Updated NBA Playoff Power Rankings: 2012 Finals Edition

Farewell, Boston Celtics and San Antonio Spurs; hello, NBA Finals.

In the final week of the conference finals, the Oklahoma City Thunder won four straight against a fellow powerhouse to advance to the championship round, while the Miami Heat avoided a collapse of epic proportions to win the right to represent the Eastern Conference in this year's finals.

Both the Celtics and Spurs fought admirably, but each find themselves heading home early to watch the the league crown a champion from their couches.

And now, with only two teams remaining, let's see how the postseason power rankings are taking shape as we approach the final stretch.

16. Utah Jazz

Postseason Record: 0-4

There was nothing the Jazz could do, nor could have done, to stop a rolling Spurs team.

Utah lost the first three games of the series by double-digit margins and barely recovered in time to put forth a respectable effort in Game 4.

The Jazz clinching a playoff berth may have been a pleasant surprise in itself, but their underwhelming performance against San Antonio left them exploited and with a plethora of questions to answer moving into next season.

15. Dallas Mavericks

Postseason Record: 0-4

Dallas put up a much better fight against Oklahoma City than its postseason record suggests, unless we're talking about the fourth quarter.

The Mavericks' overall display against a faster Thunder team was admirable, yet pitiful at the same time. Their failure to maintain leads and prevail in close games ultimately killed their chances at defending the NBA title.

And their ability to convince top-tier free agents to join the cause was damaged in the process.

14. Orlando Magic

Postseason Record: 1-4

Down Dwight Howard, the one game the Magic stole from the Pacers was as good as it was going to get.

Stan Van Gundy attempted to rally his troops in the most colorful of fashions, but after a bounty of missed opportunities and defensive lapses, it was clear Orlando had no additional fight left.

Whether or not the team now has what it takes to stomach another series of Howard-related rumors, this time without their true leader in Van Gundy, is a different story.

13. New York Knicks

Postseason Record: 1-4

The Knicks never stood a chance against a much more prolific Heat team.

Blame New York's penchant for playoff disappointment on murky bills of health all you want, it doesn't change the fact Carmelo Anthony and company were overmatched from the series-opening tip.

Perhaps the Knicks can take solace in knowing they came up less than short against the eventual NBA champions if Miami wins it all.

Or perhaps they can acknowledge that's no excuse and strive continuity looking ahead to next season.

12. Chicago Bulls

Postseason Record: 2-4

Derrick Rose's season-ending injury essentially sealed the Bulls' fate as a title contender, but hardly anyone expected them to come up short against the Sixers.

While Joakim Noah's bouts with injuries of his own and Luol Deng's painstaking form were regrettable as well, Chicago, a team that kept fighting through adversity all season, simply failed to impress.

Now, staring down the barrel of perhaps a full season without Rose, the Bulls suddenly have a number of questions to answer.

And if their display against Philadelphia was any indication, they're far from prepared to answer them.

11. Atlanta Hawks

Postseason Record: 2-4

It's not just that the Hawks failed to make a deep postseason run, it's that they failed to make one yet again.

Atlanta is seemingly mundane for a team with vibrant personalities in Al Horford and Josh Smith and a perennial All-Star in Joe Johnson. And after the team's latest disappointment, the Hawks, once again, appear to be on the verge imploding.

Can Atlanta salvage what little time left it has left to keep Smith happy and its entire roster intact?

Stay tuned.

10. Memphis Grizzlies

Postseason Record: 3-4

This year, there was no opportunity for the Grizzles to actualize a miracle, yet there was a chance for them to take care of business as the favorite. But they didn't.

A string of fourth-quarter collapses combined with an array of sub-par individual performances left Memphis for dead and allowed the Clippers to traipse their way through to the next round despite being outplayed for a majority of the series.

And while an offseason's worth of "will they or won't they?" with regards to trading Rudy Gay will now ensue, the Grizzlies must first ask themselves an array of other questions.

Like why one of the most talented rosters in the NBA is so averse to reaching its potential, for instance.

9. Los Angeles Clippers

Postseason Record: 4-7

The Clippers were able to sneak past the Grizzlies, but didn't deserve to.

Los Angeles was outplayed by both Memphis and San Antonio; the only difference was, the Spurs chose not to refuse an opportunity to advance.

Though the Clippers have a sound foundation to build upon in Blake Griffin and Chris Paul, time is already running out for the organization if it wishes to retain both long-term.

And now, it's at the point where everything seemingly hinges on how well, or poorly, the team fares next season. 

8. Denver Nuggets

Postseason Record: 3-4

Despite being eliminated before the Clippers, the Nuggets' completely unselfish, utterly star-less dynamic was more much intriguing and arguably more respectable.

Staring at the face of a 3-1 deficit, Denver rallied against a tumultuous Lakers team to force a Game 7. Though it failed to advance, it left an everlasting impression on Los Angeles, and the rest of the league. 

If the Nuggets are able build upon their performance and continue to evolve as a selfless entity, more substantiated accolades are on the horizon.

7. Los Angeles Lakers

Postseason Record: 5-7

The Lakers had something to prove this postseason, but unfortunately, they wound up disproving their own case.

After a tightly contested battle against the Nuggets, Los Angeles fell in underwhelming fashion to a true championship contender in the Thunder.

Though the Lakers fought well enough in the regular season to finish with the third-best record in the Western conference, it has become utterly apparent that Kobe Bryant's sixth ring is out of reach with this current squad.

Big changes are coming in Tinsel Town, and after yet another disappointing display in the playoffs, it's hard to argue against such a notion.

6. Indiana Pacers

Postseason Record: 6-5

The Heat were without Chris Bosh for most of the series against the Pacers, yet Indiana still couldn't manage to exploit Miami in the paint.

After essentially cursing past the Magic, the Pacers appeared to be in the driver's seat against the Heat. However, their success was short-lived, as was the idea that they could actually contend for a title.

While their end to the season was far from picture-perfect, there is still plenty to be excited about. With an increased focus on execution and a little maneuvering from the Executive of the  in Larry Bird, the Pacers should have the opportunity to redeem themselves next year.

5. Philadelphia 76ers

Postseason Record: 7-6

Derrick Rose's injury paved the way for the Sixers to upset the Bulls in the first round, but their unified performance against the Celtics was anything but luck.

While it's obvious that Philadelphia is nowhere near contending for a title as currently constructed, this scrappy group managed to push an equally stingy, yet bona fide contender in Boston to the brink.

Though it's unlikely the Sixers return next year equipped to overthrow teams like the Heat, their effort this postseason, and the foundation they have laid for the future, must not be overlooked.

4. Boston Celtics

Postseason Record: 11-9

The Big Three's reign in Boston may very well have come to an end, but we'll never forget all that they accomplished, especially this year.

They, along with Rajon Rondo, defied the odds in every sense of the phrase. The Celtics weren't supposed to see the light of the Eastern Conference Finals this season, let alone have every opportunity to make the finals, but they did.

Boston's inability to close out a 3-2 series lead against the Heat is painstakingly disappointing, and far from the ending any member of the team would have preferred, but it is a true testament to how much fight this supposedly old and washed out crowd had left in them.

We don't know what "tomorrow" will bring for the Celtics, but for now, we pay tribute to "yesterday" and everything this potential last run will continue to mean for years to come.

3. San Antonio Spurs

Postseason Record: 10-4

Much like the Celtics, hardly anyone expected the Spurs to make any real noise this year. 

Unlike Boston, though, when the postseason rolled around, San Antonio's demise was far from expected.

The Spurs dominated every aspect of every game for 10 straight postseason contests. But then, the losses they never suffered caught up with them, and they dropped four straight to the streaky Thunder.

And now, once again, San Antonio's future is up in the air.

Their fundamental four (Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Stephen Jackson and Tony Parker), as prolific as they were, continue to age, and like it or not, the championship window is closing, or perhaps already has.

Rest assured, though, the Spurs will do everything this summer to ensure that's not the case.

2. Miami Heat

Postseason Record: 12-6

Doubters beware, the Heat are playing with vengeance in their step.

Yet again, when the going got tough, LeBron James got going. He overcame seemingly lackluster play from Dwyane Wade and numerous absences from Chris Bosh to send the inspiring Celtics home early after seven grueling games.

That said, it's clear, especially after Game 7, that Bosh isn't messing around. Since returning, he has shouldered loads on both offense and defense that few knew he could bear, and it's essential he continue to do just that heading into the finals.

There are those that want the Heat to win and those that want them to choke, but then there are those who are just managing to appreciate their ability to respond when their backs are up against the wall.

And if you're here, you're one of those people. 

1. Oklahoma City Thunder

Postseason Record: 12-3

The Thunder have size, explosiveness, youth, experience, and after their matchup against the Spurs, it's clear they've added efficiency to their arsenal as well.

Oklahoma City has posted a 9-0 record at home during the playoffs and defeated the three teams that account for the Western Conference's last 10 NBA titles to clinch a finals appearance.  

The Heat will present a different kind of challenge, one that boasts three top-tier stars, all in their prime. If the Thunder's performance this past month is any indication, though, they're up to the task.

Kevin Durant is the league's greatest closer and an understated leader, and we would be sorely mistaken to believe he and his comrades are going to take their foot of the gas heading in to the next round.

Oklahoma City still has a lot to learn, but the pros clearly outweigh the cons, and LeBron James or not, the Thunder have to be considered the favorite heading into the 2012 NBA finals.

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