NBA power rankings

Michael Lee evaluates the best teams in the National Basketball Association.

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1. San Antonio, last week 1

Tony Parker won’t catch Kevin Durant or LeBron James in the MVP race, but that doesn’t diminish his contributions in leading Spurs to the NBA’s best record – or how he upstaged All-Star Game MVP Chris Paul in a recent matchup.

Mark J. Terrill / AP

2. Miami, last week 2

The Heat is distancing itself from New York and should finish as the top seed in the Eastern Conference for the first time since 2004-05. The tougher challenge is claiming NBA’s best overall record for first time in 25-year-history.

Nam Y. Huh / AP

3. Oklahoma City, last week 3

James Harden got his revenge with a 46-point effort that handed his former team its third straight loss, forcing the Thunder to go after another perimeter defender at the trade deadline, snagging Ronnie Brewer from New York.

Pat Sullivan / AP

4. Los Angeles Clippers, last week 4

The Clippers are on pace to win 50 games and the Pacific Division for the first time in franchise history, but blowout losses to San Antonio and Miami have raised doubts about whether they are truly an elite team.

Mark J. Terrill / AP

5. Memphis, last week 5

The Grizzlies reunion tour ended with Tayshaun Prince getting a win in Detroit and his new teammates defeating ex-teammate Rudy Gay in Toronto. Memphis won six of first eight games with Prince in uniform.

Duane Burleson / AP

6. New York, last week 6

Signing veteran big man Kenyon Martin signals concerns about the health of Marcus Camby and Rasheed Wallace, but Knicks problems run deeper with Glen Grunwald admitting that teams have figured them out.

AJ MAST / AP

7. Denver, last week 7

On the two-year anniversary of Carmelo Anthony deal to New York, the Nuggets had the sixth-best winning percentage over that time span (.616), while the Knicks were 10-best (.566).

David Zalubowski / AP

8. Indiana, last week 8

The Pacers are encouraged that all-star forward Danny Granger is getting closer to returning from a left knee injury and delivered a possible message to the rest of the league with a 34-point trouncing of the Knicks.

AJ MAST / AP

9. Brooklyn, last week 9

Joe Johnson is clutch. The veteran all-star guard has hit nine baskets in the final minute of the fourth quarter overtime this season, including two in a home win over Milwaukee but is now dealing with a sore heel.

Kathy Willens / AP

10. Chicago, last week 10

Derrick Rose’s brother, Reggie, but the former MVP in an awkward position when he told ESPN.com that the Bulls’ failure to make a move at the trade deadline could play a “big factor” in whether or not he returns this season.

JIM YOUNG / Reuters

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