Welcome to Truluvsports weekly NBA Power Rankings. The rankings are from 12/1- 12/2 (Monday). The top of the rankings are Western Conference heavy while the bottom half is mostly dominated by the Eastern Conference. The Clippers made a huge jump this week while the Knicks, Pistons and 76ers continue their slide in oblivion. Let’s jump in.. No Ranking are ever perfect, but I try my best.
30. Philadelphia 76ers (2-18): This is what they wanted coming into the season. Be careful what you ask for and hope it doesn’t bite you in the end.
29. Detroit Pistons (3-18): The record combined with the talent has not added up over the last two seasons. Time to break up the band or get a new leader.
28. New York Knicks (4-18): How do you have Melo, JR. Smith and Stoudemire but only two more wins than the 76ers?
27. Minnesota Timberwolves (4-15): Andrew Wiggins, Thad Young and Ricky Rubio were supposed to lead this team to a .500 record or better. I guess they didn’t get the memo on that.
26. Charlotte Hornets (5-15): Maybe the Pacers let Lance go for a reason. This team has not come together like they should have.
25. Utah Jazz (5-15): The growing pains has to end soon, right?
24. Los Angeles Lakers (5-15): Blame Kobe for taking all the shots if you want but what would you do different, no I’m serious?
23. Boston Celtics (7-11): With DeRozan out for Toronto the Celtics could easily take this division.
22. Oklahoma City Thunder (7-13): The gang is back together and the West better be ready.
21. Indiana Pacers (7-13): Without George, they are still finding ways to win, good thing they are still in the East.
20. Orlando Magic (9-14): Tobias Harris is setting himself up for an All-Star berth.
19. Brooklyn Nets (8-10): The roller-coaster season continues as the Nets search for the same identity that got them to the 2nd round last season.
18. Miami Heat (9-11): We knew that Wade is injury-prone, so what’s all the fuss about when the Heat began to slide?
17. Denver Nuggets (9-11): Just when everything started to click for the Nuggets, someone turns the lights out again. Same ole story.
16. Milwaukee Bucks (11-11): The young team has not looked that young during this young season..That was fun..
15. New Orleans Pelicans (9-10): Playing in their division will hide the fact this young team is displaying progress.
14. Sacramento Kings (10-10): Rudy Gay and Cousins are a prefect combo, but the team has slowed down and needs to regain their early season mojo.
13. Phoenix Suns (12-9): The fast break Suns are picking up where they left off last season.
12. Cleveland Cavaliers (11-7): The Cavs are playing team ball now, which their record is almost identical as the Heat’s big three was, early on.
11. Chicago Bulls (12-8): We might not get the full effect of Gasol’s role until the playoffs.
10. Atlanta Hawks (13-6): I knew that Teague was going to have a career year, he is proving me right so far.
9. Washington Wizards (13-6): The Wizards have been put together nicely over the years and now their fans are being rewarded.
8. Dallas Mavericks (16-6): Dirk and Monta are leading the Mavs through a renaissance.
7. Houston Rockets (16-4): The West is loaded with good teams and the Rockets are no exception
6. Toronto Raptors (15-5): The Raptors continue to be the team to beat in the East but how long will they be able to hold of the surging Bulls and Cavs?
5. Memphis Grizzlies (16-4): The Grizzlies are proving they can score the ball when needed as well as play lock-down defense.
4. San Antonio Spurs (15-5): The Spurs are right where they need to be, as always.
3. Portland Trailblazers (16-4): Wesley Matthews is a great 3rd option for Aldridge and Lillard.
2. Los Angeles Clippers (14-5): How can you deny what they have done over the last week, only one team has been better.
1. Golden State Warriors (17-2): The best, not only in the West but the NBA. They are serious threats to take the title.