NBA Power Rankings, 2/18/07

1. Dallas Mavericks (44-9)- To make things even better for Dallas, no team has ever gotten off to as good of a start as they have and not won the NBA title.
2. Phoenix Suns (39-13)- They have gone in a bit of a tailspin since their 17-game winning streak, losing five of eight, but they're by no means frauds.
3. Detroit Pistons (32-19)- They closed out before the All-Star break in style, winning eight of 10. They are the clear-cut favorites in the Eastern Conference.
4. San Antonio Spurs (35-18)- You can't discount a second-half run by the Spurs, a team that has sort of flown under the radar as they have been overshadowed by Dallas and Phoenix.
5. Utah Jazz (35-17)- It looks like they are for real. They have been winning even without Carlos Boozer, and it appears that they already have the Northwest locked up.
6. Houston Rockets (33-19)- Tracy McGrady has stepped up in Yao Ming's absence, leading his team to a 17-8 record during that span. He's a sleeper MVP candidate.
7. Washington Wizards (29-21)- Gilbert Arenas has become a loudmouth over the past month, and the Wizards have slumped lately. Either way, they are a contender in the weak East.
8. Cleveland Cavaliers (31-22)- LeBron James is not having near the kind of season he had last year, but he still has his team as the two-seed in the East. However, there is something missing here.
9. Miami Heat (26-26)- You knew they were going to make a run sooner or later. Now that Shaquille O'Neal is healthy, expect them to edge out Washington for the division crown.
10. Minnesota Timberwolves (25-27)- With Kevin Garnett, you can never count Minnesota. Despite some recent struggles, they hold the eighth spot in the West. Expect them to ship out a guard for a big man by the deadline.
11. Toronto Raptors (29-24)- What a surprise this team has been. It had potential right from the start, but no one expected this. Chris Bosh may be a poor man's Garnett.
12. Los Angeles Lakers (30-24)- Losers of five straight, some say the Phil Jackson-Kobe Bryant relationship is ready to explode. If the Lakers don't right themselves soon, that may very well happen.
13. Indiana Pacers (28-24)- Somehow, this team has managed to maintain a playoff spot and remain several games over .500. Still, Jamaal Tinsley is on the trading block.
14. Denver Nuggets (26-25)- The Allen Iverson experience hasn't worked out as well as Denver hoped, as he has missed eight games due to a sprained ankle. Still, a healthy A.I. makes this team dangerous.
15. Chicago Bulls (29-25)- Arguably one of the biggest disappointments in the NBA this season, the Bulls have been a model of inconsistency. Nevertheless, they are still a threat in the watered down East.
16. New Orleans Hornets (25-28)- The return of Chris Paul has sparked this squad, as expected. With David West now healthy as well, expect a late-season surge from New Orleans.
17. Orlando Magic (27-26)- They have slipped tremendously since their hot start, and Dwight Howard's production has dwindled a bit. But I'll keep reiterating it: anything can happen in the East.
18. Los Angeles Clippers (25-28)- They have been the NBA's biggest flop this year, bar none. And what in the world has happened to Elton Brand? 24.7 and 10.3 last year, 20.7 and 9.2 this year.
19. New York Knicks (23-30)- The Knicks can easily turn around and win the Atlantic. They are the most talented team in the division, and if they can add Rashard Lewis as rumored, they'll be a major factor come playoff time.
20. Golden State Warriors (25-29)- Here's another of the NBA's list of disappointments, due much in part to injuries. Jason Richardson hasn't played since December, and it wasn't like he was playing that great anyway.
21. New Jersey Nets (25-29)- Yet another flop. The Nets have gone from a team predicted to reach the NBA Finals by some to a team looking to trade Jason Kidd and Vince Carter. The future doesn't look too promising.
22. Sacramento Kings (22-29)- Kevin Martin is the only bright spot on this team. Ron Artest has been a bust as a King, not to mention he and Mike Bibby can't get along. This team is in need of an extreme makeover.
23. Portland Trail Blazers (22-32)- They are very talented, but Portland is simply not ready to contend for a playoff spot yet. Either way, Brandon Roy is the clear favorite to take Rookie of the Year honors.
24. Seattle Supersonics (20-32)- It is becoming more and more evident that their magical 2004-2005 was just that; a fluke. Now Lewis appears to be on his way out, and Ray Allen and Luke Ridnour may be as well.
25. Atlanta Hawks (21-31)- Their 4-1 start was obviously a mirage. But hey; they finally had an All-Star in Joe Johnson, and Josh Smith, Josh Childress, and Marvin Williams make for a pretty bright future.
26. Milwaukee Bucks (19-34)- They had the looks of a sure-fire playoff team at the beginning of the season, but the Bucks have been flat-out awful. Andrew Bogut is starting to solidify his status as a bust.
27. Charlotte Bobcats (19-33)- Charlotte definitely has shown signs of life this season. Although Adam Morrison has been a disappointment, there are plenty of players on this team whom can make it a playoff contender soon.
28. Philadelphia 76ers (17-36)- Not only did they trade Iverson away, but now it doesn't even look like they will be bad enough to snag Kevin Durant or Greg Oden in the draft.
29. Boston Celtics (13-38)- With all of the talent on this team, it's hard to fathom that they lost 18 games in a row. Al Jefferson is developing into a star, and Ryan Gomes and company are coming along as well.
30. Memphis Grizzlies (14-40)- I don't know if I've ever seen a team take such a big step back in one year. Last season, they went 45-37 and made the playoffs. This year, well...yeah.