LEGITIMATE NBA POWER(less) RANKINGS

7-days ago ESPN released it's NBA Power Rankings were released last week. The San Antonio Spurs are noted as #1, which they conveniently bring to light other teams in NBA history whom have started the season with 29-wins & 4-losses, or better, and have won the highly coveted Larry O'brien brass. (Unfortunately for the Spurs, they've lost a couple of games since ESPN's report.)

Ironically, the Los Angeles Lakers find themselves as ESPN's 7th strongest NBA team, behind Orlando (#6), Chicago (#5), Dallas (#4), Boston (#3) & Miami (#2).

Despite San Antonio losing a couple of games, they're win-loss record makes their win-loss record the only team winning 80 % or more of their games. Granted, we're not half-way through the regular season of 82-games, but - based on averages of games played - with more than 44% of the regular season complete; the Spurs happen to have the best winning percentage (83.8%) in the leagues best division (SouthWest Division teams have won > 60% of their games). In fact, each of the teams in this division are above .400, which no other division can claim.

Naturally, injuries and season schedules thus far have contributed to ESPN's Power Rankings, however THESE rankings are based on numbers of the NBA teams w/ a record of .500 or better, and don't require further debate.

1. San Antonio Spurs .838
2. Boston Celtics .778
3. Miami Heat .769
4. Dallas Mavericks .722
5. Los Angeles Lakers .711
   
6. Orlando Magic .676
7. Chicago Bulls .667
8. Oklahoma City Thunder .658 & Utah Jazz .658
10. Atlanta Hawks .641
    
11. New York Knicks .583
12. New Orleans Hornets .579
13. Denver Nuggets .556
14. Portland Trailblazers .526

And, of course, with almost half of the league winning more than half of their games; there are more than a handful of teams struggling through their 2010-2011 NBA campaign. 16-teams have failed to make the .500-mark. Some sports columnist conclude that these teams don't have a chance at being the NBA's champions, and understandably so.

Then again, who really expected the Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies, Houston Rockets, Philadelphia 76'ers, Milwaukee Bucks, Phoenix Suns or Indiana and their Pacers to be contenders? Some have side-lined starts (Brandon Jennings for the Bucks) and others had players who have taken their once franchise-level talents elsewhere (Detroit's latest addition thanks to Houston, Tracy McGrady). And those once franchise level talents really don't help much, because you haven't read about the Detroit Pistons yet, have you?

It's clear now - as usual - which one-third of the NBA won't make it to winning 40% of their games this year, although some of them will make it very interesting.

Currently the leagues laggers are Donald Sterling's Los Angeles Clippers, the Toronto Raptors, Jordan's Charlotte Bobcats, the Detroit Pistons, Sacramento Kings, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Jersey Nets, Washington Bullets and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Since the NBA's 2-month play-off enduro-classic is about 4-months away, I'll spare everyone the bracket-bubble conversation. I'm sure the conversation will come up on ESPN just after the all-star break, or trading-deadline, both taking place in the months to come.

Meanwhile, we'll see or hear how ESPN's infamous power rankings shift, based on one reports whim or distaste for another teams tactics, strategy or roster round-up. Until then...D UP!