NBA power rankings

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

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1. New York, Last week 5

The Knicks started the season 3-0 for the first time since 1999 but the new, unselfish style of play can largely be attributed to the addition of future Hall of Famer Jason Kidd.

Michael Perez / AP

2. Miami Heat, Last week 1

Focusing on the “hockey assist” – the pass before the assist – the Heat has the NBA’s best offense. Miami has also turned Rashard Lewis into serviceable player after a forgettable stint in Washington.

Pedro Portal / AP

3. San Antonio, Last week 2

For the first time in their 40-year franchise history, the Spurs opened a season with four straight wins, but don’t ask Gregg Popovich if he’s happy – especially after they stumbled against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Mark J. Terrill / AP

4. Los Angeles Clippers, Last week 4

Jamal Crawford was one of the most underrated free agent pickups, but the former sixth man of the year has quickly jump-started the Clippers with his nifty dribbling and crafty ability to produce four-point plays.

PAUL BUCK / EPA

5. Oklahoma City, Last week 3

Russell Westbook is off to a slow start and Kevin Durant no longer focused on being just a scorer but Kevin Martin is doing his part to help the Thunder break out of the post-James Harden funk.

Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images

6. Memphis, Last week unranked

The Grizzlies are clicking on the court and have been injected with some excitement off of it with Robert J. Pera, 34, becoming one of youngest owners of a major professional sports franchise.

Jeffrey Phelps / AP

7. Dallas, Last week unchanged

Dirk Nowitzki is out, singing off-key Bruce Springsteen tunes, but O.J. Mayo, Darren Collison and the other new-look Mavericks have the team off to a surprisingly hot start.

Ronald Martinez / Getty Images

8. Chicago, Last week unranked

With Derrick Rose sidelined, Joakim Noah is carrying a heavier load and off to a career-best start. If only he could resist the urge to shoot late-game 3-pointers to help fans get free Big Macs.

JEFF HAYNES / Reuters

9. Minnesota, Last week unranked

Andrei Kirilenko’s return to NBA after a one-year hiatus has helped Timberwolves take an early lead in the Northwest Division with Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio sidelined and Brandon Roy off to a slow start.

ADAM HUNGER / Reuters

10. Golden State, Last week unranked

The Warriors have been forced to shut down Andrew Bogut and Brandon Rush tore his ACL, but the involvement of executive Jerry West has helped the franchise gain some enthusiasm for the future.

Jeff Chiu / AP

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