The 140: NBA Power Rankings, Week 8 - Trail Blazers into No. 2, Hawks into top 5

It's the holiday edition of The 140. All the best to you and yours, and please responsibly enjoy the most precious gift of all: Christmas basketball.

Let's do the damn thing. 

1. Golden State Warriors (23-4)
(Last Week: 1)

I don't know how they lost to the Lakers, but the Warriors are still the best defensive team in the NBA, so atop The 140. 

2. Portland Trail Blazers (23-7)
(Last Week: 3)

One word and it says it all: DAME! 

3. Houston Rockets (20-7)
(Last Week: 4)

I want to live in a world where James Harden is the NBA's MVP. And in which Josh Smith never shoots again. 

4. Memphis Grizzlies (21-7)
(Last Week: 2)

Zach Randolph after beating the Spurs in triple OT, eloquently: "This is the Association. This is what it is. This is how it be." God, yes. 

5. Atlanta Hawks (21-7)
(Last Week: 6)

Atlanta beat the Clippers, Mavericks, Rockets, Cavaliers and Bulls - in a row. And three of those wins came on the road. Le-git. 

6. Chicago Bulls (19-9)
(Last Week: 12)

Watching Rose vs. Lowry on Monday was the best thing that's happened to me in two months. Rose's fourth Qs have the Bulls moving up six spots.

7. Toronto Raptors (22-7)
(Last Week: 5)

James Johnson: "I cocked that joint back and banged on him." Him being Andre Drummond, who will never be the same.

8. San Antonio Spurs (18-11)
(Last Week: 9)

Popovich, man: 

9. Washington Wizards (19-8)
(Last Week: 8)

I also want to live in a world in which John Wall is the NBA's MVP. Every year. 

10. Cleveland Cavaliers (17-10)
(Last Week: 10)

The Cavaliers are still figuring their Big Three out. When they do, look out: 

11. Dallas Mavericks (20-10)
(Last Week: 11)

Weird, but exciting: 

Read Bethlehem Shoals at GQ on the enigma that is Rondo, "an open protest against the expectations of a star player."

12. Los Angeles Clippers (19-10)
(Last Week: 7)

The Clips drop five spots, but Doc Rivers thinks the team's "very close to going on an amazing run. I can feel it, and I can see it."

13. Phoenix Suns (16-14)
(Last Week: 16)

The Suns confuse me. After losing six in a row, they reel off four straight wins. Work with me, Phoenix. 

14. Oklahoma City Thunder (13-16)
(Last Week: 14)

Russ:

Mine, too: 

15. New Orleans Pelicans (14-14)
(Last Week: 13)

I don't ask God for much, but I've been praying recently, because I desperately want Anthony Davis to play in the postseason.

16. Milwaukee Bucks (14-15)
(Last Week: 15)

Losing Jabari Parker isn't fair at all, but I'm kind of glad it happened to Jason Kidd. I'm a terrible person. 

17. Sacramento Kings (12-16)
(Last Week: 17)

Blame Vivek.

18. Brooklyn Nets (12-15)
(Last Week: 18)

19. Indiana Pacers (10-19)
(Last Week: 24)

The Pacers are moving up five spots because Rodney Stuckey is one of my favorite names in basketball. (And because of their defense.) 

20. Miami Heat (13-16)
(Last Week: 19)

The Heat losing to the 76ers - "It ain't gonna get no worse than this," said Wade - is karma for this:

21. Los Angeles Lakers (9-19)
(Last Week: 22)

The Lakers move up a spot because of this Swaggy P quote, after they beat the Warriors without Kobe:

Logic dictates the following:

22. Orlando Magic (11-20)
(Last Week: 20)

The Magic lost to the Celtics, Jazz and 76ers in order. I am embarrassed for the entire Orlando organization. 

23. Denver Nuggets (12-17)
(Last Week: 21)

Gallinari going down with another knee injury is proof that God doesn't exist. If he/she does, they aren't a Nuggets fan. 

24. Boston Celtics
(Last Week: 23)

Everything ends. It's the way of the world. 

25. Charlotte Hornets (10-19)
(Last Week: 26)

Four wins in a row, all without Lance Stephenson. Yeah. Trade him. 

26. Utah Jazz (9-20)
(Last Week: 27)

The Jazz move up a spot because the Knicks are horrific. Well done, Utah. 

27. New York Knicks (5-25)
(Last Week: 25)

It can't possibly get more Knicks than this: 

The 76ers are a win behind ...

28. Detroit Pistons (5-23)
(Last Week: 29)

I can't stop looking at Josh Smith's shot chart:

Detroit jumps a spot for making one tough decision. And shout out to Brandon Jennings:

29. Philadelphia 76ers (4-23)
(Last Week: 30)

Put this one in the "Holy Shit" file: 

30. Minnesota Timberwolves (5-22)
(Last Week: 28)

It's very bad in Minny. Historically bad. Bottom-five offense, bottom-five defense. So let's watch Wiggins dunk on Love: