This is The Basher filling in for The Ref and I’ll warn you right now my power rankings won’t have to do too much with in depth stats like The Ref but more about how good teams actually are and how they are playing at the time.

1. Cleveland – As much as I hate to admit it the Cavs are still the best REGULAR season team due to the NBA’s MVP LeBron James.
2. Los Angeles (Lakers) – Despite the Mavs recent surge I still think head to head the Lakers would win this series and are definitely a better team.  The Mavs just got hot at the right time.
3. Orlando – Like it or not the Magic are a power house in the East but they do it quietly because they don’t have the flashy player that the Cavs do.
4. Denver – You never know if they will blow out a bad team or lose by 15 to a bad team, they love playing down to competition; it’s part of their swagger.
5. Dallas – I thought they would give the Lakers a run for their money until they lost to the Knicks by like 87, now I know it’s over for the Mavs to take the #1 seed out West.
6. Atlanta – One of the best home teams in the NBA as well as a great winning record against Western Conference opponents (19-9) but them near the top of my power rankings.
7. Utah – If I was a Jazz fan I would be mad that AK47 all of a sudden decided to get good.  Where was he the whole season?  They could easily be the 2 seed.
8. Phoenix – Steve Nash runs the point, did you really think he wouldn’t lead his team to the playoffs?  He’s 2-time, 2-time, 2-time MVP!
9. OK City - The Thunder I guess are my #8 team?  They have a surprising 19-13 record on the road.
10. San Antonio – This might be a stretch but I’m doing everything in my power to NOT have the pathetic Celtics in the top 10.
11. Boston – Trash.  19-12 at home for an “elite” team.  That’s lame.
12. Portland – Despite all the injuries it looks as if they will be the 8th seed out West.  If they can stay healthy next year, watch out they will be a dangerous top 4 seed.
13. Milwaukee – I can guarantee that nobody saw this coming, not even the Bucks themselves but they are playing great and look like a playoff team.
14. Memphis – The Grizzlies are getting tough luck love from me right now.  They are a heck of a lot better than 6-8 in the East but unfortunately for them they reside in the West.  I’d love to see this exciting young team in the playoffs.
15. Charlotte – Big Shot Jack is leading this team to the playoffs and are recently playing well on the road, the Bobcats have upset potential this year!
16. Miami – They might be the most underchieving team in the East, they have a top 5 player in the NBA on their team… no excuses.
17. Toranto – I’m so glad they are bad.  The Ref hypes them up so much but I believe they are the most overrated team in the NBA despite having Bosh.
18. Houston – I can’t wait to see how the Rockets perform with Brooks haven broken out, Ariza a solid contributor as well as Scola PLUS the addition of Yao Ming!  Scary team next year, just scary.
19. New Orleans – Chris Paul is expected back in a week and despite Collison’s best efforts it’s just too late.
20. Chicago – Derek who?
21. Philly – With guys like Brand, Dalembert, AI v2.0, Williams, how are they NOT a playoff team let alone a complete disaster?
22. Los Angeles (Clippers) – The talent is there, the winning just isn’t or won’t be… EVER.
23. Detroit – HAHAHA, 23rd, I love it!
24. Sacremento – They have a solid young core to build around and I see them as the Wests version of the Bobcats; 3 years and I say they make the playoffs.
25. Indiana – Granger or Granger-less they still look lost on the court.
26. New York – They just keep hanging around.
27. Washington – They remind me of an expansion team.  You don’t know who anyone is on the team and, oh yeah they stink.
28. Golden State – I would love to see Curry play on a good team, he’s more exciting to watch than Monta Ellis.
29. Minnesota – Maybe they will draft 5 guards in this years draft?
30. New Jersey – I hope they watched John Wall in the SEC finals yesterday and noticed how clutch he was.  DON’T SCREW THIS DRAFT UP!