http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/powerranking?season=2010&week=9

Marc Stein currently has Cleveland back at #1, jumping 6 spots after the Dallas loss since giving Phoenix their first home loss, beating the Lakers, and also the Rockets.. None of the games were close..

Here's his top 10..

1) Cavs
2) Celtics
3) Lakers
4) Magic
5) Hawks
6) Trailblazers
7) Mavericks
8) Rockets
9) Nuggets
10) Suns

I'd say that looks good. I'd probably drop Houston to 10 and move both the Suns and Nuggets up a spot. I'd also flip-flop the Nuggets and Suns right now too..

I don't think there is much debate with the top 5 though. Funny, after an 0-2 start and some freaking out by ESPN that the Cavs may be doomed, they are pretty much doing a complete 180 on this team.. Man, kind of crazy that when the Cavs actually play the way they're capable, nobody questions them as a power anymore!

The Celtics are great too, but they have been slipping up lately. Losing Pierce obviously hurts, but losing to the Clippers and Warriors on back to back nights?

The Lakers just have a weak bench. It was abused AGAIN by the Suns. I honestly feel they need to make another move. I don't think Artest is fitting into their system like Ariza did either. Keep chucking those 3's Ronny

The Magic.. Meh. Are they a scary team? Yes. But, I still feel they lost their mojo from last season. Hedo was very important to them. I can;t trust VC to be the same type of play maker. Besides, VC takes touches away from Lewis and Howard, which works for me..

The Hawks are solid. Pretty much the same team as last year, but Josh Smith has improved and finally figured out his role. Defense and leak outs. Jamal Crawford was a nice addition as well, but I still don't think they're anything but a 2nd round team right now.

When you have a player the caliber of Lebron James, you should always be #1 in any power rankings.

No doubt.

Also, Portland at 6?

I don't know about that one.

Spurs or Miami should be at 10, and just move everyone else up.

Cav's

everyone else

they are playing great ball right now

1. Lakers
2a. Cavs
2b. Celtics
3. Magic
4a. Mavs
4b. Nuggets

...everyone else.

Stick a fork in the Spurs--they're done.

SQ_Crazies wrote: 1. Lakers
2a. Cavs
2b. Celtics
3. Magic
4a. Mavs
4b. Nuggets

...everyone else.

Stick a fork in the Spurs--they're done.

This.

1a) Boston Celtics
1b) Los Angeles Lakers
1c) Cleveland Cavaliers
4) Orlando Magic
5) Denver Nuggets
6) Dallas Mavericks
7) Atlanta Hawks
8) Portland Trail Blazers
9) Phoenix Suns
10) Houston Rockets

I bumped the Cavs up with the Celtics and Lakers. Right now they are playing well. I still think the Cavs would fall to both teams in a 7 game series but I think those three teams have risen to the top of the league.

Nuggets...Last.

So god damn inconsistent, And Billups is really starting to piss me off when he plays. I understand hes a true pg and runs the team. But he doesnt even really look to score, and when JR Smith is off(streaky ass) He needs to score because hes really the only other scoring threat next to Melo.

I really wish Stein would have waited a day or 2 to put these out. Celtics go on the road and lose to both the Clippers and Golden State(not a BAD loss but still).

1. Cavs
2. Lakers
3. Magic
4. Celtics
After that it's a crap shoot and really doesn't matter.

Cavs are slowly getting there. It seems to me that Brown has gotten ahold of the team after he went off of them a couple weeks ago. Still think the team is lacking the true scoring PF but they are working on that with JJ/Z (buyout) as the main parts.

The Lakers will be fine as the bench will wake up sometime down the line. The Celtics had two rough losses without Pierce to some bad teams, this team needs to be healthy to win. They cannot afford to have one of the Old 3 to go down.

wildcats20 wrote: 1. Cavs
2. Lakers
3. Magic
4. Celtics
After that it's a crap shoot and really doesn't matter.

Exactly. Only REAL contenders I see are the same 4 as last year.

SQ_Crazies wrote:

wildcats20 wrote: 1. Cavs
2. Lakers
3. Magic
4. Celtics
After that it's a crap shoot and really doesn't matter.

Exactly. Only REAL contenders I see are the same 4 as last year.

I do think the Hawks and Nuggs can make some noise, but 3 of those teams will be in the "final four."

1. Lakers
2. Cavs
3. Celtics
4. Mavs
5. Magic