HoopsVine.com NBA Power Rankings 1.30.2008

Here are the latest HoopsVine.com NBA Power Rankings for January 29, 2008. The surging New Orleans Hornets dethrone the Boston Celtics for the top spot and the defending champion San Antonio Spurs are dropping fast.

1. (7) New Orleans Hornets (32-12) - The Hornets have won nine straight and 12 out of 13 overall, which include wins over the Spurs, Blazers and Nuggets. At this point, what's not to like about this team?

2. (1) Boston Celtics (34-8) - Funny how quickly the 70 win season talk has ended. With KG the latest Celtic to miss time due to injury, the team is desperately looking forward to the All-Star break for rest.

3. (5) Dallas Mavericks (31-13) - Dirk Nowitzki has been on a tear averaging 24 points and 10.2 rebounds over his last five games. So has Josh Howard averaging 25 during the same span.

4. (3) Detroit Pistons (31-13) - We still like the Pistons in a seven game series against the Celtics, but the team still likes to use cruise control too often.

5. (4) Phoenix Suns (32-13) - We were hoping that Grant Hill's body could hold up for the whole season, unfortunately it's showing signs of wear and tear at the halfway mark.

6. (6) San Antonio Spurs (28-15) - The Spurs are facing a brutal nine game road trip and were just humbled by the Jazz in Utah. Suddenly the defending champions find themselves 3.5 games out of first place in the Southwest division.

7. (16) Utah Jazz (27-18) - The Jazz are rising quick winning nine out their last 10 and five straight overall. If only the team could win on the road (8-15)

8. (2) Los Angeles Lakers (27-15) - The Lakers are clearly not the same team without Andrew Bynum and we think Trevor Ariza's injury has impacted them more than anticipated.

9. (13) Orlando Magic (28-18) - The Magic remain an enigma, capable of beating the best teams like Boston (twice) and Detroit, but also playing inconsistent basketball.

10. (11) Golden State Warriors (27-18) - News out of California is that the Warriors have signed Chris Webber. That makes them even more dangerous come playoff time.

11. (10) Denver Nuggets (26-18) - The Nuggets are 2-2 without Carmelo Anthony. You must give the team credit for staying afloat even with their assortment of injuries.

12. (16) Cleveland Cavaliers (24-19) - Does everyone else notice how LeBron takes it to Kobe and the Lakers. The Cavs have won eight of their last 10, but may lose Anderson Varejao for some time with an ankle sprain.

13. (14) Toronto Raptors (24-19) - There are obvious weak spots glaring for the Raptors, but have rode Chris Bosh and the emerging Jose Calderon to early season success.

14. (8) Portland Trail Blazers (26-18) - Though the team has struggled recently, we don't think you can find many people who went on record to say that the Blazers would be eight games over .500 at this point in the season.

15. (15) Houston Rockets (24-20) - As soon as the Rockets get Tracy McGrady back into the fold, they lose Yao for a game. Can they get a break?

16. (9) Washington Wizards (23-19) - We had the Wizards at number 9 in our last poll, partly because it was amazing to see them beat the Celtics twice in a row. The addition of Gilbert Arenas after the All-Star break will add more firepower, but it's time to give some love to Antawn Jamison - averaging 20/10.

17. (21) Sacramento Kings (19-24) - If the Blazers or Rockets stumble, the Kings have the talent to get the last playoff spot in the West.

18. (18) Atlanta Hawks (18-22) - The Hawks have held down the 18th spot for three weeks in a row now. Either this is a testament to the squads above them or the teams below them aren't getting better. We're going with the latter.

19. (23) Milwaukee Bucks (18-27) - Bucks' GM Harris has stated he believes rookie Yi Jianlian will be an NBA All-Star one day. Maybe one day the team will make a serious playoff push.

20. (20) Indiana Pacers (19-26) - Jermaine O'Neal may be out for the season. There goes the Pacers' playoff hopes. Danny Granger is fun to watch.

21. (17) New Jersey (18-26) - Can somebody explain to us why the Nets are 8 games under .500? The latest out of New Jersey is that Jason Kidd has requested a trade. Rod Thorn has the skills to pull of a deal to set the Nets up for a future run.

22. (22) Charlotte Bobcats (17-27) - Raymond Felton was expected, at least in our eyes, to have a bigger season. But, Gerald Wallace is the story in the Queen City - turning himself into a NBA All-Star caliber player.

23. (19) Chicago Bulls (17-26) - Ben Gordon, Luol Deng and Chris Duhon are nursing injuries. We're wondering if the Bulls regret signing Ben Wallace yet.

24. (25) Philadelphia 76ers (17-28) - Andre Iguodala is Mr. Versatility. Unfortunately, he's one of the loan bright spots in Philly.

25. (24) New York Knicks (14-29) - We are thankful the New York media is busy covering the Giants in the Super Bowl. But don't worry the Isiah scrutiny coverage will begin promptly next week.

26. (27) Memphis Grizzlies (13-31) - Rudy Gay. Rudy Gay. Rudy Gay.

27. (26) Los Angeles Clippers (13-28) - Good news out of LA is that Elton Brand has been cleared to resume heavy running and jumping drills.

28. (28) Minnesota Timberwolves (8-35) - This team will finish with 20 wins. Pretty bold prediction by us considering the T-Wolves would have to go 12-27 the rest of the way.

29. (30) Miami Heat (9-33) - The jokes are starting to lose their strength. It's just hard to believe the Heat are this bad.

30. Seattle SuperSonics (9-35) - One of the biggest mistakes this team made was banishing Damien Wilkins to the bench. He's a proven 11-13 point type that plays within himself.

Lang Greene is the senior writer of Hoopsvine.com. He is also the senior basketball writer for Sports Buff Fantasy Network and a member of the United States Basketball Writers Association. E-mail Lang 24/7 365 at - editor@hoopsvine.com