Now that the Olympics are over and since this isn’t an NFL Blog, there is only one thing to talk about: the quickly approaching NBA season.  And in light of a most heinous USA Today NBA Power Ranking, I decided it is time to post a much better power ranking.  Let the great debate begin.

1.       Celtics- If I were a Celtics fan, I would worry whether my team could play with the same hunger from last season.  But they are champs, so they deserve this spot for now.

2.       Lakers- If Andrew Bynum returns to the court healthy, then the Lakers will have one of the best frontcourts in the NBA and will flirt with winning 70 games.

3.        Jazz- The Jazz are one of two teams (along with the Hornets) whose best players are still improving on a championship contending team.  If they learn to beat inferior teams on the road, they will challenge for the top spot in the West.

4.       Hornets- The Hornets have a great young team that will win lots of games, but their lack of depth in the frontcourt is worrisome.

5.       Rockets- Houston fans are excited about the addition of Artest, but it will be the addition of Yao Ming that will bring Houston back to contending in the West.  I will officially go on record as saying that Artest won’t help the team very much.  He will either have to replace a productive Battier, or get manhandled at the power forward spot.  And he is crazy.

6.       Cavs- The Cavs improved talent wise with the addition of Mo Williams, but the supporting cast is still pretty average.  But Lebron is good enough that the Cavs will compete for the finals again.

7.       Pistons- They are still good, but their stars are starting to decline and the fact that they know Joe Dumars wants to blow up the core of the team, can’t be good for morale.

8.       Spurs- I would have them higher than this, but their best player, (it’s not Duncan anymore and never was Parker)  just reinjured his foot, the same foot that kept the Spurs out of the finals last year.

9.       Magic- The Magic are a good team.  But they weren’t contenders last year and they haven’t improved since then.

10.   76ers- The Sixers were one of the best teams at getting out on the break and running last year.  Now they have added Brand and the ability to play in the half court.  If they had a deep shooting threat, they would be contenders.

11.   Raptors-  It’s a big if, but if Jermaine O’neal comes back even near his form of 2006, the Raptors will be a top 3 seed in the East.

12.   Blazers-  If the Blazers new starting center wasn’t 52 years old, I would give them a higher ranking, but they should be pretty good and no one would be surprised if they were a top 3 team in the West this season.

13.   Mavs-  Remember when Devean George blocked the trade for Jason Kidd and the home Dallas crowd booed him and called him selfish?  Maybe they should have cheered George.

14.   Suns-  The fun in the sun ended with the trade of Shawn Marion.  Or at least their legitimate contention for a title ended.

15.   Clippers- Baron Davis will bring some sizzle to LA, but they will be an 8th seed in the West at best.

16.   Nuggets-  Not a tear was shed in Jazzland when the Nuggets traded their best defender for some coffee and a day old donut.  And not a tear will be shed in Jazzland if the Nuggets completely miss the playoffs this season.

17.   Wizards-  The Wizards’ owner broke the bank to ensure that his team will compete for the 4th and 5th spot in the playoffs for the next 5 years.

18.   Hawks-  The Hawks are young, talented and one contributor shorter.  And they will squeak into the playoffs again this year.

19.   Bucks- The Bucks have improved and I wouldn’t be surprised to see them rally and make the playoffs, but they will have to commit to defense if they want to see it happen.

20.   Heat- When you think of a healthy and contributing Wade, a Shawn Marion and Michael Beasley, you wonder how these guys are not going to make the playoffs in the East, but the rest of their roster is about a D roster.

21.   Bulls-  The Bulls are going to lose their best scorer either physically or mentally and the defense-first mentality from two seasons back is just a memory now.  The Bulls will be back in the playoffs, but not for a season or two.

22.   Kings- The Kings are officially in rebuilding mode after trading Ron Artest.  They have some promising youngsters and a top 10 shooting guard, but they need a better point guard and some big men to be contenders.

23.   Warriors- They essentially traded Baron Davis for Corey Maggette.  I will be surprised if they win 40 games this year.

24.   Bobcats-  I like the Bobcats.  They finally added a scoring shooting guard in Jason Richardson and they have some good big players.  But they draft poorly and I don’t have faith in Larry Brown to turn around this team.

25.   T-Wolves- The Timberwolves will be much improved and pretty fun to watch.  They have a plethora of scorers, but might also give up the most points in the league this year.

26.   Knicks- Dantoni will help the woeful Knicks, but not even Beethoven can conduct a beautiful symphony with instruments that are out of tune.  Take that analogy any way you want to.

27.   Nets- The Nets are made up of a bunch of unpolished younguns and a veteran whose heart has been questioned his whole career.  Sounds like a recipe for about 25 wins.

28.   Pacers-  If they successfully rid themselves of Jamal Tinsley, the Pacers will finally be free of all the players that were around for the “Palace Brawl,” but they also won’t be too talented.

29.   Grizzlies-  Insert your own “hold the Mayo” joke here.

30.   Thunder- They may turn out to be one of the most entertaining worst teams in NBA history.  Was that positive enough?