NBA Power Rankings: Feb. 3rd

We are close to the NBA All-Star Game.

We're about halfway through the season.

So who is distancing themselves from the competiton and who is starting to fall behind?

Here's my take...

The Best

1. Phoenix Suns, (33-14)

Through the season they haven't shown that they should be the No. 1 team, but I have a gut feeling that this is a team that could win it all come finals time.  It helps that they have stars like Steve Nash, Amare Stoudemire, and Shaun Marion.

2. Boston Celtics, (36-8)

Still the only team not in double-digit losses, the Celtics are weathering the no-Kevin-Garnett storm pretty well.  Despite the loss to the Orlando Magic on the Hedo Turkoglu shot at the end of the game, I still see this team going very deep and possibly winning it all.  A little help at the bench would be nice though.  I don't think Glen "Big Baby" Davis is enough to keep this team at the top.

3. New Orleans Hornets, (32-14)

The win over the Spurs gave me the ability to put this team this high.  Also, they haven't had more than 14 turnovers in a game since December 12th, that's a nice thing to be able to say and it helps you win games.  They went 4-0 last week and have been a tough team all season long.  They have really surprised me this year, I'm sure the city of New Orleans is happy that they didn't move this team to Oklahoma City a few years ago.

4. Dallas Mavericks, (31-14)

The Dallas Mavericks are always in the hunt for the NBA Championship with Dirk Nowitzki, Josh Howard, Jason Terry, and Erik Dampier. They have a great core of players that know each other, and that kind of team chemistry is what gets a team deep in the playoffs year in and year out.

5. Los Angeles Lakers, (30-16)

Kobe Bryant has to be happy.  The loss of Andrew Bynum has now been offset by the addition of Pau Gasol.  Once Bynum actually makes his return, they will be one of the top teams in the NBA.  They made it to No. 5 not by how they are playing now, but by what they are going to do in the coming weeks and months.  Bryant, Gasol, and Bynum is going to be a deadly trio.  Look out, the Lakers are back.

6. Detroit Pistons, (34-13)

The Pistons are still going to go to the Eastern Conference Finals, but they just don't have it in them for a NBA Championship.  It doesn't help that the East has so few good teams—and by few good teams, I mean two.  They have no competition when the play teams and that sets them up for a lackluster post-season.

Not Too Good, Not Too Bad

7. San Antonio Spurs, (29-16)

8. Golden State Warriors, (29-19)

9. Cleveland Caveliers, (26-10)

10. Orlando Magic, (31-18)

11. Utah Jazz, (30-18)

12. Portland Trailblazers, (27-19)

13. Denver Nuggets, (28-18)

14. Washington Wizards, (24-22)

15. Houston Rockets, (27-20)

16. Toronto Raptors, (25-21)

Can Still Turn it Around, But Probably Won't

17. Sacramento Kings, (22-24)

18. Chicago Bulls, (18-28)

19. New Jersey Nets, (20-27) 

20. Charlotte Bobcats, (18-30)

21. Indiana Pacers, (19-29)

22. Atlanta Hawks, (19-24)

23. Philadelphia 76ers, (18-28)

24. Milwaukee Bucks, (18-30)

We Have at Least 10 Wins!

25. New York Knicks, (14-33)

26. Los Angeles Clippers, (14-30)

27. Memphis Grizzlies, (13-34)

28. Seattle Supersonics, (12-35)

29. Minnesota Timberwolves, (10-36)

The Last Team Without 10 Wins

30. Miami Heat, (9-36)