Power Rankings: Slightly up but still down.

The Nets have won two of their last four, vs. the Raptors and Grizzlies, but they're still 5-12 and now are missing four rotation players.  So it's difficult from power ranking pundits to move them up by much. At least, they're not deep, deep in the rankings like they were last week. Now they're in the mid-20's, for the most part, but a couple of them have Nets at No. 27.

Warning: Don't read Matt Moore is you're squeamish.

John Schuhmann, NBA.com (25)

Pace: 94.9 (23), OffRtg: 99.7 (22), DefRtg: 106.6 (29), NetRtg: -6.9 (27)
The silver lining to an ugly start? Jason Kidd has been so desperate for answers that, in addition to spilling drinks, he's given guys at the end of the bench a chance to play real minutes. Mason Plumlee, Tyshawn Taylor and Mirza Teletovic have all had their moments, which could pay off down the line as Kidd tries to keep his veterans fresh (once they get healthy). The Nets play 13 of their next 19 at home.

Mark Stein, ESPN (22)

Daunting as it is to hear KG has scored in single digits 13 times in 15 games while D-Will continues to nurse that ankle problem, tell me who in the Atlantic can keep the Nets from roaring back to win it? Division-leading Toronto has six wins so far ... against teams with a combined mark of 35-69.

Marc J. Spears, Yahoo! Sports (27)

Brooklyn Nets (5-12; last week's ranking: 28): Brooklyn hosts New York in the first meeting between the rivals on Thursday. The teams will have fewer than 10 wins combined at tipoff.

Jason Patt, SBNation (24)

We actually have some signs of life from the $190 million Nets, who racked up a whopping two wins this week! Jason Kidd also finally did a bit of "coaching," if you could call it that:

Matt Dollinger, Sports Illustrated (24)

Jason Kidd should use some of that creativity to patch up the Nets' defense, which ranks 29th in points allowed per possession and has caused the team to lose seven of nine.

Matt Moore, CBS Sports (27)

This team is the vomit.

Kurt Helin, NBC Sports (24)

Nets (5-12, LW 27). Hey Jason Kidd, if got a clever idea like spilling Coke on the court to get a timeout, save it for games that matter (like late in the season or playoffs). Brooklyn will now be without Paul Pierce for a month, to add to their injury woes.

Jeff Spencer, FOX Sports (26)

Here's an unexpected formula: bring in veteran superstars (even as a coach), lose 10 of your first 13 games, and then hang on for a win against the Raptors to move within just two games of an Atlantic Division lead. Math is weird.

Sam Amick & Jeff Zillgitt, USA Today (27)

Jason Kidd has created a sticky mess for the Nets. He also spilled a drink on the court intentionally.