NBA Power Rankings: Cavs on Top

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 playing mostly uninspired (or injured) basketball lately, the Cavaliers earn this week's coveted spot at the top. The Jazz and Spurs impress, while the Nuggets and Suns ... not so much. All 30 teams have a place in our hearts, and in our rankings as follows:

1. Cavaliers (50-13) | Prev.: 2
The least injured and most consistent of the top teams right now, despite Friday night's loss to the Celtics. And like Leon Powe is going for 20 and 11 in 26 minutes ever again, much less once Ben Wallace returns for the playoffs. (BP)
2. Lakers (50-13) | Prev.: 1
Despite mostly winning lately, L.A. simply hasn't looked that good, and were exposed easily and quickly by a Blazers' team that has had their number in Portland since 2005. Lamar Odom has disappeared statistically over L.A.'s last five games, and he'll be physically absent when the team heads into Houston on Wednesday while serving a one-game suspension for his involvement in Rudy Fernandez's boo-boo. (BP)
3. Spurs (43-20) | Prev.: 3
I don't know what grievance the state of Arizona subjected Gregg Popovich to in this or another life, but it must have been a big one. (Matt Moore)
4. Jazz (41-23) | Prev.: 4
Winning streak has reached 12, but with the next three at Atlanta, Miami, and Orlando, it's going to end soon. Um, right? (BP)
5. Magic (46-17) | Prev.: 6
"Oh, Boo Hoo!" They only beat the Celtics by single digits on the road when the Celtics were missing two starters! Oh, woe! They're so terrible. Please. This is the only team that's faced down all three of the title contenders above them. They're fine. As long as they don't play Detroit in the first round. Geez, talk about a mental block. (MM)
6. Celtics (49-15) | Prev.: 5
If Boston had pulled out a win Sunday against the Magic (it got close), the league might have imploded on the spot. Maybe it's Boston Hate, maybe it's annoyance at gritty, [redacted] play of guys like Glen Davis and Kendrick Perkins. ~~Maybe it's the cocksure, never-wrong and completely objective fans~~. But it's safe to say most of the neutral world will root for the Cavs or Magic in this spring's Eastern tournament. (Tom Ziller)
7. Rockets (42-23) | Prev.: 7
Starting to put it together. Which is sad. Why? Because they're going to knock off every other team that's a contender except Utah, eventually setting themselves up in a 4-5 matchup with them. Which they'll lose. It's accidental masochism. (MM)
8. Blazers (40-23) | Prev.: 11
If the Blazers played all their games at home, they'd be the World Champions! But they don't -- so they won't. And really? A stretcher for a bruise, and repeatedly saying the Lakers are trying to "bully" you? Get over your small market complex, people. The foul was pedestrian, and you can't be considered "bullies" when you're getting blown out by 28 points. (BP)
9. Hornets (39-23) | Prev.: 8
Fans want Rasual Butler to get the credit he deserves. This is a bad sign, kids. Still, starting to get hot at the right time. We'll see if they've got another gear for the playoffs. (MM)
10. Mavericks (39-25) | Prev.: 15
Congratulations! You get to be the team LA sweeps! Victory is yours! (MM)

11. Heat (34-29) | Prev.: 13
Dwyane Wade. You don't really need to hear anything more. (MM)
12. Hawks (36-28) | Prev.: 14
The water is coming over the sides on the good ship "Making It To The Second Round." (MM)
13. Pistons (32-30) | Prev.: 9
Still rolling with Rip Hamilton in the starting lineup, and still owning the Orlando Magic. Detroit is praying for two things: Iverson continuing to be unavailable, and getting locked into the three seed for the playoffs. (BP)
14. Nuggets (40-25) | Prev.: 10
Reeling, free falling, crashing and burning. All would apply to the Nuggets dropping eight of their last 11, at a time in the season where they should be getting focused for the playoffs. But they do have a relatively easy schedule the rest of the way, so don't be surprised if they end up in the three or four spot when the playoffs start, instead of in seventh where they sit now. (BP)
15. Suns (34-30) | Prev.: 12
There's a cliff-like drop-off in the rankings when you get to 15, as every team below is under .500 and has no hope of doing damage in the playoffs. After falling to Dallas on Tuesday, the Suns stand right at the edge of that cliff. Only question now is, will they jump or be pushed? (BP)
16. Bobcats (28-36) | Prev.: 20
The most fundamental of the teams in the Eastern Conference 8th seed race. Tough schedule's going to make it rough, but they might be able to pull it off. (MM)
17. Bulls (29-35) | Prev.: 27
How this Bulls team is in the playoffs with VDN at the helm floors me. (MM)
18. Nets (28-35) | Prev.: 18
Between Vince Carter and a mess of picks as assets, New Jersey seems to be in a good position to make a play for an elite small forward to match with Devin Harris' speed. The economy and Cleveland's excellence might have ruined the timing on any prospective LeBron chase, but other beasts are out there. The Nets might be the most well-placed of all mediocre teams. (TZ)
19. Sixers (30-31) | Prev.: 16
The 76ers remain inconsistent. So much for being held back by Brand, I guess. Samuel Dalembert is consistently inconsistent (does that count for something?) and the swingers can't get hot. But perhaps the weak run of late adds some levity to the Brand proceedings this summer: if the team isn't actually better without him, no sense in selling him for pennies. (TZ)
20. Bucks (30-37) | Prev.: 17
Charlie Villanueva has leaped into second place behind Shaq in the contest for best NBA player Twitter feed. A sample from @CV31 from last night: "Twitter me this: How is little Nate killing like that? He gave us buckets, he finished wit 32pts, dayuuum. Nuffrespect. Inside pts hurt us." (BP)

21. Knicks (26-37) | Prev.: 22
That 0-3 week against Kobe, LeBron and the Celtics doubled as the new Knicks' peak, but the latest toughs won't be remembered fondly. New York had a shot to slip into a real chase for the eighth seed, but it seems like the current headed out to sea is just too strong. (TZ)
22. Pacers (28-38) | Prev.: 19
No Danny Granger, no Junior Dunleavy, and still, competitive and winners in three of their last five. Welcome to everyone's "dark horse" prediction to make the playoffs next season. (BP)
23. Raptors (23-41) | Prev.: 21
I'm still in shock that the Raptors are this bad, and I bet the Raptors find themselves in the same state. (Province?) It's more difficult for a big man to dominate on a bad team (ask Shareef and Elton), but that Dwyane Wade can take his bucket of slop to the No. 4 or No. 5 seed while Chris Bosh's heap winds down to lottery status certainly dampens the Bosh mystique. The talking heads and locals will blow it completely out of proportion -- trust me, it's not CB4's fault -- but some slice of it is unavoidable. (TZ)
24. Thunder (18-46) | Prev.: 23
Apparently, Kevin Durant sucks and his teammates hate him. How else do you explain the team going 5-1 with their best player on the bench? (BP)
25. Warriors (21-42) | Prev.: 24
Nellie reportedly gave Jamal Crawford an ultimatum: opt out of your contract, or we'll trade you. Hmm, collect guaranteed money and play for a team that has a chance to win and actually wants you and will let you play or ... sorry, what was the other choice again? (BP)
26. Grizzlies (16-46) | Prev.: 26
Gunnin' for that #4 spot, which will inevitably result in juuust missing out on the real player they want. (MM)
27. Timberwolves (18-45) | Prev.: 25
Losers of 10 in a row, and everyone and their mother is injured. That about sums it up. (BP)
28. Wizards (15-49) | Prev.: 28
[Season Redacted] (MM)
29. Kings (13-43) | Prev.: 29
The season may be over in terms of the team's ultimate fate, but it's not over when it comes to rookie hazing. (BP)

30. Clippers (12-46) | Prev.: 30
Really, Zach Randolph? Just ... wow. (BP)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

3-11-2009 @ 5:42PM

Nora said...

What a joke, Celtics beat the Cavs last week but are 6th and Cavs are #1? Whatever. AOL Fanhouse is certainly bias Celtic haters it seems.

3-11-2009 @ 5:47PM

Just for those who don't believe that. Find an article without a snide comment about the Celtics in any of the blog entries in the Celtics category. I know people don't like the Celtics but it is ridiculous.

3-11-2009 @ 7:43PM

the cooker said...

Don't fret Nora. I am not a Celtic fan but we all know that LeBron will get in the playoffs, have one 50 point game and disappear like always with a couple of 4 point games and the Cavs will be history.

3-11-2009 @ 7:46PM

Martin said...

Everyone hates the champion and roots for the underdog, so quit with the persecution complex and be thankful that the Celtics are not the Thunder, Wizards, Kings, or Clippers. Of course it would help if Garnett would quit acting like a jerk on the court. I always admired him when he played for Minnesota. Must be something in Boston's drinking water.

3-11-2009 @ 9:31PM

kmgolf said...

The cooker...how is that even close to an accurate portrayal of LBJ in the playoffs? Disappear? Ya, all those first round exists they have had. I mean, he has never even got them to the Eastern Conference Finals...oh wait. But, he produces all those four point games...oh wait. I'll take his 27.5 8 and 7.3 line. Not to mention the nearly 1 block and 2 steals a game he produces in the playoffs before he learned to play D.

3-18-2009 @ 1:24PM

vandervoorts said...

Hi Nora,
Remember when I told you the cavs might get a 7 game lead and you said it would never happen? We are a 5 now baby!!!!!

3-11-2009 @ 7:48PM

Oops. I forgot. Bostonians probably don't drink a whole lot of water.

3-11-2009 @ 7:59PM

KG has been the same even in MN. It is not distasteful to some because he has won. He is nolonger the 'loveable loser' I guess.

3-11-2009 @ 8:00PM

I meant it is 'now' distasteful to some.

3-11-2009 @ 8:10PM

Maybe he's just getting more coverage, but I don't recall Garnett trying to show up second tier players when he was in Minnesota. If he wants to talk trash to Kobe, LeBron, Dwight Howard or even Shaq, he's free to do it. But when he taunts journeymen players, its just a sign of no class.

3-11-2009 @ 8:21PM

d57fan said...

No one in the States watches Bosh...you think he's about the highlites and stats..he's not...
He's a world class choker and comparisons to LeBron and Wade are just ridiculous.
If he's lucky he'll join one of those true superstars and actually win something... then again, everyone plays better when they play with true superstars...

3-11-2009 @ 8:34PM

LADubbz45 said...

Maybe its cuz Boston fans get offended so easily. Or maybe its cuz Boston Fans jump on band wagons so easily. Either way, Boston must have libraries full of "How to heal your vagina when someone talks about your team" books, and brush up monthly on how your team is actually doing.

3-29-2009 @ 1:24PM

nabpdcop said...

OMG I love this comment........lololololololol. How to heal your vagina........lololoilolololol. Please e-mail me back we have to talk. If you dislike Boston as much as I do, we have to talk. I do hope they beat LaAss and Cavs.

3-11-2009 @ 9:01PM

sonchopanza said...

Nora,
take a glance around the house and make sure there are no open containers of toxic chemicals because you must be high. Do you think this is the same cavs teams that lost in 7 to boston? Get real becuase they are. You may want to take a look at them a little more closely. Boston cannot and will not repeat this year. The eastern conference is Cleveland and Orlando period. Boston could possibly be out in the first round.

3-11-2009 @ 9:16PM

Didn't the Cavs just lose to the KG less Celtics. Maybe you should watch out because based on that they are more like to lose in the 1st round. I never even said anything bad about Cavs in my other posts just that it seemed wrong that a depleted Boston beat the Cavs and and were placed at #6. You are the one that must be high. Esp. if you think the Cavs and Orlando are the top teams in the division and not the Celtics.

3-11-2009 @ 9:46PM

I watched that game very closely and what jumped out at me was the missed open look by the cavs. Boston's close outs were late and weak. I hardly think that will happen again. Kg's a very good player but is not very damaging to the cavs at the defensive end, Z will force him to leave the low post because of his outside shooting which will inturn open the middle up. If you look at the cavs stats, #1 3 point shooting #1 defense against 3 point shooting. #1 overall defense #1 point differential I know you place a lot of value in KG but I place equal value in Wallace, one of the best interior defensive players in the league. I am not saying Boston will not be tough but they do not play well against upper level teams on the road. Cleveland CAN beat boston in boston. Boston CANNOT beat cleveland in cleveland.

3-12-2009 @ 7:53AM

rjw6683 said...

Nora you kill me. Once again crying about how KG was absent from the game. Ben Wallace who happens to be our best interior defender was also missing and Powe ended up with 20 pts. Then again when you did have KG in the lineup I remember you getting spanked by about 25 pts as the 4th quarter started and had to play your hack-a-ben games. This talk is worthless anyhow we'll see you in the playoffs if you make it far enough in.

3-11-2009 @ 9:56PM

Cavs have yet to beat Boston in Boston. Same can be said for the Celtics as well. So it would be fair to also say Celtics can beat the Cavs on the road as well. Believe what you want to believe.

3-11-2009 @ 10:01PM

soon we shall find out, watch both of them get knocked out in the first round! How about detroit back to the finals, might be worth the bet.