NBA Power Rankings (Week 17)

1. Los Angeles Lakers (44-10)

The Lakers opened the post All-Star mark with two back-to-back victories. Keeping the high-flying Hawks grounded and coming back from a huge 4th quarter deficit at Oracle's Arena in Oakland. They've won 5 of their last 6 on the road, including two memorable performances in Boston and Cleveland (where the Cavaliers were 23-0 prior to the loss). All this and no Bynum.

2. Cleveland Cavaliers (41-11)

The Cavaliers have LeBron, and that's all you pretty much need to know, just check out his EFF, PER, and +/-, all among the best in the league. Cavs are again heading out on the road, before heading back at the Q (where they're a combined 24-and-1 at home). Expect the Cavs to win the next 3, before facing any real competition in veteran's Houston and San Antonio.

3. Boston Celtics (44-12)

The Celtics opened the week with a loss to the Jazz, who rallied in the fourth to overcome an 11-point Boston lead. 

KG left the game with an injury in the second quarter; returning in the second half, but remaining on the Celtic's bench to avoid any further aggravation to his knee. He'll have it more thoroughly examined this Friday. But Boston will need him, especially with them reeling from an inconsistent spell.

4. Denver Nuggets (37-17)

The Nuggets have won 3-straight and are tied with Utah for the current longest winning streak. They'll look to extend that streak tonight against lowly Chicago, who have struggled through much of the season with their new identity.

Their comeback win against the surging 76ers proved they're tenacity and their status as Western Conference titans. They'll matchup well against playoff nemesis San Antonio and the red-hot Lakers.       

5. San Antonio (36-17)

The Spurs may be old, they may be boring, but they're always contending.

Credit Gregg for his methodical-yet-effective coaching style. What's more, it never hurts to have Tim Duncan manning your frontcourt and Tony Parker running your team, and if neither can do the job, maybe your highly lauded 6th man can.

Ginobli is out for approx. three weeks, but it's not season-ending, in the mean time Parker and Duncan will pick up the slack.     

6. New Orleans Hornets (32-20) 

The Hornets are stinging everybody lately, even Superman. With an impressive 117-85 win over the Magic, the Hornets paid a reeling team back for that 20-point debacle they suffered at New Orleans Arena. With games against the Lakers and Jazz, they don't look ready to put away their stingers just yet. Chris Paul is God! 

7. Orlando Magic (39-14) 

My my, how the mighty have fallen. They were my favorite for winning the Eastern Conference Finals, but this dark horse has slowly lost its bearings (i.e., its horseshoes) and even a 40+ point, 15+ rebound, and 5+ block night from Dwight Howard barely got the Magic over lowly Charlotte.

That 32-point loss to New Orleans didn't help any either. Hopefully, Rafer Alston can steer the team back into the right direction until Nelson's return next season.

8. Utah Jazz (32-23)

Lookee here! Check out who's in 8th, come on, admit it, you never thought the Jazz could make it unless they had Williams, Kirilenko, and Boozer in the lineup at the same time. But they're in the playoff picture, and lookin' to move up.

Deron Williams is proving this season more than ever, why he's this team's MVP. If CP3 is God, D-Will is Jesus! I mean he miraculously turned an 11-point deficit entering the fourth quarter, into a 5-point win over Boston. That's nothing short of walking on water.

9. Phoenix Suns (30-23) 

The Suns are back to their winning ways, and they're doin' it D'Antoni style (I think you can avoid pregnancy... Umm I mean losing, it's pretty safe that way, considering the Suns just don't know how to play defense anyway). 

10. Portland Trailblazers (33-20) 

The Trailblazers have lost Greg Oden, but they still win without their highly-toted 1st round pick. Go Figure. Inconsistency is the mark of their youthfulness, and Portland at least for now, seems a couple years away from contending for a championship. But hey, what do I know, I'm just ranking 'em. 

11. Houston Rockets (33-21)

The Rockets lost T-Mac and Rafer Alston, but they still have Ron Artest, Aaron Brooks, Yao Ming and Dikembe Mutombo? They've been doing fine without McGrady, but they haven't played too many games without Alston. We'll evaluate their play in the next up-coming weeks.

They should do fine, as they've got a line-up of Dallas, Charlotte, Portland, Cleveland, and Chicago ahead of them, with the Cavs being the only real threat on their home floor and the Bulls, who they'll play at the United Center. They'll face the Trailblazers in Houston, where Portland is an abysmal 12-and-15 on the road.

12. Dallas Mavericks (32-21)

The Mavericks lost Jason Terry, but they still have the ancient Jason Kidd, who can still man the backcourt and run the team. The future hall-of-famer looks to lead his Mavericks through murky waters tonight in Houston where the Rockets are 20-and-6. But three out of their next five match-ups look more than winnable. 

13. Atlanta Hawks (32-22)

The Hawks have 30+ wins, and it's not even the end of the season yet. Talk about a turn-around. They look on pace to win 50-games for the first time in over a decade, who knows what they'll do next year. Probably win 82-games, that, or lose 82.

14. Philadelphi 76ers (27-26)

The 76ers beat a couple of the best teams in basketball, then go on and lose to the Pacers on opening night of post All-Star weekend, in a game that was never even close. But at least they're on pace to win more than 40-games. I love the Sixers, but man, nothing short of that 9-and-73 season, they've consistantly underachieved. But hey, Andre Iguodala dunked on Yao (watch in high quality). 

15. Miami Heat (28-25)

They traded Shawn Marion for Jermaine O'Neal. He's got like no knees, how do they expect him to rebound. Oh well, the Heat were never lauded for aquiring good Centers, or at least Centers that weren't old and decrepit by the time they got them. I mean Big Zo would have never let Vince do this to him when he was 24.

16. Milwaukee Bucks (27-30)

The Bucks have lost Redd and Bogut for at least the remainder of the regular season, but seem quite capable of handling themselves without either. No strangers to injuries, the team has battled  back from the Eastern Conference cellar, to the 8th seed in a tight upheaval battle that's seen Chicago, New Jersey and New York grappling for that 8th and final playoff spot. They'll establish themselves as fodder or contender (well, not really contender, but at least they'll be something).

17. Detroit Pistons (27-26)

If you can believe it the Pistons are having an even worse season than the Hawks, Sixers, and Heat. If that doesn't tell you in what direction they're going. Then maybe this will. 

18. Chicago Bulls (24-30)

The Bulls are really good some nights, and others they seem lost, like a team that dosen't even belong out there with the mass of other NBA teams. Suffering from a lapse of inconsistency that's followed them from the start of the season, the Bulls seem slightly more on track as of late. Winning their last 6-out-of-9, they've established themselves as clear runners of that 8th playoff seed.