Here are my NBA Power Rankings to "tip-off" the new year! Enjoy!
#1. Portland Trail Blazers (26-7): They defeated the Raptors 102-97 in their last game in an overtime thriller. Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge look like the best one-two punch in the league.
#2. Golden State Warriors (25-5): David Lee is going to continue to come off the bench. This is definitely a smart move by Steve Kerr.
#3. Atlanta Hawks (23-8): Al Horford returns to the lineup tonight. That's huge for them as they embark on a three-game Western Conference road trip followed by the Memphis Grizzlies coming to town.
#4. Toronto Raptors (24-8): What's nice is that due to their fantastic play they don't have to rush DeMar DeRozan back.
#5. Memphis Grizzlies (23-8): The Grizzlies are finding out that it's impossible to stay on top of the Western Conference standings forever, but that doesn't mean they should lose faith in their ability to come out of the West at the end of the season.
#6. Houston Rockets (22-9): It is still too early to see whether or not Josh Smith was a good pickup, but so far I like the move.
#7. Washington Wizards (22-9): Getting thumped at Dallas wasn't good and trips to Oklahoma City, San Antonio, and New Orleans won't be any easier.
#8. Chicago Bulls (23-10): They are still a bit up and down, but overall they look like a legitimate title threat.
#9. Dallas Mavericks (23-10): They have won three straight games against the Lakers, Thunder, and Wizards. They are heating up.
#10. Los Angeles Clippers (22-11): Getting thumped at home against the Raptors was alarming. I'll just say that.
#11. San Antonio Spurs (20-14): I still think they are a threat to win the title, but at some point they gotta start climbing up the standings.
#12. Cleveland Cavaliers (18-14): The fact that they are in the Eastern Conference is huge since it's far from clear they would make the playoffs if they were in the West.
#13. Oklahoma City Thunder (16-17): Kevin Durant is the #2 player in the NBA. I don't care what anybody else says.
#14. Phoenix Suns (18-16): They keep hanging around. I gotta give them credit.
#15. Milwaukee Bucks (17-16): They are showing that even without Jabari Parker, they are still a competitive team. The future is looking bright in Milwaukee.
#16. New Orleans Pelicans (16-16): It'll be interesting to see how Eric Gordon fits when he returns.
#17. Brooklyn Nets (15-16): I think everybody was shocked when they slaughtered the Bulls. Especially since Brook Lopez erupted for 29 points.
#18. Miami Heat (14-19): They are seeded #8 in the Eastern Conference right now. Yeah, no way they get back to the NBA Finals.
#19. Sacramento Kings (14-19): I would just like to point out that they were winning under Mike Malone. He's the coach they fired.
#20. Denver Nuggets (13-20): Ok, I'll admit it. The Nuggets stink. They aren't as good as I thought they were.
#21. Boston Celtics (11-18): If they really wanna blow things up, they'll trade Jeff Green.
#22. Orlando Magic (13-22): Injuries have really hurt this team. If they were healthy, they might be seeded #8 in the East.
#23. Indiana Pacers (12-21): Roy Hibbert is averaging 11.0 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. That is not gonna cut it.
#24. Utah Jazz (11-21): I'm gonna say it now. The Jazz should feel good about drafting Gordon Hayward over Paul George and this has nothing to do with George's injury.
#25. Los Angeles Lakers (10-22): If Kobe Bryant takes a pay cut next season, they could still build a competitive team around him.
#26. Charlotte Hornets (10-23): This whole season has been a disaster. The overtime loss to the Bucks was another reminder of that and what's worse is that Al Jefferson is out for a month.
#27. Detroit Pistons (8-23): I suppose they are playing better without Josh Smith, but they still have a ways to go.
#28. Minnesota Timberwolves (5-26): So far, they look like they won the Kevin Love trade and secondly, they got the best rookie in Andrew Wiggins.
#29. New York Knicks (5-29): They have won just one more game than the 76ers. They are that bad.
#30. Philadelphia 76ers (4-26): They have lost three straight games after winning two straight games. That is progress.
---Ben Parker: follow me on twitter @nba_lord
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