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NBA power rankings 2012: Heat near top of rankings, but Miami's defense is concerning

The Miami Heat are at or near the top of all the major power rankings through the first week of the season, but there is cause for some concern in South Beach.

Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE

The NBA's first week of action is in the books, and as expected, NBA analysts have released their first batch of power rankings – and the Miami Heat are at or near the top in all of them.

ESPN's Marc Stein ranked the Heat No. 1 in his latest power rankings, but was critical of Miami's defense, stating that the Heat are too good to be ranked No. 30 in defensive efficiency.

The Heat aren't No. 1 in SB Nation's power rankings, however. Seth Rosenthal ranked the Heat the No. 2 team through the NBA's first week, behind the San Antonio Spurs – who are off to a 3-0 start this season. Like Stein, Rosenthal is critical of Miami's defense.

CBS Sports' Matt Moore ranked the Heat the No. 3 team in the league thus far, behind the New York Knicks and Spurs. The Knicks' 104-84 win over the Heat helped catapult New York to the top of the rankings. Once again, Miami's defense is called out, as Moore notes that the defense "has been missing" this season.

Yahoo! Sports joins Stein, ranking the Heat No. 1 in the league through the first week.

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