NBA POWER RANKINGS - WEEK 2

For the 2009-10 season, we here at Docksquad Sports will be doing a weekly power rankings in collaboration with our friends over at Cavalier Attitude.

We'll give you our take on all 30 teams in the NBA, and we will rank them every Wednesday as decided by our very own NBA committee.

The committee consists of myself (Vik Chokshi), Suman Vellanki (also from DSS), as well as Amar Panchmatia and Rahul Phanindra from Cavalier Attitude. Teams will be ranked for their performance through last Sunday, and the previous week's ranking will be listed after these initial rankings.

TIP-OFF:

1. (10) Phoenix Suns (6-1)

• Are they the best team in the league? Probably not, but they are playing better than anyone right now. Wins at Boston and at Miami in the same week clinches them the top spot, and Steve Nash is back in MVP form. Tougher schedule than the Lakers thus far. (SV)

2. (2) Boston Celtics (7-1)

• Loss to Suns wouldn't have been that alarming had Phoenix not dropped 110 on their "vaunted" defense. Otherwise, they've enjoyed good health so far (knock on wood) and are looking almost exactly like the 07-08 team that roared out to a dominant start and never looked back. (AP)

3. (1) Los Angeles Lakers (6-1)

• Despite injuries to Gasol and Bynum, this squad is 6-1. Three words why... KOBE DOING WORK! Kobe leads the league in scoring right now, but he is having to do too much, too early in the season. Hopefully they get everyone healthy again, so Kobe doesn't wear out by the playoffs. (VC)

4. (6) Miami Heat (5-1)

• The people of Wade County have a reason to be excited about El Heat. A nice early season win against the Nuggets on the resume, with the sole loss coming against Los Suns calientes. Very impressive with the +7.8 differential and seven players with 9+ points per game. (RP)

5. (3) Orlando Magic (5-2)

• Tough week for the Magic, including a blowout loss to the Thunder. But they are dealing with injuries to key players including Vince. Rashard Lewis is coming back next week, and when he does they will be deeper than any team in the league. Pause. (SV)

6. (8) Atlanta Hawks (5-2)

• Instead of fizzing out after last year's breakthrough season, the Hawks are taking the next step in their transformation as a legitimate threat. Atlanta went into Portland and dropped a legitimate Blazers club in their own building, which is never an easy task on a West Coast swing. Jamal Crawford has fit the team like a glove as the Sixth Man, and that depth is a big reason why the ATL is looking better than last year's 47-win crew. (AP)

7. (5) Dallas Mavericks (4-2)

• Is this Mavs defense for real? I've watched them play, and this team looks a lot better defensively then it has in years past. Dirk is boc (balling on cats) like he always does, but if they want to advance in the playoffs, they will need to get tougher and play defense. The real question will be if they can keep this D up all year long. (VC)

8. (4) Denver Nuggets (5-2)

• My main man 'Melo and company must have hit the club too hard in South Beach on Thursday Night. That's the only explanation for getting swept in the back-to-back over the weekend. No worries, they will be back. (RP)

9. (17) Chicago Bulls (4-2)

• Losing Tyrus Thomas hurts, but it also opens the door for Taj Gibson and James Johnson. Derrick Rose is recovering from his ankle sprain, but you couldn't tell anything was wrong while he was twerking Mo Williams on national TV. Joakim Noah is playing admirably against the league's top big men. (SV)

10. (7) Cleveland Cavaliers (4-3)

• To be fair, the Cavs were just a game better at this point last year, starting 5-2 after a 1-2 start. But this feels a little different, doesn't it? You're not used to seeing them lose at home, and although the Celtics loss was kind of excusable, the Chicago loss was not. They're far from the heavyweights that we expected, but it's only November. (AP)

11. (13) Portland Trail Blazers (4-3)

• This team has a ton of talent, but if they want to contend come playoff time, they need to get a lot tougher. They also need more consistency from their core guys, most notably Greg Oden. Also, I still don't think this Andre Miller experiment is going to work out in the long run, but let's see how it goes. (VC)

12. (16) Houston Rockets (4-2)

• So why did everybody doubt these guys before the season started? Isn't it the same team that gave the Lakers all they could handle (insert Ariza for Artest)? It will be interesting to see the expansion of Ariza's game, given the upgrade in number of shots he will see. (RP)

13. (15) Milwaukee Bucks (3-2)

• With Blake Griffin out for at least the first 6 weeks, Brandon Jennings has vaulted into the top spot of the rookie standings. Andrew Bogut is turning heads with his strong inside play, and the Bucks are doing this without Michael Redd. (SV)

14. (27) Sacramento Kings (3-4)

• Count me as one of those who doubted how much of an impact Tyreke Evans would make as a rookie. But after an 0-3 start, Evans has elevated what could arguably be labeled the NBA's least talented roster to three wins in their last four games, including a barnburner at Utah where he put up 32 points and seven assists while getting to the stripe 19 times. If you're going to say that Evans will at least keep Sacto in the hunt for the 8th and final playoff spot out West -- at least longer than anyone thinks -- then I'm not going to be one to argue anymore. (AP)

15. (14) Oklahoma City Thunder (3-3)

• I love watching this team come together and grow up before our eyes. They battled the Lakers to the death, and have been in every game so far. Durant and co. will only get better with time. Watch out in the future. (VC)
  

16. (11) Philadelphia 76ers (3-3)

• Tough to get a grasp on this team. They are still getting nice production out of five starters, but the defense is horrendous, giving up 105+ a game. (RP)

17. (19) Toronto Raptors (3-4)

• Chris Bosh is playing all-star type ball right now, but the Raptors are still struggling to blend together. Losing to the Spurs without Parker and Duncan doesn't look good. Andrea Bargnani is coming alive as a second option, but it seems they are struggling to figure out whether Calderon or Turkoglu should be the main distributor. (SV)

18. (18) Utah Jazz (3-4)

• Spanking the Spurs at Salt Lake looks like an awesome victory to draw from early on in the season -- until you figure in losing at home to Sacramento and blowing a double-digit fourth quarter lead at Dallas. Carlos Boozer seems like he's more about padding his stats in a contract year than helping Jerry Sloan's crew get W's. (AP)

19. (9) San Antonio Spurs (2-3)

• I don't know if the Spurs are cruising and not trying right now, or if they are really just old and slow now. I guess we will find out a little later in the season if they are legit or just pretenders. One thing is for sure, something just doesn't look right with them. GWS. (VC)

20. (23) Los Angeles Clippers (3-4)

• Cold start, followed up by a sweep of three cellar-dwellers last week. As long as they stay afloat, the Clips have an outside shot at the playoffs when Griffin returns. (RP)

21. (20) Charlotte Bobcats (3-3)

• Gerald Wallace hasn't stepped up to be The Man this year as he is only averaging 14.3 ppg. However, the Bobcats are getting points from everywhere as 6 Bobcats are averaging double figures. Big win against Atlanta last week is another building block. (SV)

22. (21) Detroit Pistons (3-4)

• Still appear to have Orlando's number. If only the Cavs could figure out a way to get Dwight Howard out of the game so quickly...but I digress. Ben Wallace also looks rejuvenated right at home as he claims back his position as chairman of the boards (9.6 per game through seven games). (AP)

23. (29) Indiana Pacers (2-3)

• I really see this team turning the corner next year. They got a good young core, and Granger is a stud(nh). They also look like they found a nice young big man in Roy Hibbert. Next year is their year. (VC)

24. (12) Washington Wizards (2-5)

• I have no idea why Wizards management still thinks their core is enough to truly contend. Sure they are short-handed, but I don't really see Jamison and Miller helping that much. They sure could have used a W, after holding an 18-point first half lead at Club Q. (RP)

25. (22) New Orleans Hornets (3-5)

• Chris Paul is getting his averaging more than 26 ppg and 9.8 assists. But there isn't much help. Peja has fallen off the Earth, and other than David West the Hornets aren't getting contributions from many. (SV)

26. (28) Golden State Warriors (2-4)

• Add Stephen Jackson to the list of players who have had beef with Don Nelson at some point during Nellie's career. Sources say that Jackson could be traded within the next week, if not sooner, as the Dubs have pushed down on the accelerator in getting Jax out of town. Still a maddeningly inconsistent bunch with absolutely no regard for defense. (AP)

27. (24) Memphis Grizzlies (1-6)

• Allen Iverson said he went to Memphis to “compete for a championship.” Really? (AP)

28. (26) Minnesota Timberwolves (1-6)

• Not a lot to like from Minnesota thus far. They are getting absolutely crushed with that -13.4 point differential. I expect more than 15 and 6 from the Wolves' all-star caliber big man, Al Jefferson. (RP)

29. (25) New York Knicks (1-7)

• The Knicks are lacking that elite point guard play that makes the D'Antoni offense go. Rookie Toney Douglas played well this week, but the Knicks haven't been able to close a game out yet. One more loss and they tie the record for worst start in franchise history. (SV)

30. (30) New Jersey Nets (0-7)

• One thing that the Nets can say they have that the Knicks don't is young talent. Oh, and a high draft pick next spring that they don't owe anyone, like the Knicks do to Utah. Other than that, the Nets continue to be the other black eye for hoops in the New York metro area as the only team yet to win a game. (AP)

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