The 140: NBA Power Rankings, Week 15 - Hawks and Warriors remain 1-2, Cavs up to 5th

The Atlanta Hawks remain atop the basketball world - because they beat the Golden State Warriors on Friday. And here come the Cavaliers. Let's rank.

1. Atlanta Hawks (43-10)
(Last Week: 1)

Swag is overrated. 

2. Golden State Warriors (41-9)
(Last Week: 2)

3. Memphis Grizzlies (38-13)
(Last Week: 3)

The Grizz are 15-5 in 2015, 9-1 in their last 10, and they beat the Hawks on Sunday. The quietest contenders. 

4. Houston Rockets (35-16)
(Last Week: 6)

Harden last week: 35 a night, 49 percent from the floor, 46 percent from deep, 15.3 trips to the line, five rebounds, 5.7 assists. MVP.

5. Cleveland Cavaliers (32-21)
(Last Week: 7)

LeBron James subtweets and cries during that episode of "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air." He's exactly like us. 

6. San Antonio Spurs (33-19)
(Last Week: 5)

This graphical look at The Greatness of Gregg Popovich is worth a few minutes of your time. Pop's the GOAT. 

7. Toronto Raptors (35-17)
(Last Week: 10)

Losses to the Bucks and Nets followed by wins against the Clippers and Spurs. It's always an emotional ride in Toronto, no matter the sport.

8. Dallas Mavericks (35-19)
(Last Week: 9)

A question I asked myself last week: Is a 32-year-old man too old to buy himself a Dirk Nowitzki jersey for Valentine's Day?

9. Portland Trail Blazers
(35-17)
(Last Week: 8)

Damian Lillard's an All-Star, proving that, yes, there is in fact justice in this world. 

10. Chicago Bulls (32-20)
(Last Week: 12)

Kind of insane:

11. Washington Wizards
(33-20)
(Last Week: 11)

You can write John Wall's name exactly 14 times in 140 characters, with one period at the end. The best sentence ever.

12. Los Angeles Clippers (34-19)
(Last Week: 4)

The Clipps with a massive eight-spot drop in The 140 because they're not an elite team without Blake Griffin. Could they miss the playoffs?

13. Milwaukee Bucks (29-23)
(Last Week: 15)

The Bucks have the second-best defensive rating in the league (96) since January 1. A legit playoff team. 

14. Oklahoma City Thunder
(27-25)
(Last Week: 16)

Vine of the season:

15. Phoenix Suns (29-24)
(Last Week: 14)

What if the Suns didn't lose so many games in absolutely heartbreaking fashion?

16. New Orleans Pelicans
(27-25)
(Last Week: 13)

I now believe in God. (Anthony Davis' God, for the record. Maybe even Anthony Davis as God.). 

17. Charlotte Hornets (22-29)
(Last Week: 17)

Charlotte has the NBA's best defense since Jan. 1, allowing only 93.2 points per 100 possessions. Also: Mo Williams! 

18. Miami Heat (22-29)
(Last Week: 18)

Dwyane Wade's hamstrings are the oldest in the league. Also, read Goldsberry on Hassan Whiteside.

19. Detroit Pistons (20-32)
(Last Week: 19)

20. Boston Celtics (19-31)
(Last Week: 21)

The Celtics are two-and-a-half games out of a playoff spot. Believe. 

21. Indiana Pacers (20-33)
(Last Week: 20)

The Pacers are three games out of a playoff spot. Believe. 

22. Brooklyn Nets (21-30)
(Last Week: 22)

When Louisa Thomas writes, I read. You should, too: this profile on Irina Pavlova, "the handmaiden of power for the Brooklyn Nets." 

23. Sacramento Kings (18-32)
(Last Week: 24)

The Kings jump a spot in the rankings because Boogie's asking tough questions: "How you gonna stop God's plan?"

24. Philadelphia 76ers (12-41)
(Last Week: 29)

K.J. McDaniels - and the league's ninth-best defense since Jan. 1 - have the 76ers jumping five spots. 

25. Utah Jazz (19-33)
(Last Week: 23)

White-on-white basketball violence: 

26. Denver Nuggets (19-33)
(Last Week: 25)

Jusuf Nurkic gets it:

27. Orlando Magic (16-39)
(Last Week: 26)

It's hard to argue that Jacque Vaughn wasn't a part of the problem. 

28. Minnesota Timberwolves
(11-41)
(Last Week: 28)

29. New York Knicks (10-42)
(Last Week: 27)

30. Los Angeles Lakers (13-38)
(Last Week: 30)