NBA Power Rankings

NBA Power Rankings going into the Playoffs ...

2008-09 Power Rankings: Week 23
RANK (LAST WK) TEAM
1 (2) Lakers 61-16
2 (1) Cavaliers 62-15
3 (3) Magic 57-19
4 (4) Celtics 58-19
5 (6) Nuggets 52-26
6 (7) Rockets 49-28
7 (9) Trail Blazers 48-28
8 (5) Spurs 49-27
9 (11) Jazz 47-30
10 (8) Hornets 47-29
11 (12)Mavericks 46-31
12 (10) Hawks 43-34
13 (13) Heat 41-36
14 (15) Pistons 37-40
15 (14) Bulls 37-40
16 (16) 76ers 40-36
17 (17) Suns 42-35
18 (22) Raptors 30-46
19 (18) Bobcats 34-43
20 (19) Pacers 33-44
21 (21) Nets 32-45
22 (28) Grizzlies 22-54
23 (20) Bucks 32-46
24 (25) Wizards 18-60
25 (23) Knicks 30-47
26 (26) Warriors 29-49
27 (24) Thunder 21-55
28 (27) Timberwolves 22-55
29 (29) Kings 16-60
30 (30) Clippers 18-59

My Take:

Scariest Team Entering Playoffs: Cavs
-They are going to win the East, and that regular season home record would be enough to make any team fear them come playoff time.

Ride it Till the Wheels Fall Off: Spurs
-The Spurs are sputtering into the Playoffs. Ginobli is seemingly out for the year, and the long regular season seems like its taking a toll on the aging Spurs.

Most Improved Team: Nuggets
-I'm gonna have to go with Denver here. They have quietly had a really good season. I think getting rid of AI was brilliant, and the addition of Chauncey Billups has obviously been a positive in their season. I don't think they have what it takes to potentially contend with the Lakers, but kudos for having a really good year.

Biggest Dissapointment: Suns
-No matter what, the Suns seem to be in the playoff picture since as long as I can remember. They are my favorite West squad, and there run and gun style is usually enough to at least get them through the 1st round of the playoffs, but this year they're going to come up a little bit short.

Could Make a Playoff Run: Blazers
-The Blazers have what it takes to make a run in the Western Conference Playoffs. They have the talent, proven ability to win, and the firepower to possibly contend with some of the higher seeded teams in the West this season. Looks they might be good for a while folks, and keep getting better as they develop their young talent.

Sleeper: Jazz
-The Jazz play blue collar, grind it out type of basketball. Look for them to possibly play spoiler in the 1st round of the playoffs.

Look Out Next Season: Bobcats
-I think the Bobcats will actually pose a legitimate threat next season. They have had a respectable season, and will undoubtedly add some more young talent through the draft and the offseason. I like the additions of Diaw and Bell from Phoenix, and feel that if they can add a bit more veteran leadership in the offseason they'll be in the playoff hunt come next year.

Put Paper Bags Over Your Heads: Clippers
-With a few interesting off season additions, I thought the Clippers could potentially be hovering around that 8th Spot in the West come seasons end, but they have just been horrendous given some of the talent they have. The Kings are terrible, but the Clips need to reevaluate a whole lot in the off season.