2012 NBA power rankings: Knicks 5th, Nets 14th in early rankings

After the first week of the 2012-13 NBA season, both of New York's teams are in the top half of the early season power rankings. The New York Knicks are 5th in the rankings while the Brooklyn Nets come in 14th after one week of their newly rebranded existence.

The Knicks, despite being without an injured Amare Stoudemire, are 2-0 thus far with wins over the Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers.

"The absence of Amar'e Stoudemire forced Mike Woodson to change his lineup, and that's benefited the Knicks in several ways," Seth Rosenthal writes. "Starting at the four, Carmelo Anthony's opened the season on a defiant, do-everything tear. With both Raymond Felton and Jason Kidd in the lineup, the ball's been happily zipping around the perimeter. ... Whether any of the above maintains in games three through 82 remains uncertain, but the Knicks haven't looked this thoroughly dominant to open a season in over a decade."

The Nets have only played one game because of the recent hurricane, but they still come in at No. 14 in the rankings, with Rosenthal saying, "there was plenty to like in that one win over the Raptors. Brook Lopez was an indomitable, foul-drawing monster, Deron Williams looked fully engaged, and the bench -- C.J. Watson! -- showed its potential. We'll see how that interior defense holds up against better teams, but it was a fine start to the Brooklyn era."

To read what Rosenthal has to say about all 30 teams after one week, check out the full SB Nation NBA power rankings here.