 The Oklahoma Thunder have usurped the Chicago Bulls as the NBA's No. 1 ranked team this week. (REUTERS) |
Frank Zicarelli's weekly NBA power rankings:
1. Oklahoma City Thunder (40-12)
Leaving foes Thunder-struck and at times awe-struck.
2. San Antonio Spurs (36-14)
No team has a deeper bench than this veteran-laden unit.
3. Chicago Bulls (42-12)
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Not good when coach’s future gets added to rumour mill.
4. Miami Heat (37-14)
Air of arrogance on road must be addressed in coming weeks.
5. Los Angeles Lakers (33-20)
Andrew Bynum thinks he’s the second coming of Glen Rice.
6. Orlando Magic (32-21)
Completely different team when Dwight Howard can’t suit up.
7. Boston Celtics (30-22)
Avery Bradley filling in nicely as Rajon Rondo’s backcourt mate.
8. Los Angeles Clippers (31-21)
Embattled head coach Vinny Del Negro given vote of confidence.
9. Indiana Pacers (31-21)
A losing week exposed flaws, but remain playoff worthy.
10. Atlanta Hawks (31-23)
Hitting their stride at the right time; team worth watching.
11. Dallas Mavericks (30-23)
Owner Mark Cuban had a sit down with under-performing Lamar Odom
12. Philadelphia 76ers (29-23)
Suddenly in pursuit of Celtics.
13. Memphis Grizzlies (25-21)
Gilbert Arenas averaging close to 16 minutes.
14. Denver Nuggets (29-24)
Need to clean up porous play within division.
15. Houston Rockets (26-23)
Current four-game trip may determine playoff fate.
16. New York Knicks (27-26)
Baron Davis now running the show at the point; Ouch!
17. Utah Jazz (27-26)
End-of-season sked has Jazz playing one Eastern team, Orlando.
18. Phoenix Suns (26-26)
Steve Nash denies he’s upset team did not re-acquire Boris Diaw.
19. Portland Trail Blazers (25-28)
GM search has officially begun in Rip City.
20. Milwaukee Bucks (24-28)
Need to hold court during critical five-game homestand.
21. Minnesota Timberwolves (25-29)
Basketball world watches as Kevin Love tries to replicate his magical March.
22. Golden State Warriors (20-31)
Steph Curry’s ankle problems may impact his long-term potential.
23. Cleveland Cavaliers (17-33)
Sliding quickly, which is not surprising given team’s youth.
24. Sacramento Kings (18-34)
Defence remains huge concern as opponents routinely crack 100 points.
25. Toronto Raptors (18-35)
Take away poor start and a rough ending and this team held its own vs. Heat.
26. Detroit Pistons (19-33)
Feasted on league’s lightweights, which tells you all you need to know about Pistons.
27. New Jersey Nets (19-35)
So irrelevant that no reporters are following team on West Coast trip.
28. New Orleans Hornets (13-40)
Kudos to ex-Raptors PG Jarrett Jack for playing through ankle pain.
29. Washington Wizards (12-40)
Ridding themselves of JaVale McGee has done wonders.
30. Charlotte Bobcats (7-43)
Owner Michael Jordan has apparently read management the riot act.
(records do not include Monday’s games)