NBA Power Rankings: Week 2

Although it isn't fair in any way, almost all of the early headlines from the NBA season have involved the Miami Heat and their new Big Three. Miami stumbled during their first game of the season against Boston, but has looked like NBA Finals material since then. It's a little too early in the season to really know how things will shake out, but we might be heading for everyone's favorite preseason prediction: Los Angeles Lakers vs. the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals.

All records are accurate as of early Monday, November 1. Here are my complete Power Rankings heading into Week 2 of the NBA season (last week's ranking in parentheses). I will only be giving commentary on the top 15 teams in the league for now:

1 (1) Los Angeles Lakers (3-0)

Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers shook off the rust they showed in the preseason and have looked good so far through three games.

2 (3) Miami Heat (3-1)

It took a couple games to get acclimated to their new situation, but the Miami Heat have looked terrific so far this season.

3 (7) Portland Trailblazers (3-0)

The Trailblazers have played as well as anybody else in the NBA through the first week of the season and look like they might finally be ready to join the Western Conference elite.

4 (2) Orlando Magic (1-1)

The Orlando Magic, one of the few teams that was supposed to have a favorable matchup against the Miami Heat due to their size inside, rolled over and let the Heat dominate them. It's a little early to panic, but Orlando is on thin ice after such a lackluster performance.

5 (5) Boston Celtics (2-1)

Boston managed to beat LeBron James' new team (the Miami Heat) and then turn around and lose to his old team (the Cleveland Cavaliers). Rajon Rondo once again appears to be playing better than last year and might be talked about as the best point guard in the league by the end of the season.

6 (9) Atlanta Hawks (3-0)

The Atlanta Hawks are slicing through opposing defenses early in the season and are playing like they have something to prove. It's a good sign for a team that many expected to take a step backwards this year with a new coach and a lack of new additions on the floor.

7 (4) Oklahoma City Thunder (2-1)

Maybe I overrated how quickly the Thunder would ascend after last season's gritty playoff performance against the Lakers.

8 (6) Dallas Mavericks (2-1)

It only took three games over the course of one week for the Dallas Mavericks to win more games than the Dallas Cowboys have so far through seven games and eight weeks.

9 (8) San Antonio Spurs (1-1)

Good job by the Spurs locking up Tony Parker for a few more years. Tim Duncan is a great player, but Tony Parker might be the future of the franchise as Duncan continues to get older.

10 (17) New Orleans Hornets (3-0)

I'm not sure the Hornets can continue playing this well over the entire season, but for at least a week it looks like the Hornets are eyeing a return to the playoffs.

11 (10) Chicago Bulls (1-1)

We won't fully know how good the Chicago Bulls are until they get Carlos Boozer back from injury.

12 (14) Memphis Grizzlies (2-1)

The Grizzlies have been able to turn their perfect preseason into a pretty good regular season, at least through the first week.

13 (16) Denver Nuggets (2-1)

The Nuggets are playing well, but I still think the Carmelo Anthony drama will eventually lead to his departure from Denver and the Nuggets' departure from the NBA playoffs.

14 (11) Milwaukee Bucks (1-2)

The slow start is worrisome, but I don't think that the deer can no longer be feared just because they lost once to Minnesota.

15 (23) Indiana Pacers (2-1)

Okay, this won't last for long, but I have to give credit to the Pacers for coming out of the gates swinging and making a legitimate case that they could make a play for the seventh or eighth seed in the Eastern Conference.

16 (15) Phoenix Suns (1-2)

17 (12) Utah Jazz (1-2)

18 (24) Golden State Warriors (2-1)

19 (13) Houston Rockets (0-3)

20 (25) New Jersey Nets (2-1)

21 (28) Sacramento Kings (2-1)

22 (18) New York Knicks (1-2)

23 (26) Cleveland Cavaliers (1-2)

24 (30) Toronto Raptors (1-1)

25 (21) Washington Wizards (0-2)

26 (29) Minnesota Timberwolves (1-2)

27 (19) Charlotte Bobcats (0-3)

28 (20) Los Angeles Clippers (0-3)

29 (22) Philadelphia 76ers (0-3)

30 (27) Detroit Pistons (0-3)

Sources:

All stats and standings from espn.com