NBA Power Rankings: Off To a Celtic Start

Previous rankings come from my earlier article:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/245700-nba-power-rankings-a-preseason-prediction

From the predictions before the preseason started.

1. Boston (3) - A 5-0 record is a lot better than some experts were predicting. A healthy Garnett is obviously helping and the addition of Rasheed Wallace is more of an upgrade than an attention hungry defender (Artest), and a worn down ultra-celebrity (Shaq). Are you listening, LA and Cleveland?

2. Orlando (5) - They do have the best POSSIBLE record, but they aren't the No. 1 team right now. They are playing some pretty darn good basketball though, and I look at their perfect preseason and so far perfect season as a good sign for the future. The 2010 champs, anyone?

3. Phoenix (21) - Phoenix needs to be playing better against Minnesota. They lost to them too much the past few years, and they were really struggling until late in the third to pull ahead. And yet, Frye an All-Star?

4. Denver (11) - Unbeaten through four games is a pretty impressive feat, and some people are already pulling out the Melo MVP signs. It's not a crazy though, Anthony is playing better ball than last year's Most Valuable Player.

5. Los Angeles (4) - Should one loss drop you this far? Maybe not, but the other teams are just too hot right now, and Ron Artest hasn't been all that he was cut out to be... which I personally predicted.

6. Miami (12) - It's encouraging that Miami is playing so well because every fan of the Heat is crossing their fingers that their precious Wade doesn't leave next year. He'd be my precious Wade too, but the point is, they're doing well.

7. San Antonio (2) - I think that the smartest move of the offseason was Richard Jefferson, and his numbers agree with me. An excellent starter to a team that looks like the old Spurs, who won't make much noise until late April-June.

8. Dallas (6) - These 30 year-olds can certainly play ball. Shawn Marion has found a nice spot on the team too, which is nice. Drew Gooden, however, has found his spot in the newspapers for an issue with a fan. Yikes.

9. Atlanta (9) - This is a team that everyone needs to start bringing up in the rankings. They are a great team. They lack that special flare player, and that top-three team reputation, but they could be and should be.

10. Cleveland (1) - The problem, Cleveland, is that you're not the team that you used to be. Your losses have been embarrassing and your wins have been over average teams. And Shaq doesn't fit in very well. Time for Stephen Jackson? Well something's got to change otherwise I'd be looking at NYC/NJ if I were LeBron.

11. Washington (15) - It's encouraging to Washington fans that the Foye/Miller trade ended up working out in their favor in the short term since the pick that they traded ended up being Ricky Rubio. It's also encouraging that they're 2-1.

12. Houston (20) - Don't look too much into the beginning of the year start for the Rockets. Lots of teams can win some games, it's the bulk 80 that count. However, good job Ariza for making yourself known in the great basketball state of Texas.

13. Portland (7) - Ah, the Blazers finally have a star point guard, and he isn't doing too well. Sorry Blazers, you thought you had the answer to all your biggest problems, didn't you?

14. Philadelphia (19) - Do they miss their point guard? Well, Andre Miller wouldn't kill them right now, but right now they're looking pretty good. Congrats to Lou Williams for becoming the 76ers' new leading scorer (although, it won't be for long).

15. Utah (8) - Not a bad start, but definitely not a great one, by anyone's standards. It's nice to see that Boozer still has a spot in their starting lineup, and that Deron Williams is averaging a double-double. The beams of light on an average start.

16. Oklahoma City (18) - Two wins to start off the season isn't bad. They're silencing this naysayer. But they need to maintain this to really start becoming a true respectable team in the NBA.

17. Charlotte (24) - Geez, can you be much more of an average team?

18. Detroit (16) - A completely new team should expect a rough start because of chemistry issues, new style of play for everyone, and so this period of loosing is natural. It will fade, it's just disappointing to see Prince go down with injury.

19. Toronto (14) - It's nice to see Bargnani finally playing well, and Hedo clearly fits in well with the rest of the team, along with DeRozan. The one win was a good one in Cleveland. That's the key word though isn't it? One win. Only one.

20. Milwaukee (29) - Too early to make any real judgements, but the Bucks are showing some serious promise in Jennings. Steal of the middle section of the draft? Maybe. Is Redd's injury a problem? Probably.

21. Chicago (10) - I like the starters, they are playing the players that are the future of their team, such as Rose and Deng. However, they are still 1-2, and need to pick something up before it becomes a problem.

Just think of it as one game below .500, Bulls fans and you'll be fine.

22. New Orleans (13) - When you are a good team in a slump, many people will sympathize, or point out a tough schedule or something. I, however, will say that you have the same record as the Timberwolves, Knicks, and Grizzlies, and stick you at No. 22.

Take that, Hornets.

23. Minnesota (25) - On one hand, you could call a 19-point comeback sad, because they were down 19 in the first place, but buzzer beaters ain't the worst thing in the world. I really enjoy watching Sessions and Flynn play as long as they both get enough time to play.

24. Memphis (26) - Should they be doing better? You'd think they would, although they have won one. Iverson's return should help, right? I mean, it couldn't hurt, right?

25. New York (28) - What a joke team. They're just waiting around for 2010, which isn't that promising anyway. Although, they've been competitive, which I do applaud them for.

26. Los Angeles (17) - Griffin is out, and a win against the Timberwolves isn't as impressive when four losses preceded it. Wait, it wasn't impressive in the first place.

27. Sacramento (30) - They won a game. Holy moly, they won a game.

28. Indiana (22) - In my mind, if you haven't won a game, you are below every team who has.

29. Golden State (23) - Stephen Jackson is starting to look like he has some trade value with the struggling Cavaliers interested, and the Warriors need some added help.

30. New Jersey (27) - Blew a 19 point lead to the Wolves, of all teams, and injured their best player. So they fall to the bottom.