Hey everyone. It’s been a while since my last NBA Power Rankings, but you know how it can be during the holidays. Hectic, busy, and confused I was.
But plan on the weekly NBA Power Rankings being here until the end of season. And this week, I’ve also added Home (H) and Away (A) records for each team as well.
This was a pretty decent week of ball, huh? We had a couple upsets, streaks broken and continued, and just good ‘ol NBA basketball.
Welcome to another week of Devon’s NBA Power Rankings.
Comment BELOW!
Starting 5
1. Cleveland Cavaliers (27-9)
H(13-3) A(14-6)
The Cavs are playing some great ball. They dropped ATL twice, once in Atlanta, and then in Cleveland. That’s going to look great on their resume down the road. A loss to the Bobcats is a shocker, but with the way the Cavs are playing, everyone should be (expletive-ing) their pants right now. Oh yeah and for you stat freaks, the Cavs are dropping 41% of their shots behind the three…scary good.
2. Los Angeles Lakers (27-6)
H(19-3) A(8-3)
Hands up for everyone who thought this would be the second team…woah! That’s a lot of hands. The Lakers lost an understandable game against the Suns, and then they whooped the Warriors, survived a close one against Sacramento, and then gave the Mavs the worst loss ever to this Lakers team. The Lakers have Ron Ron out, and Kobe is playing with the finger issue (really doesn’t matter to a basketball god). The only downside to LA is that they have only played 11 road games, meaning they have a load of ‘em to come.
3. Boston Celtics (24-8)
H(11-4) A(13-4)
The Celtics would probably be in 2nd if not the top spot right now if it wasn’t for injuries like, you know, the guy who won 2008 NBA Finals MVP, Paul Pierce. With two losses to two mediocre teams (the Warriors and Blake-less Clippers), the Celtics aren’t looking too great. But what stopped me from putting them behind ORL, was the win against a recently good looking Raptors team. Boston needs to pray KG and Pierce get back, and soon.
4. Orlando Magic (24-9)
H(13-3) A(14-6)
The Magic really don’t have too much to jump up and down about, especially when they lost their last game against the Bulls. This past week’s two victories came against Minnesota and Milwaukee, congrats Orlando! But it seems like Dwight is still Dwight, and Lewis is still Lewis. I’m just waiting for the VC that we’ve seen in the past…oh yeah, we won’t.
5. Dallas Mavericks (23-11)
H(11-5) A(12-6)
Despite a spanking by the Lakers, the Mavs are playing good ball, so why not put them in my Starting 5? It was either them or Atlanta, and with the way they handled themselves against Cleveland this week, I don’t think so. Anyways, Dirk is playing phenomenally at the moment as he is averaging 25 ppg, 8 rpg and 2.5 assists. But sadly, I think the Lakers are the only team in the NBA that will have a free ticket to the Finals…meaning no one can take on LA out West…no one.
The Bench
6. Portland Trailblazers (22-13)
H(13-5) A(9-8)
Portland is simply destroyed by injuries, as they have Oden out for the season and Fernandez out for some time. Despite all that, Brandon Roy is everywhere for them, and they are 8-2 their past 10 games. This past week, they won against the Warriors and Clippers, but lost to the Sixers at home.
7. Atlanta Hawks (21-11)
H(12-4) A(9-7)
I feel sorry for the Hawks at the moment, I mean they lose to LeBron and Co. back to back, then they end up getting destroyed by Nate Robinson…yes, that’s right. Nate Robinson.
Anyways, the Hawks started off strong, but are an even .500 at 5-5 in their past 10 games. I know this team can do better than that. Much better.
8. San Antonio Spurs (20-12)
H(14-5) A(6-7)
The Spurs are climbing everyone’s rankings each week. With the sloppy start they had, they were quickly getting fingers pointed at them, but this recent surge has gotten the Spurs back into the playoff’s list, and soon into the contender’s list. The one negative to them is that they are a poor 6-7 on the road, which needs improvement. But they’ve had it rather easy, as the past 4 of 5 teams they played had sub .500 records.
9. Phoenix Suns (21-13)
H(13-3) A(8-10)
The Suns have been rather questionable lately, as they have taken out the Lakers, then the Celtics in a span of two days. That’ll look great on any team’s record, but then they fall to the Memphis Grizzlies by 20+ points? Cmon. That, I don’t understand at all.
10. Denver Nuggets (21-13)
H(13-3) A(8-10)
The Nuggets have the exact record as the Suns do, at home and on the road. Another similarity is how poorly they’ve been playing as of late (let’s also add Melo and Billups were out last night against Philadelphia). They have lost 4 of their last 5. Yet another team that has gone cold.
11. Houston Rockets (20-14)
H(10-4) A(10-10)
The Rockets!? Where did these guys come from? Really. With TMac back from injury, the Rockets put him on the trading block! I mean, duh. They’ve been playing great with TMac and Yao out, but imagine if the 7-6 center was still playing…scary. This past week, they beat the dynamic attack of CP3′s triple double, and David West’s 44, and then they took out the Mavs, but lost to the Hornets the following game. But still, the Rockets?
12. Oklahoma City Thunder (18-15)
H(9-7) A(9-8)
The Thunder are playing good ball, especially for their age. Think about it, you are being led by a 21-year old phenom and are actually surviving in the deep West. I’m also really enjoying Westbrook’s play. The Thunder have won 2 of 3 this past week, with W’s against UTA and WAS, but an OT loss to MIL.
13. Utah Jazz (18-15)
H(12-5) A (6-10)
The Jazz aren’t WOWing anyone at the moment. In fact, they never have, nor will they as the season continues. They are barely hanging on in the West, as they seem to be depending on Williams and Boozer on almost every play (that’s not always going to work). The Jazz are 1 of 3 this past week, with losses to DEN and OKC, but a meek victory against MIN.
14. Memphis Grizzlies (16-16)
H(10-5) A(6-11)
Everyone LOOK AWAY! This is when things begin to get ugly…very ugly. Or, you can keep reading about the lower class of teams.
The Grizzlies are very fortunate to be in this postion, as they are an even 16-16. They deserve it, they’ve worked very hard, and have last beaten the Suns. Not bad at all, when you top two scorers are only sophomores in the NBA.
15. Miami Heat (16-15)
H(10-9) A(6-6)
Oh no, not another one of those poor poor Heat seasons. Well, it is. But great news Heat fans, this is the last year. Trust me on that one. Like Amar’e? Bosh? Boozer?
Anyways, the Heat this week are 0 for 3, against the Hornets, Bobcats and Spurs. You know Dwyane Wade isn’t happy…hear that Mr.Riley?
16. Toronto Raptors (17-18)
H(12-5) A(5-13)
I am very dissapointed in the Raptors this year. I mean come on, you sign Hedo for about Ferrarri money, you choose to not trade Bosh, and for what? Nothing. Absolutely nothing.
But recently they have proved me wrong, as they’ve won 6 of their previous 7 games. The only loss, came to a hurt Boston team. Why can’t they always play like this? Doesn’t Hedo and Chris Bosh at least sound good?
17. Charlotte Bobcats (14-18)
H(11-4) A(3-14)
The thing that strikes me about the Bobcats is the difference between their home and away record… at home, they are 11-4, and on the road they are 3-14. Does homecourt make that much of a difference?? Seriously.
The reason why I have launched the Cats so high was the streak snapper against the Cavs at the Q. Sure, they let Mo and LeBron combine for 50+, but they simply took out the rest of the Cavs team. Do the Cats have it in ‘em to make the playoffs?
18. Chicago Bulls (14-17)
H(11-6) A(3-11)
Another team that has been launched. Why? Well they are riding a 3 game win streak, which inlcuded the Pistons, Pacers, and yes, the Orlando Magic. I know there has been hell in Chicago for quite some time, but things seem to be going in the right direction at the moment.
19. New Orleans Hornets (15-16)
H(13-3) A(2-13)
The Hornets have been a mess, but the one positive note is that I have been very impressed about the young guard Collison, and the play of West as well. But Posey and Stojakovic are beginning to show their age. The Hornets have won 2 of their previous 3, with W’s against Miami and Houston, but a loss to Houston.
20. New York Knicks (14-20)
H(8-10) A(6-10)
Congratulations to the Knicks! They have finally made it past the Reserves, and are finally going to get some minutes on the Bench! They deserve it too, but a lot of the credit is going to Nate Robinson, who recently exploded for 41 points against the contending Hawks. They also destroyed the Pacers in NY, as they dropped 132 points all over the Pacers face. LOL.
The Reserves
21. Los Angeles Clippers (14-18)
H(9-8) A(5-10)
The Clippers don’t really count right now. I mean, they do, but I wouldn’t say they’ve had a fair season. Blakey has been out, and maybe if he was in the lineup, they could possibly make a run for the second season.
The Clips went 1 for 2 this past week, with a W against PHI and a loss against POR.
22. Milwaukee Bucks (13-18)
H(10-7) A(3-11)
The Bucks were proving something early on in the year, but have failed to continue sending the message. This past week, the Bucks dropped 2 of 3. I still love Jennings though.
23. Sacramento Kings (14-19)
H(11-7) A(3-12)
If this were the Rookie of the Year race, Tyreke (Sacramento) would be on top, and Brandon (Milwaukee) would be under. But it’s not. The Kings finally, FINALLY, have reason to celebrate. With players like Omar Casspi, Evans, and Udrih, the Kings have a bright future ahead of themselves.
This past week, the Kings lost 3 of 4, but stole a win against the Nuggets.
24. Detroit Pistons (11-21)
H(8-8) A(3-13)
Well, where do I start. The Pistons spent a lot of money this off-season for what? To steal a couple role players from the elite teams? I have no idea, but it was a waste…for now. If the Pistons can make a couple moves in the off-season, and keep the Gordon, Villanueva and either Hailton/Prince, there is no reason why they cannot acquire a nice big man to play in the paint.
This past week, DEEEEEETROIT went 0-2, against NY and Chi-Town.
25. Indiana Pacers (10-23)
H(7-9) A(3-14)
The Pacers are not who I thought they’d be this season. I expected Granger to come out and average about 25 ppg. Well, always next year right?
The pacers dropped 2 of 3, with losses against Memphis and New York, but a victory against Minnesota. Their D has been simply awful as well, as this week their opponents have averaged 121 ppg.
26. Washington Wizards (10-21)
H(5-9) A(5-12)
This past week has been horrible for the Wiz. Don’t worry about the 3 straight losses, I’m talking about the whole story on Gilbert Arenas having gun’s in his locker room, and supposedly pointing it at Javaris Crittenton. That’s what I call horrible.
Simply a mess in the capital.
27. Philadelphia 76ers (10-23)
H(4-10) A(6-13)
The Sixers havent been playing too great, even though they picked up a good looking W in Denver (even though Melo and Billups were out). I just expected the return of AI to maybe “spark” something. Didn’t everyone?
28. Golden State Warriors (9-23)
H(6-7) A(3-16)
The Warriors aren’t doing anything this year, but I expect this to be the year that seperates Monta Ellis from a decent, to pretty good player. I mean, he is averaging 25 ppg, 4 rpg, and 5 assists. Solid numbers. I also see Curry learning a lot from Monta.
The Warriors lost 2 of 3, but picked up a nice W against Boston.
29. Minnesota Timberwolves (7-28)
H(4-14) A(3-14)
The T-Wolves will miss Rubio. That’s all I have to say…
They also played four games in a row back to back, guess how many they lost. Four.
30. New Jersey Nets (3-30)
H(2-14) A(1-16)
The Nets should stay in these last two spots all season. Nothing really going to change with them. But nice to see Lopez becoming a force in the paint.
CONTACT ME: Devonnba4193@aol.com
Twitter: Twitter.com/DevonMSF
PHOTO CREDIT: ESPN
