Eventually, the NBA power rankings might settle into what we expect, with the Lakers, Celtics, Cavs, Magic and Spurs fighting for the top spot. But not now. All of those teams already have at least three losses, more than the Suns, Hawks and Heat and as many as the Nuggets, Mavs and Pacers. So until the supposed superteams earn that status, let's go with the teams that have actually played the best basketball so far this season. Even if they're not what anyone expected.

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Records are through games of Monday, Nov. 9

NBA Power Rankings Week Of 11/17/2009
Rk	Team	Last Wk	Rise/Fall	High/Low	Comment
1	Suns	1	-	1/11	(9-2) Yes, we saw the beatdown they received in L.A., but they still have the most impressive resume of any team. Hey, someone has to be No. 1. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy
2	Hawks	5	(+3)	2/12	(9-2) Tempting to put them first after breakthrough win in Boston and Monday's comeback against Blazers. But let's see how they handle prosperity. Remember, they fizzled after hot start last year. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy
3	Nuggets	7	(+4)	3/7	(7-3) All things considered, a 4-3 road trip wasn't bad. Friday's rout of Lakers kicked off stretch where Nuggets play eight of 10 at home. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy
4	Cavaliers	9	(+5)	2/9	(7-3) Last week's wins in Orlando and Miami were nice. There's still no shortage of concerns, especially regarding Shaq and Delonte West, but overall outlook is improving. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy
5	Celtics	2	(-3)	1/5	(8-3) Schedule-makers didn't do Boston any favors with first eight games in 12 days, then three games in four days. Fatigue takes a bigger toll on older teams, but they only have two more back-to-backs in 2009. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy
6	Lakers	3	(-3)	1/6	(7-3) Add Kobe's groin to list of Lakers' issues that includes Gasol's hammy, Artest's role, Odom's output and Fisher's shooting. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy
7	Magic	4	(-3)	2/7	(8-3) First game with Rashard Lewis showed off Orlando's depth. Seven players scored between 10-16 points. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy
8	Heat	6	(-2)	6/13	(7-2) With his dunk on Varejao and his last-second 3 to beat the Nets, D-Wade is already leading the league in highlights. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy
9	Mavericks	8	(-1)	7/9	(8-3) Josh Howard's latest injury setback puts a damper on strong start by Dirk and Co. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy
10	Trail Blazers	10	-	7/12	(8-4) First four road wins were against lightweights. A victory in Atlanta would have made a strong statement Monday, but they couldn't hang on to fourth-quarter lead. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy
11	Rockets	12	(+1)	10/14	(6-4) Despite losing all their stars, Rockets still have outstanding depth thanks to productive reserves Carl Landry, Chase Budinger, Kyle Lowry and David Andersen. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy
12	Bucks	19	(+7)	12/27	(5-3) Nine teams have to regret passing up Brandon Jennings in June's draft. Well, maybe the Clippers don't. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy
13	Spurs	11	(-2)	5/13	(4-4) San Antonio's defense suddenly stinks. You sure Bruce Bowen can't make a comeback? Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy
14	Bulls	13	(-1)	13/17	(5-4) Annual circus road trip is no laughing matter with six tough games, including consecutive dates in Los Angeles (Lakers), Denver and Portland. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy
15	Thunder	14	(-1)	14/20	(5-5) Two weeks ago, they followed a rout of Magic with a loss to Kings. Last weekend they beat Spurs in San Antonio, then lost at home to Clippers. That's talent and immaturity in action. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy
16	Raptors	17	(+1)	16/19	(5-5) Tough loss in Phoenix was unfortunate, but Toronto's finally playing decent defense. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy
17	Pistons	18	(+1)	16/20	(5-5) Bynum's dynamic play should earn him minutes even when Hamilton returns. But it'll be a challenge for John Kuester to find PT for Stuckey, Gordon, Hamilton and Bynum -- all natural shooting guards. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy
18	Pacers	23	(+5)	18/24	(4-3) Perfect example of NBA unpredictability this season. After losing first three games by double digits, Pacers have won four straight, including smackdown of Celtics. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy
19	Kings	25	(+6)	19/30	(5-4) After Martin went down, it was hard to envision them winning anything in his absence. Yet they haven't lost since. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy
20	Jazz	16	(-4)	10/20	(4-6) 2-2 road trip was encouraging, especially play of rookie guards Eric Maynor and Wesley Matthews. With seven of next eight at home, Jazz need to make a push. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy
21	76ers	15	(-6)	14/21	(4-6) Speights' knee injury means Brand will finally get minutes in crunch time, for better or worse. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy
22	Bobcats	20	(-2)	20/23	(3-7) In short term, the 'Cats get the scorer they need in Stephen Jackson. In long term, they get a bad contract and, most likely, a future malcontent. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy
23	Warriors	26	(+3)	23/26	(3-6) They removed a cancer (Jackson) and got a tough defender (Raja Bell), but dysfunction still persists in Golden State. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy
24	Clippers	21	(-3)	21/24	(4-7) Just when you think the Clips might be decent, they lose consecutive home games to Hornets, Thunder and Raptors. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy
25	Wizards	22	(-3)	13/25	(2-7) If they're still awful when Jamison returns, they won't have any excuses Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy
26	Hornets	24	(-2)	8/26	(3-8) By naming himself to replace Byron Scott, GM Jeff Bower gets what he deserved. Now he has to coach all the guys he overpaid for. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy
27	Grizzlies	27	-	25/27	(2-8) If they really wanted a high-maintenance guard, they should have signed Jamaal Tinsley in the first place and never thought about Iverson. At least Tinsley is willing to pass and be a backup. We think. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy
28	Nets	30	(+2)	28/30	(0-10) How does a winless team move up two spots? When it's playing everyone tough and two other teams are getting embarrassed every night. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy
29	Timberwolves	28	(-1)	28/29	(1-10) After nearly upsetting the Celtics on Nov. 4, they've lost six straight by double digits. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy
30	Knicks	29	(-1)	23/30	(1-9) An interest in Iverson is the surest sign of desperation. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy