Due to the recent events involving the Blizzard of 2013, last weekend’s games were postponed.  Thus, the Power Rankings for weeks five and six will be combined into what you see below:

1. 76ers (9-0, last ranking: #1)-

The Sixers remain in the top spot in the rankings this week with dominant victories over the Rockets and Sonics two weekends ago.  Despite the Nets being only one game behind, the 76ers are still the team to beat in the League at this point in the season.  This team is full of underrated players, most of whom at the the start of the season were not considered to be competitive at all.  Namely David Driscoll, Matt Kadlick, and Jack Lavanchy have taken it upon themselves to take this team to the next level and dominate on both sides of the court.  Let’s see if this team of unlikely superstars can retain the top seed when they take on the Mavericks (2-7) and the Magic (4-5) this weekend.

2. Nets (8-1, last ranking: #2)-

The Nets dropped the ball a few weekends, losing their first game of the season to the Magic 63-59; however, they came roaring back two weekends ago with wins over the Lakers and Knicks.  Now with Jimmy Smith Jr. out for what looks to be the remainder of the season, everyone else will have to step up.  Rookies Nate Porack and Joe Smith both have shown some serious skill this season, and they should be able to help the Nets rebound this weekend when they play the Spurs (2-7) and the Sonics (3-6).

3. Wizards (7-2, last ranking: #4)-

The Wizards bump up a spot this week after defeating the Magic and the Spurs two weekends ago.  The Wizards have plenty of talent and potential.  Players like Drew Stanton and Zack Rogers this team can turn it on in an instant and succeed against some opponents; however, that will not fly against the other strong teams in the League.  This weekend will prove if they are still the real deal when they take on the Rockets (3-6) and the Knicks (3-6).

4. Lakers (6-3, last ranking: #3)-

With a win over the Mavericks and a loss to the Nets two weekends ago, the Lakers have dropped down a spot in the rankings.  Riding a five game winning streak, the Lakers were the hottest team in the league, with the exception to the undefeated 76ers, before they ran into the Nets.  Star player and team leader Mike Rando has been leading the way, dominating on offense with his speed and deadly outside shot.  And the defense has been a team effort, with no clear weaknesses as of yet.  They will be tested this weekend when they take on the Knicks (3-6) and the Celtics (5-4).

5. Celtics (5-4, last ranking: #7)-

After dropping three straight games, the Celtics scored four victories, including two weekends ago against the Rockets and the Nuggets.  The Celtics have some talented players in the likes of Robbie Alessandro and Steve Kelliher, yet they need to start winning larger chunks of their games in order to move up the standings.  Maybe that consistency will continue this weekend when the go up against the Magic (4-5) and the Lakers (6-3).

6. Magic (4-5, last ranking: #5)-

The Magic suffered a pretty staggering loss last game to the Mavericks, who previously only had one win.  They also suffered a loss to the Wizards that weekend, which ultimately explains their drop in the rankings this week.  Maybe they can turn it around this weekend when they play the Celtics (5-4) and the 76ers (9-0).

7. Knicks (3-6, last ranking: #9)-

The Knicks split their last two games, losing to the Nets and beating the Nuggets.  Despite not being too consistent, they have a lot of potential behind Tom Demarais (aka: The Dark Knight aka: Peter Pan) and company.  They play the Lakers (6-3) and the Wizards (7-2) this weekend.

8. Sonics (3-6, last ranking: #11)-

Similar to the Knicks, this team is not very consistent but they have some serious talent, namely Chris Collins.  They lost the 76ers and beat the Spurs last weekend.  This weekend, they take on the Nuggets (2-7) and the Nets (8-1).

9. Rockets (3-6, last ranking: #6)-

The Rockets lost both games this weekend, losing to the Celtics and the 76ers.  Thus, they dropped down to the nine seed.  Maybe at least they can split games this weekend when they play the Wizards (7-2) and the Nuggets (2-7).

10. Mavericks (2-7, last ranking: #12)-

The Mavericks rebounded slightly last weekend with a big win over the Magic, but the victory was short lived as they lost to the Lakers the next day.  That being said, the Mavericks bump up a spot with the win over the Magic, showing some signs of life in doing so.  They take on the 76ers (9-0) and the Spurs (2-7) this weekend.

11. Nuggets (2-7, last ranking: #10)-

Another two loss weekend lands the Nuggets one spot down from last week.  This team, led by frontmen Colton Mitchell and Harry Berkland, has struggled for long stretches of time this season—their only two wins have come against the Mavericks and the Sonics.  The Nuggets have a slight chance to turn things around this weekend when they take on the Sonics (3-6) and the Rockets (3-6).

12. Spurs (2-7, last ranking: #8)-

The Spurs are now the proud owners of six straight losses, including their two last games to the Wizards and the Sonics.  That being said, this team has the skills to turn it around, namely Mike Cabral, Jon Rockwood, and Michael Greulich.  They take on the Nets (8-1) and the Mavericks (2-7) this weekend.