Power Rankings: Week Two

Interesting second week in the NBA, the Suns and Heat continue to impress. The Clippers show they can win without rookie phenom Blake Griffin, going on a three game winning streak. The Nuggets lose two in a row while the Celtics recover from their first loss. And finally, the Houston Rockets continue to find more ways to win.

Biggest Gain: Milwaukee (+6)
Biggest Drop: San Antonio (-11)

1.Phoenix (6-1)- The Suns win in Boston and their only loss to the Magic is due to Grant Hill and Jason Richardson combining for 0 points.
2.Boston (7-1)- The C’s lose a close game at home but recover by beating the winless Nets. Way to pick on the weak.
3.LA Lakers (6-1)-Kobe is heating up… he already has three 40 point performances this season. He will have to continue that output with Bynum and Gasol out.
4.Miami (5-1)-The play of Jermaine O’Neal and Quentin Richardson takes a lot of pressure off Dwyane Wade which will pay off greatly down the road.
5.Dallas (5-2)-The Mavericks are already playing well, but now with Josh Howard, this team is a handful. Shawn Marion continues his stellar play.
6.Houston (4-2)- The Rockets have 5 players averaging 11 points or better led by Trevor Ariza. Hello Lakers, remember him.
7.Atlanta (5-2)- This team beats Portland and Denver but gets crushed by Charlotte. The Bobcats can barely score 90 points. Consistency is the key young grasshoppers.
8.Orlando (5-2)- The return of Rashard Lewis and Vince carter will make this team almost unstoppable, their offense has suffered without them in the lineup.
9.Denver (5-2)- The play of Carmelo Anthony is everything to this team. If he is off, the team greatly struggles.
10.Chicago (4-2)- Derrick Rose’s control at the end of the Cavs game was impressive to see. Rose is proving he can lead his team with Luol Deng and John Salmons anchoring the offense.
11.Portland (4-3)- If this young core can survive this brutal beginning schedule, they could go on a run similar to the one, two seasons ago.
12.Cleveland (4-3)- Mike Brown’s methods are rising question marks in Ohio. Why was Shaq in the last play of the game against Chicago?!?
13.Oklahoma City (3-3)- Big win against Orlando and almost took down the defending champs. Kevin Durant is playing so well and yet has had a break out game thus far.
14.Milwaukee (3-2)- Scott Skiles has the team playing terrific team defense and how good is Brandon Jennings? Michael who?… Somebody new is on the trading block.
15.Toronto (3-3)- This team is riding the Barganni Wave, and Jose Calderon has played terribly so far this season. If he can dish out assists like he did last year, East, watch out, Raptors on the prowl.
16.Philadelphia (3-3)- Elton Brand is lost in this system. He is ruining the chemistry this team has created and everybody saw what this team can do when he is NOT in the lineup.
17. San Antonio (2-3)- Richard Jefferson has not found his groove in Greg Poppavich’s system. However, Dejuan Blair’s play continues to impress averaging 8 and 8.
18. LA Clippers(3-4)-The Clippers are now on a three game winning streak, even though all three wins are against weaker teams. They’ll take it though, its the Clippers.
19. Charlotte (3-3)-Destroyed the Hawks quite easily and then almost beat the Bulls. The offense is stagnant at times. DJ Augustin and Raymond Felton can’t play well together. If they both can find their rythym… as a team, a playoff berth is in their future.
20. Sacramento (3-4)-Kevin Martin is out for 6-8 weeks and then they win 2 in a row. The NBA confuses me sometimes.
21. Detroit (3-4)-This team goes as Ben Gordon goes. Wow, I never expected to say that…ever.
22. Utah (2-4)-If Carlos Boozer can play like he did against San Antonio (27pts. 12rebs.), they’ll win the Northwest. His consistency is the key on offense.
23. Indiana (2-3)- Granger finally has help. What?!? Roy Hibbert showing promise with 3 straight double-doubles, and Dahntay Jones illustrating his potential on offense. When Troy Murphy and Michael Dunleavy come back, the Pacers will have depth. I never thought I would say that either.
24. New Orleans (2-5)- This team lost to the Knicks, enough said.
25. Memphis (1-6)- If this team can play a little defense, just a little, the Grizzlies can stick with the best in the West.
26. Golden State (1-4)- Monta Ellis is going to get hurt due to his urge to carry the team on his back. On the other side, Don Nelson, why don’t you play Anthony Randolph? He is so nasty!
27. Washington (2-5)-Gilbert Arenas takes 30% of the team’s shots. He needs to distribute more and stop trying to carry the team, by himself. Caron Butler knows how to play.
28. Minnesota (1-6)- Ricky Rubio stay overseas, Jonny Flynn is the point guard of the future for this team.
29. New Jersey (0-7)- Even though they are winless, they played the Celtics and Sixers tough with only eight eligible players.
30. Knicks (1-6)- If there was an award for who saves themselves for the last quarter and makes meaningless comebacks, the Knicks would be the World Champions. Hands Down! Congratulations New York, you earned this one.