NBA Power Rankings: Will Any Team Top the Chicago Bulls?

We're now deep into the NBA regular season, and the power rankings continue to shuffle on a weekly basis.

The volatility of some teams has been on display with regularity early in the season, while others have held more firm in their respective positions.

It's going to be very interesting to see what type of adjustments are made as the season continues to move forward. The postseason race is wide open in both the Eastern and Western Conference.

30. Washington Wizards

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Record: 2-14

Washington is a more talented team than they've shown in the initial portion of the season, but the club has to play an improved brand of team basketball in order for that talent to blossom into production.

John Wall is beginning to find his groove, but the complementary pieces around him (i.e. Nick Young, Jordan Crawford) have to improve in the consistency department in order for the Wizards to really hit on all cylinders.

Jan Vesely is a really interesting piece and should see a lot more playing time going forward.

29. Charlotte Bobcats

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Record: 3-14

Kemba Walker, D.J. Augustin and Gerald Henderson are providing some exciting play in the backcourt, but the lack of front-line depth on the roster is going to prevent the Bobcats from having success against teams with size down low.

Unless Charlotte can get more consistent production from the current group, it's going to be extremely difficult for the Bobcats to escape the cellar this season.

28. Detroit Pistons

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Record: 4-13

Brandon Knight and Greg Monroe are legitimate building blocks for the future, but those are the only two good things going on in Detroit for the Pistons right now.

The team is an absolute mess at both ends of the floor, and dead-weight contracts continue to prevent the club from making the necessary moves in order to realistically retool for the future.

27. Toronto Raptors

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Record: 4-13

The Raptors have really struggled offensively with Andrea Bargnani out of the lineup, and DeMar DeRozan can't seem to find his groove as the premier offensive option.

Dwane Casey has the team committed to an improved effort on the defensive end, but early returns indicate that the approach is still a work in progress for everybody involved.

26. Sacramento Kings

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Record: 6-11

Keith Smart is mixing up the rotation and still trying to find the right way to deplore the guys he's got, but there are a lot of guys on this team all looking for their own shot.

DeMarcus Cousins has been a beast under the new head coach, but Tyreke Evans has to do a better of facilitating the flow and attacking the rim in order for the Kings to improve and find sustainable success.

25. Cleveland Cavaliers

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Record: 6-9

Cleveland will experience some ups and downs with rookie Kyrie Irving running the show, but the team has already looked better than at any point during last season's miserable ride.

The Cavs have been struggling of late, and the questionable depth in the second unit is a big reason why it's tough to believe that the future has arrived just yet.

24. New Jersey Nets

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Record: 5-12

Deron Williams and the Nets have been forced to adjust on the fly this season after Brook Lopez went down just prior to the season beginning, and the lack of depth on the roster is alarming.

Rookie MarShon Brooks and Williams have really carried this team offensively, and it'll be very interesting to see what type of team the Nets can be when Lopez returns in February.

23. New Orleans Hornets

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Record: 3-13

Jarrett Jack has done an admirable job stepping up for the Hornets, but he's the lone player currently contributing with any sense of regularity on offense.

New Orleans really misses Eric Gordon (knee) terribly, and the team is going to really struggle to produce enough points to keep up with the opposition for as long as he remains sidelined.

22. Golden State Warriors

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Record: 5-10

Although the Warriors have played in some exciting games, the gaping hole at the center position is just too difficult to ignore.

Stephen Curry's return will obviously mean a lot for this team going forward, but the club has to do something to improve down low and cannot rely on Andris Biedrins, Ekpe Udoh and Earl Barron all season.

21. Milwaukee Bucks

Record: 6-9

Has there been an offseason acquisition who has proven to be a larger disappointment than Stephen Jackson? The new-look Bucks continue to have the same concerns under Coach Scott Skiles at the defensive end of the floor.

There are issues with the makeup of the roster as well as the duplicity at a number of positions, and it's tough to see what type of picture the front office envisions long-term for this group.

20. New York Knicks

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Record: 6-10

Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire are struggling to lead this team on the offensive end, and despite promises to the contrary, the Knicks don't appear to be committed at the defensive end.

The lack of ball movement is downright stunning, and the Knicks have a lot of things to fix before anyone is going to take this team seriously as a contender.

19. Phoenix Suns

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Record: 6-9

Steve Nash is not showing any signs of his age, and he's really playing well for a Suns team that goes as he does on the offensive end.

Unfortunately, Phoenix has been prone to defensive lapses and the lack of production from players outside of Nash and Marcin Gortat have the outlook of this club rather capped.

18. Boston Celtics

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Record: 6-9

After starting the season 0-3, the Celtics have gone 6-6 over the last 12 games in order to bring the record to a more respectable place.

Boston is still not living up to expectations, half of the wins have come against the Wizards and the team is really starting to show some signs of its age against younger opposition.

17. Minnesota Timberwolves

Record: 7-9

There is no question that Ricky Rubio and Kevin Love have people excited about basketball in Minnesota, and it makes a lot of sense considering the Timberwolves have played in a variety of tightly contested games.

As good as each has been, both players have struggled shooting the ball (each under 42 percent from the field), and the team is going to need to find another member of the roster who can provide offense when those two aren't hitting on all cylinders.

16. Houston Rockets

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Record: 9-7

Although the Rockets really boast a talented starting five, there are very real concerns about who can step up in the second unit when there is a pressing need.

Samuel Dalembert has caught fire of late and looks like a major bargain for Houston, but the reserve group along the front line is a less than inspiring bunch and will struggle mightily at times.

15. Memphis Grizzlies

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Record: 9-6

The Grizzlies have fared better without Zach Randolph (torn MCL) in the lineup than many predicted, and it's because other guys on the roster have really stepped up with some big-time play.

The team really benefits from playing at home, as evidenced by the 6-2 record in Memphis, and the road struggles will have to be ironed out in order for the club to gain the momentum it held heading into the regular season this year.

14. Portland Trail Blazers

Record: 9-7

The Trail Blazers are suffering from serious bouts of inconsistency after looking impressive early in the season, and it may be because of some undefined roles when there are a plethora of scoring options on the floor.

Portland is simply too talented and deep not to figure it out for the long haul, but there will be some learning experiences on that path as the chemistry continues to build within the group.

13. Los Angeles Clippers

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Record: 9-5

Blake Griffin and co. have shown why they can be referred to as "lob city," but the team has only played 14 games to date, which is the lowest total in the league.

Of those contests, a whopping 10 of them have been at home, and a favorable schedule early on will create a tough test down the road for an unproven group.

12. Orlando Magic

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Record: 11-4

Dwight Howard is proving just how important his presence is in the Orlando lineup, and to take him out of the mix with this bunch of guys on the floor would leave this Magic team absolutely gutted.

It's not a surprise that GM Otis Smith has been exercising patience in pursuing a potential trade for the big man, but nothing short of winning a championship is likely to appease Howard's desire to win.

11. Utah Jazz

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Record: 10-5

Another team that has benefited tremendously from a favorable early schedule, 10 of the first 15 games for the Jazz have come at the EnergySolutions Arena.

Only 2-3 on the road, the real pressing issue with this club is the backcourt, where there are question marks galore surrounding the productivity of Devin Harris and how the team can address that problem long-term.

10. Los Angeles Lakers

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Record: 10-8

The Lakers have played a ridiculous 18 games, but the alarming trend here is that nine of the 10 victories have come at the Staples Center.

With a 1-6 record on the road, a serious inability to stretch the floor and a second unit that is trying to piece it together on the fly, there are too many questions to ignore and the team has to address them one way or another.

9. San Antonio Spurs

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Record: 10-7

The Spurs have handled the loss of Manu Ginobili (broken hand) fairly well considering how many games they've played in January, and he'll strengthen the team emphatically upon his return.

Despite a few surprise DNP's for Tim Duncan along the way and some contests where the Spurs look like they're over the hill, it is extremely tough to bet against this group in a seven-game series. They're getting production from surprising sources.

8. Dallas Mavericks

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Record: 10-7

Dirk Nowitzki's four-game "rest period" won't include very much relaxation at all, and a sluggish start to the campaign for Dallas that so many were making a big deal of seems to be an issue of the past.

It's not the same roster that won the title last season, but there is enough talent and depth on the roster that nobody should be doubting the Mavericks over the course of the season.

7. Atlanta Hawks

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Record: 12-5

Al Horford's pectoral injury had some fans discouraged about the outlook of the Hawks.

Atlanta is another team that plays much better at home (eight wins) than on the road.

The club will struggle against opposing teams that boast a sizable presence beneath the basket, but the impending return of Kirk Hinrich (shoulder surgery) will improve the depth within the second unit considerably.

6. Indiana Pacers

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Record: 11-4

Some people are still doubting the skill and depth of this Indiana team, but the Pacers are very much for real and will be a thorn in the side of competitors throughout the entire campaign.

Roy Hibbert has emerged as an incredible threat in the low post, the additions of David West and George Hill make this roster much deeper and members of the roster all appear to be on the same page when they're out on the court.

5. Philadelphia 76ers

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Record: 11-5

The success this Sixers team is having at home is very obvious, but it's another story when they take their act on the road this year.

There is no doubt that the club has really improved from where it was last season, but the Sixers will have to have some more success outside of Philadelphia in order to be taken more seriously as a championship contender.

4. Denver Nuggets

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Record: 12-5

Some continue to discount the Nuggets despite the hot start to the season, but George Karl has this talented bunch buying into his philosophy and the contributions come from a variety of spots on a nightly basis.

Danilo Gallinari and Ty Lawson combine for a very formidable one-two punch in Denver and nobody should be questioning this bunch going forward.

3. Miami Heat

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Record: 11-5

LeBron James might be producing better results in the box score without Dwyane Wade on the court, but by no means is Miami a better team without its starting shooting guard on the floor.

There have been a few hiccups after a piping-hot start to the season, but when everybody gets healthy for this team, it's going to be extraordinarily tough to beat them.

2. Oklahoma City Thunder

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Record: 13-3

Doubters of a youthful Oklahoma City team should now be able to see why so many were choosing them to represent the Western Conference in the NBA Finals this season.

Very impressively, this team has found success both at home and on the road, and it wouldn't be surprising to see the team easily eclipse 50 wins in a 66-game campaign.

1. Chicago Bulls

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Record: 15-3

Chicago is being extremely cautious with Derrick Rose's (toe) recovery, but that's for good reason in a shortened season as the reigning MVP is vital to anything the Bulls will do this season.

If Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah can be consistently relied upon for production at the offensive end, the Bulls will be a really tough opponent for even the most talented teams in the league.