RANK (LAST WK)REC.
1 (2) Magic 33-8
I think people better start believing because the Orlando Magic are for real. With Dwight Howard pounding the middle, they more than make up on the perimeter by having the best 3 point shooting team.
2 (1) Cavaliers 31-7
I understand Lebron likes to pace himself, but with Big Z and Delonte West out, the Cavs are losing 26ppg. It’s time for Lebron to be more like Michael Jordan than Oscar Robinson. He has too much ability to keep jacking up long shots or forcing passes.
3 (3) Lakers 31-8
The Lakers should take advantage of Big Z and Delonte out of the Cavs lineup. I expect them to move up even though they’ve been slumping as of late.
4 (4) Celtics 33-9
After losing 4 straight with their last lost against the Cavaliers, the Celtics have recovered nicely winning their last 4 games. I guess they needed a reality check and are happy to finally have the radar off their backs.
5 (5) Spurs 26-13
The Spurs had a light week highlighted by a nail biting 112-111 win over the Lakers to start the week at home. The Lakers felt they should have won the game, but the Spurs are glad to be in the fifth spot.
6 (7) Nuggets 27-14
The Nuggets had a 2-1 record in week 12 and are doing their best to stay afloat with Carmelo out. The one constant to the Nuggets success is Chauncey Billups. He should be an all-star this year along with Carmelo.
7 (6) Hornets 24-13
The Hornets went 2-2 in week 12, but considering the injury to the star forward David West they should be happy, especially because one of those losses was against the perfect 20-0 Cavs in Cleveland.
8 (8) Suns 23-15
I like the Suns, but if Amare doesn’t improve his rebounding and defense, the Suns will be lucky to get to the second round in the playoffs. Shaq is playing well, 18ppg, 9rpg, but his lack of defense combined with Amare means the Suns will struggle all season long to move up.
9 (11) Trail Blazers 24-16
The Trail Blazers management should have put a lid on it, rather than trying to threaten teams against signing Darius Miles. The Memphis Grizzlies called their bluff and now the Blazers have to add $9 million to the salary cap for this season and the next.
10 (9) Rockets 25-16
There’s not much to say about the Rockets other than the obvious. McGrady and Artest are out again yet they managed a 1-1 week. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Rockets are shopping McGrady. The only problem is, with his history of injuries who will take the chance?
11 (18) 76ers 20-20
The Sixers have been the hottest team in the league winning 7 straight games and all the while, Elton Brand, their prized free agent from the summer has been out. This has been a blessing in disguise because when Brand returns, he will have to adjust to the Sixers up and down style and not vice versa.
12 (10) Jazz 24-17
The Jazz are one game behind the Rockets, but are perhaps the most dangerous team in the West. I am not saying they are on the same level as the Lakers, but they are as good as any other team in the West. And when Boozer returns, they will be a team to reckon with.
13 (15) Heat 22-18
D-Wade continues to play well and the Heat are hovering around the six seed in the East. Rumor has it that the Heat may be trying to trade the Shawn Marion to the Raptors for Jermaine O’Neal.
14 (13) Hawks 23-16
The injury bug has made it to the Hawks and being without center Al Harford has taken a toll. A 1-2 record in week 12 was evident of this. Keep in mind, just a few weeks ago, the Hawks believed they were as good as the Magic.
15 (14) Mavericks 23-17
The Mavs, Blazers and Jazz will battle all season long for the last two seeds in the West. After week 12, the Mavs were out. They should be very concern because I think it will boil down to them and the Blazers for the eighth seed in the West.
16 (16) Bucks 20-23
The Bucks have crept back into the playoff picture. Michael Redd is playing like an all-star again, almost 25ppg over the last 4 games.
17 (12) Pistons 22-17
It wouldn’t surprise me to see the Pistons trade Rip Hamilton, or maybe they might just wait and let A.I and Wallace $35 million combined salaries expire after the season. Winning streaks are alternated by losing streaks and inconsistency is the name of the game in Detroit.
18 (19) Bobcats 16-27
With the Nets slumping the Bobcats have crept up to two games behind them for the eighth and final spot in the East. Their recent trade for the Mavs center Dasagna Diop should help bolster their interior defense.
19 (21) Bulls 18-23
The Bulls welcomed back Kirk Hinrick which means Derrick Rose will have some help at the point guard position. Their highlight of the week was the overtime win over the Cavs in Chi-Town.
20 (23) Pacers 15-25
Mike Dunleavy is back from injury and Danny Granger couldn’t be happier. I expect his numbers to increase and I expect him to make the all-star team for the first time in February. Other than that, the Pacers will continue to keep things interesting but lose close games.
21 (17) Nets 19-22
Devin Harris had a good chance of making his first all-star team, but with the Nets recent slump his chances have dwindle as of late. With three straight losses Harris may be losing out to the Orlando Jameer Nelson.
22 (20) Raptors 16-26
With four straight losses, the Raptors have reverted back to their losing ways. I don’t see how they can retain Chris Bosh in 2010 when he becomes a free agent if they don’t improve. Could he be the problem, even though he’s having an all-star season? Or, will the Raptors unload Jermaine O’Neal to the Heat for Shawn Marion
23 (18) Timberwolves 12-16
The Wolves lost a 99-96 nail biter to the Heat after winning their previous five games. They obviously will not make the playoffs, but Kevin McHale has made a difference and they seem to be listening to him.
24 (24) Knicks 15-24
All the Knicks need to do is go on a 4 or 5 game winning streak and they will be right back in the playoffs hunt in the East. Reality check. I don’t expect that to happen and I don’t expect them to make the playoffs.
25 (25) Warriors 12-29
Monte Ellis has began practicing with the team and could be returning soon. Unfortunately it might be a little too late. The Warriors have dug too deep a hole to make the playoffs.
26 (28) Thunder 8-34
The Oklahoma Thunder have moved up considerably from where they were earlier this season. They still have the league’s worst record, but moved up because they have been winning as of late.
27 (26) Grizzlies 11-28
The Grizzlies called the Blazers bluff by signing Darius Miles. The ramifications of this move will be felt by next season, when the Grizzlies become the nba’s new Cinderella team.
28 (27) Kings 10-31
Why was head coach Reggie Theus fired? I’ll tell you why. Because the G.M. Jeff P. was trying to save his job. For as bad as the Kings are playing, I think he might be the first G.M. fired this season.
29 (29) Wizards 8-31
The only thing exciting about D.C these days is the inauguration of Barack Obama, the nation’s first African American President on Tuesday January 20, 2009.
30 (30) Clippers 9-30
The Clippers are doomed this season. I expect either Camby or Kaman to be traded before the deadline. Don’t expect coach / G.M Dunleavy to be fired this season either.
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