NBA Relative Power Ranking

After a week off for Christmas, the Bucks Diary Relative Power Ranking, based exclusively on our proprietary "point value over average" calculations, returns.

Thus far this season, the rankings have proven robust. Because they are based upon performance against the average rather than wins and losses, they revealed the Lakers surprising strength weeks before any other Power Ranking even had them in the top ten. They uncovered Utah's weaknesses when others thought they were a top 5 team. The rankings exposed the Bucks, New Jersey Nets, and the Los Angeles Clippers as much worse than their early records, while showing that Washington and Golden State were much better than theirs. And, the rankings legitimized the strength of the Celtics when others were still questioning them because of their schedule.

As far as I can tell, the current rankings differ from the mainstream in the following manner: (a) We're not nearly as impressed with the Trailblazers as others are (what does the guy on NBA.com base his rankings on, anyway? His mood ring?) -- Portland is a mediocre team that's just getting by against a weak lineup of opponents; (b) We've got Cleveland lower than others -- their offense simply blows chow and their defense is inconsistent; (c) We've got the Lakers ranked as the best team in the West, ahead of San Antonio, Dallas, and Phoenix; and, (d) While others inexplicably remain skeptical about the Celtics, we've got them as a decisive number one -- we don't even think its close. They are outperforming the average by nearly 5 points a game better than the number two Pistons.

NBA Relative Power Ranking

1. Boston Celtics..........+13.20 (--)

2. Detroit Pistons..........+8.47 (up 2)

3. Los Angeles Lakers..........+7.01 (--)

4. San Antonio Spurs..........+6.08 (down 2)

5. Dallas Mavericks..........+4.19 (up 4)

6. Phoenix Suns..........+3.93 (up 1)

7. New Orleans Hornets..........+3.69 (up 5)

8. Houston Rockets..........+3.39 (up 3)

9. Orlando Magic..........+3.11 (down 4)

10. Golden State Warriors..........+2.97 (down 2)

11. Toronto Raptors..........+2.69 (down 5)

12. Denver Nuggets..........+1.46 (up 2)

13. Utah Jazz..........+1.44 (down 3)

14. Atlanta Hawks..........+0.91 (up 2)

15. Portland Trailblazers..........+0.81 (--)

16. Washington Bullets..........-0.04 (down 3)

17. Indiana Pacers..........-0.09 (up 1)

18. Sacramento Kings..........-0.97 (down 1)

19. Philadelphia Sixers..........-2.34 (up 1)

20. Memphis Grizzlies..........-2.70 (down 1)

21. Chicago Bulls..........-2.78 (up 1)

22. Miami Heat..........-3.47 (down 1)

23. Cleveland Cavaliers..........-3.57 (--)

24. Charlotte Bobcats..........-4.02 (--)

25. New Jersey Nets..........-5.22 (up 2)

26. Seattle Supersonics..........-5.48 (up 2)

27. Los Angeles Clippers..........-6.00 (down 1)

28. Milwaukee Bucks..........-6.91 (down 3)

29. New York Knicks..........-10.00 (up 1)

30. Minnesota Timberwolves..........-10.67 (down 1)