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

Rank	Team	Record
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

Follow @adamwells1985