Official 2009 NBA Week One Power Rankings

     Finally that time of year again;  the time to bust out the utterly useless Power Rankings.  In an 82 game season, the first week doesn’t hold much weight, and June is a long way off.  But it makes it fun, doesn’t it?  So here they are; your innaugural NBA Power Rankings for 2009.

1. Boston Celtics

Do the Big Three have one last run in them?  More importantly, can they stay healthy?  Looks good so far.

2. Orlando Magic

Heaven help the rest of the league upon Lewis’s return.

3. Phoenix Suns

The Suns are the Surprise of the league so far, looking like the Suns of old.  Nash is ageless.

4.  L.A. Lakers

They’re still the champs, but they miss Pau.

5. Miami Heat

D Wade and O’Neal are looking like a devastating 1-2 punch.

6. Denver Nuggets

‘Mello is taking that big step.  If it continues, you’ll see the newest dominant team.

7.  Dallas Mavericks

Probably the Mavs last chance to do any real damage.

8.  Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks are almost ready to join the league’s elite.

9.  Houston Rockets

Proving that last year’s series against the Lakers was no fluke.

10.  Chicago Bulls

They miss Gordon, but this is a very balanced team.

11. Portland Trail Blazers

Slow start, but this is the deepest team in the NBA.

12.  Cleveland Cavaliers

Obviously won’t be here as the season progresses, but they’re playing like it so far.

13.  Milwaukee Bucks

Argue all you want, but the Bucks could make a playoff run.

14.  Philadelphia 76ers

Tey may be overachieving, but they belong here right now.

15.  Toronto Raptors

Keeping their heads above water in spite of a harsh schedule.

16.  San Antonio Spurs

Can’t hide from old age.

17.  Charolette Bobcats

I know it won’t last, but optimism is fun.

18.  L.A. Clippers

Bouncing back from a brutal start.

19.  New Orleans Hornets

Another good team off to a slow start.

20.  Oklahoma City Thunder

They are among the league’s most improved teams.

21.  Utah Jazz

Same old story in Salt Lake… injuries.

22.  Washington Wizards

Getting warmer…

23.  Detroit Pistons

Not near being among the elite any more, but this is disappointing.

24.  Indiana Pacers

One of the better lottery teams, for what that’s worth.

25.  Golden State Warriors

This is what they mean when they say rebuilding.

26.  Minnesota Timberwolves

Getting ugly in the great cold north.

27.  Memphis Grizzlies

How bad do you have to be for A.I. to run away?

28.  New York Knicks

I hate to say it, but Knicks fans do deserve better.

29.  New Jersey Nets

It’s lonely at the bottom.

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