NBA Power Rankings: Week 2

Hey knuckle-heads! Great week of ball, as we’ve had a couple of continued great starts, a few great performances, and also an upset or two. Let me remind you that there are no undefeated teams left, as each fell at least once this past week.

I certainly appreciated all of the feedback I received for my last Power Rankings, as I had both positive and negative comments.

Ready for another Power Rankings post? Ready to bash? Appreciate?

Well here is another one of Devon’s NBA Power Rankings:

Biggest Jump: Phoenix Suns (+11)

Biggest Drop: San Antonio Spurs/Washington Wizards (-7)

The Starting 5

1. Boston Celtics (7-1)(0)

Well, what can I say? Boston is still playing brilliantly, and not showing signs of slowing down.

They had victories against a few decent/minor teams, such as Philadelphia and Minnesota (which they only won by 2). Then came the smudge on perfection, as the Suns routed the Celtics in Boston. Props to Phoenix, and that is a good enough reason to keep you in my Starting 5 (as you’ll see below).

But back to Boston; they are looking great. Sometimes I like to call them the Boston Chameleons due to their style of play, which can transform at any moment. If they want to be a shooting team, heck, they can shoot. A big team? KG, Perkins, Wallace. A running team? Rondo, Pierce, Allen. The Celtics are just doing it all right now, but they will be tested as they play Utah on Wednesday, and Atlanta on Friday.

2. Los Angeles Lakers (6-1)(+1)

Kobe Bryant for MVP? Well, I don’t know about that. But if I were to give one out now, it would definitely be for KB24. Sorry Melo, sorry Bron, and sorry D-Wade. The Lakers have started the season hit with an injury or two, and have shown they can still ball without Bynum or Gasol. Why? Because Kobe has dropped 31, 41, 41 and 28 in his last 4.

Brilliant.

They picked up wins against teams like Oklahoma City, Houston and Memphis. Ok, Ok. I know they barely won some of those, but a W is a W, and again, they have been missing their starting PF since day one. They also picked win against New Orleans last night, as they ran circles around the whole Hornets squad. Looking forward to the Suns heading into Staples Center on thursday.

3.Orlando Magic (5-2)(-1)

This one was difficult for me, as I had a close contest between Orlando and Denver. But you know what did it for me? Orlando’s victory against the rising Suns (man, the Suns are everywhere in these rankings huh?), a game which Orlando put up a whopping 122, and left the Suns out to dry with 100.

But then came yesterday, as the Magic fell to…the THUNDER!? Come on, if this team expects to show everyone that they can make it back to the Finals, they have to beat the Thunder. But, not only did they lose, they lost BAD, as the final score was 102-74. Dwight Howard didn’t even get double-digits in rebounding. Come on Orlando, I know this was a lucky one for OKC, but seriously, come on. I’m still waiting for Orlando to actually play some tougher competition. But for now, they should be happy at number 3.

4. Denver Nuggets (5-2)(+1)

The Nuggets started off hot…in fact, they probably brought up the temperature in Denver a bit, that’s how great they started off! Ok, lame joke. But the Nuggets did indeed start off great. But then this past week, Denver cooled down a bit.

First off, they played in New Jersey, and won. Then they went to Miami, and D-Wade and Co. ended up putting a stop to the Nuggets 5-game win streak. Then the Nuggets continued their Southern trip to Atlanta, and basically got humiliated as they lost 100-125.

Melo is still playing awesome, and the Chauncey is still doing his thing, but the Nuggets didn’t show too much…although it was enough to move up one spot. Actually, they moved up because my former number 4 and number 6 are disappointing a few folks at the moment. So congrats Denver, looking forward to see you take on LA, Friday!

5. Phoenix Suns (6-1)(+11)

Ok, the Suns are simply amazing at the moment. That’s it.

That’s all I should have to say..but I need to write more..it’s my job.

The Suns have been surprising the (explicit) out of me! I previously said in my preseason ranking that this would be a long and grueling year for the Suns. But..I was DEAD WRONG. Especially when they visited the number one ranked Celtics, and took them out in the Garden. Final score was 110-103.

Can anyone say Steve Nash for MVP? I mean, he isn’t putting up astonishing numbers. He is the captain of the Suns cruise, as he is averaging 18 ppg, 3 rpb, and 12 apg. Very solid numbers.Then, they also have a guy named Amare Stoudamire, who has developed a great mid-range jumper. Let’s not forget the rest, like J-Rich, who torched the Celtics with 34 points and 10 rebounds.

I’m really liking this Suns squad. Even though there is nothing SPECTACULAR about them, they know how to ball together as one, and have shown us SPECTACULAR results. Their only loss it to Orlando (respectable). Can’t wait for the TNT showdown, as the Suns enter LA to take on the Lakers.

Phoenix, welcome to my starting 5!

The Bench

6. Cleveland Cavaliers (4-3)(-2)

Cleveland, Cleveland, Cleveland…tsk tsk tsk. I know the season has only begun, but the Cavs are showing us vulnerability. A lot of it in fact. It definitely showed last Thursday against the Bulls, a game that Cleveland ended up losing by one point.

Have you spotted the vulnerability? I have. The pick and roll. Yes, that’s right, the simple, yet brilliant play. The Bulls pick and rolled the hell out of Cleveland that game, and this resulted in numerous easy layups right down the middle. So what is Shaq here for? You’ll be hearing this question quite a bit in the near future.

The Cavs have also already tied last season’s number of home losses, and still have yet to win against a contending team. So I punished them by sending them to 6th man. But… the Cavs did beat the Knicks. Woo-hoo! It was a nice venue, but in the end Cavs needed to win that game. Period.

We might get the answer to that Shaq question on Wednesday, when the Cavs pay a visit to Orlando.

7. Dallas Mavericks (4-3)(-1)

Dallas deserves to be in this spot. They aren’t playing amazingly, but they aren’t playing bad, so they deserve to be right in the mix of things. It also doesn’t hurt when you have an MVP-caliber type of player in Dirk, who dropped 40 on the Jazz Tuesday.

The one negative about this past week for the Mavs was that they lost to the Hornets. Eww. The Hornets? This Mavs team should have crushed those bugs, as they have advantages all over the floor against New Orleans. But anyways, Dallas then won at home against Toronto, putting up a big 129.

I’m looking forward to watching Dallas defend their home court against the Rockets, and then head out to the recently troubled San Antonio.

8. Atlanta Hawks (5-2)(+2)

The Hawks are playing great ball as of late. They beat Portland, Sacramento, and then blew out Denver in Atlanta. This Hawks team seems like it has great chemistry that only seems to be getting better. Like I’ve said in the past, this team does not have any “franchise” players, but they are a squad built on the term “teamwork”. They have everything you would want in a team, whether it be height, shooting, length, ball-handlers etc.

A word of caution to those teams in the middle of the Eastern Conference, this Atlanta team may put you on upset alert.

Good game: Atlanta at Boston (Friday)

9. Miami Heat (5-1)(+6)

The Heat are playing brilliantly. Well, D-Wade deserves most of this credit, but doesn’t it seem like the team has gotten a bit better since last year, simply due to the fact that Wade doesn’t have to kill himself every game in order to get a W? Much credit also goes to Jermaine O’neal, who is playing at a higher level than last year, as he is averaging 15 ppg, 8rpg and 2 assists. Hopefully his legs remain in good shape for the rest of the year.

The Heat’s only loss on the year  came against the red-hot Suns, after which they traveled to Washington to take on Gilbert and Co. in a game the Heat won by four, 93-89. Then came the Heat’s biggest victory of the year, against the Nuggets. This game was a classic for any NBA fan. Melo vs Wade? Just pure awesomeness. In the end Carmelo won the individual battle, but D-Wade and Co. ended up shutting the door on the visiting Nuggets to finally hand Denver it’s first loss of the year.

It’ll be interesting to watch Miami take on Cleveland this Thursday. Can the heat compete with the upper echelon of the East Conference? We’ll find out.

10. Portland Trailblazers (4-3)(0)

Portland is going to stay put…for now. I see them jumping up a spot or two by the end of next week. Look at who they play, first a Memphis team that is having no “Answer” to their problems, then they play a young (but still good-looking) Minnesota team, and then the confusing Hornets. Should be a pretty good week for Portland.

But to get to last week, the Trailblazers lost to a very good Atlanta team, but then rebounded at home against San Antonio and Minnesota. Keep it up Portland.

11. Houston Rockets (4-2)(+6)

So, what is up with these Western Conference surprises? I mean, first it’s the Suns, now the Rockets? Who would’ve thought that without T-Mac and Yao, that the Rockets would have one of the West’s top records. But eh, it’s only been two weeks. So, Houston enjoy spot 11 for now..but don’t get too comfortable.

This past week, Houston took out the Jazz in Utah, then lost by 1, and only 1 to the defending champion Lakers (let’s not forget Houston gave Utah a hell of a series) and then the Rockets take out Durant and the Thunder in Houston.

The Rockets will have a tough, tough week as they play Dallas, Memphis, the Lakers and Sacramento. Three out of four on the road. Good luck boys!

12. Chicago Bulls (4-2)(+6)

This young Bulls squad is showing much promise not only in the future, but now. Last Thursday, the Bulls welcomed the Cavs into Chicago with a beautiful loss. The thing that I really like about this Bulls team, is that even though Derrick Rose knows that his spot in Chicago is the leader, he is not selfish at all. That is a lot to say about a second-year player.

Rose assisted in shutting down the recently troubled Cavs by dishing out 11 assists, and making a crucial layup down the stretch of the closing seconds of the game.

If Chicago can use their speed, youth, and energy against opponents, just like they did against Cleveland, then the Bulls could be a scary team to face come playoff time. Just ask the Celtics.

13. San Antonio Spurs (2-3)(-7)

Disappointing. That is the only word I have to use in order to describe the way the Spurs season has started. In week one, the Spurs upset all of us with a loss to the young Bulls squad, then they get taught on how to play ball by the Jazz. If you saw that game, you know what I’m talking about.

Put it this way, the Spurs’ only two victories were against the Hornets and the Kings. That is pitiful for a team that is supposed to be in the same conversation as Boston and LA. The worst part about this whole thing is that this is the beginning of the season; imagine how things will be when Timmy’s knees are weaker and McDyess grows tiresome. Not good Texas…at least you have Dallas and Houston.

14. Toronto Raptors (3-3)(0)

The Raptors are doing ok. I mean, they picked Ws against Detroit and New Orleans. But then they understandably lost to Dallas. The Raptors are not a very exciting team to watch. In fact, they just might be one of the least exciting teams in the NBA to watch, but they just might have it in them to make a strong playoff run.

Hedo is playing solidly, averaging 14 ppg, 4 rpg, and 3 apg, while Chris Bosh is having an MVP-caliber season of his own with 28.5 ppg, and 11.5 rpg. Those are amazing numbers, but the sad thing is that he must continue to do that in order to make the playoffs. I want to see how Toronto fairs against the Spurs tonight.

15. Washington Wizards (2-5)(-7)

I strongly believed the Wizards were going to surprise everyone and make a strong run to the playoffs. Why wouldn’t I? Gilbert’s back, Caron should be good to go, and I believe that Antawn Jamison has a good couple of years left as well. Let’s not forget the new additions in Randy Foye and Mike Miller. But I guess I was wrong…

The Wizards are starting off slow, and they are just as a big of a disappointment as the Spurs are. They are on a four-game losing streak, which included Cleveland, Miami, Indiana and Phoenix. But I don’t believe that Washington is in too much trouble. I’ll give them a couple more weeks to prove that I am wrong.

16. Philadelphia 76ers (3-3)(+1)

I said it before, and I’ll say it again. The 76ers are the most basic team in the NBA, and that is how their season has played out so far, an even .500 record after two weeks.

This past week the 76ers lost a completely understandable game against the Celtics. Come on, nobody would’ve believed me if I told them that the 76ers would beat Boston. Anyways, then they continued their home stand against the Nets, and came out on top. But the loss I believe Philadelphia had an opportunity to reverse was against the Pistons.

But decent start so far, I’m looking forward to see if Iguodala and the rest can match the level of athleticism that the Suns will bring to them tonight.

17. Utah Jazz. (2-5)(-6)

The Jazz weren’t expected to do big things this season, but I expected a little bit more than what I’ve seen thus far.

This past week was juggled for the Jazz, as they lost a couple games that i’m sure they wanted back. The first was against Houston, which either team could’ve won in my opinion, but in the end Houston wanted it more. Then Saturday, the Jazz lost to the Kings. I don’t understand that one, they should have beaten them.

The one positive out of last week was the victory against the Spurs. If the Jazz can play that way every game, then they wouldn’t be 2-5 right now.

18. New Orleans Hornets (2-5) (-5)

It’s a hot mess in New Orleans right now. This past week the Hornets lost to the Knicks, Raptors, and Lakers. How could you lose to the Knicks, Chris Paul? You could’ve taken ‘em on yourself. Kobe’s done it, so has LeBron. So…why didn’t you? Then last night was an embarrassment. Did anyone see how bad Kobe Bryant made Devin Brown look last night? How about the entire Hornets lineup? You don’t want to know.

19. Oklahoma City Thunder (3-3) (0)

The Thunder are off to a pretty decent start. But decent would be a huge understatement if we were talking about what had happened last night.

Oklahoma City Thunder-104 | Orlando Magic-74

Are you kidding me!? We’re probably not going to see something from OKC like that again, but we may be seeing glimpses of the future.

20. Milwaukee Bucks (3-2)(0)

Here’s a much needed feel good story for the NBA. The Bucks are a nice team to watch, especially now that they have a young leader in Brandon Jennings (who is my pick for Rookie of the Year).

Even though the Bucks had an easy schedule so far, I feel like the Bucks are a bit under the radar, so heck, I’m bringing them above it!

The Reserves

21. Detroit Pistons (3-4)(+1)

The Pistons are missing out on Tayshaun and Rip, but Ben Wallace is showing that he can still rack up those boards. I’m still waiting for Ben Gordon to break out. I don’t know why, but I feel like he will soon.

22. Indiana Pacers (2-3)(+2)

What is this? The Pacers don’t only have Danny and Troy. They also can play some D as well. They held the Knicks and Wizards to just 39% shooting. If they can defend like that, and Granger can show more killer instinct, I might just move the Pacers off The Reserves list, and onto my bench.

23. Los Angeles Clippers (3-4)(+2)

The Clips are adjusting to life without Blake Griffin, and they will have to continue to do so, as he is out for a few more weeks. But it is good to hear that the Clippers capitalized on the fragile schedule.

24. Charlotte Bobcats (3-3)(-2)

The Bobcats don’t seem like they are going to do anything this year unfortunately. Poor MJ, only if has the ability as a GM he had as a baller. Oh, and Gerald Wallace is averaging 13.8 rpg. Good, but awkward.

25. Sacramento Kings (3-4)(+5)

Congratulations to the Kings! You’ve fallen out of last place, and pushed yourselves up 5 spots! Kevin Martin will be gone, but I believe that’ll eventually help Tyreke Evans learn important leadership skills that rookies end up lacking. Evans also averaged 27.5 points over the weekend.

26. Golden State Warriors (1-4)(+2)

Stephen Curry made his debut!

27. Memphis Grizzlies (1-6)(-1)

There is trouble going on in Memphis. Don’t worry about the record, I’m not talking about that. Get used to it. According to multiple sources, A.I. may consider retirement soon. What else could go wrong in Memphis?

28. Minnesota Timberwolves (1-6)(-7)

The Timberwolves almost shocked all of the NBA on Wednesday. But, almost doesn’t count. Shout out to Ryan Gomes!

29. New York Knicks (1-6)(0)

Want to hear a good joke? There was this NBA team, right…and they gave up 40 points in the first quarter!!! Hahaha. Man, what makes it even funnier is that the Knicks gave up 40 in the opening quarter against the Cavs, during the NBA’s favorite day of the year: The LeBron show in MSG

30. New Jersey Nets (1-6)(-3)

(Sigh) Poor Devin Harris.

Okay..well…they have Jay-Z, right?

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Steve Nash photo credit: Ned Dishman via NBA Photos

Thanks for tuning in this week!

Make sure you check by next week for my new rankings!

Want more of my articles? Here: http://www.midwestsportsfans.com/author/Devon/

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Tags: NBA Power Rankings, nba power rankings week 2

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