NBA POWER RANKINGS

Since it is Friday and we've all got things to do this wknd, and DP has nasty things to eat I will try to keep this brief. Again, sorry for the inconsistency in getting these done. There is a baby coming soon to the Jesus household and it is a loony bin around here. That's neither here nor there. So, here we go.

#1 BOSTON CELTICS - I know, I know...all we do around here is slob the Celtic knob, but you know what? They are fucking legit. People like to write it off, but Doc is right when he says his starting 5 has never lost a playoff series. They murdered LA in that fourth quarter and possibly led to some knee-jerk reactions in LaLa land. Let's just hope Memphis doesn't bend over for them again and give them O.J. Mayo or Zach Randolph for some practice jerseys.

#2 SAN ANTONIO SPURS - As much as I hate on Duncan's all-star nod, I must give them credit. They are killing the league so far this season. As Marc Stein points out, every team who has won 40 games that fast went on to win the title. This season will come down to who is healthy at the end. Mark my words.

#3 MIAMI HEAT - I originally had Chicago here, and they're deserving, but I like the way the Heatles (so lame) are playing lately. When Lebron plays the leading role this team is just about unstoppable. They play great D. I think we overrated Mike Miller's impact on this team though. This team won't win a championship this year, but right now they're top 3.

#4 CHICAGO BULLS - Ever since Boston and Orlando left them in the dust in early December the Bulls are 27-6. Derrick Rose is the best all-around PG in the East. (But I'm still taking Rondo if I'm building a team) They have yet to play any lengthy stretch with a healthy squad. Noah is expected back after all-star break. Look out.

#5 NEW ORLEANS HORNETS - After a hot start followed by a let down stretch, New Orleans is back playing terrific basketball. They play very well at home...20-5. Okafor is out for at least a week, and that will hurt as he's played very well. Good news for playoff hopes - NO plays good teams very well. Having already beaten Boston, San Antonio and Miami this season.

#6 DALLAS MAVERICKS - Had Lakers here until Boston loss and subsequent LA local sports talk meltdown. Dallas continues to play great, winning their last 6, despite missing Caron Butler. Marion has filled in well and Tyson Chandler is giving them great play. Another aging team that needs to be healthy come playoff time.

#7 LOS ANGELES LAKERS - For all that is falling apart and all the rumors milling around in Hollywood, the Lakers still have 34 wins. (Tied for 4th most in league) Maybe trading Bynum while he still has good value isn't a bad idea. I still like this team come playoff time, though I hope that Ron Artest finds his old crazy ways and implodes this team like a suicide bomber.

#8 OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER - This team is really hitting its stride and Kevin Durant is playing at a very high caliber. It is clearly his team again, which is good for OKC. Westbrook is great, but he is clearly a very good number 2 who can play like a number 1 option on a handful of nights. I like Durant's attitude, which is to not let anyone push him around - least of all "fake-tough" Chris Bosh.

#9 ATLANTA HAWKS - I don't like having this team this high, but they do have 31 wins, 6-4 in their last 10. Interestingly enough, everyone likes to talk about Orlando but this team is tied for division lead at 7-2. (MIA) Joe Johnson continues to be a very good player, but I'm afraid that huge contract will be a detriment to this team taking the next step.

#10 ORLANDO MAGIC - Everyone from Charles Barkley to the NBA goons at ESPN is all over this team, especially since their trades that brought in Hedo and Arenas. No one on this team plays D aside from Howard, and he can only do so much. As Kanye likes to say, "too many Urkels on your team, that's why your wins-low." Except, they have 31 wins as well. 10-9 against the West...they'd be middle to bottom of the playoff picture out there.

#11 PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS - The improvement of Aldridge has helped greatly to carry this team while Roy is out. Much like, Johnson, the Roy contract is a head-scratcher especially given his suspect knees. I expect Portland to be there when the post-season starts, but they'll be an early exit. P.S. Anyone seen Patty Mills? Dude looks like a midget out there.

#12 DENVER NUGGETS - If you would have told me in November that 'Melo would ask for a trade, it would be very public and Denver wouldn't be able to move him for anythign sufficient I would have guessed that they'd have close to a losing record. Quite the opposite. At 29-20 Denver is sitting pretty in the West and 'Melo is ballin' outta control with at least 5 30 point games in January. It will be very interesting to see what happens in the next couple weeks.

#13 MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES - Yea. I'm surprised too. They're 24-24. I liked this team as a possible 8 seed headed into the year, and they're in the hunt. They started slow, but have come on lately. Winners of 4 in a row and a great home record, don't be surprised to see them in playoff contention in April. P.S. Zach Randolph also a borderline All-star snub.

#14 PHOENIX SUNS - The Polish Hammer has arrived, and the Suns are looking much better since Gortat and his big nose have picked up more minutes. He's proven much more effective than Robin Lopez despite getting less minutes. Vince Carter, like Grant Hill before him has looked more spry since arriving in the desert. I'm not sure but I think I even saw him get an assist the other night.

#15 UTAH JAZZ - This team is among my biggest disappointments of 2011. I thought they'd be much better this season with Al Jefferson, but it looks like the same ol' Jazz. Pretty good, not great, not a threat to win a title. They are struggling mightily right now, 2-8 in their last 10. It appears that Jefferson and Millsap don't play too well together. Time to label Jefferson as a career loser? Getting close.

#16 NEW YORK KNICKS - Don't look now, Knicks fans, but Philly and Charlotte are nipping at your heels. The Knicks have been struggling to find W's lately and some of that frustration boiled over the other night when Shawne Williams and Marvin Williams had a little go of it near the end of the Knicks loss. Gallinari is my captain of the sneaky-athletic-don't-blink-or-I-will-dunk-on-you team. Good basketball at the garden is good for the NBA though. So I'm pulling for them to stay relevant.

#17 HOUSTON ROCKETS - If you want to see the art of getting to the line at its finest then you need to see Kevin Martin in action. He's leading the league in attempts and has perfected the ability to draw a foul. Louis Scola continues to be one of the more underrated players in the league. His slippery Argentinian low-post game has kept Houston in the hunt for that 8th spot. Picture a 6'10'' Manu Ginobili with post moves.

#18 LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS - Blake Griffin. Blake Griffin. Blake Griffin. This guy's nickname should be Dr. Frankenstein because he woke up the fat corpse of Baron Davis with his energetic play. He is a walking highlight reel and I can't wait for the dunk contest. Should be VC good. Also, the Clippers have won 12 of 16. Yes...the Clippers.

#19 CHARLOTTE BOBCATS - Ever since ol' grumpy Larry Brown left town and Paul Silas took over this team has been playing uptempo and winning more ball games. DJ Augustin has been playing great PG and seems to be thriving in the faster game pace.

#20 PHILADELPHIA 76ers - This team is like the Browns or the Lions of the NFL. They play very hard on a nightly basis, but can't seem to pull out wins. They have the league's worst record in games decided by three points or less. Evan Turner not looking like a top 3 pick thus far.

#21 GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS - Not much to say here. Ellis lost the uphill battle of getting to the All-Star game on a pretty bad team. That being said, they're still fun to watch. Just don't root for them...you'll be let down most nights.

#22 INDIANA PACERS - This is the start of the really bad teams. New coach...not enough of a sample yet to really evaluate. But, hey...they beat Cleveland!

#23 DETROIT PISTONS - As reported on here last week, lots of rumors surrounding Rip Hamilton and even some about Tayshaun Prince. The fact that Ben Wallace plays a lot of minutes for this team and on many nights doesn't score a basket speaks volumes. Time to let Greg Monroe and Austin Daye start eating into those minutes. Also TMac is now PG eligible in my league! WTF?!

#24 MILWAUKEE BUCKS - Jennings is back which is good news. Bad news...they're not much better. Delfino is also back, so they still have time. I'm telling you Scott Skiles needs to go. He's run his course. I do like the ESPN commercial with their mascot though. Good stuff.

#25 NEW JERSEY NETS - Russian Mark Cuban is finding out what it feels like to be a loser. He couldn't land Melo in part because his front office couldn't keep a lid on it. Ultimately, I don't think that was a great move for them unless they could guarantee a long-term deal. I think Avery Johnson has crushed whatever was left of Derrick Favors' self-esteem. Perhaps it is time to give him some minutes and let him feel good about himself heading into next season. This team has a long way to go before they start delivering on all those Russian promises.

#26 SACRAMENTO KINGS - Last week they beat the Lakers and the Hornets, and Cousins has been looking very good of late, though I still contend he is too fat and never really runs the floor hard and only looks interested on one end of the floor. Another disappointing team this year, as I think they have more talent than this record reflects. Another good lottery pick might do this team a world of good.

#27 WASHINGTON WIZARDS - Most telling highlight of the season - McGee chasing ball headed out of bounds that was clearly going to be Wizard's ball with no opposing players in sight...throws it off of Hinrich's leg and results in a turnover. This team needs some more bricks in the Wall. Yet to win a road game this season. Incredible.

#28 MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES - Kevin Love needs to be an All-Star. But you're tired of hearing that. Bad news...this team sucks. Worse news...Ricky Rubio has been stinking up the joint in Euro basketball.

#29 TORONTO RAPTORS - Bryan Colangelo entered Toronto with much fanfare. Since...not much. This team is headed nowhere.

#30 CLEVELAND CAVALIERS - What is with this team? Lebron waxed 'em on their home floor and they packed it in. They started off the season ok. I mean they were never gonna be good, but I didn't expect this. Yet to win 10 games, losers of 22 in a row, I doubt they'll see 15 wins by seasons end. They need about 4 or 5 straight years of high lottery picks, because as far as I know there isn't another Lebron James on the horizon any time soon.

That's all folks. Thanks for reading. God bless the NBA!!!