The NBA: Power Rankings: Week 6

That was an eventful week of basketball! Lots of great match-ups that included a few NBA Finals preview games (Thunder-Pacers, Spurs-Pacers, Blazers-Pacers) and games between the bottom-feeders (Knicks-Nets, Magic-Knicks, Nets-Bucks). Someone needs to win even the crappy games, right?

The Black Mamba made his debut vs the Raptors but his team lost. Bryant had 8 turnovers as he tried to facilitate and do too much at times.

There was the trade involving Rudy Gay going to the Kings. This will be Gay's third team in less than a year. Will the Raptors be better without Gay or is this a sign that they will tank the season? As for the Kings, can Thomas and DMC share the ball with Rudy and vice versa?

Hero team of the week: Blazers thumped the Thunder and Pacers to continue leading the West.

Sucky team of the week: There's no magic in Orlando with their team losing 6 straight games then having more injuries (Vucevic, Harris).

The standings are current up to December 10, 2013 and the rankings from Last Week refer to Week 5.

Please hit the comments and follow me on Twitter @rollzter

LaMarcus Aldridge has guided Portland to the top spot in the West.
(Image from: USA Today)

1. Portland Trailblazers | 18-4 | Last Week: 4 | +3
The Blazers are firing on all cylinders. They are 2nd in team offense and have won 5 of 6 games including impressive wins over the Thunder and Pacers. They were a buzzer-beater away from having a perfect week. LaMarcus Aldridge has risen as a viable MVP candidate with his stellar play.

The NBA: Power Rankings: Week 6

Three teams from the West have winning streaks of 5 games or more while three teams from the East have losing streaks of 5 games or more.

The LA Lakers and their thin bench continue to struggle while the LA Clippers and their deep bench have helped them win their last 2 games. If the playoffs started today, the Lakers dont make it since they are 12th in the Western Conference.

The New York Knicks continue to impress and surprise at the top of the East. They took Round 2 of the "Borough Battle" and last week the Knicks manhandled the Heat without Carmelo Anthony. That game has to be among the most astonishing games of the season so far along with the Wizards beating the Heat and the Magic and Cavs beating the Lakers.

Meanwhile, the Western Conference finalists from last season have a combined record of 35-8. The Spurs and Thunder are the #1 and #2 teams for Week 6.


The standings are current up to December 11. The rankings from last week refer to Week 5.

Tony Parker had his first career triple-double to
lead the Spurs vs the Rockets on OT
(Image by: Getty Images)

1. San Antonio Spurs | 18-4 | Last Week: 1 | Same
The Spurs have the best road record in the NBA at 11-2. They are second in winning margin at +8.6 without 2 rotation players. Tony Parker has been amazing lately getting his first career triple-double. His last 5 games: 24 points, 9 assists and 5 rebounds.

2. Oklahoma City Thunder | 17-4 | Last Week: 3 | +1
The Thunder has the current longest winning streak at 8 games with 5 of those games won by double digits. They continue to lead the NBA in winning margin and Kevin Durant has leapfrogged LeBron as the #1 player to win MVP. Kevin Martin continues to play well as Harden's replacement.

3. Los Angeles Clippers | 15-6 | Last Week: 6 | +3
The Clippers have won 7 straight after losing 4 straight with 4 of the wins coming in blowouts. Their second unit has been amazing lately, finishing the games and helping them win. The last time the Clippers have a winning streak this long was 1991.

4. New York Knicks | 16-5 | Last Week: 4 | Same
Melo continues to show that he is worthy for MVP talk. He is shooting a career-high from three and defending better. Jason Kidd has been an important part of their rotation including hitting a three in their comeback win against the Nets. The Knicks are 2-0 vs the Heat with blowout wins in both.

5. Memphis Grizzlies | 14-4 | Last Week: 2 | -3
The Grizzlies played terrible in a loss to the Hawks at home. They have struggled lately in their last 4 games going 2-2 but their defense has been top-notch. They now lead the league in least points allowed. Zach Randolph is still a beast on the glass, tied for first in the NBA in double-doubles.