RANK
(NOW/LAST WK) REC.
1 (1) Lakers 5-0
The unbeaten Los Angeles Lakers are by far the best team this early in the season. They were able to maintain the first spot for week 3 by blowing out the Rockets by 29 points.
2 (3) Celtics 6-1
After a 4-0 week which ended with a convincing 88-76 win against the Pistons on the road, the Celtics moved up to the 2nd spot.
3 (10) Cavaliers 5-2
It Starts and ends with Lebron James and this is no hit on newcomer Mo Williams. After a subpar week 2 leading to a 1-2 record, Lebron averaged 34.5ppg while making 84.3% from the free throw line as he won the Eastern Conference player of the week award.
4 (9) Hawks 5-0
After losing Josh Smith for 2 to 4 weeks I for one thought the Hawks would struggle. Since then the Hawks have gone on to win 3 straight and are still unbeaten with a 5-0 record.
5 (8) Suns 5-2
After a 3-1 week that ended with a win against the Milwaukee Bucks in which Shaq turned back the clock with 29 points and 11 boards, the Suns moved up to the 5th spot.
6 (5) Jazz 5-1
The Jazz continue to dominate even without point guard Deron Williams who is schedule to return soon. The Jazz suffer their first loss of the season against the Knicks but only move down one spot.
7 (2) Hornets 4-2
The Hornets ended a two game skid with a win against the Miami Heat. They also welcome back center Tyson Chandler and forward Peja Stojakovic back to their lineup. Expect them to move up.
8 (7) Raptors 4-2
After losing to Boston and Atlanta, two of the hottest teams in the league, the Raptors ended their week with a win against the Charlotte Bobcats to secure the 8th spot.
9 (5) Pistons 4-2
The Pistons are 0-2 since trading for Allen Iverson. Iverson has been trying to fit in and his 17ppg must increase for the Pistons to be successful. Ironically, it is Iverson’s scoring that the Pistons need and I definitely expect him to produce. The Pistons are also missing Antonio Mcdyess who was traded along with Chauncey for Iverson. Rumor has it Mcdyess will return to the Pistons in 30 days.
10 (16) Magic 4-2
With all star center Dwight Howard leading the league in rebounds 14.4 and blocks 3.6, the Magic moved up to the 10th after a 3-0 week.
11 (4) Rockets 4-3
By default the Rockets have the 11th spot. Yao, Tracy and Ron Artest are averaging a combined 48.7ppg 19.8rpg and 8.8apg. Keep in mind these numbers have decline since week one. The Rockets must do a better job of establishing Yao. 16.6ppg is simply not going to cut it. Yao needs to average 22 to 25ppg 10+rpg for the Rockets to be successful. Also, the Rockets will not survive with Ron Artest and Tracy shooting 35% from the field.
12 (18) Nuggets 3-3
The Nuggets have won 2 straight since trading for Chauncey. Now the team knows what direction organization is heading. Whether it’s a good direction remains to be seen but the Nuggets moved up to the 12th spot.
13 (17) TrailBlazers 3-3
The TrailBlazers could have easily ended up 0-3, but thanks to two game winning shots by Brandon Roy against the Houston Rockets and the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Blazers pulled of a 2-1 week. Center Greg Oden is still out for at least two more weeks due to a bruise ankle.
14 (26) Knicks 4-2
Moving on up. The Knicks have benched Stephon Marbury and Eddy Curry permanently. Both players are considered poison and very expensive poison I might add. Both players combine for $30.5 million, wow! Well the Knicks were 3-1 and are deserving of the 14th spot up from 26th a week ago.
15 (24) Heat 3-3
The Heat have Dywane Wade and rookie sensation Michael Beasley are averaging 43ppg. Shawn Marion is under performing with 10.3ppg but the Miami Heat are off to a 3-3 start.
16 (14) Pacers 2-3
With a 1-2 week the Pacers were still good enough to finish at the 16th spot. Let’s not forget they give the defending champions Boston Celtics their only defeat of the season.
17 (15) Bulls 3-3
The Bulls were 1-3 with two loses to the Cleveland Cavaliers in which Lebron scored 41 points in both games. They lost their usually very healthy starting guard Hinrich for 3 months. The Bulls are also without guard Larry Hughes and forward Drew Gooden.
18 (20) Bucks 3-4
Second year guard Ramon Sessions has more than made up for the loss of Mo Williams. He is averaging 17.2ppg and 6.2apg, almost identical numbers to what Mo averaged last season. As a result, the Bucks we 2-2 for the week and were able to claim the 18th spot without all star Michael Redd out with an injury.
19 (13) 76ers 2-4
The 76ers continue their rapid decline with a 1-2 week. Some experts considered the 76ers the third best team in the East, even ahead of the Cavaliers before the season started. Let’s just say they were all wrong. Elton Brand, a career 20ppg, 10rpg guy was supposed to be the difference. Though is rebounding is slightly up to 11.8, his scoring has declined to only 14ppg this season. The 76ers must figure out a way to get Brand more involved.
20 (30) Kings 3-4
After starting the season 0-3 the Kings won 3 of their last 4 games claiming the 20th spot moving ten places up from last place.
21 (21) Grizzlies 3-4
With the help of rookie sensation O.J. Mayo’s team leading 19ppg, the Grizzlies went 2-2 maintaining the 21st spot for a second straight week.
22 (19) Bobcats 2-4
The Bobcats had a 1-3 week dropping them to the 22nd spot. Under new head coach Larry Brown the Bobcats plays hard but they will not make the playoffs this season.
23 (22) Nets 2-3
Point guard Devin Harris is averaging 18.8ppg in 4 games for the Nets this season. He exploded for 38 points against the Pistons for the Nets lone win helping them go 1-2 for the week.
24 (11) Mavericks 2-4
The Dallas Mavericks is the most disappointing team so far this season. With Dirk, Josh and the two Jasons averaging almost 70ppg between them, you would think the Mavs would have a much better record. Unfortunately, the Mavs are not playing any defense. Something has to be done and new coach Rick Carlisle must figure it out soon.
25 (12) Spurs 1-4
All I have to say is really bad luck. Manu was already out due to injury and now Tony’s out. A day after increasing his nba scoring lead to 33.3ppg with a 55 points performance in a double overtime win against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Tony rolled his ankle. Fortunately for the Spurs he is only out 2-4 weeks. Still it’s hard to imagine a Spurs team with Tim Duncan being rank 25th with only one win.
26 (19) Warriors 2-5
The Warriors are without Al Harrington and Corey Maggette, both players are listed day to day. Monte Ellis is also out until at least December. With a 2-5 record the Warriors are in sole possession of the 26th spot.
27 (29) Clippers 1-6
Chris Kaman may be on the trading block but Baron Davis is the key to the Clippers success. Baron is currently averaging 15.5ppg and 7apg in 6 games this season. Those numbers need to be more like 21 and 8 for the Clippers to be competitive.
28 (25) Wizards 0-5
The Wizards are the only winless team in the nba but they still rank higher than the bottom two teams because they do have two all stars in Antawn and Caron Butler. Being without Gilbert Arenas, the team best player has also hurt the Wizards this season.
29 (27) Thunder 1-5
A 1-3 week is pretty much what you expect from the Thunder. This is obviously a lottery team.
30 (28) Timberwolves 1-5
Since winning their first game, the Timberwolves have gone on to lose their last 5 and earned the right to be ranked 30th, the worse team in the nba.
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