Happy December.

Power rankings are legal now.

Most sites, including ours, have been doing them for weeks because you people can't seem to get enough of them, but the truth is, November rankings are useless.

(Please forget you read this next season.)

December, now that's where it's at. Teams are seasoned, some openly disgruntled, others clearly dominant. Granted, we've been talking about a perceived "top five" since preseason, and that hasn't changed (and won't), but now you can truly see the separation

Fine. You got me.

Truth is, I just wanted to be festive since it's December. Power rankings are just as obsolete on Dec. 1 as they are on Nov. 1, only with slightly more basis for our formed opinions. After all, Shaquille O'Neal and LeBron James have played a whole 11 games together, Jameer Nelson is hurt again and a rookie has dropped a double-nickel scoring night.

Still, you people can't get enough of them. So here they are, December power rankings. Have a prosperous month.

(Please don't recall the terms useless or obsolete as you make your way down the list.)

1. L.A. Lakers: Playing bully has kept everyone happy, but there's going to come a tight game, sooner than later, where of Lamar Odom, Ron Artest, Paul Gasol and Andrew Bynum, two will be sitting in clutch situations... and won't be happy about it. That might be a few weeks away, though, as their friendly early schedule continues with a six-game homestand featuring no back-to-backs. It's going to be an upset if the Lakers' current win streak doesn't reach double-digits.

2. Orlando: On most nights, they'll be able to out-shoot teams, but when they buckle down defensively for stretches, they're as unbeatable a team as there has been in the league since the Lakers broke up after losing to Detroit. Currently, they're winning games with a starting point guard who was watching the NBA on his couch this time last year and a backup they didn't deem merited a single minute in last year's Finals. That road win in Boston on Nov. 20 was one of the most impressive performances of this young season.

3. Boston: A smooth start is about to get more trying. With Ray Allen rightfully distracted and Paul Pierce playing through knee pain, the Celtics seem destined to hit a rough patch as they open the month by continuing a string of seven of eight on the road. Kevin Garnett doesn't want to hear any more questions about his knee, and if he finishes up this stretch as strongly as he's started it, he'll get his wish. After carrying his slack most of last season, it looks like K.G.'s "Three Party" amigos need him to return the favor.

4. Cleveland: You think Mike Brown sits around at night and thinks himself into a sinus headache? No matter how much success he has, weird little controversies seem to pop up like clockwork to rain on his parade. What other perennial 50-60 game-winner has to hear his job is in jeopardy all the time, or goofs himself into a faux pas that alienates his veteran center and draws criticism from his superstar. At least it will all blow over.

5. San Antonio: Manu Ginobili didn't miss a beat in his return, impressing most with his pesky defense that the Spurs have badly missed. Not only does he play the role of agitator well, but he gives the team the type of nasty swagger that Tony Parker and Tim Duncan, for all their greatness, seem incapable of generating.

6. Phoenix: With Leandro Barbosa out of commission for the next few weeks, the Suns will have to count on Jared Dudley continuing his strong play in his first full season with the team. There were legitimate concerns about whether he'd be able to shoot well enough to flourish in a run-and-gun style, but he closed November shooting nearly 46 percent from 3-point range to carve out major minutes off the bench. Phoenix will need him even more now, and can also turn to 2007 first-rounder Alando Tucker for time on the wing.

7. Dallas: It seems like we've all eagerly welcomed Steve Nash back into the MVP race with open arms, but where's the love for his buddy Dirk Nowitzki? The Mavs star is playing better than he did when he won the honor in 2006 and has held the team together through injuries to Shawn Marion and Josh Howard. Skipping Eurobasket seems to have done wonders for his legs, and will look like an even smarter decision as the weeks pass and his juice remains intact.

8. Atlanta: If it's not panic time in Atlanta, it should be. Mike Woodson's team opens their December schedule losers of three of four, and have fallen out of the Southeast Division lead they so enjoyed. With Matt Ryan sidelined and the Falcons potentially headed for a spill, it would be nice if the Hawks can keep sports fans in the city off ledges for the next few weeks. 

9. Denver: Title contenders don't lose to Minnesota, so it's no wonder George Karl was so down about his team's Sunday night home hiccup against a team one shot removed from potentially being in the Nets' winless position. The deeper issue lies in what's changed to make him feel he no longer has a "play-hard" team, considering it's comprised mostly by players who were around for last year's success. Was getting to the conference finals enough to quench Denver's hunger? Is Linas Kleiza missed as much as it seems? Has the attitude that they can flip the on-switch whenever they want arrived in Denver? If so, there's going to be a lot of frustrating nights between now and April.

10. Portland: Brandon Roy recognizes that he probably became an All-Star faster than he would've had Greg Oden been healthy from the start of his rookie season. That's a lucid observation from a young player who is probably among the most self aware athletes in the league, but what comes next is what really matters. Roy must understand that he's got to give his young center room to grow, because he'll need him if he ever wants to be fitted for championship jewelry. If that means taking a step back during the flow of games, so be it. After all, Roy is good enough to rescue games if he needs to. Sensing that his team is struggling to come together, it's up to Roy as the star and leader to do what it takes to pull everyone in.

11. Utah: Undrafted rookie Wes Matthews has had more of an impact than Eric Maynor, who hasn't been bad himself. Matthews, though, has been something of a revelation, impressing Jerry Sloan with his grit and toughness, which should tell you all you need to know. He's come through in Matt Harpring's absence and seems to have left a massive footprint at his alma mater, because the current Marquette squad is thriving by playing the type of suffocating defense that's allowed him to flourish. Wonder who set the tone there?

12. Miami: Keep an eye on that Dec. 4 visit to Staples. If Miami drops games at Portland and Denver, Dwyane Wade will visit Olympic teammate Kobe Bryant on a four-game losing streak and perhaps a little looser about voicing his frustration. With would-be import Lamar Odom on the opposite sideline and the potential for losses in eight of 10 well within the realm of possibility, this four-game road swing the Heat open the month with could be a critical point in their season. 

13. Milwaukee: Andrew Bogut could've milked his leg injury a few more games, but instead saw an opportunity to help maintain momentum against divison rival Chicago and stepped up. Considering he just earned himself a new contract extension, to see him put his body on the line and not coasting with his future secure warms the heart. In a league where some guys tend to sign and retire., Bogut is proving worth John Hammond's big investment.

14. Houston: With the Rockets off to a better-than-expected start, it's worth wondering out loud whether they're foiling a major opportunity to secure a high lottery pick and dramatically altering the future of the franchise by overachieving. Sure, tanking talk isn't cool, but... John Wall, Derrick Favors, Evan Turner...

15. Oklahoma City: Nenad Krstic believes that playing in Eurobasket for his native Serbia has helped his recovery process as he battles back from an ACL tear suffered in late 2006. Krstic told me that getting the extra work in and making it through game after game feeling healthy has restored his confidence to the levels it was before his injury, where he was considered to be one of the league's top young centers.

16. Charlotte: Is that really you, Nazr Mohammed? Seemingly disinterested after becoming a guy moved for his contract rather than his abilities, Mohammed looks to have his spark back and is providing the Bobcats with a solid presence down low as backup/insurance policy to Tyson Chandler. Chalk another one up for Larry Brown, once again coaxing impressive results out of a team with a talent base that would appear overmatched.

17. Toronto: Proof that the Raptors aren't particularly tough right now comes via the National Post, which points out the team is 0-3 on the tail end of back-to-backs thus far, losing convincingly each time. With four sets of back-to-backs over December's first two weeks, that's either got to change or Toronto needs to get used to being an also-ran in the conference.

18. Sacramento: There were absolutely no expectations for the returning Paul Westphal other than the obvious one that his team would push the tempo and play little defense, so considering he's got the Kings at .500 entering December, he should earn something. He's not going to be up for Coach of the Year, and probably won't earn Western Conference coach of the month (Alvin Gentry), but someone should buy him a steak or send him a thank you note.

19. L.A. Clippers: The Blake Griffin countdown has begun, with the reigning No. 1 pick potentially ready to debut on the back end of the Clips six-game homestand that began with Sunday's victory over Memphis. With reeling Houston and Indiana visiting this week, Griffin could return to a .500 squad next week, which would have to be considered a promising start for L.A. without its projected x-factor.

20. Chicago: Record aside, you can't argue that the Bulls have made some nice progress in Year No. 2 under Vinny Del Negro. Rookies Taj Gibson and James Johnson have shown signs while Tyrus Thomas mends, and he displayed obvious improvement prior to going down. Joakim Noah has carried over his playoff success to where he's a nightly factor, and Derrick Rose gingerly navigated the first few weeks on a gimpy ankle. You know the best is yet to come.

21. New Orleans: Darren Collison forever endeared himself to Jeff Bower by outplaying Brandon Jennings and saving the first home game owner George Shinn had attended this season. It's always good when the guy that signs the checks is jumping out of his seat with a smile on his face, and inspired home that the Hornets might be able to come out of the darkness, after all. Consider Collison's effort one of the more inconspicuously vital performances to this point, because if nothing else, it offered proof that life could continue without Chris Paul.

22. Golden State: Given how short-handed the Warriors are and how little offense is being generated through ball movement, Monta Ellis would be well within his right to launch an assault on the league scoring title. He's dropped over 30 in four of the last five in November -- 40 twice -- and seems to have the right amount of bitter motivation, personal agenda and unstoppable skill to become your favorite fantasy player over the next few weeks.

23. Indiana: Jim O'Brien is going to be a busy man figuring out a way to keep all his talent happy with playing time. With Dahntay Jones excelling, Mike Dunleavy and Tyler Hansbrough back and Brandon Rush soon to be back in the mix, the Pacers bench is going to have options galore. How O'Brien handles his lineups and keeps harmony among the group could ultimately determine whether the Pacers get back to the postseason for the first time since '06.

24. Memphis: It's funny how things work out. With Mike Conley's status up in the air due to a bum shoulder, Allen Iverson could've gotten his wish to start and play heavy minutes had he stuck it out with the Grizzlies a little longer. As it stands now, Jamaal Tinsley is the beneficiary of Iverson's impatience, getting to update his resume with quality reps.

25. Detroit: This star-crossed season might not be the worst thing in the world for Detroit basketball. The kids are getting some much-needed seasoning while those lottery chances are sky-rocketing. In need of some quality size, it's advisable that Pistons fans start scanning the cable channels for ACC games featuring UNC's Ed Davis, Georgia Tech's Favors and Florida State's Solomon Alabi.

26. Philadelphia: Once Iverson signs, the Sixers organization might want to put out a map in each of the city's major papers to remind fans where the Wachovia Center is. Just trying to help.

27. Washington: Now that Caron Butler and Gilbert Arenas have aired out their grievances, it would be nice for D.C.'s basketball team if they stop playing like impostors. Not sure exactly what's going on over there, but the clear result is that neither player is fulfilling their vast potential, playing tentatively and beating themselves half the time. It's a travesty that the Wizards are still down at this end of the rankings given the talent on the roster.

28. New York: Maybe the Knicks can hold out for Brandon Jennings when he becomes a free agent. He sure would be exciting as Gotham's fearless lightning-fast point guard. Why didn't they draft him again? Mistakes like those can set a franchise back half a decade.

29. New Jersey: Kiki Vandeweghe is a likeable fellow, so if nothing else, the young Nets will enjoy working hard for him. That first win is right around the corner, and despite the 0-17 mark and head-to-head loss, there's little doubt that there's more talent on New Jersey's roster than is on the Timberwolves.

30. Minnesota: Kevin Love's return is imminent, which should help the Timberwolves accelerate the pace at which they're picking up victories. At this rate, they'll be right there with New Jersey challenging Philadelphia's dubious record for single-season futility, even with a head start.

Tony Mejia is senior writer of Pro Basketball News. He can be reached at mejia@probasketballnews.com