'It Factor' NBA Power Rankings

We've all heard of the "it factor." It's the intangible characteristics about a person, place or thing that separates them from others.

Sometimes you can't put your finger on the "it factor," but when it comes to NBA teams who have it, it's clear.

The "it factor" is defined, for the purpose of this article, as the level of hype, confidence, swagger, excitement, talent, drive and potential that embodies an NBA team and the players that make up that team.

What would a power ranking of all 30 NBA teams look like if it was based on that elusive "it factor"?

Well, you're about to find out. First is a breakdown of how the "it factor" level is established, based on an overall swag score for each NBA team.

Warning: The following power rankings are based on the above-defined "it factor" and not purely on championship potential heading into the 2012-13 season. 

Breakdown of the Emerick Swag Meter

Swag is a relative term. It's used in reference to a person's level of natural coolness and overall confidence. I'll be the first to admit that I don't have the most swag in the world, but I certainly understand what it is.

To create the "Emerick Swag Meter," which is used in this article to help define a team's overall "it factor" level, I've factored in the following categories of each NBA team: the talent on the roster, previous success of its members, confidence, overall attitude and amount of excitement generated for the upcoming season.

To put the levels of the Emerick Swag Meter in perspective, here's a breakdown of what the respective swag levels look like. 

Emerick Swag Meter Score of 0 = The Carlton Dance: This level of swag is really nonexistent. It's only given out to teams that truly don't have any excitement heading into the season. It's really the anti-swag. 

Emerick Swag Meter Score Between 1 and 25 = Justin Beiber's "Baby" ft. Ludacris: This score is handed out to teams that are trying just a bit too hard to be cool and those that tease us with their level of swag. For a minute, you think they have swag, but then you realize it's fake swag. 

Emerick Swag Meter Score Between 26 and 50 = Vanilla Ice's "Ice Ice Baby": This score is given to teams that have potential but haven't yet fully realized it, as well as teams that try too hard to be tough. 

Emerick Swag Meter Score Between 51-75 = Shawn Kemp Career Highlights: This score is given to teams with serious attitude. They are either starting to develop their identity or have already done so. They dominate in a few areas but could still add more swag. (Come on; who doesn't love Shawn Kemp highlights? Epic swag.)

Emerick Swag Meter Score Between 76 and 95 = Jay Z and Kanye West "No Church in the Wild" ft. Frank Ocean: This is given to teams that have serious swag. These teams know exactly who they are and impose their will on their opponents. The teams within this range don't need to tell anyone how much swag they have.

Emerick Swag Meter Score Between 96 and 100 = Denzel Washington as Alonzo Harris in Training Day: This score doesn't get handed out to any team that doesn't have the most elite level of swag. Swag isn't a question for these truly elite teams. 

30. Orlando Magic

The Orlando Magic don't have an identity. They don't have a lot of excitement as they head into the start of the 2012-13 season. And they don't have anything or anyone that helps them stand apart from the pack.

The Magic are just...bleh. They aren't that exciting to watch, and without Dwight Howard, they lack that special star appeal that makes NBA teams watchable and desirable on a national scale.

The Magic's "it factor" level is nearly nonexistent, which is going to make for one long season in Orlando. 

Emerick's Swag Meter: 0   

29. Charlotte Bobcats

The Charlotte Bobcats aren't on the same level as the starless Magic, but they aren't that far away either. At least the Bobcats have some exciting young talent to build around in Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Kemba Walker. These players should help them get through the 2012-13 season.

Within the first month of the season, though, the Bobcats' excitement will wear off, as yet another losing season should become a reality with blowout losses and losing streaks galore.

Potential is all the Bobcats have to hold onto, and that'll have to get them through another tough season.

Emerick Swag Meter: 5

28. Houston Rockets

Houston has a hodgepodge of talent, ranging from Jeremy Lin, who's trying to prove to everyone that he's a legitimate superstar, to Royce White, who's trying to show his maturity and growth.

The Rockets have a lot of individually talented players, but that doesn't help them in these rankings. Having a clear focus and direction is a large part of having that "it factor," and while the Rockets' focus this season is on success in the West, they don't have the talent to get them there.

Being cool, calm and collected isn't a strength of the Rockets, and it's why their 2012-13 season will be a rough one. Adversity breeds success, and that's what the Rockets have to hold onto this year.

Emerick's Swag Meter: 7 

27. Washington Wizards

The Washington Wizards would be much higher on this list if John Wall wasn't going to miss the first month of the 2012-13 regular season—as reported by ESPN.

Injuries aren't a part of the "it factor," and the stress injury to Wall's left kneecap hurts the Wizards quite a bit. Bradley Beal isn't going to be able to solidify the Wizards backcourt himself, and he just doesn't have the confidence yet to carry the Wizards.

Starting off strong is a big part of creating excitement and showing off the talent that a team has, and the Wizards aren't going to be able to do that because of Wall's injury.

Emerick Swag Meter: 10 

26. Detroit Pistons

The Motor City doesn't have a lot going for it at the moment. The Detroit Lions aren't the team they were last year, and the fact that the Detroit Pistons are the team they were last year isn't good news for Detroit.

The Pistons' young nucleus of Brandon Knight, Greg Monroe, Jonas Jerebko and Andre Drummond is exciting, but they just don't have that "it factor" that other young groups of talent have. They don't have electric personalities and just aren't the kind of players to which fans are naturally drawn.

The Pistons need to figure out how to market their young talent, because the players aren't doing a good job of it themselves.

Emerick Swag Meter: 15

25. Cleveland Cavaliers

With Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters in the backcourt, the Cavaliers definitely have some swag, and they've got some confidence, too. If you wonder just how much swag and confidence Irving has, just check out this video of him challenging the Black Mamba to a one-on-one matchup.

Unfortunately, the confidence the Cavs have and the excitement that is building for their season will fade quickly as the losses start to pile up. Success is a big part of the "it factor," and that's not going to be something the Cavs have for long this year.

Emerick Swag Meter: 18 

24. Milwaukee Bucks

Being from Milwaukee doesn't help the Bucks in terms of their overall swag appeal, but that's not really their fault. Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis definitely have the "it factor."

The only problem is that they need to rub off on their teammates, because the rest of their roster definitely lacks it.

They've come a long way as a team, though. That is largely due to the dangerous backcourt that approaches the game with an impressive level of reckless abandon. Having Drew Gooden on the roster declines the Bucks' swag appeal and overall "it factor" level, however.

All in all, though, the Bucks are making strides in the right direction.

Emerick Swag Meter: 21 

23. Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns' "it factor" level took a major hit when Steve Nash left—because he's the king of the "it factor." Nash is confident, he's a leader, he's likable, and he's someone players are drawn to.

The talent the Suns have replacing Nash and filling out their roster doesn't exactly scream "it factor." Instead, it screams "talent that has a lot of potential, but hasn't reached that potential yet."

There's a lot of excitement surrounding the Suns, especially with Nash's lookalike, Goran Dragic, leading the way.

With some early-season wins, the Suns' "it factor" could go way up. The more they win, the more they'll come together. Unfortunately, that's not going to happen. It will take chemistry to win early on, and the Suns don't have that yet.

Emerick Swag Meter: 25

22. Sacramento Kings

The Sacramento Kings have a serious level of swag. From the 2011 NBA draft's No. 60 pick, Isaiah Thomas, to one of the NBA's most underappreciated players, DeMarcus Cousins, the Kings have talent across the board that is trying to prove their detractors wrong.

On paper, the Kings have an extremely high "it factor." They are confident in themselves, carry themselves with swagger and are gifted players. 

Unfortunately, they can't put that individual talent together to form one cohesive unit. Success is a big part of having a high "it factor," and the Kings don't have a great track record with that.

Of all the 2012 lottery teams, the Kings have the most swag. It's just time for them to put it together with success so they can reach that next level. 

Emerick Swag Meter: 33 

21. Utah Jazz

Playing in Utah gives the Jazz a "swag handicap," but they've overcome that with the talent they've acquired. They have one of the NBA's most talented frontcourts, with Derrick Favors, Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson. Jefferson is the kind of leader who just exudes confidence.

Aside from those players, though, the Jazz don't have a lot going for them. They have Mo Williams at the point, and he certainly lowers the Jazz's "it factor" level because he has never really lived up to his full potential.

The Jazz need another player to increase their swaggability and reach that next level of confidence as a franchise. 

Emerick Swag Meter: 35 

20. Golden State Warriors

With the addition of Andrew Bogut came a major increase in the Warriors' "it factor." I mean, he wants his teammates to fight each other so that they bring the badness back to the Bay—as reported by NBA.com.

Bogut's grit and determination will rub off on his teammates, and it certainly ups their swag and subsequent "it factor." With rookie Harrison Barnes' maturity and leadership on the second unit, the Warriors will be a deep and talented team this season.

If the Warriors can get some momentum early on in the season with big wins in the first few weeks, they can make some serious movement up this list. But, for now, they are left filling out the top 20. 

Emerick Swag Meter: 40 

19. New Orleans Hornets

If this list was purely based on a team's ability to win and compete this season, the Hornets wouldn't be this high. Luckily, the Hornets have some exciting young talent to get their fanbase fired up for the start of the season.

With Austin Rivers and Anthony Davis creating some serious hype and Eric Gordon returning, the Hornets have some legitimate reasons to be excited. Unlike some other rookies, Rivers and Davis have some swagger to the way they approach the game.

I mean, anyone who can rock a unibrow is good in my book.

Emerick Swag Meter: 42

18. Toronto Raptors

Kyle Lowry, Landry Fields and Terrence Ross aren't necessarily names who exude swag. Together, though, they've started to transform the culture in Toronto, and for that they deserve some credit.

Are they going to make the playoffs? Certainly not. But the fact that the playoffs are something that Raptors fans are even realistically talking about shows the excitement and hype that the new talent has brought to the team.

It's refreshing to see a struggling team get some serious excitement injected into the franchise, and that's exactly what Lowry, Fields and Ross have done. When the losing starts, though, that excitement will wear off. Still, where they are now is a major step in the right direction.

Emerick Swag Meter: 44

17. Portland Trail Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers' "it factor" level is skyrocketing, and it's mainly because of rookie point guard Damian Lillard's explosive play so far.

Mix that with the leadership of LaMarcus Aldridge and Nicolas Batum's grit on the wing, and the Blazers have quite an impressive core of talent on their roster. The Blazers have the future talent they've lacked over the past few seasons, and that's exciting.

The best aspect of Lillard and his game is how he handles himself with class, poise and humility. In a lot of ways, Lillard is like Derrick Rose; he's humble, and he's a hard worker. Lillard will lead the Blazers to success as a franchise. It's just a matter of time.

Emerick Swag Meter: 51 

16. Atlanta Hawks

First of all, check out those guns on Jeff Teague. Now that that's established, let's move on to the "it factor" that the Hawks have.

While some may see Josh Smith's unwillingness to sign a contract extension with the Hawks—as reported by the New York Daily News—as a negative, it's actually a good thing for the Hawks. It gives them a hint in the direction on whether or not they should move Smith before the trade deadline. Trying to move Smith before the deadline gives the Hawks a lot of leverage, and that adds to their "it factor."

Aside from Smith, the Hawks have a talented roster with Devin Harris, Teague, Lou Williams and Al Horford. Those players all have attitude and are going to help the Hawks compete this year in a stacked Eastern Conference. 

Emerick Swag Meter: 54

15. Minnesota Timberwolves

The Minnesota Timberwolves are the kind of team that always has people doubting them. That kind of constant negativity also breeds a level of connectedness and chemistry between the players on the roster.

The T'Wolves have to rally around themselves more often than not, and that's why they are in the top half of this list. With the NBA's most underappreciated player, Kevin Love, leading the way and new players like Brandon Roy and Andrei Kirilenko getting thrown into the mix, the T'Wolves have serious attitude.

The T'Wolves are being coined as the dark horse in the Western Conference, and to reach that level of hype, they have to have the "it factor" that makes teams truly special.

Emerick Swag Meter: 55

14. Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers went under a transformation this offseason when they got themselves involved in the Dwight Howard trade that ended with Andre Iguodala in Denver and Andrew Bynum and Jason Richardson in Philadelphia.

In theory, adding Bynum should make the 76ers a better team. In reality, it actually hurts the 76ers in the "it factor" category; Bynum's level of immaturity brings the 76ers down. The 76ers also don't really have an identity without Iguodala, and that holds them back here as well.

Without an established leader on the court, the 76ers don't have the same swag they did last year, and that's why their stock here is in a bit of a decline. 

Emerick Swag Meter: 55

13. Indiana Pacers

The Indiana Pacers are another team, like the 76ers, that just doesn't have that "it factor" like other teams in the NBA do.

While the Pacers challenged the Miami Heat last year in the Eastern Conference playoffs, they weren't able to overcome them, and that was a clear display of why they aren't higher on this list.

Aside from Danny Granger—the man who stands up to LeBron—the Pacers don't have a player who carries himself with swag. Sorry, Tyler Hansbrough, you don't count.

I mean, they have a seven-foot, All-Star center who just can't seem to get it all together when it matters. Either way, without Granger, the Pacers wouldn't be as high as they are on the list. They need to develop an identity, and the 2012-13 season is a perfect opportunity for them to do just that.

Emerick Swag Meter: 55

12. Dallas Mavericks

Say goodbye to the old and aging version of the Dallas Mavericks. Say hello to the still old, yet new-look Mavericks.

Adding Elton Brand and Chris Kaman doesn't really add much in terms of swag, but, luckily, the Mavs have O.J. Mayo for that. In terms of excitement, the Mavericks have a high level of hype heading into the 2012-13 season, which is amazing when you consider their inability to reel in Dwight Howard or Deron Williams this offseason.

It's time for a new youth movement in Dallas, and Mayo, Darren Collison and Jae Crowder are going to help that along.

With Dirk Nowitzki and his intangibles leading the way, the Mavericks have an "it factor" that will lead them to being a competitive team in the Western Conference. 

Emerick Swag Meter: 63 

11. New York Knicks

New additions Jason Kidd, Kurt Thomas and Raymond Felton bring with them a decrease in swag. Luckily, Marcus Camby does the opposite, even though he's one of the older players in the league.

The Knicks may lack chemistry, but playing in the Big Apple at Madison Square Garden gives them a boost in the "it factor" category. Having Carmelo Anthony, Tyson Chandler and Amar'e Stoudemire on the roster doesn't hurt, either.

If the Knicks can put together a nice winning streak to start off the 2012-13 season and create some serious excitement in New York, their "it factor" stock will be seriously on the rise. The pressure this year is on Kidd and 'Melo to lead the way for the Knicks, and those players know how to win. 'Melo just needs to figure out how to help others do that, too.

Emerick Swag Meter: 68

10. Memphis Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzlies are that team that always finds themselves flying under the radar during the regular season, and that's because they have the "it factor."

They might not have the most star power in the NBA, and they don't have the deepest bench, but they know how to win with the talent they have—and that's what makes them special. Mike Conley Jr. also plays with an impressive level of abandon and never gets the respect he deserves.

That kind of play is contagious, and it fuels the Grizzlies' overall level of success. Winning without much fanfare is impressive, and it's what the Grizzlies have been doing the past few seasons. It's time, though, for Rudy Gay to finally reach the superstar level he's capable of attaining. If he does that, the Grizzlies will be a more competitive team in the West and will also skyrocket in the "it factor" rankings.

Emerick Swag Meter: 70  

9. Chicago Bulls:

If Derrick Rose were 100-percent healthy, the Bulls would be near the top of this list, but with the realization that he might miss a majority of the 2012-13 regular season—per the Chicago Sun-Times, their stock has taken a bit of a hit.

Even without Rose, though, the Bulls are enjoying an impressive amount of hype with the #return campaign that focuses on the glorious return of Rose to the court. Without Rose, the Bulls have an uphill battle, but they have a grit to them that will help them succeed.

With the cagey veteran leadership of Kirk Hinrich and the tenacity of Joakim Noah in the paint, the Bulls have an identity. This identity is rooted in their ability to impose their will on their opponents. The Bulls have head coach Tom Thibodeau to thank for that identity, and he's a large part of the "it factor' that makes the Bulls such a special team.

Emerick Swag Meter: 75

8. Denver Nuggets

With Andre Iguodala looking like the steal of the offseason, the Nuggets have a ridiculous amount of hype heading into the 2012-13 season. It's not unrealistic to think they could contend in the Western Conference. If they do, it will be in large part due to the swag that Iguodala brings to the court.

He's not necessarily an outspoken player, and he's not the leader that some think he should be. However, he is an athletic player who doesn't back down from challenges, and that just adds to the attitude of the Nuggets.

With Ty Lawson proving everyone who passed on him in the 2009 NBA draft wrong and JaVale McGee continuing to develop, the Nuggets have an identity of undervalued players who are now a part of one of the most exciting teams in the NBA.

The Nuggets certainly have the "it factor," now it's just time to see if it can carry them to the kind of successful season they want.

Emerick Swag Meter: 75

7. San Antonio Spurs

I guarantee the word "swag" isn't the first word that comes to mind when you think of the San Antonio Spurs. While they might not have the most swag in the world, they certainly have the "it factor"—and it comes through leadership and maturity.

The Spurs are the most mature and disciplined team in the entire league, and they have Tim Duncan and Gregg Popovich to thank for that. The level of maturity the Spurs have is what make them such a special team, and it's at the foundation of the "it factor" that eludes so many other teams.

They don't have a lot of flash, but that doesn't mean they aren't an electrifying team. The Spurs have a different kind of "it factor," and it's the kind that few other teams have. It's the "it factor" that also happens to help the Spurs be a championship-caliber team.

Emerick Swag Meter: 78

6. Oklahoma City Thunder

The Oklahoma City Thunder got throttled in the 2012 NBA Finals, which certainly hurts their swag meter—especially when you consider the fact that they didn't improve their depth this offseason.

The Thunder will definitely be a forced to be reckoned with, but teams are starting to figure out how to stop them, like the Heat did. You can stop the Thunder by outplaying them on the defensive side of the ball.

With that being said, the Thunder definitely have the "it factor," and it's rooted in the impressive chemistry they have between the players in the starting lineup and the first man off the bench.

James Harden, the 2012 NBA Sixth Man of the Year, is the definition of a player with the "it factor." You can't really put a finger on how he dominates, but he's just a player with special skills who knows how to maximize his talent. The Thunder need to dominate the top teams this year to move up the ranks here, and that's certainly something they are capable of.

Emerick Swag Meter: 80

5. Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics could only have three players on their entire roster—Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo and Kevin Garnett—and they'd have more "it factor" than most teams in the NBA.

Garnett brings the intensity and discipline. Pierce brings the clutch ability and smooth style of play. And Rondo brings the attitude.

With those three players solidifying the roster, the Celtics are not only going to be a top team in the Eastern Conference this season, they are also going to be a top team in the entire NBA.

There's just something about the Celtics that make them a special team year in and year out, and that's the "it factor" that players like Pierce, Rondo and Garnett bring to the court. 

Emerick Swag Meter: 80 

4. L.A. Clippers

Lob City has the second-most swag in L.A. and the fourth most in the entire NBA. With Blake Griffin catching alley-oops from Chris Paul and DeAndre Jordan holding down the paint, the Clippers have a special team.

With Chauncey Billups bringing back the veteran leadership they lacked last season, the Clippers are a more complete team, and a team that will certainly compete for the Western Conference crown. The "it factor" is what makes the Clippers so special. They play with tenacity and grit, and they consistently try to impose their will on other teams.

As long as CP3 and Griffin are wearing Clippers jerseys, they will be one of the teams in the NBA with the most swag and the highest "it factor" level, mainly because both of those players have the intangibles that make them truly great.

Emerick Swag Meter: 85  

3. Brooklyn Nets

The Brooklyn Nets have some serious swag. Jay-Z is a part owner, and they've just retooled their roster to compete with the best of the best in the Eastern Conference.

With Deron Williams at the helm, a brand new arena, new jerseys and the entire city of Brooklyn behind them, the Nets are one of the most hyped-up teams of the past generation. While it's not fair to compare them to the 2010 Miami Heat, the Nets are slowly reaching that level because of the talent they have on their roster.

When the Nets start winning games early on in the 2012-13 regular season, their hype is going to reach insane levels, and it will certainly have a lot to do with the "it factor" that they have.

The Nets have something that you can't put your hands on that makes them exciting to follow and exciting to watch. If the Nets fail, though, their "it factor" ranking will fade away as fast as you can say "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious."

Emerick Swag Meter: 93 

2. Miami Heat

The Miami Heat not at the top of an NBA power ranking? Yep, you read the headline correctly. The reason why the Heat aren't at the top of this list is because there is one other team with a bit more excitement surrounding them as the 2012-13 season gets underway.

The Heat are old news, and while the media will still be all over their development with the new talent on the roster and the leadership of LeBron James, the complete focus won't be on them for the start of the season.

With that being said, the Heat definitely have a high "it factor" because their two best players, LeBron and Dwyane Wade, are defined by the intangibles that make them such truly elite and special players.

Having Chris Bosh on the roster lowers the Heat's level of swag and overall "it factor," and if you need reason why, just check out this video of him acting like a fool. 

Emerick Swag Meter: 96

1. L.A. Lakers

The Lakers are finally at the top of an NBA power ranking, and there's no doubt that they are the right team for the spot. While they might not be the best team in the NBA yet, they certainly have the most hype around them.

With Steve Nash and Kobe Bryant dominating the backcourt, their "it factor" is through the roof. Kobe and Nash practically created the "it factor," because they are players who are consistently defined by those two words. They lead with their play on the court and are without a doubt the leaders of their team this season.

The hype that surrounds the Lakers is at an all-time high, and it's because of the expectations surrounding the team. The "it factor" of the Lakers is the highest in the NBA because they spotlight is squarely on them. They appear more than ready to excel, even with the pressure squarely on their shoulders. 

Emerick Swag Meter: 100