Music to listen to: Los Endos (live) by Genesis
Time for my first edition of the NBA Power Rankings of the 2012 season:
1) Miami (8-1): This is the Heat squad that most of us expected to see last season. LeBron James is having a career-year with the top efficiency rating in the NBA, which has led to the trend of using an aggressive and fast-paced offense to overwhelm opponents. The Heat were a top-five defensive squad last season and not much has changed this year.
2) Chicago (7-2): The Bulls defense is statistically even better this year than last and Derrick Rose has done a good job of increasing his distribution of the basketball to start the 2011-12 campaign. This is the Bulls’ best start since the 1996-97 squad started 8-0.
3) Oklahoma City (8-2): The Thunder are an entertaining squad, Kevin Durant is having an MVP-caliber season, Russell Westbrook has been solid, James Harden has made tremendous strides, the team even won three straight contests on three consecutive nights, quite impressive. However, there are three concerns for fans of the squad. First, the season-ending injury to Eric Maynor makes the backcourt even thinner, the lack of offensive production beyond the three players mentioned earlier warrants attention and finally, how does a squad that had Kendrick Perkins and Serge Ibaka rank only 23rd in defense in the NBA?
4) Portland (6-2): The Blazers arguably have the most balanced offensive attack in the NBA and have a solid defensive anchor in Marcus Camby. I would have LaMarcus Aldridge as my All-Star starter in the forward position in the West alongside Durant right now, he’s having that good of a season.
5) Denver (6-3): The Nuggets are another team that uses a balanced offense and solid defense to gain their wins, similar to Portland. While Denver doesn’t have someone like Aldridge on its squad, even though I like Danilo Gallinari and Nene, they’re still a top contender in the West.
6) Philadelphia (5-2): Arguably the most surprising team in a positive way so far this season. They have the most efficient offense in the NBA, Spencer Hawes has been outstanding and one of the top defensive units in the league also. The schedule has been weak so far but certainly deserve to be in the top-10 in the rankings so far.
7) San Antonio (6-3): The Spurs are like clockwork, still using the same formula for close to a decade now to get the job done. The Manu Ginobili’s hand injury hurts in a major way but may actually be a blessing because he gets to rest his legs during the regular season. However, the Spurs are this high less because of themselves, but more about the competition below them not stepping up.
8) Atlanta (6-3): I live in Atlanta and still can’t figure out this team. In the span of a week, they win at Miami against a healthy Heat squad, lose to the same team at home when they were missing Wade and James in triple-overtime, than solidly beat Chicago. How can anyone get a read on this squad?
9) Los Angeles Lakers (6-4): Kobe Bryant has been outstanding this season when you consider the physical ailments he’s dealing with right now. The Lakers have been able to rely on a solid defensive system installed by new head coach Mike Brown. However, Kobe’s supporting cast has been inconsistent, which is a bad thing because as great as he is, even Kobe needs help if the Lakers expect to make a run in the playoffs.
10) Los Angeles Clippers (4-2): The highlights are fun but playing better defense would truly bring a smile to Clippers’ fans in the long run.
11) Indiana (6-2): Continuing the early season theme of balance (see Portland and Denver), the Pacers also have numerous players who average double-figures in points every night. However, Indiana will need more from Granger to truly make the next step in the East.
12) Orlando (6-3): Dwight Howard as been a solid pro with all of the trade rumors going around but the Magic have also faced a weaker schedule to start the year.
13) Dallas (4-5): Its not unusual to see a defending champion struggle to start the season, especially when that team doesn’t have a full offseason and is incorporating new players. What has been surprising is the shooting struggles of Dirk Nowitzki, who usually starts a season on a positive note.
14) Boston (4-4): When the Celtics face a bad team, they usually win. When they face a team like Miami or Indiana, they will lose.
15) Utah (5-3): I thought they may have the worst record in the West during my preseason predictions, so this is a nice start for the Jazz.
16) New York (4-4): Getting blown out at home by Charlotte should eliminate you from any NBA power rankings for a month but I place the Knicks right in the middle of the NBA. They have top-10 talent but play defense like a top-30 squad, so this right down the middle for them. Plus, injuries are really going to catch up with these guys in the next month.
17) Phoenix (4-4): I’m going to hold off my Free Steve Nash campaign for one week but lets just say I’m looking at domain names for a Web site and t-shirt designers. And please don’t give me the 109 point performance against Milwaukee. The Kentucky Wildcats could get to triple digits against the Bucks the way that they’re playing right now.
18) Memphis (3-5): Yes, Zach Randolph is hurt. Yes, losing Darrell Arthur for the season before the first tip-off was tough. However, the Grizzlies are much better than this. Maybe the rough start will humble a squad that some believe believed a little too much of their hype after last year’s playoff run.
19) Minnesota (3-5): Actually, I would have Kevin Love and Durant as my Western conference starters at forward in the All-Star game so far. I don’t care if you play for your local gym’s rec league, if you average 25 points and 15 rebounds a game, that deserves respect. Furthermore, the unleashing of Ricky Rubio has been a pleasant surprise, along with Derrick Williams, who should be starting for the Wolves instead of Michael Beasley. This team can definitely crack the top-12 by the end of the year.
20) Houston (2-6): Yes, they’ve had a lot of road games to start the year but the record should be better with that talent on the roster.
21) Cleveland (4-4): I like Kyrie Irving and not much else so far on the Cavs. However, considering the season that Cleveland had last year, starting the year 4-4 is an accomplishment.
22) Toronto (3-5): The only shining light is that Andrea Bargnani is averaging 23 points a night but the glass half-empty view is that someone has to score the points on the Raptors.
23) Sacramento (3-6): Incredibly disappointed that the organization chose the player (DeMarcus Cousins) over the head coach (Paul Westphal). The head coach wasn’t the problem in that organization. I was a big fan of Cousins coming into the draft and still think that he’s a talent but it may already be time for him to chance area codes. I said from day one that he would be just like Zach Randolph, someone who may need several years and teams before he finally gets it. When you add him to another selfish player in Tyreke Evans, the entire mixture of the Kings roster doesn’t work.
24) Charlotte (2-6): I know the Bobcats wish the Knicks were on their schedule at least 10 times in a season.
25) Golden State (2-6): Monta Ellis is actually passing the ball this season, so that’s a start. Furthermore, the Warriors look like they’re actually trying to play defense, still not playing it well, but at least an effort is being made. Steph Curry’s recurring ankle injuries are a concern however.
26) Milwaukee (2-6): I unfortunately had Scott Skiles as the first head coach fired this season in my predictions and while Westphal beat him to it, these are still lean times for the Bucks, especially with the departure of Andrew Bogut from the squad to tend to personal matters. Also, where has Brandon Jennings been this season?
27) Detroit (2-6): Ben Gordon’s offensive output in the past week still doesn’t convince me that the Pistons are going anywhere this season.
28) New Jersey (2-7): Even Deron Williams can’t save this sinking ship. The Nets only have one win since opening night. But what can you expect when Williams has been average, Brooke Lopez has been out the entire year and having to rely on Kris Humphries.
29) New Orleans (2-6): No Eric Gordon means no chance of even finishing with 25 wins this year.
30) Washington (0-8): I predicted that this team would make the playoffs…
Those are my thoughts, what are yours?
The Sports Inquirer 
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