Oklahoma City Thunder top the NBA Week 13 power rankings

Despite a loss to a desperate Lakers bunch, the Thunder sit at the top of the NBA’s hill. Here’s our NBA Week 13 power rankings

#1 Oklahoma City Thunder (34-11)

Despite Kevin Durant’s inability to stand up and closeout the hopeless Los Angeles Lakers, the Thunder roll on into the top spot.

#2 Los Angeles Clippers (33-13) 

The Clippers can’t win them all but they slip due to their habit of dropping multiple games at a time. They bounced back against Portland, but they can’t remain a top team by playing streaky basketball.

#3 San Antonio Spurs (36-11)

They may have the best record in basketball but they are not the best team. Their blue-collar work ethic gets it done day in and day out.

#4 Miami Heat (28-13)

Miami’s killer instinct has been questioned on multiple occasions this season. Sunday’s loss to a Rondo-less Celtics speaks to what the Heat need to tweak during the break.

#5 Memphis Grizzlies (28-15)

Last week’s trade may very well have kept this team’s core together. Barely escaping teams like the Hornets will remind the ownership that there is still time to make another deal.

#6 New York Knicks (27-15)

Carmelo Anthony drained nine 3-pt shots to cut down the Hawks. This win and the payback victory over the Celtics rendered last week as a very Knicks-friendly run. Well sort of. That 76ers beatdown was pretty embarrassing.

#7 Brooklyn Nets (26-18)

They look good then they don’t look so good. The Nets had a chance to kick the Houston monkey off their back and they failed.  Its these signature moments that the Nets must put under their belt.

#8 Chicago Bulls (26-17)

Derrick Rose is etching closer to his return and the Bulls need him after getting torn down by the Washington Wizards. Yes…the Washington Wizards.

#9 Indiana Pacers (26-18)

Click, clack, click clack. You hear that? That’s the footsteps of Danny Granger. And he is on his way back. I’ll say it right here and right now, when Granger returns the Pacers will threaten to take over the East.

#10 Denver Nuggets (27-18)

Nuggets wing Andre  Iguodala has described his time in Denver “as up and down,” to the Denver Post. At the halfway point that is not a good look. Iguodala has has to find positive consistency for the Nuggets to continue to build a playoff resume.

#11 Golden State Warriors (26-17)

Are the Warriors starting to slip after two straight humbling defeats? Their upcoming dustup with the Raptors will speak volumes for their current status.

#12 Milwaukee Bucks (23-19)

The Bucks are trying to hold steady in the wake of their changes. A recent victory over Golden State boosted team morale.

#13 Atlanta Hawks (25-19)

Had the Hawks held on to defeat the Knicks on Sunday they would have flown into the Top 10. They can still be counted on to fail in big moments against winning teams.

#14 Utah Jazz (24-20) 

Earl Watson is poised to make all the difference in the world for a Jazz team that needs a boost.

#15 Houston Rockets (24-22)

Houston is playing about .500 basketball. Their wins are coming against creditable teams and they are losing against some teams that for the most part they should beat. A true head-scratcher.

#16 Portland Trailblazers (22-22)

Lamarcus Aldridge is headed to the All-Star game. That’s about all there is to see here.

#17 Los Angeles Lakers (19-25)

Do you really believe that Kobe Bryant will continue to play the teacher’s pet and pass the rock? No? I don’t either.

#18 Boston Celtics (21-23)

Without Rajon Rondo on the roster, there’s about to be some hot tears shed in Beantown.

#19 Dallas Mavericks (19-25)

When fans get excited about the Mavericks defeating the Suns you know that Dallas is hurting. The end.

#20 Philadelphia 76ers (18-25)

The Andrew Bynum talk is back again but his alleged return could be too little, too late. The 76ers will have to be impeccable after the break to stand tall for a playoff run.

#21 Detroit Pistons (17-27)

Brandon Knight is coming alive as the Pistons continue to find reasons to hold their heads high.

#22 Toronto Raptors (16-28)

The Raptors were considered to be frontrunners in any trade that involved the Grizzlies’ Rudy Gay.

But then Memphis figured out a way to potentially keep their roster intact. Just another loss in a long line of many this season for Toronto.

#23 Minnesota Timberwolves (17-24)

According to ABC, Timberwolves coach Rick Adelman has returned to the team after taking a leave of absence to attend to his wife’s health issue. They need him now more than ever.

#24 Sacramento Kings (16-29) 

Seattle lookout the Kings are coming.  All it took was over half-a-billion dollars.

#25 New Orleans Hornets (15-29)

A young team that will be dangerous in the future is capable of anything as they fight for consistency. The future will be bright for them when they transform into the Pelicans.

#26 Phoenix Suns (15-30)

Coaching chaos has not made life easier in Phoenix where the sun has set on their pride.

#27 Orlando Magic (14-29)

Rumors have shooting guard J.J. Redick being traded to Boston. Two days ago Redick should have been in love with the idea. Now that Rondo is out for the season, Redick might as well stay put because losing is losing. Might as well fight for the warm weather.

#28 Cleveland Cavaliers (13-32)

Kyrie Irving is emerging before our eyes as one of the best. The Cavaliers must get him some help.

#29 Washington Wizards (11-31)

John Wall is back and the Wizards are hitting a groove. It’s fool’s gold. Don’t buy in.

#30 Charlotte Bobcats (11-32)

The Bobcats may revert back to being called the Hornets after the Hornets just became the Pelicans. Ok. When will they play good basketball?