NBA Power Rankings: Week One

With the first week of the NBA season now in the books, it's time to take my weekly look at the league. I ranked the defending champion Boston Celtics number one in my preseason power rankings , but will they be able to stay there? A number of still-undefeated teams might have something to say about that.

1. Los Angeles Lakers (3-0) - The Lakers' first week went about as well as anyone could have asked for. Just ask the newly re-signed Andrew Bynum if you don't believe me.

2. New Orleans Hornets (3-0) - Chris Paul already appears to be in midseason form, carrying the banged-up Hornets to wins over Phoenix and Cleveland last week.

3. Boston Celtics (2-1) - The C's looked like champions against the Cavs and Bulls, but I have to drop them after they got burned in Indiana.

4. Houston Rockets (3-0) - Two of their three wins came against a couple of cream puffs, but Houston could be better than advertised if McGrady gets healthy. Boston is up next.

5. Detroit Pistons (2-0) - Who'd have thought "The Herrmannator" would be the one to get the Pistons to 2-0? Detroit's bench is excellent.

6. Toronto Raptors (3-0) - The Raptors' season-opening road win over the 76ers surprised me, but Jose Calderon's early season dominance hasn't.

7. Utah Jazz (2-0) - Utah didn't need Deron Williams to pick up a pair of home wins over the Nuggets and Clippers. 

8. Phoenix Suns (2-1) - Amare sure does look dominant early, but I'll need to see more consistency from the Suns' bench before I anoint them as serious contenders.

9. Atlanta Hawks (2-0) - Joe Johnson gets my vote for player of the week after leading the Hawks to wins over the Eastern contenders Orlando and Philadelphia.

10. Chicago Bulls (2-1) - The Bulls (and Rose) looked good against a couple of bad teams, but the blowout at the hands of the Celtics showed they have more to learn.

11. Cleveland Cavaliers (1-2) - Cleveland had a tough opening week with road losses in Boston and New Orleans, but LeBron still has yet to truly get going.

12. Dallas Mavericks (1-1) - The Mavericks are going to have to play better defense to have a shot against some of the better teams in the league.

13. San Antonio Spurs (0-2) - Spurs fans outraged at their team's 0-2 start can take solace in the fact that Tim Duncan is looking as spry as ever.

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