NBA power rankings 2012: Nets rising in polls

The Brooklyn Nets are on the rise in the majority of power ranking polls after registering three victories last week.

After defeating the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers and Sacramento Kings, the Nets have improved their record to 6-2 and sit one game back of the New York Knicks for first place in the Atlantic Division, as well as for the Eastern Conference lead. As of Monday afternoon, Brooklyn is tied with the Milwaukee Bucks for second place in the conference.

At SB Nation, curator Seth Rosenthal has the Nets ranked at No. 10 overall, which is three spots higher than last week's ranking. Noting Brooklyn's impressive winning streak (which currently stands at five games), Rosenthal believes that the true nature of the team will be displayed over the next couple of weeks when they play teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers and the Knicks.

At ESPN, Marc Stein ranked the Nets at No. 12 overall, which was six spots up from last week, while John Schuhmann at NBA.com also moved the team up six spots from last week to No. 8 overall.