Week 1 NBA Power Rankings

The NBA is finally back for real. No more summer league or preseason, now the games count. Now the losses start to hurt. The early season action has been great and I'm looking forward to another excellent season on the hard wood.

1. Boston Celtics 4-0 -- The Celtics opening night win at Cleveland was impressive and so was the blowout win at home over the Bulls. With a quick look at the immediate schedule and it seems the Celtics could stay on top for awhile.

2. L.A. Lakers 2-1 - The defending NBA Champs are playing without Paul Gasol and also took a early loss at the hands of the Mavericks but I just can't drop them below the second spot of the Power Rankings . Lakers have a 2 game road trip to OKC and to the Ming-less Rockets if they can make it home no worse for wear they should get Gasol back on the roster.

3. Orlando Magic 3-0 - The defending Eastern Conference champs picking up right where they left off winning their first 3 games two of those on the road. You have to like the Magic's schedule playing Detroit twice this week and traveling to play the pesky Thunder next Sunday.

4. Denver Nuggets 3-0 - The Nuggets have had an impressive start. With wins over two divisional teams including at Portland the Nuggets have an early lead in the Northwest.

5. Cleveland Cavs 2-2 - The Cavs had a slow start and I don't expect them to stay this low in the rankings. LeBron and Shaq should steady the ship and get on a roll.

6. San Antonio Spurs 2-1 - The spurs may be a little high but with their off season moves I expect good things for them in the Southwest.

7. Dallas Mavericks 2-1 - With two road wins both coming in L.A. Cuban may have a team that can make a run in the playoffs.

8. Miami Heat 3-0 - The Heat will be tested this week with the high scoring Nuggets coming to town. If Wade can take his team 2-1 for the week the Heat will be on the move in the rankings.

9. Atlanta Hawks 2-1 - The Hawks couldn't find an answer for Kobe and dropped a home game against the Lakers. Atlanta has a brutal schedule for the next week so we will see what they are made of early.

10. Portland Trailblazers 2-2 -Portland had trouble with the Thunder's improved defense but got the win because of a horrible shooting performance by the whole OKC squad. The Blazers need to win out this week to prove they are the team challenge for the West.

11. Philadelphia 76ers 2-1 - Loosing on the road the Magic is no crime. The 76ers are off to a good start but have Boston coming to town.

12. Utah Jazz 1-1 - The Jazz have an important week with western playoff contenders Dallas and the retooled Houston Rockets. They need to prove themselves this week

13. Phoenix Suns 3-0 - The Suns come out of the gate with three straight wins, sound impressive until you see that those wins came against teams fighting for the basement. Phoenix starts a five game road trip this week the first three are Miami, Orlando and Boston......ouch.

14. New Orleans Hornets 1-2 - The Hornets first week featured a brutal road schedule loosing at San Antonio and Boston. They will have an opportunity for their first road win at N.Y. if they fail there the stakes go up a trip to the Lakers at the end of the week.

15. Chicago Bulls 1-2 - The first three games for the Bulls were all top 10 teams. Chicago eagerly awaits the Bucks before hitting road again this time to Cleveland...whoever made this schedule is not a Bulls fan.

16. Houston Rockets 2-1 - With a split against the Trailblazers the Rockets proved they can play without Ming, let's see what happens when the Lakers come calling.

17. Toronto Raptors 1-2 - Toronto won their opener against Cleveland then dropped a game at Memphis 107-115. Maybe defense is an American sports concept.

18. OKC Thunder 2-1 - The Thunder look like a much improved team and if they continue playing as hard and fighting on every possession I look for them to move up the list and fight for a playoff spot.

19. Washington Wizards 2-1 - The Wizards are off to an optimistic start taking out the Mavs in Big D. A trip to Cleveland is looming then back home to play the Heat...we will see if they are the same old Wizards or not.

20. Detroit pistons 1-2 - Not a great start for the Pistons dropping two of three to non playoff teams. Two of their next three are against the Magic...Detroit sports fans are not enjoying 09.

21. Charlotte Bobcats 1-2 - The Bobcats should probably be higher but with an overtime win at home with Knicks and a 33 point loss at Boston I just can't do it.

22. Indiana Pacers 0-2 - Don't worry Pacer fans the schedule will get easier....Golden State comes to town next week it may be your first win.

23. New York Knicks 0-3 - Knicks better improve to show LeBron he has a chance for a title in the Big Apple.

24. New Jersey Nets 0-3 - The Nets with a tough schedule ahead really have nowhere to go but down for the next couple of weeks.

25. Milwaukee Bucks 1-1 - Milwaukee has one of the easier early schedules, now let's see if they can take advantage of it.

26. Minnesota Timber Wolves 1-2 - Wins are going to be few between and Rubio knew that all along.

27. Memphis Grizzlies 1-2 - Memphis heads to California for a 4 game road trip. Thankfully for the Grizzlies only one good opponent between them.

28. L.A. Clippers 0-4 - Horrible schedule for the Clippers to start with without first overall pick Blake Griffin. L.A. will get a break with a softer group of opponents coming up.

29. Golden State Warriors 0-2 - Next four games couldn't be against worse competition, if they don't go 2-2 at least the Warriors will be in the cellar next week.

30. Sacramento Kings 0-3 - There will be few chances for the Kings to get a win this year, they need to take full advantage when they opportunity arises.

This should be a very entertaining week of action with some really good match ups on the way. I can't wait to see how many of these teams proves me wrong.
Source:
All records from ESPN.com