J. Ford, has the Spurs chasing the top seed in the Western Conference and looking to make one final Championship push until the Big 3 is broken up.

4. Orlando Magic (3-1)

If the Magic keep playing the way they do, then talk about Dwight Howard leaving the team for free agency at the end of the year could diminish. With the focus around the Dwight Howard Saga, the Magic have blocked any talk of him leaving out and are looking to chase one of the top spots in the Eastern Conference with Howard still on their roster.

5. Chicago Bulls (3-1)

With all the talk of LeBron James and the Miami Heat, people need to remember that the leading MVP Derrick Rose still has something to say. Rose started off the season in an exciting fashion has he nailed a floating buzzer beater to lead the Bulls to victory on Christmas Day against the Lakers. Is this the year the Bulls finally take the next step and make the Finals?

6. Atlanta Hawks (3-1)

With the signing of seasoned vet Tracy McGrady and the loss of Jamal Crawford, the Hawks still seem to remain where they always are. Every year the Hawks are consistently good but never seem to make it far in the playoffs. This year seems no different as the Hawks have no new acquistions that take them over the top.

7. Portland Trail Blazers (3-0)

Lamarcus Aldridge is slowly becoming one of the most effiecient big men in the league. His production last year was good enough that he could have made the All Star team and he is continuing that success in his pursuit to lead the Trail Blazers into the playoffs this year on his back. The addition of Gerald Wallace has also proved helpful for the Blazers.

8. Los Angeles Lakers (3-2)

Kobe Bryant and the new look Lakers started off the year with back to back to back games and worst of all Braynt had to do it with a sprained wrist. They also did it without the services of Andrew Bynum whow as suspended for the first 4 games. He came back in a large fashion however dropping 29 points in the Lakers latest game. Kobe will rely on Bynum’s presence if he wants to make a serious run to the Championship.

9. New York Knicks (2-2)

If I were the Knicks I would not be too happy with the way the season started. Sure they started off the season on Christmas Day with a victory against the Celtics who was missing their star player Paul Pierce. If they want to be considered a serious threat they must win more consistantly and more efficiently. The addition of Baron Davis who will be able to play in a couple of months should be helpful in the Knicks pursuit of becoming an elite team as well as the addition of Tyson Chandler.

10. Indiana Pacers (3-1)

Is this a fluke or are the Indiana Pacers going to be the surprise team of 2012? Led by all around player Danny Granger, the Pacers are off to a hot start and look to surpise some teams in the East. Granger is balanced out with the strong and consistant play from the new addition of big man David West who bursted on the scene in Indiana. The two are complemented by strong point guard play from Darren Collison, who looks to “pace” this offense into the playoffs.

11. New Orleans Hornets (2-1)

The Chris Paul-less Hornets are off to a start better than what people expected. In trading Paul, the Hornets received a bunch of good players who add depth to the Hornets. They are doing this while also waiting for the emergence of new star Eric Gordon who is waiting to come back from a knee injury.

12. Houston Rockets (2-2)

The Yao Ming Dynasty ended in Houston and with Ming gone, the emergence of big man Luis Scola seems to be what the Rockets are relying on. The Rockets have many skilled players including point guard Kyle Lowry who looks to make a big step in his career this year as he is leading the league in assists per game (11.5). The Rockets also have many players who can score the only thing that they are lacking is depth.

13. Philadelphia 76ers (2-2)

The 76ers did not add any big name acquistions this off season, but they look for the development of their young players to help their success. After they made the playoffs last year, Philly only hoped that their young but talented team would continue to develop. This has proven to work as Andre Igoudala has found a sidekick in Louis Williams.

14. Milwakuee Bucks (2-1)

The Bucks are relying on the usual names to help lead them to the playoffs. Brandon Jennings leads the way for this team as Andrew Bogut also gives the Bucks a solid big man. These two along with the acquisition of Stephen Jackson and Beno Udrih could have the Bucks seeing playoffs.

15. Denver Nuggets (2-2)

This is the first full season that will not have Carmelo Anthony in a Nuggets uniform. As many teams are taking the approach of adding many superstars to their teams, the Nuggets have taken another one, adding a whole lot of good players. With the likes of Ty Lawson, Nene and Danilio Gallinari, the Nuggets look to be more successful without Anthony as they were with.

16. Golden State Warriors (2-2)

In Mark Jackson’s first season as head coach, he looks to blend the scoring prowess of Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry to win games. While it seems that both are shooting guards, Curry has transformed into a point guard giving the Warriors one of the most dangerous backcourts in the league. The only problem is getting the rest of the team involved and bring back the playoff intensity that the team exhibited only a couple of years ago.

17. Los Angeles Clippers (1-2)

No one expected the Clippers to start off the first week with a losing record, but that’s where they stand now as they try to form the chemistry to win games. I think the first step is finding a real shooting guard instead of forcing Chauncey Billups to play it. Maybe trading Mo Will for a good shooting guard could be in the mix? I’m sure the playoffs are in the future for Clippers regardless.

18. Memphis Grizzlies (1-2)

After the run the Grizzlies made at the end of the year last year without Rudy Gay, many felt like having him back would put them in the top spots in the Western Conference. It is still early as they have started off one game under .500 but once they get going I think they could be a dark horse in the playoffs and surprise a lot of teams.

19. Boston Celtics (1-3)

The new additions of Keyon Dooling and Brandon Bass have been successful so far but it is no surprise that the Celtics are at this point with Pierce sitting out the first 3 games. Their offense and defense both looked terrible for Pierce but with a week against the Wizards (twice), Pistons and the Pacers, and the return of Pierce, the Celtics should be back on track in no time. Their main focus is to just get to the playoffs with no serious injuries.

20. Dallas Mavericks (1-3)

The defending Champions are looking anything like that as they entered the 2012 season. The addition of Lamar Odom has proven alright for the Mavs but what can really be seen is the loss of defensive presence Tyson Chandler. Which makes everyone question what the Mavs were thinking when they gave him up. They will rely on Dirk now more than ever if they look to repeat as champions.

21. Charlotte Bobcats (1-2)

The Bobcats this year look to rebuild along budding superstar Kemba Walker. Owner Michael Jordan gave up the teams two best players in Stephen Jackson and Gerald Wallace. They look to take Walker’s winning ways and develop that into the franchise. But current point guard D.J. Augustin isin’t ready to give up his starting job yet as he is having the best year of his career so far. Gerald Wallace seems to be developing in his own as well as the young team came one buzzer beater away from handing the Heat their first loss.

22. Toranto Raptors (1-2)

The Raptors seem to be a team that has stayed in the same position for the past couple years. Demar Derozen is turning himself into a star and 2nd year player Ed Davis is slowly developing but besides that there seems to be no hope for the Canadian team who seems to be well on their way to a lottery pick.

23. Sacramento Kings (1-3)

The Kings have all the right tools in their young players, they are just sitting back and waiting for them to develop. Tyreke Evans is budding superstar. Demarcus Cousins looks to become one of the best big men in the game and rooke Jimmer Fredette looks to continue his scoring prowess in the NBA. It will be a couple of years until these players develop but when they do look out for the emerging Kings.

24. Phoenix Suns (1-3)

The reign of Steve Nash and the Suns seem to be diminishing at such a rapid race. As Nash’s career is winding down, he is still looking to get his first NBA Champisonship but he will not do so if he stays as a member of the Suns. Once Nash is out, the Suns look to rebuil completely and begin their franchise around a new superstar.

25. Utah Jazz (1-3)

When the Utah Jazz traded away Deron Williams and Jerry Sloan resigned, they knew it was the beginning of a new era. Now led by Devin Harris and Derrick Favors the Jazz look to build around these two but they must slowly wait as they look to get a lottery draft pick after this year.

26. Cleveland Cavaliers (1-2)

When the Cavs drafted Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson, they knew they would have to wait to see the team restored to where they once were with LeBron James. They definitely have no shot this year and they too are in the running for a high lottery draft pick.

27. New Jersey Nets (1-3)

Everything about the Nets is changing. At the end of the year they are moving to Brooklyn and they now have a new superstar for them. Deron Williams is doing what he always does in leading the Nets but the emergence of the play of Kris Humphries has helped Williams. The only thing the two have to look forward to at the end of the year, however is to see if Dwight Howard signs with them in the offseason.

28. Detroit Pistons (1-3)

The Pistons drafted Brandon Knight, a point guard and a position that did not need help right away on their roster. I personally think they need to clear out everyone except Ben Gordon and Knight and build around the two. This team has too many holes to fix and it seems as though they are never improving.

29. Washington Wizards (0-3)

I am not going to lie to you I like this team a lot. John Wall is a budding superstar and could potentially be a top 3 point guard in the league. They have a scoring shooting guard in Nick Young and they have valuable role players the only problem is that they are young. Once they get it together however they are going to be a fun team to watch.

30. Minnesota Timberwolves (0-3)

The only thing the Timberwolves have to look forward to is Derrick Williams and Ricky Rubio. The two seem to developing well together and look to add in Wesley Johnson to the mix. As long as they build around these three potential All Stars, the Timberwolves are heading in the right direction.

 


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