Updated: January 10, 2012, 8:55 am ET

NBA Power Rankings – Week Zero

12/24/11 – It took a little bit longer than anyone hoped, and perhaps it’s here ahead of schedule, but the 2011/12 NBA Season finally kicks off on Christmas Day. In what was an interesting and often confusing offseason, the same cast of characters stand as threats to return to the Conference Finals. Have the Chicago Bulls improved enough to overtake the star-laden Miami HEAT? Will the Dallas Mavericks regret letting go of a number of key title pieces? Are the Oklahoma City Thunder still intent on beating the curve? Have the Clippers eclipsed the Lakers as the best team in Los Angeles? The NBA at zero hour . . .

NBA Power Rankings Week Zero

Team Rank Last Standing Comments
1
   0-0 The Mavericks get the top spot as returning champs but can they hold it? The loss of Tyson Chandler will be big, even with Lamar Odom in. Dallas may miss J.J. Barea even more . . .
2
   0-0 The HEAT may have improved, given that Shane Battier is a tremendous pickup for a team positioned to win a ring. Questions persist at point guard and center.
3
   0-0 It’s easy to forget that Chicago had injuries to Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer last year. Rip Hamilton is an upgrade but Kurt Thomas is an underrated loss.
4
   0-0 The Thunder have the benefit of continuity and young legs. OK City may very well be the team representing the West in the NBA Finals.
5
   0-0 The Clippers still have a lot to prove but history should have no bearing on the present. This is, on paper, is the best team the organization has ever had.
6
   0-0 It’s difficult to get a read on the Lakers. If Kobe Bryant’s wrist injury is significant, six may be as high as they get.
7
   0-0 Every year it’s easy to discount the Spurs but they did win 61 games last season. San Antonio will still be a regular season force.
8
   0-0 They’re older. They’re salty. The Celtics are still going to be a factor despite short-comings.
9
   0-0 Point guard is an issue and Baron Davis has a bad back, but the Knick are going to be a fun watch this season. They may even play some defense now that Tyson Chandler is manning the middle.
10
   0-0 The Grizzlies are tough. Last year was a great run and one of their best players was hurt. What’s their upside with Rudy Gay?
11
   0-0 The Hawks are less about flash and more about just winning games, year-after-year. But can they make a leap? Maybe not.
12
   0-0 The Blazers are well-coached. They’ll miss Brandon Roy but there’s more than enough on this roster to compete. Age and health at center is a concern.
13
   0-0 The future of Dwight Howard will hang over this team all season. Will it be a distraction or rallying cry?
14
   0-0 The Pacers were already a playoff team last year and they keep getting better. Keep an eye on the still-emerging Tyler Hansbrough.
15
   0-0 The Nuggets kept their two top free agents in Nene and Arron Afflalo. Wilson Chandler may be missed (in China) but this is a deep, young, talented squad.
16
   0-0 Look for Evan Turner to have a breakout season but the Sixers are still a touch short on talent in the East.
17
   0-0 Rookie Head Coach Mark Jackson promises playoffs but that’s not going to be easy for a team that didn’t get appreciably better in the offseason.
18
   0-0 This may be low for the Suns. The Warriors are certainly in reach but can they snag another Western Conference team to reach the playoffs?
19
   0-0 It’s easy to focus on the Lakers or Hornets in the failed Chris Paul trade but it was the Rockets that took the brunt of that. This was the offseason Houston believed they’d make a leap. Now what?
20
   0-0 Can Coach Scott Skiles get the most out of the free-wheeling Brandon Jennings and Stephen Jackson? Has a coach ever been suspended for decking his own player?
21
   0-0 Utah is another wild card, specifically because of their backcourt. Devin Harris, when healthy, can be a force. Inside, the Jazz have a lot of impressive pieces to put on the floor.
22
   0-0 If a Rodney Stuckey/Brandon Knight backcourt can work simultaneously, the Pistons may have something.
23
   0-0 The Wolves are loaded with talent and Rick Adelman is going to somehow turn this team around. Much rests on Ricky Rubio and his true NBA-readiness.
24
   0-0 It’s a little difficult to get a read on where the Bobcats are headed. A great rookie campaign from Kemba Walker would certain right a number of wrongs.
25
   0-0 Had Brook Lopez not gone under the knife for a foot injury, the Nets would be a high bubble team in the East. Now, who is their inside scorer?
26
   0-0 The Raptors may be ranked a bit too low but how exactly are they better than last year?
27
   0-0 The Wizards will have their moments – fun, brilliant, out-of-the-box moments – just not necessarily a ton of wins.
28
   0-0 The Cavs are in the bottom three after what was an awful season, but of the group – Cleveland may have the most potential to climb a good 5-10 spots.
29
   0-0 The Kings are starting to look like a team that may be able to win some games. It might not happen this year (unless Jimmer-fever spreads), but there’s a lot more room for growth.
30
   0-0 This may be far too low for a team that has a shot of being, average, but no Chris Paul and an uncertain future drops the Hornets to dead least in the pre-season rankings.
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