NBA POWER RANKINGS

We're about to start the home-stretch in what I think has been one of the great NBA seasons in recent memory. Many fans and haters alike have been critical of the recent trend of players grouping together to form "super-teams" and creating a monopoly among the NBA elite franchises. I contend that, A the league is in great shape - many ways thanks to this very trend, and B that the league seems a bit top-heavy not because of players moving to Miami or New York but because teams that have been in that 2nd tier for quite a while have taken major steps backward this season. Phoenix, Atlanta, Portland, Utah and New Orleans all seem to be regressing into that lower tier of playoff contenders when they've all (maybe with the exception of New Orleans) been among the elite teams in the league in recent years.

Players going to major markets is good for the league. Is it good for those cities like Denver and Cleveland that are small markets and left with scraps? Obviously, not but the league as a whole is more popular than ever and as they say, a rising tide raises all ships. San Antonio built a dynasty through the draft, and should serve as a model for all small teams. True, they cashed in on luck with Tim Duncan, but they also had the wherewithal to get the right parts around him so he wouldn't bolt to greener pastures. Oklahoma City looks like they may be ready to start a similar run with Durant. Bad news for Cleveland, Denver, etc. is that the next couple drafts don't look very deep. Perhaps Austin Rivers might change that though. On that note...let's get into the rankings.


#1 SAN ANTONIO SPURS

We'll just chalk up their disaster over the weekend against LA as an aberration. They still have a win percentage over 80 with an NBA low 12 losses, and are 7-3 in their last 10. Do I really believe they can take LA in a 7 game series if we get to that point and both teams are healthy? I'm still undecided on that. The improved play of Richard Jefferson and DeJuan Blair make me want to say yes. Just not sure if this regular season surge will prove worth it in the end, if this aging team looks fatigued and beat-up in the playoffs.

#2 LOS ANGELES LAKERS

Riding a 7 game win streak this is the Lakers squad most have envisioned all season long. Sprinkle in just the right amount of ribbing from the Zen master and the Lake show look ready to make that late-season surge we've all been expecting. As with all the contenders, health will be key and they may want to be careful they don't blow their load too fast.

#3 CHICAGO BULLS

As hot a team as there is in the league right now. However, they were lucky to beat Miami, lost to Atlanta and beat a very over-hyped Magic squad. Derrick Rose is MVP in my opinion, having played much of the season without Noah and Boozer together and leading this team to where they are puts him over the edge. I'm still surprised they didn't try to improve on their role players at the deadline though. Bogans sucks and Korver isn't any better. Chicago is scary, for sure, but I still believe Boston can beat them 4 times over 7 games because of their depth. P.S. Thibodeau should be coach of the year.

#4 BOSTON CELTICS

Injuries and a major trade haven't been able to keep this squad down. Pierce, Allen and Garnett look like they're on a new mission now that Perk is gone to prove that this is still a championship squad. I love what Krstic brings on offense, and obviously Green will be the X factor. Perhaps more than any other squad this team needs health in a bad way. If the C's can just make it to the playoffs, I think they could go on another run similar to last season - MIA, ORL and ATL don't make me nervous as a C's fan in any way. Chicago will be a great series, and I hope we get to go through them to number 18.

#5 DALLAS MAVERICKS

Part of me still can't believe this team is this good. I figured when Butler went down for the year they were toast. It looks like Chandler will be out for a brief spell, which may hurt but this team is among the best in the West and if I'm LA or San Antonio I sure don't want to see them in the playoffs.

#6 MIAMI HEAT

I realize after the week they just had that some might see this as a bit high. But I still think this team is pretty talented. Can they win it all? Not even close, but can they win a playoff series or two? Absolutely. They do have the 3rd highest win total in the East. As for the Bosh haters, and I'm one myself, I think it might be time to think that we've all just been putting lipstick on a pig expecting him to suddenly be this low-post banger. He's actually a nice fit for Miami...they just can't expect him to suddenly be Bill Russell. Hell, he's not even Bill Cartwright. He is however a PF that can stretch the floor. I'm glad that Perkins went to OKC and not Miami, because I think that could have been their secret ingredient. (That and getting rid of that loser, Lebron.)

#7 OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER

James Harden has really started to emerge since the Jeff Green trade, and it is time for the former #3 overall pick to put up or shut up. He looks like he may just be the 3rd wheel they needed to make their tricycle go. Hard to evaluate when their newest acquisition is still out with an injury. But I like this team's makeup.

#8 ORLANDO MAGIC

Says a lot about league depth that this might be a top 10 NBA squad. If they're not killing it from 3 they have no chance. Partly why I assume Danny made the Perk trade. Let Dwight get his and close out on the three point shooters. That being said, Dwight has been a beast and is carrying the load. I have a feeling another early playoff exit might spell doom for SVG as head coach, and possibly Dwight's time in Orlando. (BOSTON! BOSTON! BOSTON!)

#9 DENVER NUGGETS

For all the broo haha about Melo leaving town, Denver has played pretty well since. I like Dano Gallinari quite a bit and think he'll end up with a nice career in Denver. Ray Felton is a more than serviceable guard and I think Denver made out about as well as possible, considering they couldn't take the New Jersey package because Melo wouldn't sign. That being said they're nothing more than a first round playoff exit, probably for the next few years. Poor George Karl.

#10 PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS

This team is my dark horse to move up the ranks a bit. I love the deadline deal to acquire Gerald Wallace from Charlotte. (Can we get rid of them already?) That's right...they got Gerald Wallace. Didn't make many headlines in the shadow of Melo, but that was just what they needed. 7-3 in their last 10 and looking to keep it rolling.


#11 ATLANTA HAWKS

Kirk Heinrich actually looks like an improvement over Mike Bibby, which is nice for Atlant because that team was going nowhere fast. However, they're still going nowhere fast because they just can't do it against the better teams. Johnson's contract will be one of the worst in recent memory and it won't be his fault. He's playing well...just not that kinda money well.

#12 NEW ORLEANS HORNETS

Chris Paul suffered a scary injury last night, colliding his head into Ramon Sessions' shoulder and being taken off the court on a stretcher with a neck brace. If that doesn't spell bad news for the team that is owned by the league, maybe the fact that they're under .500 on the road and 4-6 in their last 10 does.

#13 NEW YORK KNICKS

Man, everyone is slobbing all over the Knicks knob since they got Melo. I'll admit they're far more interesting but I refuse to admit they're better...this year. And it is yet to be proven if they'll be better any time soon. New CBA will probably lower cap, putting them in a tough spot if they think they're going to get CP3 or Deron Williams. That being said though, they've got two of the league's top 10 talents and that is always dangerous. Depite their troubles with Cleveland lately, they should be able to eat up wins against the lesser teams.

#14 MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES

Zebo! Zach Randolph continues his silent assault on opposing power forwards as no one is watching. Three wins over Dallas (only team in the league) makes believers out of the most cynical Memphis fans. Do they have fans? P.S. One of the best NBA League Pass teams to watch, especially against a good team. Zebo is fun and Rudy Gay, once healthy is a stud.

#15 PHOENIX SUNS

Does anyone else remember when this team was an annual threat for 60 wins and made the Western Conference finals twice, had a loaded roster and two of the best players in the league? Wait. That was last year? Wow. Long way from there, eh Steve? Robert Sarver should be sued by the residents of Phoenix for fraud. Suns were 1 defensive rebound from making the finals last year and he got cheap and screwed Nash and the fans out of one more shot. I hope his nightmares are a continuing replay of Amare monster dunks in a Knicks uni.

#16 HOUSTON ROCKETS

I've said it all season, but Kevin Martin is a scoring machine. Another great League Pass team to check out. This team is getting better at the right time. Don't count them out of the playoff hunt, even after moving Aaron Brooks to Phoenix.

#17 UTAH JAZZ

Moving in the opposite direction of the Houston Rockets. Since moving Williams this team is fading fast. I don't understand how, if rumors are true, upper management allowed Williams to run its legendary head coach out of town and then moves him about a week later. If you're choosing Williams over Sloan why not resign him?

#18 PHILADELPHIA 76ers

If Thibs isn't coach of the year, Doug Williams might be. This team is coming on strong in the East. Well, as strong as a young team with no shot can come on. Iguodala is finally playing with the promise that he showed a couple years ago - triple double type numbers on a nightly basis. In fact, he is one of 4 players in the league to have 3 or more triple doubles this season. They'll go as far as he can lead them.

#19 INDIANA PACERS

Whatever. Currently 8th in the east. That should be a 1st round sweep for whoever the number 1 seed ends up being. Even if its Miami!

#20 GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS

Probably burned all their playoff chances with a mediocre stretch over a lengthy home stand. This team is just clinging on to the top 20 because the bottom of the league is so bad and this squad has some talent. Not convinced that Ellis and Curry are a great fit. They should probably move Ellis for some low post players or a better SG with a bigger body. Both play the 1/2 but both are severely undersized. Can't guard a lamp post.

If your team is in the rest of the league, well, I feel sorry. They suck. And I don't want to waste my time or your time writing about them. I hope they have multiple years of high draft picks...because as we've seen, that's now their best shot at landing top tier talent. Good luck!

Boom. Outta here.