It must have been about 10 years ago, when ESPN first launched a concept known as NBA Power Rankings.  Anyone could see that this was little more than a subjective listing of each team’s relative position, based on either the current Standings, or their recent play or the whim of the individual sportswriter, that go out of date as soon as they’re written. They’re a joke, really.
Yet despite these transparent flaws, somehow the Power Ranking phenomenon became incredibly popular. Now, all genuine sporting websites have their own version, all of which consistently create extraordinary amounts of opinion and argument.
So it’s about time desipio.com got into the act. How hard can it be to get a chart of all NBA teams with a litte pithy sentence or statistic accompanying each one?
AtlanticÂ
Boston : 20-3 : The Celts have set the standard so far this season, but are just 3-3 in games decided by 5 or less.
Toronto : 15-12 : Jose Calderon’s recent play has made TJ Ford expendable. In fact, that’s Houston calling right now.
Jersey : 11-15 : List of things that have gone right for the Nets so far this year – 1. Richard Jefferson. And that’s it.
Philly : 10-15 : Surprisingly ranked 2nd in the league in rebound differential. Ah, lots of offensive boards, that’s why.
New York : 8-17 : At least the Knicks actually get to keep their lottery pick in next year’s draft. And yes, I checked.
Central
Detroit : 18-7 : Quietly ticking along with the (equal) second-best record in the league, just the way they like it.
Indy : 14-12 : Playing enjoyable basketball again, despite having a better road record (8-5) than at home (6-7).
Cleveland : 12-15 : Now they finally have their roster settled, the Cavs can actually start the 2007/08 season.
Milwaukee : 10-15 : Have played 5 games on a Friday night so far this year, and yes, they’ve lost all of them.
Chicago : 9-14 : With fellow playoff contenders the Heat, Nets and Cavs all struggling, there’s still hope.
SouthEast
Orlando : 18-9 : Stan Van Gundy has done a terrific job melding this group of ball players into a legitimate team.
Washington : 13-11 : Butler and Jamison keeping them afloat seemingly no matter how many point guards they lose.
Atlanta : 13-12 : Have the 4th best home-record in the East. Unfortnately, 4 of their next 5 games are on the road.
Charlotte : 9-14 : It is not a good sign when another team’s 12th man immediately becomes your  effective starter.
Miami 7-19 : It may not be fair, but it is true. The Miami Heat are the worst team in the Eastern Conference.
SouthWest
San Antone : 18-7 : Last year it was Parker, this year it’s Ginobili who is playing the best ball on the team.
Dallas : 18-9 : Remember, this division winner gets home-court in the likely Spurs/Mavs 2nd round matchup.
N’Orleans : 16-10 : Very quietly, Byron Scott is doing another terrific job in charge of the impressive Hornets.
Houston : 12-13 : Whilst conversely, Rick Adelman has been this season’s biggest coaching disappointment.
Memphis 8-17 : Their W/L record may not reflect it, but the Grizz are making progress. Last in the league in steals.
NorthWest
Denver 15-10 : The Nuggets lead the division despite having just the 6th-best record in the Western Conference.Â
Portland : 14-12 : Winners of 9 in a row, the confident Blazers have been league’s biggest surprise so far this year.Â
Utah : 14-13 : Uncharacteristically struggling defensively, and are missing Derek Fisher much more then they admit.
Seattle : 7-19 : In November, Durant scored 20 points on 41% FG, but in December has dropped to 18 ppg and 37%.
Minnesota : 3-21 : This is how the Celtics would look if they hadn’t traded for Allen and Garnett last summer.
Pacific
Phoenix : 18-8 : When out Christmas shopping last night, my girlfriend saw a PHX 13 jersey and said “Steve Nash!â€Â.
Lakers : 15-10 : Kobe’s numbers may be down, but the Lakers are winning so he seems happy to stay in town.
Golden St : 15-11 : Apparently not missing the contributions of Jason Richardson afterall. Or Adonal Foyle.
Sacto : 11-14 : In the absence of Bibby and Martin, Beno Udrih and John Salmons have become good Fantasy players.
La Clippers : 9-15 : Chris Kaman may join Okur, Magloire and Duckworth on the worst ever All-Star C list this year.
