American Pop Sports: NBA Power Rankings

With the playoffs looming and all kinds of story lines brewing, its time to look at the top power teams contending for the belt. The Bulls and Lakers winning without their superstar, the Heat struggling, OKC with their constant battle of who's in control, and the Spurs and Celtics making strong pushes but getting little recognition. Only one team can be standing at the end. Here is my list of the best of the best:

1. Chicago Bulls - The Bulls have had the best record in the league for most of the season and have done so in large part without their superstar and reigning MVP Derrick Rose. They are 15-7 without their starting point guard and play strong defense and unselfish basketball. There is never any drama coming out of the locker room or a question about their team unity. On the court they play hard and strong, off the court they are smart and have all the intangibles necessary to win a championship. With Rose getting plenty of rest in time for the playoffs, this should be the team to beat.
2. San Antonio Spurs - The surprise team of the year. This team has every intangible a team could need with a champion coach and leaders on the court. Tony Parker is a sure MVP candidate and Coach Popovich is a strong contender for coach of the year. With combining the veteran play of its former champion players with new, young, and fresh guys this team is a definite threat to any team fighting for the title.
3. Los Angeles Lakers - With Kobe Bryant getting some much needed rest before the playoffs and his team excelling in his absence, the Lakers have become a valid team in the hunt for the championship. Players like Matt Barnes have stepped up to show a presence off the bench and have proven to Kobe that they are talented and ready to go. Andrew Bynum has solidified himself as arguably the best center in the game. As Kobe returns and trusts his teammates more, he can feel the boil in his blood as he longs for his 6th ring, finally putting him truly side by side with Michael Jordan.
4. Boston Celtics - The best team since the all-star break and surging at the right time. With the MVP caliber play of Rajon Rondo this team showed that they are not done yet. The leadership of the big 3 is still there and this team knows what it takes to win. Doc Rivers has done an amazing job of coaching and the Celtics have played well against the other top teams in the east. This team like the Spurs could really surprise a lot of people come playoffs.
5. Miami Heat - Although having one of the better records for most of the season, the playoffs are a whole new animal. The lack of intangibles in Lebron James and the poor leadership of the coach could really hinder this mega talented team. Behind the champion qualities of Dwyane Wade this team could easily get on a hot streak and make a run for the title but this guy believes in the importance of intangibles and mentality. This team just isn't ready for the big stage and pressure that brings. 
6. Oklahoma City Thunder - Another mega talented team but similar issues as the Heat will plague this team. As great as both Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are individually they struggle to gel together at times. Poor play of Kendrick Perkins will cripple this team against teams like the Lakers or Spurs. And any incidents like last year, where Westbrook was benched the 4th quarter of a playoff game, and this team will have an early exit. Similar to the Heat they have all the talent to win it all and could surprise me, but I will have to see it to believe it.

Any of these six teams have a real solid chance to win it all. I would be absolutely shocked to see any other team in the finals. Although, I will give special attention to the New York Knicks, the Memphis Grizzlies, and Indiana Pacers. The Magic should be on here but with such extreme lack of leadership both by players and coaching, they are a waste of talent. Intangibles can never be forgotten.

Predictions: Western Finals LAL over SAN 4-2; Eastern Finals CHI over MIA 4-3; Finals LAL over CHI 4-3; MVP Andrew Bynum