It is the start of a new year, and many NBA teams are hoping for better results in 2014. The West continues to be stacked full of competitive teams, while the East is slowly starting to turn things around. Point guards are falling like flies this season with Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook, Chris Paul, and Eric Bledsoe have all gone down with serious injuries. With the All-Star break rapidly approaching, many team s are looking to continue for a playoff push, while others are blowing things up. Here where each team stands in the power rankings.
1. San Antonio Spurs
Even with all the young teams in the league, the Spurs continue to dominate. Even with Tim Duncan having one of the worst seasons of his career the Spurs are getting great production from multiple players.
2. Indiana Pacers
The Pacers are still on top of the East. Even though the offense isn’t as high powered as some of the top West teams, the Pacers are playing great team ball and have a suffocating defense.
3. Portland Trail Blazers
The Blazers have continued on their hot start and they are led by a dynamic scoring duo of LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard. They have struggled recently but are still one of the top teams in the West.
4. Oklahoma City Thunder
Kevin Durant has just exploded since the injury to Westbrook. Even though Durant has shouldered a majority of the production, the Thunder will be eagerly awaiting Westbrook’s return.
5. Miami Heat
The Heat have been struggling lately and the inconsistent production from everyone not named LeBron James has been a problem for Miami.
6. Golden State Warriors
The Warriors struggled with the injury to Andre Iguodala but since his return they have been red hot. They recently had a ten game win streak snapped. Depth has still been an issue for the Warriors but they are still competitors in the West.
7. Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers suffered a major blow when star point guard Chris Paul went down with a shoulder injury. However, Darren Collison has played very well and the Clippers have managed to win three straight.
8. Houston Rockets
The Rockets have been playing really well, especially on the defensive side of the ball where they are much improved. James Harden and Dwight Howard are continuing to be one of the more productive duos in the NBA.
9. Phoenix Suns
Early in the season the Suns surprised everyone with a hot start. They have continued this success throughout the season. Unfortunately, Eric Bledsoe will be out for multiple weeks with an injury.
10. Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks have been one of more surprising teams in the NBA this season. They are one of the more productive offensive teams in the league but they are really struggling on defense.
11. Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks took a major blow when star center Al Horford went down with a torn pectoral. The Hawks continue to keep their heads above water in the East and they should continue to do just that.
12. Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets have had one of the strangest seasons to date. They are currently on a four game win streak. Ty Lawson has had a very good season so far and he is the reason the Nuggets are as successful as they have been.
13. Minnesota Timberwolves
Kevin Love has been spectacular for the Timberwolves this season and he is making a strong case for the MVP this season. Ricky Rubio has underperformed this season and they will need an increase in production from a few of their players to make the playoffs.
14. Toronto Raptors
Ever since trading Rudy Gay the Raptors have been a much improved team. Kyle Lowry has been spectacular for the Raptors and will get a major payday this offseason.
15. Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies have been one of the biggest disappointments this year and it’s due largely in part to a lack of offense. The injury to Marc Gasol certainly hasn’t helped this struggling team.
16. Chicago Bulls
The Bulls are attempting to blow things up this season after trading Luol Deng to the Cavaliers, however; they certainly aren’t doing it right. They have currently won four straight and are seven and three in the last ten games.
17. Washington Wizards
The Wizards are slowly turning things around and they are in great shape to make the playoffs. John Wall and Bradley Beal have developed into a dangerous backcourt pair and the Wizards certainly have a bright future.
18. New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans are a much better team than their record would suggest. If they were in the East I have no doubt they would be one of the top teams in the East.Anthony Davis has had an amazing breakout season and is looking like an all-star.
19. Brooklyn Nets
The Nets have really turned things around and they are starting to resemble a competitive team. The injury to Deron Williams is a big loss but he should return relatively soon.
20. Detroit Pistons
The Pistons just can’t pull things together. Josh Smith has been a major disappointment and so has this team, especially in such a weak Eastern conference.
21. Charlotte Bobcats
The wheels have really started to fall off for the Bobcats. They were off to a relatively solid start but that has quickly fallen away.Kemba Walker has continued to improve and the Bobcats have a bright future.
22. New York Knicks
The Knicks are a mess. Even though they are starting to improve they have multiple problems. J.R. Smith is just asking to be run out of town and Melo can’t do it all for the Knicks.
23. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavs traded for Luol Deng in an attempt to save the season. The Cavs have been largely disappointing but they are still only a few games out of the playoffs.
24. Sacramento Kings
The Kings have improved since trading for Rudy Gay and they currently possess a great offensive trio. DeMarcus Cousins and Isaiah Thomas are playing like all-stars, but unfortunately the defense isn’t playing up to the offenses level.
25. Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers are sinking deeper and deeper in the East and their dream start has quickly been forgotten. The 76ers now should just be hoping for the best draft pick possible.
26. Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers season is effectively over. They are putting up a valiant effort but they continuously fall short. The best thing that could happen for them is to lose as much as possible.
27. Boston Celtics
The Celtics have lost seven straight. They put up an impressive stand early in the season but that is quickly coming to an end. It would be in Rajon Rondo’s best interest to wait until he is perfectly healthy.
28. Utah Jazz
The Jazz are the cellar dwellars of the West. They have a very young core and should only look to build toward the future.
29. Orlando Magic
The Magic, much like many of the teams on the bottom of this list, are looking to build toward the future. The Magic have struggled with injuries but they are a team to watch in the future.
30. Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks are just flat out awful. They are the only team to not reach double digit wins so far and they have a relatively bleak outlook for the future.H