NBA Power Rankings: Teams Ready to Assault Standings
Jeremy Lin and the New York Knicks are attacking the power rankings, and they aren't done yet. They are about to get their stars back and will continue climbing.
They aren't the only team ready to move up the rankings, either. Here are the three teams we should all be keeping an eye on.
No. 12 Orlando Magic
The Magic have had a crazy up-and-down year. It's not too surprising. Their best player, Dwight Howard, has been dogged by questions of his future all season.
Well, they have it together at the moment, and actually appear to be coming together as a team. After losing six of eight, they have won six of eight. And their two losses came in OT against good teams.
Four of their next seven games come against teams comfortably below .500. They will be able to handle these games, and knock off a couple of the better teams.
Dwight Howard has been playing fantastic and Jason Richardson has hit his groove. This inside out is really helping them catch fire, and that fire is going to continue.
No. 16 Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets have struggled mightily with injuries. This has led to them losing seven of their last nine. Well, they are about to come to the end of those struggles. Nene and Timofey Mozgov are close to returning.
It may be a little longer for Dino Gallinari, who CBS Sports list as being out until mid-February, but they will be able to withstand that with the return of their big men.
Their return will give the Nuggets back the strength of their team, which is their depth. This will help them run their opponents off the court in this compacted and shortened season. Slowly but surely, this team will make their way back to the top 10.
No. 17 New York Knicks
The Knicks were a sinking ship. Then Jeremy Lin came to the rescue. They had lost 11 of 13 games before Lin took over point guard duties.
Now they have won five straight games. And they have done most of this without Amare Stoudemire or Carmelo Anthony. Both of those players should be back in the fold soon, and all of a sudden the Knicks have a starting lineup that has the potential to be as complete as any in the league.
There will undoubtedly be some growing pains as these guys learn how to function together, but it is clear that they are ready to leave this No. 17 ranking in the dust.
Richard Langford's NBA Power Rankings
| 1 | Chicago Bulls | 23-7 |
| 2 | Oklahoma City Thunder | 21-6 |
| 3 | Miami Heat | 21-7 |
| 4 | San Antonio Spurs | 19-9 |
| 5 | Philadelphia 76ers | 19-9 |
| 6 | Los Angeles Clippers | 17-8 |
| 7 | Atlanta Hawks | 18-10 |
| 8 | Indiana Pacers | 17-10 |
| 9 | Dallas Mavericks | 17-11 |
| 10 | Los Angeles Lakers | 16-12 |
| 11 | Portland Trail Blazers | 15-13 |
| 12 | Orlando Magic | 17-11 |
| 13 | Boston Celtics | 15-12 |
| 14 | Houston Rockets | 16-12 |
| 15 | Memphis Grizzlies | 14-14 |
| 16 | Denver Nuggets | 16-12 |
| 17 | New York Knicks | 13-15 |
| 18 | Utah Jazz | 14-12 |
| 19 | Minnesota Timberwolves | 13-15 |
| 20 | Phoenix Suns | 12-15 |
| 21 | Milwaukee Bucks | 12-15 |
| 22 | Golden State Warriors | 10-14 |
| 23 | Sacramento Kings | 10-17 |
| 24 | Cleveland Cavaliers | 10-16 |
| 25 | Toronto Raptors | 9-20 |
| 26 | Detroit Pistons | 8-21 |
| 27 | New Jersey Nets | 8-21 |
| 28 | Washington Wizards | 6-22 |
| 29 | New Orleans Hornets | 4-23 |
| 30 | Charlotte Bobcats | 3-24 |
