The 2012-13 NBA season is off and running, with many of the usual suspects off to hot starts, including the San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat and Oklahoma City Thunder.  But it’s the Memphis Grizzlies who hold onto the top spot in KP’s first NBA Power Rankings of the season, boosted by a 9-2 start, thanks to strong play by Rudy Gay and Zach Randolph.

Following the Grizzlies in this week’s rankings are the San Antonio Spurs, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder and Miami Heat.

The full list is as follows, featuring some stats, figures and thoughts for all thirty teams.

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NBA Power Rankings: Zach Randolph and the Memphis Grizzlies are off to a strong start

KP’s NBA Power Rankings: November 26, 2012

* Games and statistics include results up to 4pm on November 25, 2012

1. Memphis Grizzlies (85 points)

Zach Randolph (pictured above) is off to a strong start, averaging a double-double (16.7 ppg and 13.6 rpg) in the Grizzlies’ first 11 games.

2. San Antonio Spurs (81 points)

Like Randolph from Memphis, the ageless Tim Duncan is also averaging a double-double to this point in the season (18.5 ppg and 10.9 rpg through 13 games).

3. New York Knicks (78 points)

Carmelo Anthony is averaging nearly 3 more three-point attempts per game when compared to his career average, and his average is up to 38.6% (from 32.4%).

4. Oklahoma City Thunder (77 points)

Kevin Durant continues to be a scoring machine, averaging 26.5 ppg on the year.  Only Kobe Bryant has a higher average to this point.

5. Miami Heat  (68 points)

In his first 13 games with the Miami Heat, Ray Allen is averaging 12.8 points per game.

6. Los Angeles Clippers (62 points)

He hasn’t started a single game, but Jamal Crawford leads the Clippers in scoring, averaging 18.6 points per game over the team’s first 13 games.

7. Atlanta Hawks (61 points)

Louis Williams is averaging 13.3 points per game, while not starting, and is averaging fewer than 24 minutes per contest.

8. Brooklyn Nets (53 points)

The Nets have just three players averaging in double figures on the year: Brook Lopez, Deron Williams and Joe Johnson.

9. Los Angeles Lakers (48 points)

In his first 14 games with the Lakers, Dwight Howard is averaging 18 points and 10.6 boards per game.

10. Milwaukee Bucks (47 points)

The Bucks have been sparked by the play of Brandon Jennings, who leads the league in steals per game, with 3.45.

11. Denver Nuggets (41 points)

Kenneth Faried is averaging a double-double (12.8 ppg and 11.5 rpg) on the year.

12. Golden State Warriors (41 points)

Off to a surprisingly strong start, the Warriors have been led by numerous playmakers, from Stephen Curry to Harrison Barnes and David Lee.

13. Philadelphia 76ers (41 points)

Clearly missing Andrew Bynum’s presence, Philadelphia’s leading rebounder has been Evan Turner, who is only averaging 6.4 defensive boards per game.

14. Utah Jazz (35 points)

Al Jefferson is averaging a double-double in Utah’s first 14 games (15.6 ppg and 11.3 rpg).

15. Boston Celtics (35 points)

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Rajon Rondo leads the NBA in assists

Rajon Rondo leads the league in assists per game (13.5), nearly four more than any other player in the NBA.

16. Charlotte Bobcats (33 points)

Ramon Sessions and Kemba Walker have led the surprising Bobcats, with each scoring more than 17 points per game so far this season.

17. Chicago Bulls (28 points)

The team misses Derrick Rose, but still has five players averaging in double figures, with Luol Deng leading the way, averaging 17.8 points per game.

18. Houston Rockets (27 points)

Now the leading man in Houston, James Harden is averaging 25.2 points per game, which is the 5th most in the NBA to date.

19. Dallas Mavericks (24 points)

Clearly missing Dirk Nowitzki’s scoring ability, the Mavs have relied heavily on O.J. Mayo, who leads the team with 21.5 points per game.

20. Minnesota Timberwolves (23 points)

Making his debut last week, Kevin Love has sparked the T’Wolves, averaging 24.3 points and 14 rebounds in his first three games.

21. Indiana Pacers (20 points)

Roy Hibbert continues to be a defensive presence, leading the NBA in blocks per game, with 3.07.

22. Portland Trail Blazers (18 points)

Moving past the Greg Oden era, J.J. Hickson has led the team in rebounds, with 10.8 per game.

23. Phoenix Suns (17 points)

Goran Dragic leads the team in points (16.5 ppg), assists (7.4 apg) and steals (2.2 spg).

24. Orlando Magic (9 points)

Without Dwight Howard’s presence in the paint, the Magic has gotten its rebounds from Glen Davis (8.9 rpg) and Nikola Vucevic (8.8 rpg).

25. Sacramento Kings (-3 points)

College superstar Jimmer Fredette continues to make minimal impact in the NBA.  In 12 games, Fredette is averaging 9.3 minutes per game and 6.3 points.

26. New Orleans Hornets (-4 points)

Top pick Anthony Davis has been hampered by injuries this season, appearing in just six games.  He has, however, averaged 16 points and 8.3 boards per game during his time on the court.

27. Detroit Pistons (-7 points)

Detroit has just three players averaging in double figures: Greg Monroe, Tayshaun Prince and Brandon Knight.

28. Toronto Raptors (-8 points)

The Raptors have three players averaging 17.9 points per game or better: DeMar DeRozan, Kyle Lowry and Andrea Bargnani.

29. Cleveland Cavaliers (-15 points)

Anderson Varejao has been impressive in the paint so far this season, leading the NBA in rebounds per game, with 14.1.

30. Washington Wizards (-22 points)

The winless Wizards have had nine different players on its roster start in a game, none of which who are John Wall, who remains out with an injury.

* All stats per NBA.com

The Wife Hates Sports NBA Power Rankings system has a method to its madness, attempting to be different and not just rank by popularity and record.  It mixes a secret formula of six completely different categories, meshed into a points system.  The categories don’t just include team results regarding record, but how each team has performed recently, as well as incorporating some statistics on both a team’s offense and defense.