NBA

NBA Power Rankings: LeBron Takes the Cavs to the Top of the Charts

Posted Nov 18, 2008 12:00PM By Brett Pollakoff (RSS feed)

Filed Under: Cavaliers, Celtics, Lakers, Magic, Pistons

Print
Text Size A A A

NBA Power Rankings: Ours is much more of an emotional look than most. Recent events matter, and long-term projections are (mostly) ignored. After all, no one wants to simply read the Vegas odds for winning the title each week, right?

With the Lakers and Celtics both dropping games at home last week, there's only one logical No. 1 right now, and that's the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavs have won seven straight, and LeBron James is leading the league in scoring at 29.8 points per game.

The Magic, Rockets, and Nuggets are surging, while the Hornets and Hawks are falling into an unenviable downward spiral. Rankings and remarks for all 30 teams, after the jump.


  • 1. Cavaliers (8-2) | Prev.: 7
    As I said last week, you can't fault them for their weak schedule. The fact is they've won seven in a row, and LeBron has been virtually unstoppable during that streak.
  • 2. Lakers (7-1) | Prev.: 1
    Despite the disappointing outing against the Pistons, they still only have the one loss, and it's not like their opponents are going to be banking in three-pointers every night. Let's see what happens this week against the Suns and Nuggets before we drop these guys too far down, shall we?
  • 3. Celtics (8-2) | Prev.: 3
    I'm still not thrilled with the way they've been playing, beating the Hawks on a last second shot and needing overtime (and a punch in the face) to beat Milwaukee. But 9-2 counts for something, so they remain at third until I have a good reason to move them either up or (preferably) down.
  • 4. Magic (7-3) | Prev.: 11
    Went undefeated since our last rankings, and won three straight on the road while having three different players lead the team in scoring. Schedule gets tougher this week with games against Toronto and Houston.
  • 5. Pistons (7-3) | Prev.: 9
    Showed us what they're capable of by taking apart the Lakers in L.A., and even though they got rolled in Phoenix two days later, still finished their West coast roadie with a 3-1 record. This team is only going to get tougher as the season goes on.
  • 6. Rockets (7-4) | Prev.: 16
    Rebounded nicely from the atrocious game in Los Angeles by going 3-1 this week with wins in Phoenix and at home against New Orleans. Completely different team when Tracy McGrady plays like he's supposed to.
  • 7. Suns (8-4) | Prev.: 4
    Got blown out at home by Houston, then beat Sacramento and the Pistons before losing to the Jazz. The team's been struggling through suspensions (Matt Barnes, Steve Nash) and family issues (Leandro Barbosa), but I like what I've seen when they've been at full strength.
  • 8. Nuggets (6-4) | Prev.: 15
    They're 5-1 since trading for Chauncey Billups, with a win at Boston and the one loss coming against the (top ranked) Cavaliers. This is a team on the rise.
  • 9. Jazz (4-2) | Prev.: 5
    Slipped a bit due to losing three of four this week, but did beat a good Suns team without Deron Williams and Mehmet Okur. If the team can keep its head above water while their stars come and go, they'll be tough to deal with later in the season..
  • 10. Knicks (6-4) | Prev.: 8
    Just 2-2 since our last rankings, but man, D'Antoni is getting these guys to play. Zach Randolph has 29 and 19, and 27 and 18 in his last two games.
  • 11. Blazers (6-4) | Prev.: 10
    Kind of a so-so week, beating Miami and Minnesota and losing to New Orleans. But they are working Greg Oden back into the fold, and that should pay dividends down the road. Eventually. Hopefully. Some day?
  • 12. Raptors (5-4) | Prev.: 13
    Move up a spot because ... they beat Miami who was 12 last week? Yeah, I don't know. I keep hoping someone besides Chris Bosh will play better than expected, but so far, it hasn't happened.
  • 13. Hawks (6-3) | Prev.: 2
    The loss of Josh Smith has been devastating, as expected. The team has dropped their last three games, and has only looked good in the one against the Celtics.
  • 14. Hornets (5-4) | Prev.: 6
    Tough schedule this week, but did drop two out of three and sit just one game above the .500 mark. Should sprint back up the charts next week though after a likely 4-0 stretch against some bad teams.
  • 15. Heat (5-5) | Prev.: 12
    Dwyane Wade has been excellent, and the Heat are still at .500, which usually means playoffs in the East. Still not playing great, but again, a surprisingly watchable team early on.
  • 16. Bulls (5-5) | Prev.: 18
    2-1 this week with wins over Dallas and Indiana. Of course, they get the Lakers tonight, so it was fun while it lasted.
  • 17. Sixers (5-5) | Prev.: 23
    Winners of three straight, and it's possible that they're starting to show signs of the team they looked to be before the season started.
  • 18. Bucks (5-6) | Prev.: 20
    Still playing without Michael Redd, and still competitive: losses this week were close ones against Cleveland and Boston.
  • 19. Pacers (4-5) | Prev.: 14
    Just a competitive team that usually finds itself overmatched from a talent standpoint.
  • 20. Spurs (4-5) | Prev.: 29
    Won three of their last four without Tony Parker. Lets enjoy their low ranking while we can, because it probably won't last long.
  • 21. Nets (4-5) | Prev.: 19
    Back to back wins over the Hawks (and back to back 30+ point games from Devin Harris) count for something.
  • 22. Warriors (4-6) | Prev.: 25
    Lost a close one to the Pistons before introducing the world to the Anthony Morrow show.
  • 23. Kings (4-7) | Prev.: 17
    Last two losses were by just two poits each to the Spurs and the Suns. Competitive goes a long way with me ... well, at least as far as your position in the bottom 10 goes.
  • 24. Mavericks (3-7) | Prev.: 24
    I keep waiting for this team to rattle off like, five or six in a row. But they actually dropped five straight before needing overtime to beat the Knicks.
  • 25. Bobcats (3-6) | Prev.: 21
    Sure they beat a short-handed Jazz team. But with the likes of Jared Dudley and Nazr Mohammed playing big minutes off the bench, there's not a lot to like.
  • 26. Grizzlies (3-7) | Prev.: 22
    OJ Mayo's a blast, but not much else right now going on here. Except losing by about 30 to the Knicks, which is, you know, tough to accomplish.
  • 27. Timberwolves (1-8) | Prev.: 27
    Riding an eight game losing streak, sure. But remember what I said about being competitive? Their last four losses have been by just six points or less.
  • 28. Clippers (1-9) | Prev.: 26
    Losing night in, night out is one thing. But allowing players no one's ever heard of to go for 37 in their first NBA start is quite another.
  • 29. Wizards (1-6) | Prev.: 30
    Gilbert Arenas blah blah blog blah blah tattoo blah blah Obama. (Oh, you're still paying attention?) OK, well, the only reason the Wizards moved up a spot is because they have four fewer losses than the ...
  • 30. Thunder (1-10) | Prev.: 28
    I was caught! In the middle of a railroad track (THUNDER!) I looked 'round, and I knew there was no turning back (THUNDER!)

Tags: nbapowerrankings

Related Articles

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)




NBA DRAFT ON MSG

Get a true NYC take on the draft with MSG.