RANK (LAST WK)REC.
1 (1) Celtics 22-2
The Boston Celtics continue their dominance by setting a new franchise record after 24 games with a 22-2 record. This is an amazing feat considering the many records set by the Celtics not to mention an nba leading 17 championships.
2 (3) Lakers 20-3
The Lakers went 1-1 against the Sacramento Kings in a home and home last week. They lost to the Kings in Sacramento and had to hold on to beat them in L.A three days later. A 3-1 week however, was good enough to inch them ahead of the Cavaliers.
3 (2) Cavaliers 20-4
The Cleveland Cavaliers are 1-4 on the road against teams with a .500 or better record. Should they stay pat or, should they package Wally’s expiring $13 million contract along with Boobie Gibson to the New Jersey Nets for Vince Carter? What concerns me though is, with the Cavaliers needing a defensive stop against the Hawks in Atlanta, coach Mike Brown had Ben Wallace on the bench. The Cavs got the stop they needed, but lost a crucial rebound to the Hawks Marvin Williams. A similar situation occured in Detroit a few weeks ago when instead of having Ben in the game, coach Brown opted to go with Varajao who gave up back to back 3s to Detroit’s Rasheed Wallace. If his staple is defense, then why has Ben Wallace been on the bench when crucial stops are needed? I think any good coach could have gone 20-4 with this current Cavaliers roster, considering 15 of their opponents had losing records. This is not a knock on coach Brown who is a good coach with a great team, not a great coach with a good team. If Vince is available I would pull the trigger if I were G.M. Danny Ferry.
4 (4) Magic 18-6
The Magic maintain their 4th rank by going 3-1 in week 7. Not for a back door cut leading to a layup by Grant Hill, the Magic would have finished the week a perfect 4-0. Note: Magic center Dwight Howard maintained his lead as the leading candidate for the nba’s defensive player of the year award.
5 (6) Nuggets 16-7
The Nuggets had a light week going 2-0 to increase their power ranking by one position moving up to 5th place by the end of the week. Highlight: Forward Carmelo Anthony matched George Gervin NBA record with 33 points in the third quarter and finished with a season-high 45 points in a 116-105 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves to start the week.
6 (9) Spurs 15-8
The San Antonio Spurs had a perfect week going 4-0. Their ‘big 3’ are all back from injuries and playing well. For the first time in years expectations are down but the Spurs could pose a major threat in the Western Conference.
7 (10) Hornets 13-7
A 1-1 week doesn’t mean much especially when the lone loss was against the Celtics in Boston. Tyson Chandler is day- to- day and that seems to be the Hornets only concern right now.
8 (11) Hawks 14-9
The Hawks recovered from their two road losses to the Rockets and the Spurs early in the week, by beating Miami and ending the Cavaliers 11 game winning streak in Atlanta. Note: They have a December 17th date at home with the defending champions Boston Celtics and a December 21st road game against Pistons in Detroit. By the end of week eight it will be much clearer if the Hawks are on the upside.
9 (8) Mavericks 13-9
The Mavericks continues to win close games which is something they were unable to do at the beginning of the season. The problem with always being in close games is that sooner or later teams tend to fall short, as was evident in a game against the Spurs. A 133-126 overtime loss to the Spurs prevented them from having a perfect 3-0 week.
10 (13) Jazz 15-10
The Jazz have a very impressive record considering all the injuries they’ve endured this season, but week eight will prove to be very challenging. Six of the Jazz next seven games will be on the road which could be a very tall order if all-star forward Carlos Boozer doesn’t return. Note: Coach Jerry Sloan celebrated his 20th anniversary as head coach of the Jazz and Boozer is also expected back next week.
11 (7) Rockets 15-9
Tracy McGrady returned back from injury but Ron Artest is now the latest Rocket sidelined by injury. Until the Rockets return to full strength, you can expect inconsistencies in their play. Also, they must continue to run their offense through Yao who is clearly their best player.
12 (14) Suns 14-10
If the playoffs started today the Suns would be out. This was the reason Suns G.M. Steve Kerr traded Boris Diaw and Raja Bell for Jason Richardson. Having Jason Richardson and Amare running the break with Steve Nash at the helm will really open things up for the Suns. Trading for Richardson was a necessary means to an end. Bell, who had been known for his defense and Diaw were both playing uninspired basketball. A change was inevitable and this trade makes the Suns better, whether it was the best move remains to be seen.
13 (15) Pistons 13-9
Antonio McDyess give the Pistons an early Christmas present when he re-signed with the team on Monday December 8th. He helped the Pistons go 2-1 last week. His leadership should help stabilize and bring chemistry to the locker room.
14 (5) TrailBlazers 15-10
8 of the Blazers 15 wins have come by 7 points or less with three of those wins by a single point. I commended the Blazers for winning so many close games down the stretch but sooner or later, those close games catches up with you and that was the case in week 7. The Blazers suffered a 108-109 loss to Orlando, their first home loss of the season, followed by a 112-120 overtime loss to the L.A. Clippers. A 0-3 week dropped them nine spots to the 14th rank by the end of week 7.
15 (16) Heat 12-11
I predicted the Heat would make the playoffs, but by the end of week 6 they were the 4th seed in the East and Dwyane Wade was the second leading candidate for the MVP award. Over the last two games both losses, Dwyane Wade averaged 19ppg while making only 35 percent of his shots. I still expect them to make the playoffs but I expect them to finish between the 6 to 8th seed.
16 (18) Bulls 11-12
The Bulls ended week 7 tied with the Knicks and owners of the 8th and final seed in the Eastern Conference if the season ended today. A 2-1 week may have earned them the 16th rank but rookie Derrick Rose loss his rookie of the year lead to Memphis rookie O.J. Mayo. This race will be very juicy and will continue until the end of the season.
17 (12) Nets 11-11
After dominating for most of the season, New Jersey guard Devin Harris returned to earth a little by averaging 18ppg while making only 35.7 percent of his shots. As a result the Nets loss 3 straight.
18 (20) Knicks 11-12
The Knicks will make the playoffs and if not will come really close. After a 100-105 loss to in Chicago to start the week, the Knicks rallied to win their last two games and a tied with the Bulls for the final playoff spot.
19 (24) Grizzlies 9-15
O.J. Mayo season average: 21ppg, 4.2rpg, 2.7apg while making 46.7 from the field, 44.6 from 3s and 90.1 from the free throw line. He helped the Grizzlies have a perfect 4-0 week and is now the leading candidate for the nba rookie of the year award. The Memphis Grizzlies have the best upside of every non playoff team.
20 (21) Raptors 10-13
The Raptors felt the need to make a change and did so by firing coach Sam Mitchell. A 2-2 record last week moved the Raptors up one position to the 20th rank. More time is needed to determine whether the firing of Sam Mitchell was the best move for the Raptors or, whether a trade will be needed to turn things around.
21 (22) 76ers 10-14
A trend of underachieving teams firing coaches continued in Philadelphia when the 76ers fired head coach Maurice Cheeks after back to back losses to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Ironically, Elton Brand whose been struggling this season, scored a season-high 27 points in a 104-89 win over the Wizard giving new head coach Tony DiLeo a win in his debut. Hopefully Brand can return to his old form under DiLeo.
22 (19) Bucks 10-15
The Bucks have their full team back, but still went 1-3 last week. I expected Redd to be move before the season, but after trading for Richard Jefferson and re-signing center Andrew Bogut it seemed like the Bucks decided against rebuilding. However, if the losses keep piling up, you can expect the Bucks to seriously consider whether to keep all-star guard Michael Redd or move him before the deadline.
23 (27) Clippers 6-17
Zack Randolph is playing the way I thought he would when the Clippers traded for him, like a monster down low. In the Clippers two wins last week, Z-Bo dominated Portland and Houston with an average of 34ppg, 12rpg on 51 percent shooting. Seven of their next eight games are against teams with losing records, with five of those games on the road. The Clippers must go at least 6-2 in those games to end the year because, their first 7 games to start the year is against teams with winning records.
24 (26) GoldenState 7-17
Five of their next seven opponents have winning records and the Warriors are currently sporting a two game losing streak. The good news is Monte Ellis will be returning soon, but over the next seven games the Warriors must figure out a way to go 5-2 to end the year. A though order considering two of those games are against Orlando and one against Boston. A 5-2 record will put the Warriors at 12-19 with Ellis returning to the lineup to help the team fight for the eighth seed.
25 (28) Kings 6-18
If the Kings had their way they would play the Lakers in every game for the remainder of the season. Last week they beat the Lakers in Sacramento and took them to the limit but lost the game down the stretch in L.A.
26 (17) Pacers 7-16
The Pacers will not make the playoffs this season. Even though they were competitive and can brag of beating the Lakers and the Celtics, a 0-4 performance last week led to a nine point drop to the 26th spot.
27 (23) Bobcats 7-17
I expected Gerald Wallace and Raymond Felton to get traded but surprisingly, it was guard Jason Richardson who was dealt to the Phoenix Suns for Raja Bell and Boris Diaw. The Bobcats are counting on Bell’s defense and Diaw all around game even though both players were playing uninspired basketball for Phoenix this season. Maybe a change of scenario and new coach Larry Brown may be a motivation a serve as a recipe to turn their subpar performances around from earlier in the season.
28 (25) Wizards 5-18
The Wizards have been playing better as of late but a 5-18 record is really nothing to brag about. Even if Gilbert returns at this point, I simply don’t see the Wizards making the playoffs. I still expect the Wizards to make a splash before the trading deadline.
29 (24) Timberwolves 4-19
Since firing Randy Whittman and stepping into the coaching role, Kevin McHale has yet to win a game. Last week the Wolves went 0-4 under McHale and it should be apparent that the Wolves are simply not a good team.
30 (30) Thunder 2-23
Instead of having P.J. constantly yelling and suppressing his game, new coach Scotty Brooks have allowed second year sensation Kevin Durant to flourish. Last week the Thunder went 0-4 which is no surprise. Durant on the other hand averaged 29.75ppg, 8.5apg, 2.25bpg, while making more than 50 percent of his shots. Unfortunately, the Thunder will end up with the league’s worst record, which could mean one thing: Having the best odds (25%) of landing the first pick in next year’s draft.
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