RANK
(Now/Last WK) REC.
1 (2) Lakers 3-0 It only took a week for the Lakers to claim the first spot. The fact that they are off to a 3-0 start has a lot to do with it, but so does the Hornets. The Lakers though are averaging almost 22 points more than their opponents and this is the main reason they own the first spot.
2 (3) Hornets 3-0
The Hornets also move above the champs to take over the 2nd spot with a 3-0 start. They started with two road wins and an impressive home opener without starters Peja and Chandler in the lineup against the Cavaliers. Not for the Lakers 22 ppg win margin the Hornets would have taken over the 1st spot.
3 (1) Celtics 2-1
The Celtics were off to a 2-0 start before stumbling with a loss against the Indiana Pacers, a feat that seem very unlikely before the start of the season. The loss of James Posey and P.J. Brown is the reason the Celtics will not repeat unless they somehow can pick up Alonzo Mourning or Antonio McDyess if his contract is bought out by the Nuggets.
4 (7) Rockets 3-0
The Rockets are also off to a 3-0 start. My only concern is over the health of Yao and Tracy. Yao will have to play 70 games this season for the Rockets to seriously compete for a championship. Yao has only played in 160 out of 246 games over the last 3 seasons, an average of 53.3 games per season. He must stay healthy and the addition of Ron Artest should help.
5 (8) Jazz 2-0
The Jazz are off to an impressive 2-0 start and they are doing this without starting point guard Deron William who is still out with an ankle sprain. Boozer is off to a hot start with 25ppg and 12rpg with Brewer and Kirilenko are chipping in almost 30ppg and 10rpg to fill the void left by Williams.
6 (6) Pistons 2-0
With a 2-0 start the Pistons find themselves in the 6th spot the same position they were in a week ago.
7 (13) Raptors 3-0
The trade for Jermaine O’Neal has really benefited two of his new teammates. Chris Bosh is averaging 26ppg and 10 boards making almost 55% of his shots. Having O’Neal has helped reduce the constant double teams he was used to getting. Point guard Jose Calderon is also off to a hot start now that he doesn’t have to compete with T.J. Ford, who was traded for O’Neal. He is averaging 18ppg, 9.7apg while making 50% of his shots.
8 (11) Suns 2-1
The Suns have moved up from the 11th to the 8th spot this week with a 2-1 start. Slowing the game down has been a huge adjustment for them but they are coming along.
9 (19) Hawks 2-0
The addition of Ronald Murray and Maurice Evans has clearly made up for the loss of Josh Childress. They combine for 15.5ppg, 7.5rpg, 3apg. But the monster start of Joe Johnson 30ppg is the reason the Hawks are off to a 2-0 start. Their season opening 14 points win on the road in Orlando was impressive, but it was their 23 points comeback against the 76ers that propelled them into the 9th spot up from 19th last week.
10 (4) Cavaliers 1-2
The excuse is the Cavaliers are adjusting to a faster pace while trying to learn how to play with Mo Williams. The reality is the Cavaliers are averaging 18.3 turnovers per game and Lebron is averaging 19.7ppg and 9.3apg. The Cavaliers must get no less than 27.5ppg, 7.5 apg and 7.0rpg from Lebron period! Also, they must reduce their turnovers.
11 (9) Mavericks 1-1
The Mavs are down a couple of spot with a 1-1 start. Was trading for Jason Kidd the right move for this team? I know it hasn’t been long enough but I am not sure adding Jason Kidd was a good fit for the Mavericks.
12 (5) Spurs 0-2
I know Manu is injured but Tony Parker and Tim Duncan are averaging a very impressive 57.5ppg, 11.5rpg and 10.5apg. The problem is while the Spurs are averaging 98.5ppg as a team, their opponents are averaging 101.5ppg. More than just Manu, the Spurs must show up their defense. Alonzo Mourning if healthy could definitely help Duncan like the way Jermaine O’Neal will help Chris Bosh.
13 (10) 76ers 1-2
I know it’s early but I’ve always believe games that teams give away always come back and hunt them in the season. Blowing a 23 point lead against the Hawks on the road was not the way to start the season. I expect the 76ers to recover but a 1-2 start dropped them from the 10th to the 13th spot this week.
14 (23) Pacers 1-1
What a jump! The Pacers moved up from the 23rd spot last week to the 14th this week with an impressive 95-79 win over the world champions Boston Celtics. Danny Granger is off to a great start 26.5ppg now that he is the Pacers go to player.
15 (18) Bulls 2-1
Rookie of the year candidate Derrick Rose is off to an impressive start 18.3ppg, 4.7rpg and 4.3apg. The Bulls are 2-1 with wins over the Milwaukee Bucks and the Memphis Grizzlies, moving up from the 18th to the 15th spot this week.
16 (12) Magic 1-2
I predicted the Magic would battle the Raptors for the 5th spot in the East but from their 1-2 start they might have to settle for the 6th seed in the East. Center Dwight Howard must improve his free throw percentage from 51.5% to at least 70% for the Magic to be taken seriously.
17 (16) Trail Blazers 1-2
I really feel for the Blazers. They lose center Greg Oden all of last season, and then again in the first game of the season to the Lakers. So far rookie Rudy Fernandez is averaging 14.3ppg and the TrailBlazers future look great.
18 (14) Nuggets 1-2
Trading Allen Iverson will help get things back on track. The Nuggets are off to a disappointing 1-2 start.
19 (15) Warriors 1-2
The Warriors are off to frustrating 1-2 start. They could easily be 3-0 but loss close games to New Orleans and the Toronto Raptors. They are surely missing Monte Ellis their best player who is out until December at the earliest.
20 (21) Bucks 2-2
Let’s hope Michael Redd is okay. They expect to make a run for the playoffs with Redd and Richard Jefferson.
21 (29) Grizzlies 1-2
O.J. Majo and Rudy Gay will make an exciting duo this season, but 1-2 start is pretty much what I expected from them. They played hard and came up short in loses to Chicago and Houston, but their lone win came against the Magic earning them the 21st spot going into week 2.
22 (28) Nets 1-1
A win against Washington without Arenas doesn’t mean much this early in the season, but it was good enough to earn the 22nd spot up from 28th last week.
23 (25) Bobcats 1-1
A win against the Heat means the Bobcats are one spot better. Expect them to play hard for coach Larry Brown but making the playoffs would shock me. I expect Miami and Washington to surpass them before the season is over.
24 (22) Heat 1-2
Shawn Marion, rookie Michael Beasley and Udonis Haslem just do not mix. They need Zo desperately and either Haslem or Marion must be must be traded for the Heat to improve. A loss to New York and Charlotte must have Pat Riley pondering a trade.
25 (17) Wizards 0-2
Gilbert Arenas may be injured but the Wizards were very competitive in both loses to New Jersey and Detroit. I expect them to recover and still make the playoffs.
26 (27) Knicks 1-2
Mike D’Antoni chose to coach New York when he had the perfect gig in Chicago. They would have matched his contract in New York but he obviously wasn’t interested. Well Mike got his wish, but before this season is over he will regret passing up the Bulls gig, especially when they were willing the lay out the red carpet for him.
27 (30) Thunder 1-2
Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant will be very exciting, but wins will be far apart for the Thunder this season. Kevin Durant might increase his output to 24+ppg this season
28 (26) Timberwolves 1-2
Mike Miller, Kevin Love, Al Jefferson and Rashad McCants on paper sound like a nice young group but in actuality they are at three years away from contending for the eight playoff seed in the West. Expect them to be exciting and maybe move up a few spots.
29 (20) Clippers 0-3
The L.A Clippers are clearly the most disappointing team so far this season. Baron Davis wish of returning home to L.A has been fulfilled, but I am positive he expected Elton Brand to be his teammate. I definitely expect the Clippers to improve soon.
30 (24) Kings 0-3
I guess they really missed Ron Artest. The funny thing is they could start the season 0-10 or if they are lucky 1-9. I expected more from them but then again it’’s early.
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