NBA power rankings, rating the entire league from top to bottom. Our NBA power rankings are based mostly on how good teams really are, with recent performances (during the actual season, of course) taken into partial consideration. It's the off-season so obviously we're judging entirely on how good the teams appear to be on paper, while considering how they'll materialize on the court.
NBA POWER RANKINGS UPDATED MARCH 14, 2010
Records are regular season wins-losses
1) Cleveland Cavaliers (52-15) - Various injuries dont' seem to slow thse guys. LeBron James is the obvious Insidehoops.com pick for league MVP. But we still wouldn't pick them to beat the Lakers in a seven-game series.
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2) LA Lakers (48-18) - Stumbling lately as Pau Gasol thinks Kobe shoots too much. Still great, and if they're healthy in the playoffs these guys are our favorits to win another NBA championship.
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3) Dallas Mavericks (45-22) - Great team ever since the Wizards trade that landed Caron Butler and friends and now a legit title contender, even if they happen to get blown out by the Knicks once in a great while.
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4) Orlando Magic (47-21) - We like them when Vince Carter is being aggressive. Dwight Howard is probably the InsideHoops.com pick for Defensive Player of Year.
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5) Utah Jazz (42-23) - Been terrific for months and now a legit championship contender. Andrei Kirilenko has had a nice rebirth after years of not mattering.
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6) Denver Nuggets (45-21) - Carmelo Anthony is unguardable on offense, Chauncey Billups is a trusted leader, JR Smith is a wild card. Kenyon Martin's health is a concern.
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7) Atlanta Hawks (42-23) - Tough to call them a championship contender, but they're that next level. We'd like to see more from Mike Bibby, if that's possible at this point in his career.
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8) Oklahoma City Thunder (40-24) - Kevin Durant remains unguardable, and Russell Westbrook often is, too. Can't call them a title contender but woudln't want to face these guys in the first round.
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9) Phoenix Suns (40-26) - Will health of Steve Nash, Grant Hill hold up? Very solid team, not really a title contender but can make some noise.
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10) Boston Celtics (41-24) - Their decline is exaggerated; still very good, but not great. KG looks older. But right now, the Celtics aren't a lock to get past the second round.
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11) Milwaukee Bucks (36-29) - Smoking hot lately; Andrew Bogut playing great and Brandon Jennings has nice quarterback skills -- but doing it as a team. Good coaching.
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12) San Antonio Spurs (39-25) - No Tony Parker means they aren't a title threat. Nice showings from a few random guys like George Hill. Richard Jefferson still isn't fully fitting in.
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13) Portland Trail Blazers (40-28) - Deserve lots of respect for playing well despite all the injuries.
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14) Memphis Grizzlies (35-32) - Solid team but lots of one-on-one play here.
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15) Charlotte Bobcats (34-31) - Great at home, very bad on road, in shockingly dramatic fashion.
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16) Miami Heat (35-32) - The story remains the same: Dwyane Wade needs more help.
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17) Toronto Raptors (32-32) - Seem hot for stretches, then fall off, back and forth.
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18) Houston Rockets (33-31) - Still working to fit Kevin Martin in.
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19) New Orleans Hornets (32-34) - Darren Collison is a bright spot but the Hornets are limited.
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20) Chicago Bulls (31-34) - Struggling big-time lately. Lack of Joakim Noah hurts.
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21) LA Clippers (25-42) - Dropped 9 of last 10 and look totally lost.
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22) New York Knicks (23-43) - Horrible stretch of losing, though they just shocked the Mavericks
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23) Detroit Pistons (23-43) - Complete mismatch of parts. Entire team is disappointing.
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24) Philadelphia 76ers (23-43) - Is Eddie Jordan's job safe? A positive is that good cheesesteaks are nearby. Tough to say much else.
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25) Sacramento Kings (22-44) - Steadily fallen off after surprising start. Tyreke Evans was a lock to win rookie of year but as great as Bucks are doing, Brandon Jennings might take it.
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26) Indiana Pacers (21-45) - Tough to name positives here. Danny Granger is very good but being contained this year. Mike Dunleavy has barely existed. Nothing much doing.
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27) Golden State Warriors (18-47) - Stephen Curry is probably the future more than Monta Ellis. The team has been hammered by injuries, but the roster is too limited even if they were healthy.
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28) Minnesota Timberwolves (14-52) - Al Jefferson and Kevin Love need more help. Corey Brewer has shown some nice flashes but there isn't enough here.
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29) Washington Wizards (21-43) - Andray Blatche has been a bright spot. Josh Howard is a good supporting player for the future but a leading star.
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30) New Jersey Nets (7-59) - Brook Lopez and future arena location news have been the bright spots here. Devin Harris has been off, and there isn't enough else here.
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