Power Rankings (January 20, 2011)

I've been writing Power Rankings for a couple months now just for my own amusement, and I think I've been gifted with the SI Jinx. Every time I write that a team is doing really well and I put them towards the top of my rankings, Dirk Nowitzki or Kevin Garnett gets injured, they lose to the Wizards, or something of similar horror happens. Check back in a couple days to see the carnage that ensues after this week's edition.

I'll just list my top 15. Because honestly, do you care if Minnesota is ahead of Sacramento or not? Didn't think so. Here we go.

15. Los Angeles Clippers (16-25)- The Clippers are rolling of late, going 7-3 in their last 10 games, including huge wins against the Lakers and the Heat, to bring them within 5 of the last playoff spot in the West. It doesn't seem too extraordinarily likely that they will claim it, but Blake Griffin is making a fairly loud case to be considered one of the top 5 players in the entire league...as a rookie. Believe me, I will be writing a LOT more about him.

14. Denver Nuggets (24-17)- Talk about the air up there...the Nuggets are a stunning 19-4 at home this year, including last night's impressive win against Oklahoma City. Too bad this record goes completely down the drain as soon as they succeed in finally trading Carmelo. The annoying thing about all this Melo-drama: bloggers all over the internet are complaining about how much attention he is getting, and how much of our time is being taken up with reports on where he will go. Save your breath, guys. As soon as Melo goes, the speculation on Chris Paul and Dwight Howard begins. I blame you, Lebron.

13. Dallas Mavericks (27-15)- Oh Dallas. I thought you were going to turn things around after that big win against LA! And yet, there you sit...tied for third with two other teams and fading fast. Apparently the loss of your best player zaps your confidence completely, even when he comes back. Who knew?

12. Portland Trail Blazers (24-20)- In the freakishly loaded Western Conference, one of the biggest disappointments is that LaMarcus Aldrige probably won't be rewarded for his excellent season so far, carrying the Trail Blazers to a winning record, despite all their injuries. My bigger disappointment for the All Star Game '11: leaving Monta Ellis off, despite his being third in the league in scoring. Ouch.

11. New York Knicks (22-19)- Any rational human being would agree that, despite Amar'e's excellent offensive season and the Knicks turning things around somewhat, his complete lack of defensive presence has to exclude him from the MVP discussion, right? Am I right? There are two sides to an NBA game, and Amar'e plays one, so he's out...right? Please, someone with an MVP vote, tell me I'm right.

10. Oklahoma City Thunder (27-15)- So. Westbrook and Durant continue to amaze. The Thunder continue to be the unsung darlings of the league. But until Westbrook can avoid having games like Wednesday's game where he plays out of control and frustrated for much of regulation, OKC will remain a fringe contender at best. Give him a year. At least.

9. Atlanta Hawks (28-15)- I'll admit, I was doubtful of the Hawks. You know, because they never show up in the playoffs. And they started off the season streaking against truly bad teams. But beating Miami with Lebron back in the lineup went a long way in convincing me of their legitimacy. Yes, Atlanta, you can look forward to yet another playoff birth, and probably yet another early round exit. Good thing you spent all that money on Joe Johnson.

8. Utah Jazz (27-15)- The Jazz continue their campaign to be a contender! Except then they don't. But they do! Or not. On their good nights, watching Deron Williams run the offense, Al Jefferson post up strong, Paul Millsap stretch the post, and AK-47 bomb away is one of the more rewarding things a basketball fan can see on a nightly basis. On their bad nights, watching D-Will go 1 on 5 makes me shake my head in despair. But hey, if the Jazz suck, at least you can watch their mascot beat the crap out of an opposing fan (the best moment is at 1:15). I leave it to the reader to decide if the fight was staged or not.

7. Orlando Magic (27-15)- After streaking out of the gate with their brand new lineup, the Magic have gone 2-3 in their last five, with one of those wins being a nailbiter in overtime to Philadelphia. Not only that, but GM Otis Smith had some choice words to say about the toughness of the Boston Celtics...after his team had just lost to the Gang Green. Not wise timing, Otis. Then Gilbert Arenas stole the Celtics' and Lakers' nickname for their bench. Sounds like a team with a bit of an identity crisis.

6. New Orleans Hornets (27-16)- Is it possible that New Orleans is just streaky? It certainly seems that way. After starting the year 11-1, hotter than any other team, the Bees went on a troubling 10-15 run, followed up by this current 6 game winning streak, the second longest active streak in the NBA. That's a lot of numbers to say one thing: if this team can get hot in the playoffs, they could conceivably do some damage.

5. Los Angeles Lakers (31-13)- After losses to the Clippers and the struggling Dallas Mavericks, I was hesitant to put LA in my top 5. But since every other contender besides Boston and San Antonio keeps losing to crappy teams even more than the Lakers do, I see no other choice. I've watched the Lakers more than I care to admit, and while they are a good team, and some of their players are undoubtedly very tough, talented veterans, it can't just be me who thinks that this is a team that doesn't seem to enjoy playing together?

4. Miami Heat (30-13)- Miami's recent 4 game losing streak can certainly be partially accounted for by injuries to Chris Bosh and (most notably) Lebron James. But it is disturbing (or, in my case, thrilling) to see how quickly these Heat fold if any of their big 3 go down.

3. Chicago Bulls (29-14)- Chicago continues to impress, and make their case as a title contender THIS year. Big wins recently include grind it out wins against the Celtics and the Pacers in the last two weeks, and in the last week, a thrilling defeat of Miami. And all this without the presence of Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer? That handicap alone is enough to make me overlook two bad losses to the Bobcats in the past week and a half. Also, I'd like to declare my support to Derrick Rose as an MVP candidate this year. More on that soon to come.

2. Boston Celtics (32-9)- I'd love to give the Celtics the nod as the number one team on this list, but their defeat of the first place team comes with the caveat that it was the second day of a back to back for team #1. Still, Boston continues to grind through the year at a 60 win pace despite a myriad of injuries that have held them back so far. Once Boston can boast a fully healthy Kendrick Perkins and Delonte West to compliment their already deep and stacked lineup, this is a team that has already rattled off a 14 game win streak this season. Another isn't out of the question.

1. San Antonio Spurs (36-6(?!!))- Ho hum. Another day, another 7 game winning streak for the Spurs. Don't look now, but the Spurs are on pace for a 70 win season. And tell me something, how much have you heard about the Spurs this season? Does ESPN have a special section on their website called "Final Round: The Spurs"? Do they have columnist after columnist extolling the values of Manu Ginobili? Nope. Not a word. Which, honestly, probably suits the Spurs just fine. Color me terrified of San Antonio.

By the way: tomorrow night, Utah vs. Boston. Tune in to see my power rankings jinx in effect.