RANK (LAST WK)REC.
1 (3) Lakers 25-5
The Lakers had a 4-0 week highlighted by their win over the Celtics at Staples to reclaim the first spot. Kobe had a great week averaging 30ppg and made 43 of 79 of his shots (.5443%).
2 (2) Cavaliers 26-4
The Cavs had a light 3-0 week, but had to struggle down the stretch to win against both the Wizards and the Heat at home. As a team they averaged 95ppg, almost 8 points below their season average.
1 (3) Celtics 28-4
My rankings are based on three things. A team’s efficiency, a team’s overall record and a team’s record for that week. The Celtics have the league’s best record at 28-4, but back to back losses to the Lakers and Warriors on the road cost them two spots.
4 (4) Magic 24-6
The Magic have gone under the radar this season, because of all the attention paid to the Cavaliers and the Celtics. Dwight Howard continues to be the leading candidate for the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award and is currently fourth behind Lebron, D-Wade and Kobe for the NBA Most Valuable Player Award.
5 (7) Spurs 20-10
The Spurs may be an aging team, but since their horrible 1-4 start they’ve figured out ways to come up with wins. A 4-0 week was highlighted by a game winning 3 point shot by Roger Mason against the Suns in Phoenix, followed by a 106-103 win at home against the Memphis Grizzlies.
6 (8) Hawks 19-10
I guess a 2-0 week isn’t much, but the Hawks have found their stride and are very confident. I am still not ready to put them in the same category as Cleveland or Boston, but they are slowly creeping up to the Orlando Magic.
7 (9) Nuggets 20-11
The Nuggets are settling into a 3rd to 5th seed team in the West which is where I feel they will end up. A 3-1 week with their lone loss to the Blazers in Portland wasn’t that bad.
8 (5) Hornets 18-9
A 2-2 week was just about right. They shouldn’t feel bad with losses to the Lakers and the Magic on the road. A 20 point road loss to the Magic though, was somewhat of a disappointment.
9 (6) Rockets 20-11
You keep hearing all season long, if the Rockets are at full strength they will be a very dangerous team. Well, let’s face it, that proposition seems very unlikely. All the Rockets can hope for is, when the playoffs rolls around they are at full strength. In the main time, I expect the Rockets to continue their inconsistent because of all the injuries they keep having.
10 (13) Mavericks 18-12
Dirk Nowitzi was suspended one game by the nba for hitting Utah’s Matt Harpring in the face. It didn’t matter. The Mavericks beat the L.A. Clippers 98-76 while Dirk was out to end the week 3-1.
11 (11) Suns 16-12
What a weird schedule for the Suns. They go an entire week only to play one game and it’s against their archrival San Antonio Spurs. For the second time this season, they run a back door play for Grant Hill and ended up with what should have been the game winning shot. Few seconds later, new comer Jason Richardson slides over to help stop a Tony Parker drive and leaves the Spurs Roger Mason wide open for a heartbreaking 3 point game winning shot.
12 (10) Trail Blazers 19-12
After an 8-0 start at home, the Blazers have gone 3-3. I know a few people were hopeful the Blazers would be the new Cinderella team this season, but I knew they weren’t that good yet. Before the season, I predicted they will battle for the 8th spot and I still believe this will be the case.
13 (14) Heat 16-13
The Heat are playing very well this season, but I am not surprised by their record at all. I’ve always said a healthy Dwayne Wade playing like an MVP Candidate along with rookie Michael Beasley and Shawn Marion, would be enough to make the playoffs in the East. I expect them to finish with the 6th to 7th seed.
14 (16) Pistons 17-11
I know the Pistons went 3-0 against all subpar teams in week 9, but considering their inconsistency since the Iverson trade, things are looking good in Motown.
15 (12) Jazz 18-14
Injuries have really crippled the Jazz this season, yet, they still find themselves in the playoff hunt. I expect them to make the playoffs but it will be a very tall order if they continue to be unhealthy.
16 (15) Nets 15-15
The Nets pulled off a fortunate 2-2 week thanks to a 108-107 win over the Pacers in Indy. They are currently the 7th seeded team in the East and should make the playoff though it will be very though.
17 (18) Bucks 14-17
Things were looking really dim when the Bucks were 9-15 and it was looking more like the Bucks were lottery bound. Since then, the Bucks have gone 5-2 and if the playoffs started today will have the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference.
18 (17) Bulls 13-17
The Bulls have to make a change. They might lose Ben Gordon their best trade asset to free agency if they don’t pull the trigger. Their path to the playoff is not clear, then again neither was the path of the Bucks a few week ago. Note: Rookie Derrick Rose is no longer the leading candidate for the NBA ROY Award.
19 (19) 76ers 12-17
The 76ers went 0-2 in week 9 but before you knock them consider these factors. Newly acquired all-star forward Elton Brand is out for a month with a shoulder injury. In addition, the Sixers lost to Celtics and the Nuggets on the road in week 9.
20 (23) Bobcats 11-20
The Bobcats went 2-1 in week 9 and are 4-2 over their last 6 games. They are clearly playing better since the trade but until a drastic trade is made, you can expect more of the same.
21 (26) Warriors 9-23
The Warriors actually give their Celtics their second straight loss of the week. A very impressive achievement considering they were without Jamal Crawford, Corey Maggette and Monte Ellis of course has been out the entire season.
22 (24) Raptors 12-18
A 2-1 week was decent considering their recent woes. However, along with the 76ers, the Raptors are definitely the most disappointing team this season. Maybe the 36 points, 9 rebounds performance by Jermaine O’Neal against the Kings could be a sign of good things to come.
23 (22) Grizzlies 10-20
After 4 straight wins the Grizzlies return back to earth with a 1-3 week. Losses to the Lakers and Spurs were expected. People talk about the Blazers being the team of the future. I honestly believe the Grizzlies are right behind them.
24 (20) Pacers 10-20
The Pacers could easily be 15-15 but have suffered more close losses than any team in the nba this season. Keep in mind the Blazers are still without Dunleavy, their second best player who has been out the entire season.
25 (27) Knicks 11-18
In all fairness to new head coach Mike D’Antoni. He had his two best players traded and is doing his best to work with what he has. Obviously the Knicks are preparing for the future, so making the playoffs could actually hurt their draft positioning. I don’t think D’Antoni wants to hear that, but facts are facts.
26 (25) Clippers 8-21
Don’t forget before Z-Bo was acquired by the Clippers via a trade the Clips were a terrible team. He made them better, but they were still a bad team. Unfortunately for them, Z-Bo will be out for one to two weeks. In his absence, the Clippers lost their last two games by a 22 point margin in each game.
27 (30) Timberwolves 5-24
The Timberwolves finally won a game for their new head coach Kevin McHale, after losing 8 straight since he took over the helm. They are just plain terrible and it wouldn’t surprise me if McHale is shown the door soon.
28 (28) Kings 7-24
I would say I feel sorry for the Moloofs but I really don’t. I did not agree with the firing of Reggie Theus at all. He was a very good coach in a bad situation. I expect them to continue to struggle even when Kevin Martin, their best player returns.
29 (27) Wizards 5-23
Bad teams find ways to lose, simple as that. The Wizards could have been the first team to win in Cleveland this season, but allowed the Cavs to go on an 11-2 run in the final minutes. Their only win in week 9 was over the Thunder, which earned them one spot better.
30 (29) Thunder 3-28
I really like the Thunder rookie point guard Westbrook and with the signing of Krstic they should be a lot better. Obviously still bad, but maybe good enough to move up a spot or two at the very most.
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