NBA: Power Ranking The Top 10 Teams Post Lockout

All NBA fans are elated the lockout is over. November just hasn't been the same without our daily professional hoops action.

College basketball is great, but we do miss the likes of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Dwight Howard, and Kobe Bryant.

With the dreaded lockout over, many teams are vying for the top spot. Here are the current power rankings for the top 10 teams in the NBA right now.

Enjoy...

Portland TrailBlazers

The Portland Trail Blazers shouldn't be disappointed in their early exit from last year's playoffs. The team that put them out did eventually win the NBA title.

Gerald Wallace was an excellent addition to their squad. With Wallace, Matthews, and Aldridge, the Blazers are again a threat to any team in the league.

If Greg Oden does indeed stay in Portland and becomes healthy, the Blazers just might challenge the Thunder for Western Conference supremacy.

San Antonio Spurs

Tim Duncan doesn't lose. He simply doesn't know how to.

This is why the San Antonio Spurs will once again compete at a high level this year. Although his numbers have been down, he is still the heart and soul of this team and they go as Duncan goes.

With Greg Popovich still at the helm, the Spurs will be out for revenge after their shocking first round defeat in last year's playoffs.

New York Knicks

Chris Paul is in a New York state of mind.

Reports have already surfaced of Paul's agent demanding he be traded to the Knicks. Paul denies the rumors, but we all remember the infamous toast he made at Carmelo Anthony's wedding. Paul is headed to New York and it is just a matter of time.

Anthony, Paul, and Stoudemire will be fierce in New York and no one wants to meet them in the playoffs.

Memphis Grizzlies

Memphis will be expected to play well after their tremendous run through last year's playoffs.

Zach Randolph is becoming a perfect power forward, while Mike Conley and Tony Allen are the perfect compliments.

The Grizzlies went on their run without their best player, Rudy Gay, so the sky is the limit on their potential with a healthy lineup.

Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics go as Rajon Rondo goes. The days of the Big Three in Boston are over. Rondo is the Celts best player and if he isn't happy, the Celtics go nowhere.

When Rondo broke his arm against the Heat, the Celtics fell apart. His vibrant, youthful energy is what makes the team click. Without Rondo Boston just seems old and slow.

The good news is Rondo is back and healthy as ever judging by his famous one hand-no look alley-oop during his recent charity game.

Los Angeles Lakers

Is Dwight Howard coming to L.A. We all think so. Dwight would have to be foolish not to join the Los Angeles Lakers.

He would play alongside Kobe Bryant, and be a part of one of the most storied franchises in all of sports. There is no reason to believe Dwight will pass up such an opportunity and Orlando knows it. They will eventually trade him, and the Lakers will be revived by Superman's entrance.

Chicago Bulls

Derrick Rose is the best point guard in the league. He's also the reigning NBA MVP.

The Chicago Bulls have a great coach in Tom Thibodeau. Their defense will once again make them threats to the Heat and Celtics.

The Bulls will be great, but we know they have to get an outside shooter before the season starts to get over the hump.

Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks enter the season ready to defend their NBA Championship. Led by Dirk Nowitzki, the Mavs will be right back in contention when all is said and done.

The Mavs are destined to lose one or two of their key players to free agency, but have veteran leadership to push them through. As long as Dirk and future Hall Of Famer Jason Kidd are back, the Mavericks can compete against anyone.

The fresh title win over the Miami Heat should give them even more confidence entering the season.

Oklahoma City Thunder

The Oklahoma City Thunder continue to grow every year.

This year shouldn't be much different.

Fresh off their first division title, the Thunder will look to get to the NBA Finals in 2012. They have one of the best duos in the game in Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, while Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins hold down the front court.

The team is hungry and knows how to win. There is no doubt they are top contenders for a championship this season.

Miami Heat

The Heatles look to retool and make it back to the NBA Finals. Led by the tandem of LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, Miami has shown nothing to suggest they won't be right back in the Finals contending for a ring.

The key is watching their free agent acquisitions. Samuel Dalembert, Tayshaun Prince, and Caron Butler all spring to mind, but the Heat will likely land only one big name free agent. With Mike Miller likely out the door, re-signing Mario Chalmers and James Jones should be key.

Miami won't expect a cakewalk to the NBA title so effort should be at an all-time high. The 66-game regular season schedule should also give the team a sense of urgency to wrap up the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.

The Heat will be young, determined, and extremely motivated heading into the season, so expect them to be early season favorites.