We're at the All-Star break and we have some fresh Eastern Conference power rankings. Let's get right into it:
1. Bucks (43-14) Last week: 1
Their blowout loss to the Magic without Giannis Antetokounmpo probably enhanced the Greek Freak's MVP case. They're still waiting for newcomer Nikola Mirotic to make his debut while he nurses a strained calf. This is the best team in the East and Mirotic only makes them better.
2. Raptors (43-16) Last week: 3
While Kawhi Leonard sat against the Wizards, Pascal Siakam did his best impression by putting up a career-high 44 points. Siakam, a late first-round pick in 2016, is a quintessential example of Toronto's depth. While the trade for Leonard was bold and exciting, finding a player like Siakam is an even more impressive front office feat.
3. Celtics (37-21) Last week: 4
Boston's win in Philadelphia without All-Star Kyrie Irving was an impressive one. That was coming off back-to-back losses to both L.A. teams. They're a confounding team that happens to match up very well against the Sixers.
4. Sixers (37-21) Last week: 2
The Sixers have won exactly one game against the teams above and that win was over a Kawhi-less Toronto team. That makes it difficult to put them ahead of any of them. With that said, the East is wide open. Any of these top four teams is capable of winning the conference. The Sixers are in a great position with their starting five, especially when rotations are shortened come crunch time. The talent is there, they just need to continue to build on their chemistry.
5. Pacers (38-20) Last week: 6
Indiana ripped off six straight before losing to the Bucks. You have to be impressed with the way the Pacers have rallied since Victor Oladipo's devastating injury. While defense and the overall team play has been a big part of their success, veteran Bojan Bogdanovic and youngster Myles Turner have been huge in Oladipo's absence.
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6. Nets (30-29) Last week: 5
Brooklyn has gone 4-6 since Spencer Dinwiddie went down with a thumb injury that required surgery. They did get Caris LeVert back, but it's clear he's still shaking off the cobwebs after coming back from what looked like a devastating injury. Once the Nets are healthy, they won't be a fun team to play against.
7. Hornets (27-30) Last week: 7
Poor Kemba Walker. It's unfathomable that Charlotte did nothing to help him out at the deadline. There were rumors that a deal for Marc Gasol was close, but the veteran big ultimately wound up in Toronto. It's a shame because Gasol would've been a much bigger upgrade for the Hornets.
8. Heat (26-30) Last week: 8
Like the Sixers, Miami just completed a brutal, but not quite as long, stretch of games against the Thunder, Pacers, Blazers, Kings, Warriors and Nuggets. Unlike the Sixers, the Heat didn't fare well, losing five of the six. They'll need Dwyane Wade to keep drinking from the fountain of youth to hold onto the eighth seed.
9. Pistons (26-30) Last week: 10
It was a weird deadline for Detroit, who sold away Reggie Bullock and then signed Wayne Ellington after his buyout from the Suns. They're going to go as far as Blake Griffin can lead them, but he needs more help.
10. Magic (27-32) Last week: 11
Orlando is still fighting for that eight seed as they held onto Nikola Vucevic and Terrence Ross through the deadline. The only intrigue is to see when Markelle Fultz makes his debut.
11. Wizards (24-34) Last week: 9
Jabari Parker put up a goose egg on the score sheet sandwiched by two 20-point performances. While the trade of Otto Porter Jr. will help some of their cap issues, Bradley Beal will still bear a heavy burden without John Wall for the foreseeable future.
12. Hawks (19-39) Last week: 12
Atlanta helped the Knicks snap their 18-game losing streak in a game that set basketball back 10 years. The Hawks have put themselves in a tough spot where they're not nearly good enough to compete for a playoff spot but are falling down the lottery.
13. Bulls (14-44) Last week: 13
You know, a starting five of Lauri Markkanen, Wendell Carter Jr., Porter Jr., Zach LaVine and maybe Ja Morant - if they can land the No. 2 pick - isn't terrible to build around. Porter Jr. put up a career-high 37 points against Memphis and has looked really good in his four games with Chicago.
14. Cavs (12-46) Last week: 14
How is Channing Frye still in Cleveland? I know he re-signed there, but you'd think there would be a contender that he could help.
15. Knicks (11-47) Last week: 15
They messed up by beating the Hawks, but their road to Zion Williamson is paved in gold.
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