First Quarter NBA Power Rankings: #6-10

A quarter of the way through the 2006-2007 NBA season we have seen several surprises and even a few disappointments. If the NBA season ended right now, which teams would be in the upper tier? After a quarter of the season, the NBA teams rounding out the top 10 in positions 6-10 are as follows:

6. Phoenix Suns. The desert Suns haven't caught fire just yet. The Suns are playing good basketball, but they haven't dominated opponents in the same fashion as the 2005-2006 version of the club did. Amare Stoudemire is back from a knee injury last season and has added to the mix nicely with 15 points and just fewer than 8 rebounds per game. The Steve Nash to Amare Stademire connection is once again back and still just as fun to watch. Look for the young talent on this team to step up as the season progresses. Leandro Barbosa is a talented young player who gives the Suns 18 points a night, and some teams out West may find themselves watching while the Suns work deep into the playoffs.

7. LA Clippers. Los Angeles' forgot team, the Clippers, have finally arrived at the day when they are legitimate contenders. Last season, the Clip-show came on early and didn't disappoint. This season the Clippers are back at it, only this time expectations are high. The Sam Cassel, Elton Brand duo is one of the better backcourt to frontcourt relationships in the league. The Clippers are ready for a return to the NBA Playoffs in 2007.

8. LA Lakers. These Lakers still aren't the "Showtime" Lakers of old or anywhere close, but they're still pretty good. Kobe Bryant seems to be his same superstar-self after off-season knee surgery. The Zen Master, Phil Jackson, worked his magic last season and it earned the Lakers a visit to the playoffs. So far in 2006, the Lakers appear to be Kobe's team once again and on their way back to the post-season. The development of Kwame Brown and Roney Turiaf is sure to help this club down the stretch. Look for the Lakers to make a deeper push in the playoffs.

9. Indiana Pacers. The Indiana Pacers have stumbled their way through ups and downs in the first quarter of the season, but they still remain the second best in the Eastern Conference. Jermaine O'Neal is still the leader of this squad and the first quarter of this season he's been an All-Star yet again averaging over 18 points per game. Without O'Neal, this team is just another Eastern Conference team, but with him they're among the top 10 in the NBA. Could another classic Pacers/Pistons match-up be looming in the playoffs? Perhaps, if a lost Miami team doesn't find itself.

10. Golden State Warriors. The Warriors have Baron and other teams don't. Baron Davis has single handedly made this team a contender by averaging 18 points and 8 assists per game. Davis' consistent numbers have been the key thus far this season, and he proven has the moxy to carry this team on a late season push for the playoffs. In a cluttered Western Conference, the spots for playoff teams will be tight, but this team will be a challenger for the post-season thanks to Davis and veteran coach Don Nelson.

Honorable Mention: Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston Rockets, Boston Celtics.