RANK (LAST WK)REC.
1 (4) Celtics 37-9
I guess the Celtics have recovered from their slump from a few weeks ago, when they went 2-7 over a 9 games stretch. An eight game winning streak may have cured their bruised egos.
2 (3) Lakers 35-8
The Lakers have been steady and seem to clearly have the Spurs number. A win over the injury riddled Cavs helped boost their confidence, but their defense still remains a subject of discussion.
3 (2) Cavaliers 34-8
A four game West Coast trip without starting guard Delonte West and starting center Big Z was a good test for the Cavaliers. They lost to the Lakers, but followed up with impressive wins over Portland, Golden State and Utah. Lebron earned the Eastern Conference Player of the Week Award, in part to his game winning buzzer beater in Oakland.
4 (1) Magic 33-10
The Orlando Magic loss two straight after an impressive 33-8 start. I believe they reach their peak in their first half and I definitely expect a down slide in the second half of the season. I still expect them to finish with the 4th best record in the league, but rather than going 66-16 like they were previously tracking, they will probably end up 60-22.
5 (5) Spurs 29-14
The Spurs ended their perfect 3-0 week with a loss against the Lakers at Staples. In the past few seasons the Spurs were always considered an eminent threat, but this season they stand no chance against the Lakers. They can stay pat, or they should make a drastic move if they expect to seriously contend with the Lakers.
6 (6) Nuggets 29-15
A narrow 113-115 loss to the Rockets helped the Nuggets refocus. They won their last two games including an impressive 20 point blowout over the Jazz to end the week. Carmelo’s return should help bolster their scoring.
7 (7) Hornets 26-14
With Tyson out and West banged up, CP3 is doing his best to keep the Hornets afloat. Over the last five games, CP3 has averaged 25.8ppg, 11.6apg, while making 56 percent of his shots. The Hornets were 4-1 during that stretch.
8 (10) Rockets 28-17
If I had to give an award for the most impressive team considering their situation, it will have to go to the Houston Rockets. McGrady, Yao and Artest have all missed a ton of games, yet coach Adelman has no made excuses. His team continues to play well which is why many believe the Rockets could be the most dangerous team in the Western Conference when they are at full strength.
9 (9) Trail Blazers 26-17
The Blazers would have had a perfect 3-0 week if not for Lebron’s 34 point 14 assist performance. The one good thing is, they seem to have back off their threat about Miles and moved on. $9 million will be added to their cap this season and the next, which will restrict them from signing new free agents. Greg Oden’s 24 point 15 rebounds performance against the Bucks could be a sign of things to come. If he averages around 12ppg, 12rpg and 2+ blocks next season, they may not necessarily need to sign another player.
10 (14) Hawks 26-17
The Hawks 26-17 record is a reflection of injuries to Josh Smith and Al Horford. I still consider them one of the most dangerous teams in the East. At full strength they will cause the Celtics some major problems in the playoffs and could even upset the Celts.
11 (13) Heat 23-19
D-Wade is playing great, but I feel it’s necessary to put things in the proper perspective. The number one requirement for winning the MVP Award is that your team must win at least 50 games. The Heat would have to go 27-13 (.675) over their last 40 games. Even if that were to happen, Lebron or Kobe would probably win it because their teams will probably win 60 plus games each. For D-Wade to be the MVP, Miami will have to win 55 games, which means they will have to go 32-8 to finish the season. So now, let’s stop all this nonsense about Wade being an MVP this season because it is simply not going to happen, period!
12 (11) 76ers 21-21
The Sixers are playing very great and have made it back into the playoff picture in the East. It will be interesting to see what happens when Brand returns.
13 (15) Mavericks 25-19
The Mavericks inconsistent play may catch up with them, which is why they will spend the entire season battling the Suns and Jazz for the final two seeds in the Western Conference. I think they must trade Josh Howard in an effort to improve. The question is who will they trade for?
14 (8) Suns 24-18
If Amare isn’t scoring, his loses his defensive edge. The Suns are more of a half court team and he is more of a running the break type player. I am not saying just trade the guy, but if he’s really unhappy like I think he is with the direction of the team then it’s time to close that chapter. A player with his magnitude could bring in, a defensive stopper like a Josh Smith from Atlanta for example.
15 (12) Jazz 25-20
The Jazz are only one game out of the playoffs and that’s not bad, considering all the injuries they endured this season. Carlos Boozer may be the ace. When he returns from injury, he will either put the Jazz over the hump, or serve as the perfect trade bait, thanks to the improvement of Paul Millsap.
16 (17) Pistons 24-19
The Pistons knew they were taking a risk by trading away Chauncey for Iverson, but they figured it was a calculative one. With Billups they were not going to win a championship and neither will they with Iverson. The good news is, at the end of the season Iverson along with Wallace contracts totaling $35 million will come off the books. This will allow them to sign if not one, maybe two free agents, or they might just wait until the 2010 season when Lebron, Wade, Dirk not to mention a few others will be free agents.
17 (23) Timberwolves 15-27
The Wolves have completely turned the corner and have gone 9-2 over their last 11 games. Too bad they are in the West, because if they were in the East, they would actually make the playoffs if they continued at this pace. I was the hardest critic of Kevin McHale, but I will be first to commend him on a job well done. The Wolves have joined the conversation with the Blazers and Grizzlies, as one of the league’s most intriguing young team.
18 (18) Bobcats 18-26
The Bobcats have been constructed as an Eastern Conference ‘grind it out team.’ A recent trade for Mavs center Diop, only strengthen that claim. The question is will it hold up when they embark on their four game Western Conference trip.
19 (16) Bucks 22-25
The Bucks have a 2-3 record over their last 5 games, but Charlie Villanueva did more than his fair share to help them win. In only 28 minutes per game, he averaged 23ppg, 8.4rpg, while making 57.7 percent of his shots. You can expect Villanueva numbers to increase now that Redd is expected to miss the rest of the season. Richard Jefferson and Bogut will have to follow suit and step up for the Bucks to be competitive.
20 (20) Pacers 17-27
Everyone predicts Danny Granger will make the all-star team for the first time in his career, so I took the liberty of analyzing that claim. 26ppg, 5.1rpg, 3.4apg seems very impressive, but like Eric Snow said the other night, his team is only 17-27. He hasn’t made his teammate better. Also, he is averaging 19.365 shot attempts. If any decent player took 20 shots a game, wouldn’t they too average at least 26ppg. I am not taking anything away from Granger, but he has not made his teammate better and the record shows.
21 (24) Knicks 18-25
The Knicks are once again in the playoff hunt thanks to a 3-1 record in week 13. I am not sure if they will make the playoffs, but in the East anything’s possible. Currently they are only a game behind the Bucks for the eighth and final seed in the East.
22 (21) Nets 20-24
There was a time this season, when the notion of the Nets having two all-stars was actually a high probability. Vince, the perennial all-star and Devin Harris, the first timer. Harris went from averaging as high as 25ppg earlier this season, to 13.4ppg on 32.8 field goal percentage over the last 5 games. The Nets went 1-4 during that stretch and Harris may have ended his chances to make the all-star team because Vince has been more consistent. There’s no way both players will make it now that the Nets are slumping.
23 (22) Raptors 18-28
There’s really nothing to report out of Toronto except a rumor and one highlight. Rumor has it Jermaine for Marion is being discussed as we speak. The highlight is point guard Jose Calderon has not missed a free throw this season, 86 straight to be exact and is 11 away from tying the record of 97 straight makes by Michael Williams. Williams made 84 straight in the 1992-93 season and 13 at the start of the 1993-94 season nba season. Calderon’s 86 straight is the new record for one season, now he’s chasing number 97.
24 (25) Warriors 14-31
Not for Lebron James buzzer beater game winning shot, the Warriors would have gone 3-1. They did welcome back Monte Ellis. I expect a rapid acceleration in the second half of the season, but it may be too late for them to make the playoffs.
25 (19) Bulls 18-27
Since beaten the Cavs on January 15th in a 102-93 overtime victory, the Bulls have gone on to loss five straight. Other than Derrick Rose chase for Rookie of the Year (ROY), Bulls fans have nothing to look forward to this season.
26 (26) Thunder 9-35
The same reason I don’t think Granger and Al Jefferson should make the all-star team, is the same reason Kevin Durant shouldn’t make it. You cannot reward a player with great stats on a terrible team to make the all-star team, when so many deserving players on winning teams warrant more consideration.
27 (27) Grizzlies 11-32
I don’t blame Avery Johnson for passing up the gig, especially when the Mavericks are still paying him. But I will say this, by next season Avery will regret not taking this job because with a high draft pick and a year under their belts, the Grizz will be a much better team.
28 (30) Clippers 10-33
The Clippers are bad and Davis out for 10 games with a strain just seems wrong. He’s clearly given up on his team. I feel bad for the Clips because I think they had great intentions when they signed Davis. I definitely expect Chris Kaman to be moved before the deadline. Considering how terrible they are, they should be looking to reduce their payroll by trading for an expiring contract.
29 (29) Wizards 9-34
Things are looking very bright in D.C these days, but believe me it’s not because of the Wizards. I think Gilbert should take the entire season off. They could have a top 5 pick and Gilbert returning next season making them an instant playoff team again.
30 (28) Kings 10-35
Rumor has it, the Heat are trying to send Marion to the Kings for Brad Miller and Kenny Thomas. Maybe the Kings are looking at a Marion-Martin combo as a nice nucleus. I still believe they should not have fired Reggie Theus.
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