NBA Power Rankings: Underachievers Ready to Make Midseason Surges
Everyone knew that this NBA season would be different because there were 66 games being crammed into such a tight window. Sure enough, we have seen a number of teams that we expected to be serious playoff contenders get off to slow starts.
Panic has not set in yet though. There is still time to turn things around for these underachievers. The NBA power rankings are starting to take shape, with teams settling into their roles as contenders, pretenders and lottery players.
But don't overlook a few teams sitting in the middle of the pack right now. The next two months are going to change everything we think we know about the NBA playoff picture.
Here are the teams whose ranking reflects their underachievement, but are poised to make a run at the postseason.
Portland Trail Blazers (15-13)
While their window of opportunity to be an elite team has passed, there is no reason that the Trail Blazers should be hovering around the .500 mark right now.
They have a top-10 offense and defense. They have just been inconsistent on both sides of the ball, but the talent is still there.
The schedule is going to be rough, with games against Golden State, both Los Angeles teams, Atlanta, San Antonio, Denver and Miami. If they can come out of that stretch with five wins, their confidence will be sky-high.
New York Knicks (13-15)
Jeremy Lin is the story of the NBA right now, but don't forget that the defense has stepped up its performance over the last five games.
As much as Linsanity has captivated the nation, his point totals will likely drop when Amar'e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony return. That doesn't mean he can't be a good player, just he will have to adjust the way he plays.
The Knicks look like they are ready to make a charge up the standings in the Atlantic Division, and they have done it without their two best players.
Los Angeles Lakers (16-12)
For most teams, a 16-12 record would be perfectly acceptable. For the Lakers, however, it has caused mass panic. Fans and analysts are wondering what's wrong with this team and looking at any potential move they can make to salvage the season.
While there are a lot of parts in the machine that don't work anymore—Metta World Peace—the core of Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum is as strong as any in the NBA.
They do need to find a little more offense somewhere, but the defense is strong and Bryant has a knack for motivating players around him.
Adam Wells' NBA Power Rankings
| 1 | Oklahoma City Thunder | 21-6 |
| 2 | Chicago Bulls | 23-7 |
| 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 | Orlando Magic | 17-11 |
| 12 | Boston Celtics | 15-12 |
| 13 | Portland Trail Blazers | 15-13 |
| 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 |
