NBA Power Rankings: 22-24

Another month in this marathon we call an NBA season has come to an end. So at the end of February, where do the best teams rank in the league? Who are the best teams? Those answers, and more, are provided to you in this edition of the NBA Power Rankings!

22. Indiana Pacers -

Rec (L10): 3-7 Margin of Victory against L25%: -6.33 SOS (L25%): .527

They couldn't trade Jermaine O'Neal, so they appear to be on their way to being a horrible franchise for the next several years. There really isn't much for this team to look forward to if you ask me. Danny Granger is a great young player, but he has been in the league long enough that I'm not sure there is a whole lot more upside to him than we have already seen. Maybe the Pacers can get a good pick in this year's lottery. Of course, they are not the only team in the NBA hoping for that.

23. Los Angeles Clippers -

Rec (L10): 5-5 Margin of Victory against L25%: -5.07 SOS (L25%): .482

It looks like they are going to buy out Sam Cassell, which should make him a very happy (and very rich) man. As for the rest of the players, they only wish they could get out of La-La land with such ease. Without Elton Brand, they have been abysmal and it's hard to believe that this is essentially the same team that made the playoffs two years ago, even if you factor in Brand's loss. That said, they are playing .500 ball right now, so perhaps there is still time for them to rectify the ship and get things going in the right direction in hopes of a healthy return of Elton Brand next season.

24. Minnesota Timberwolves -

Rec (L10): 3-7 Margin of Victory against L25%: -1.64 SOS (L25%): .509

With McHale having given his old team the best alumni donor gift in the history of professional sports, his own team is now one of the worst in the NBA. However, he has managed to get one thing right, and that is making sure that Al Jefferson was included in the trade that sent Kevin Garnett to Boston. It is quite possible that Jefferson could be a perennial All-Star, as early as next season. When you look his stats of 21.3 ppg and 11.9 RPG, it's hard to deny that. But Jefferson will need some help, and I don't know if that help is already on this team, despite the likes of Sebastian Telfair and company. And if Timberwolves fans are hoping that it will get better with all of the draft picks they have coming their way, I think they better think twice about who is in charge of making those picks and whether or not he has the ability to draft this team out anonymity.