NBA POWER RANKINGS

NBA Basketball Power Rankings

NBA Power Rankings Week 17

Sam Amico, FOX Sports Ohio

WEEK#    
Posted February 19, 2013 01:41 PM EST

Spurs exit All-Star break holding onto top spot, but can they answer skeptics' charges that they're too old? Heat, Thunder and a few others plan to find out.

Also, check out the week's best performances.

+3

Brooklyn Nets

-3

Houston Rockets

FOX SPORTS NBA POWER RANKINGS

RK Team RECORD CHANGE HIGH/LOW COMMENTS
1

42-12 - 1/6
Most critics believe Spurs’ best players are too old to hold down this spot for an entire season. Is this the year Tim Duncan and the gang prove those critics wrong?
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule | Gear | Tickets
2

36-14 1 1/4
LeBron James is playing like some sort of video-game creation, an unstoppable force who’s determined to win another title. Hard to believe in anyone but the Heat when that’s the case.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule | Gear | Tickets
3

39-14 1 1/12
Recent losses to Lakers and Heat have Thunder brass thinking about minor moves. If not, they could do worse than march on with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule | Gear | Tickets
4

39-17 - 1/9
All-Star MVP Chris Paul may be having a season full of destiny. Clippers seem to get better as season progresses. Scary thought.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule | Gear | Tickets
5

33-18 - 1/10
Zach Randolph says Grizzlies are better without Rudy Gay. From the looks of things, Randolph may not just be blowing smoke.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule | Gear | Tickets
6

33-21 - 4/24
Since no one made the All-Star team, Nuggets will be well-rested heading into second half. But more than that, they’re just balanced, deep and flat-out good.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule | Gear | Tickets
7

32-18 - 2/12
Lots of folks wonder if Knicks are physical enough to challenge Heat and sustain a lengthy East playoff run. There are, however, no doubts about their ability to just outscore you.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule | Gear | Tickets
8

32-21 - 5/21
Pacers now have an edgy, physical style that overcomes even the loss of Danny Granger. New star Paul George a big reason for that.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule | Gear | Tickets
9

31-22 3 5/17
Major players in the Josh Smith sweepstakes, Nets looking for move to put themselves over the top. But even without one, they have ability to perhaps pull postseason surprise.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule | Gear | Tickets
10

30-22 1 8/19
Sounding less and less likely that Derrick Rose will return to save the day. But we’ve already learned it’d be foolish to overlook Bulls’ smarts, defense and hustle.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule | Gear | Tickets
11

30-22 1 4/21
Second half of season will be trust test for team with four rookies. Are Warriors for real or still a year or two away from really good things? We’ll have some answers in April.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule | Gear | Tickets
12

28-24 1 4/18
Rajon Rondo, Jared Sullinger and Leandro Barbosa are injured. Trade rumors surround Rondo, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. And the Celtics are suddenly the best they’ve been all year.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule | Gear | Tickets
13

30-24 1 13/23
Interesting times for a team that suddenly seems to be finding itself. Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap are two biggest reasons for hope -- but with expiring contracts, also two biggest trade chips.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule | Gear | Tickets
14

29-26 3 6/26
No one expected league’s youngest team to be this good, this quickly. Shows what determination, teamwork and a whole lot of James Harden can do for you.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule | Gear | Tickets
15

26-25 2 5/20
Perhaps league’s most aggressive team heading into trading deadline, Bucks looking to make a splash and set themselves up for future. On the bright side, things aren’t looking too shabby if they stand pat.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule | Gear | Tickets
16

25-29 1 3/21
Passing of longtime owner Jerry Buss certainly will provide underachieving Lakers with extra motivation. So will Kobe Bryant’s desire to prove this team can still do great things as long as he’s in charge.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule | Gear | Tickets
17

29-22 1 7/18
Likely to spend pre- and post-trade deadline in flux, as no one seems certain where Josh Smith will be playing in a week. Hawks will either stay the course or gut the team.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule | Gear | Tickets
18

25-28 - 13/23
Fantastic trio in LaMarcus Aldridge, Damian Lillard and Nicolas Batum only needs some consistent help. Blazers appear more likely to try to land some over the summer then now.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule | Gear | Tickets
19

23-29 - 4/22
Much like the Lakers, Mavs a mostly veteran team that’s failed to meet expectations. Gentlemen, you have less than 30 games to get things right.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule | Gear | Tickets
20

22-29 - 8/22
Jrue Holiday proved he’s one of league’s true up-and-comers in All-Star game. Other than that, however, all Sixers can do is sit, wait and pray on return of healthy Andrew Bynum.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule | Gear | Tickets
21

21-32 1 20/29
Rudy Gay era has replaced the brief one belonging to Andrea Bargnani. Read: Raptors should be better. If not this season, then next.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule | Gear | Tickets
22

21-33 1 21/30
More deals await, likely in the off-season, to add to dynamic young nucleus of Greg Monroe, Andre Drummond and Brandon Knight. Until then, those three alone give you reasons to watch.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule | Gear | Tickets
23

19-31 - 9/23
Apparently willing to part with two first-round picks (either now or later) for proven veteran. But getting back a healthy Kevin Love is first order of business.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule | Gear | Tickets
24

19-34 2 13/29
The good news: Anthony Davis becoming more of a force the longer he stays healthy and on the floor. The bad: Hornets still have no idea what to do with Eric Gordon.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule | Gear | Tickets
25

17-36 - 20/29
Desperately seeking to use all that freed-up cap space in a trade. But as far as actual players to deal, Suns have little to offer.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule | Gear | Tickets
26

19-35 2 21/29
Remember when all the trade talk seemed to center on DeMarcus Cousins? Now, Kings can only play out string as they prepare for ownership change – and roster turnover.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule | Gear | Tickets
27

16-37 - 22/30
With two rookies and two second-year players starting, Cavs likely to continue inconsistent ways. But with Kyrie Irving as one of league’s brightest rising stars, it should be a fun ride.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule | Gear | Tickets
28

15-36 - 20/30
John Wall and Bradley Beal are the only two guys Wizards determined to keep for next season. Other than that, expect them to make every attempt at an extreme makeover.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule | Gear | Tickets
29

15-37 - 21/30
Highlight of season was beating Dwight Howard and the Lakers in Los Angeles. But in a season of 82 games, that’s not enough.
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule | Gear | Tickets
30

12-40 - 17/30
Michael Jordan returning to the court at 50? Oh, why not? What else do Bobcats have going on?
Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy | Schedule | Gear | Tickets

 

Please note by clicking on "Post comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be Polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.

powered by
Advertisement
Microsoft© 2013 Microsoft