NBA Power Rankings: Benihana Edition

We've just passed the first quarter of the NBA season and it's clear that this year is far from predictable. Those Lakers that grabbed our number one spot in the preseason rankings? Not even playing .500 ball. The best record in the league? The Legend of the Ancient Spurs. The New York Knickerbockers refuse to lose at Madison Square Garden and the Atlantic Division is the toughest in basketball right now, with four out of five teams playing with a winning record. As expected, the Thunder are crushing it in the West, but so are the Clippers. David Stern must be having a hard time deciding whether or not to fine teams for playing better than he thought they could.

There's still plenty of ball to play, though, and as players come back from injury (John Wall, DRose, Bynum, Dirk, Nash), we'll get a much better idea of how these teams are going to finish out the season. As we do every time here at the Food Republic NBA Power Rankings, we've selected an iconic restaurant menu to match up with each team. This time, it's Benihana, the Japanese "steakhouse" where they cook that stuff right in front of you. Your average NBA game has a lot in common with Benihana. Look at all these similarities:

• Both aim to be entertaining
• Action happens on a rectangular playing surface
• Lots of clapping and cheering
• Justin Bieber sits courtside
• Fans can't get near the court without fear of a dangerous reprisal

With so much in common, it only makes sense that we're using the Benihana menu as our benchmark to judge each NBA team on how they fared during the first quarter of the season. Grab some sizzling shrimp, make an onion volcano and don't touch the hibachi grill. We're warning you: there WILL be fire.

( ) = previous position |  [ ] = record as of December 10, 2012

Tender sliced steak and grilled colossal shrimp lightly seasoned and grilled to your specification.

Good teams only lose to other good teams and the Spurs have only lost to the Knicks, the Clippers and the Heat. I'd say those are pretty good teams, wouldn't you? Honestly, I have no idea how the Spurs continue to do it. They keep on sliding new players into their rotation and it keeps on working. They get paired with "Splash 'N Meadow" because I think that would be the greatest nickname ever for Gary Neal and Danny Green. FYI, Neal is Splash.

Monday through Thursday during dinner hours only. Served with miso soup, Benihana salad and edamame. Not available at all locations.

I just want to hug the Grizzlies. They make me feel proud to be an NBA fan. Their success is what every small market team in this league should aspire to. Well-constructed lineup, good coaching, fired-up fans. It's a recipe for winning, and barring a major injury setback, Memphis should wind up being one of the toughest outs in the playoffs. From now until then I want them to know how proud I am. So Grizzlies, please enjoy as much sushi as you'd like to. It's the least I can do. 

Sea scallops, calamari, shrimp, assorted vegetables and Japanese udon noodles with a special homemade spicy sauce. Served with Benihana onion soup, Benihana salad, shrimp appetizer, hibachi vegetables, homemade dipping sauces, steamed rice and Japanese hot green tea.

LOOK HOW MUCH STUFF THIS SEAFOOD DIABLO COMES WITH! It's like a treasure trove of Japanese chain food deliciousness. I feel the same way about the Clippers. After years – decades, even – of futility, these Clips are coming on strong and they're deep. The second unit may be a little too experienced (read: old), but they're playing like hungry college sophomores. They'll need to stay hungry to keep winning and to finish all this food.

A great combination of shrimp and beef.

The Warriors came out to playyyy. What a pleasant surprise for those in the Bay Area. Considering this team is made up of kids, they have no choice but to eat from the children's menu.

Marinated salmon, cream cheese, cucumber, avocado.

The Sixers are exactly who we thought they were. Except for the whole "Bynum will be injured for the rest of his life" part. They're not the best scorers in the NBA (88.5 PPG), but they're holding it down on defense (89.7 points allowed), so Sixers fans don't need to bring batteries with them to games. Philadelphia roll? It's too easy.

Red wine, Benihana Sake, plum wine, pomegranate and orange juice.

"Dear Ray Allen, Come back, please? Love, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce." If Rajon Rondo is not an alien spy sent from the future in some sort of Predator/Terminator hybrid movie, I will be SHOCKED. That doesn't have anything to do with him as a basketball player, but seriously – shouldn't we investigate this? He's inhuman, right? Just picture him with shiny green alien skin and it will all make sense. They get Red Plum Sake Sangria because that's something only an alien would order.

Grilled colossal shrimp, calamari and tender sea scallops.

You would think a summer blockbuster trade that lands you Andre Igoudala would translate to big wins. You're wrong. Granted, Denver has played most of the young season on the road, but they're the NBA equivalent of ordering the Surf Side combo feast and finding out they're out of shrimp and scallops.

Tuna, salmon and tilapia with avocado, grape tomato, shallot salsa and taco sauce.

The award for most PF/C in the NBA goes to... the Milwaukee Bucks! Congratulations, guys. You're seriously stacked in the front court. The problem is, quantity doesn't mean quality. Ekpe Udoh, Larry Sanders and John Henson are all the same player with different degrees of muscle. Why they're all on the same team is beyond me. The tacos may have three different types of fish, but in the end it's all still fish.

Eel, avocado, crab, cucumber.

Where to start? The biggest fall of any team on these here Power Rankings belongs, obviously, to the No-Time Lakers. I fell into their trap like we all did. Star power isn't everything and with Steve Nash still out, a new coach and a Spanish star who doesn't fit into the system (not to mention his timely case of tendinitis), things aren't exactly rosy for the Purple and Gold. They get the Dragon Roll because it's the closest I could find to a Black Mamba on the menu. 

Tofu, scallions and cilantro grilled in a spicy tofu hot sauce.

Things don't look good when you're one of just two teams to lose to the Wizards. It's not all bad for the Blazers, though. Damian Lillard has proven to be an NBA-ready rookie right out of the gate, Batum has upped his game a whole level, and J.J. Hickson is a potential double-double every night. They're not as good as they should be, but it's pretty surprising how much you can enjoy a spicy tofu steak Blazers game.

Japanese sautéed noodles with chicken and mixed vegetables topped with a special sauce and sesame seeds.

The Suns are now offering a money-back guarantee to fans who aren't satisfied with their experience at games, so they're essentially the used car salesmen of NBA teams. Considering all the broken promises that owner Robert Sarver has made, it makes sense. With a seven game losing streak intact, it doesn't look like things are getting much better, so some yakisoba might be just what the doctor ordered. It's comforting for your fan pain and just think, Suns fans, you're about to have a ton of extra cash lying around because of that guarantee.

Served hot and sprinkled with sea salt.

I know there are a lot of rumors swirling around Sacramento and where they might move, but I think we're all overlooking the obvious choice: Medieval England. Seriously, is there a better landing spot? They LOVE royalty, they're down with spectacle and DeMarcus Cousins wouldn't have to worry about the media writing mean things about his work ethic anymore. Let's get Bill & Ted over here to fire up the phone booth. "Say hi to the princesses for me." "Who?" "Shut up and eat your edamame." 

This homemade Benihana specialty simmers for six hours. A favorite since 1964.

If the Pistons only played home games, they'd be a mediocre NBA team. If they only played road games, they'd be the worst team in the league. The only answer is to order up some soup to go and call in sick for the rest of the season.

Green leaf, avocado, cucumber, tomato, red cabbage, yamagobo.

Which team is 3-0 against the Heat since April 2012? The Wizards. I know. I can't believe it either. That said, Washington can ONLY beat the Heat. They're off to yet another terrible start and John Wall has been labeled with the most hated phrase in sports: "out indefinitely." They get the veggie roll because, like the Wizards, it's wrong on so many levels. 

Previously:  NBA Power Rankings: Butcher's Chart Edition