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!)
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
damn straight! lebron, mvp!
huh? tony battie and keith bogans play for the bobcats?
These are some of the most different rankings around the internets, to say the very least. Still, saying any team is better than the Lakers is nearly insane.
Normally I wouldn't trust BE with the power rankings, but aside from a somewhat unlikely #1 ranking for anyone other than the Fakers (way to stop carrying that water Brett) these are interesting and well-constructed rankings. Also the AC/DC reference to cap on OKC is truly funny.
wow lebron mvp?
noo hes the biggest ball hogger in the world watch his games and take a look \kobe for mvp? yes
his team is on top and he knows how 2 share
you don't have a clue about Basketball your a typical lakers fan, Lebron came in the league a better passer and shares the ball better than k.B. it took K.B. 10 years to figure out I need to get other players involved. Lebron knew this when he was in Highschool. typical lakers fan, get some real knowledge of the game b4 you look foolish oops to late
Are you a moron. Celtics have played 8 games in 12 days. You tell me how many teams would be 8-2 after that. Not to mention they were playoff teams from a year ago. Get a life
Hey, Moron Brett Edwards,
Your (preferably down) comment on which way you will move the Celtics shows your lack of impartiality. Your supposed to be a journalist, why don't you act like one. The C's have done nothing but work their butts off and show class in the last year and a half. To have the Cav's ahead of them is ludicrous anyway, jerk.
BRETT, YOU ARE NOT THRILLED WITH THE WAY THE CELTICS ARE PLAYING. NOBODY IS PERFECT BUDDY. WHY DON'T YOU FORM A TEAM OF YOURS AND TRY PLAYING THE CELTICS. THEN AFTER THAT, TELL THE WHOLE WORLD THAT YOU WERE THRILLED TO DEATH WHEN THE CELTICS BEAT YOU. I BET THE SCORE WILL BE 200-5. AND I BELIEVE EVERYONE IN YOUR TEAM WILL SCORE AT LEAST 1 POINT EACH. OR MAYBE 200-4, YOU WILL HAVE 6 FOULS WITH NO POINT.
You forgot that they beat Lebron and the Cavs on opening night. You will have to put them on top soon.
Fisher could not guard Iverson, thats why the lakers lost to Detroit. The lakers need Bynum to win it all.
note to people reading this: Only take info about sports from folks that have played and know what they're talking about when in comes to the particular sport. i do realize as a sports writer or whatever, you have to make the story mind grabbing for the sake of your job. the bottom line is, it's to early to say who has the best team.....power ranks 1,2nd,3rd so on......... The teams that hit the finals Celtics & Lakers, have earned that & have some guys on their team that are superstars.
Power rank next month then we'll see!
Your rankings are BS.The celts are much better than the cavs or the lakers.Instead of doing the NBA power rankings ,why dont you try something that might be a little easier for your half a brain..
The Celtics are the team to beat period. The Lakers will crash and burn as usual.
Anyone who has seen the Lakers play with Andrew Bynum in the line-up has to believe they are a new dynasty in the making. Bynum is a force to be reckoned with in the next ten to fifteen years. During the next five or so years he will have the likes of Kobe, Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, and after that he will have Luke Walton, Jordan Farmar, Sasha V., and Azira around. Look out. The Lakers are back.
it would do MY hart a world of good when some team any team
kicks the shit out of the boston seltics
and as far as paul pearse is concerned he is one of the
BIGEST BASTARDS to have lived i cant wait for some one any one to put their foot up his ASS and keep it their
attempting to pre-empt reality by saying "you can't fault the Cavs for their weak schedule" actually only serves to signal that the ONLY win they have against a quality team was in Utah, and the other 2 quality teams they faced, they lost against....please help me understand how powerful a team is ranked by beating the Bulls twice #16, the Bucks #18, the Nets #19 and the Pacers #24 and the 6-4 Nuggets who are only 6-4 now because they've gone 5-1 with Billups...what in god's name is your definition of Power??? why not call it "latest longest winning streak ratings" because it doesn't take much "power" to beat those teams and of course LeBron is unstoppable when playing them...At this point, the Celtics, Lakers and Piston are ALL more deserving of #1 and the desperate attempt to elevate the Cavs to elite status...
Have you caught any of the Blazer games this year. You have them like 12th. You might want to start picking lottery numbers you might be more accurate with that. Rip City is back.....
Cavs #1 !! Youre crazy if anyone from the east is gonna be #1 it should be the celtics in that weak division.overall LAKERS should be on top,whole different ball game with BYNUM in the game and ARIZA playing D the way he is.
Its awful darn hard for the Celtics to get the respect they deserve from that goof ball Edwards. The Celtics are now
18 Ws and 2 Ls (.900 pct) Vs the Lakers who are 15 and 2 .(882 pct).
The Celtics deserve to be and are #1.