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?
The Celtics not only beat the Magic to rightfully claim the top spot here: they crushed them. Whatever malaise had temporarily gripped the team is long gone, and now they're blowing teams out by 25 in the first half. I don't know how much more angry these guys can get, but the rest of the league better hope Ray Allen makes the All-Star team or somehow there might be even more hell to pay.
You could really write the names Magic, Lakers, and Cavs on little pieces of paper and draw them out of a hat to select the next three spots -- it's that close. It's a lot more fun mixing things up for the remaining teams, and we're ranking them this week as follows:
- 1. Celtics (37-9) | Prev.: 3
Winners of eight straight, and there's a good possibility that streak could reach 12 by the time the Lakers come to town on February 5th. And we all remember what happened the last time the Celtics had a long winning streak going when they played the Lakers. (BP) - 2. Cavaliers (35-8) | Prev.: 4
Mo Williams? Really? The injuries were supposed to slow them down! Nothing can stop them! Nothing! Run for your lives (unless you're the Lakers)! (Matt Moore) - 3. Magic (34-10) | Prev.: 1
Fell from the top spot after losing a little too easily to the Celtics (and then to the Heat), but looked to be back on track Tuesday night against the Pacers. Just like last week though, there's a rather large game on the horizon Thursday, this time against Mo Williams and the Cavs. (BP) - 4. Lakers (35-9) | Prev.: 2
Can't beat the Bobcats no matter who's on the roster, but seem to be doing just fine against everyone else. If Bynum ends up getting suspended for the flagrant on Gerald Wallace, L.A. will struggle against Al Jefferson's T'Wolves -- promise. (BP) - 5. Nuggets (30-15) | Prev.: 7
I'll say it. I'm sorry George Karl. We doubted you. And you have avenged yourself with the fury of a thousand Balkmans. Fair play. (MM) - 6. Spurs (30-14) | Prev.: 5
Manu Ginobili has lost a step. He's still four steps ahead of the rest of the league. But still. (MM) - 7. Hornets (27-14) | Prev.: 8
That ceiling keeps getting further and further from sight. (MM) - 8. Rockets (28-18) | Prev.: 6
The Rockets training staff and the Hornets training staff should get together and go bowling. And bring band-aids and guaze, because God knows they can't PREVENT any injuries. (MM) - 9. Blazers (27-17) | Prev.: 10
So that Oden kid's turning things around, they've won seven of their last ten, and Rudy's in the Dunk Contest. All in all, things are going pretty well for the Blazers, Miles or no Miles. (MM) - 10. Suns (25-18) | Prev.: 14
After a rough start to the six-game road trip where they were crushed by the Celtics and Bobcats, rebounded nicely to beat the Hawks and did what they were supposed to in Washington. Disaster averted -- for now. (BP)
- 11. Timberwolves (16-27) | Prev.: 17
Quick! Name the only teams to go 8-2 in their last ten. Boston? Right. Cleveland? Check. Philly? Little strange, but to be expected. Minnesota? What in blue blazes? You better hope this is the real Kevin McHale, 'Sota fans. Because he's earning his way into being kept around. (MM) - 12. Sixers (21-22) | Prev.: 16
Also winners in eight of their last 10, and Elton Brand is finally back on the court working his way into the rotation. (BP) - 13. Heat (24-19) | Prev.: 13
If they actually gave the MVP award to someone that wasn't on one of the top three or four teams in the league, Dwyane Wade would be a lock for it this season. (BP) - 14. Hawks (26-18) | Prev.: 9 Went over thirteen minutes without a field goal in their last loss, and despite a solid overall record, things aren't going so well here lately. Come on back any time now, Al Horford. (BP)
- 15. Jazz (25-21) | Prev.: 11
It's not that they don't have shooters. They have tons of shooters. It's not that they don't have rebounders. They have a few great rebounders. It's not that they don't have excuses. They've been injured a ton. But it is that outside of Deron Williams, they don't have playmakers. When they need plays, not just buckets, they struggle. (MM) - 16. Mavericks (25-19) | Prev.: 15
"We are pleased to announce the acquisition of Jason Kidd" is the new "Misson: Accomplished!" (MM) - 17. Bobcats (19-26) | Prev.: 21
So, who got the better of that trade now? These guys laid the wood to the Suns, and continued their ownage of the Lakers thanks to an almost triple double from Boris Diaw. (BP) - 18. Pistons (24-19) | Prev.: 12
You know that countdown clock sound from '24'? That should pretty much be played as an overdub for the entire Pistons season. (MM) - 19. Bucks (22-26) | Prev.: 18
Always good to find out God hates you in the middle of a Milwaukee winter. Fun. (MM) - 20. Knicks (19-25) | Prev.: 22
Winners in four of their last five, including solid ones over the Suns and the Rockets. Anyone else think those hugs between Nash and D'Antoni go on a little too long? 2010 is right around the corner, you know. (BP)
- 21. Nets (20-25) | Prev.: 19
Something is terribly wrong here. How Devin Harris and Vince Carter can combine to shoot 6-29 against the Oklahoma City Thunder is somewhat mind-boggling. (BP) - 22. Pacers (17-28) | Prev.: 23
Flip a coin. There, you've just discovered the best way for predicting if the Pacers will show up. Buy yourself a Sno-Cone with that quarter. (MM) - 23. Raptors (18-28) | Prev.: 24
After dropping seven straight, winning two in a row is an accomplishment. Even if the two games were against the Bulls and the Kings. (BP) - 24. Bulls (18-27) | Prev.: 20
Vinny Del Negro- Least Valuable Coach. (MM) - 25. Warriors (14-31) | Prev.: 25
Monta Ellis is back, but I bet everyone wishes Rick Barry would have kept his pie hole shut until after the Cavs came to town. (BP) - 26. Thunder (10-35) | Prev.: 29
This team is going to keep improving right until the trade deadline when they scrap everything for long-term pieces. Then they'll plunge again. But they are fun to watch all of a sudden. (MM) - 27. Wizards (9-35) | Prev.: 27
Is Caron Butler an All-Star? He has virtually the same numbers as he did when he was selected to the squad last season, but nobody's mentioning him as a candidate. (BP) - 28. Kings (10-36) | Prev.: 28
Anyone see Kevin Martin's 35-7-7 against the Cavs? Anyone? ... *crickets* ... *sigh.* (BP) - 29. Clippers (10-34) | Prev.: 30
Baron Davis is "probable" tonight against the Bulls. You know what else is probable? That the Clippers will start to win a few games once he gets back into game shape. Maybe. (BP) - 30. Grizzlies (11-33) | Prev.: 26
It must be nice to have a professional basketball team to use as your own personal pawn shop. (MM)
