FOXSports.com NBA power rankings

By Sam Amico FOXSports.com The Thunder take over the top spot and become the third No. 1 of the young season. But old standbys like the Spurs and Lakers are suddenly gaining ground. Also, check out the best performances of the week. 1 Thunder 12-2 (2) Kevin Durant and his comrades now beating veteran teams on the road -- Thunders win at Boston marked their seventh straight. 2 Bulls 12-3 (-1) Derrick Rose is MVP, but healthy Carlos Boozer and improved Ronnie Brewer have been huge. 3 Spurs 9-4 (1) Less Tim Duncan and more of the other guys proving to be good formula, especially at home, where Spurs are 9-0. 4 Lakers 10-5 (7) So much for the decline of Kobe Bryant, suddenly a 40-point machine whos led Lakers to victory in six of last seven. 5 Heat 8-4 (-3) Three straight losses and injuries to Dwyane Wade reasons for concern, but hardly cause for panic. 6 Magic 9-3 (2) Dwight Howard keeping front office guessing on future whereabouts while doing his best Wilt Chamberlain impersonation. 7 Mavericks 8-6 (8) Winners of five straight before lockout legs seemed to take toll in loss to Lakers. Still, starting to figure out life minus Tyson Chandler and J.J. Barea. 8 76ers 10-3 (-1) A few more weeks and well have no choice but to believe this primarily young team is for real. 9 Clippers 7-3 (1) So far, Chris Paul turning out to be the difference-maker media and fans hyped him up to be. 10 Trail Blazers 8-5 (-5) Hit a rough spot after a fast start, but no biggie. Will have hope as long as long as LaMarcus Aldridge is around. 11 Hawks 10-4 (-5) Starting to rely less on pure athleticism and more on experience playing together. Could pay off down road. 12 Pacers 9-3 (-3) Beating up on bad teams can actually carry you quite a ways. But are Pacers ready for prime time? 13 Nuggets 8-5 George Karl believes you can contend without a true superstar, and balanced Nuggets mostly playing like they believe him. 14 Jazz 8-4 (2) Few teams are as potent underneath, and Jazz should only get better as lottery picks Enes Kanter and Alec Burks learn pro game. 15 Grizzlies 6-6 (5) Learning to deal with loss of injured Zach Randolph and resembling hungry squad we saw in last years playoffs. 16 Cavaliers 6-6 (1) Kyrie Irving gives them scoring punch they lacked last season, as Cavs managed to split first 12 games despite playing fewer home games (three) than any other team to start year. 17 Rockets 6-7 (8) Kyle Lowry has been fantastic and everyone else is benefiting offensively because of it. But defense still needs to improve. 18 Knicks 6-7 (-4) Still havent been able to put it all together. If this keeps up, Mike DAntoni may be looking for his next gig soon. 19 Celtics 4-8 (-7) Look old and devoid of depth, and have lost five in a row. Other than that, things are great. 20 Timberwolves 5-8 (1) Kevin Love scored at least 30 points in three straight games, and Ricky Rubio just keeps getting better. Eventually, all of this will start to mean more wins. 21 Warriors 4-8 (5) Return of Stephen Curry will certainly lend a hand -- unless team defense continues to be an afterthought. 22 Bucks 4-8 (2) Continuing to adjust to a few off-season moves, but hard to tell if Brandon Jennings is any better than rookie year. 23 Suns 4-8 (-5) Ready to gut the team. Question is, can Suns find a willing trading partner? 24 Raptors 4-10 (-5) Wheels suddenly coming off after promising start for Dwane Casey and the gang. Banged-up Andrea Bargnani doesnt help. 25 Pistons 3-10 (2) Greg Monroe and Brandon Knight are reasons for hope. Provided those hopes dont involve this season. 26 Kings 4-10 (-3) Arrival of Keith Smart has done nothing to get all those talented young scorers to play smart and well together. 27 Bobcats 3-11 (1) Mini-backcourt of D.J. Augustin and Kemba Walker a desperate move by Paul Silas, but at least Bobcats are starting to compete. 28 Hornets 3-10 (-6) Strangely appeared more cohesive at beginning of season than past five games. Need Eric Gordon to get and stay healthy. 29 Nets 3-11 Slowly eliminating themselves from Dwight Howard sweepstakes. Worse, could lose Deron Williams at end of season, too. 30 Wizards 1-12 It will take some true wizardry to save Flip Saunders job now.