RANK (LAST WK)REC.
1 (1) Celtics 40-9
Maybe the Celtics will use Ray Allen’s all-star snub as a motivation, as if they really need it. They have clearly been the best team for two straight weeks and their 11 game win streak is evident of that.
2 (4) Magic 36-10
I commend the Magic on getting three players in this year’s all-star game, but I am not going to say they are the second best team in the league. Their win over the Cavaliers though impressive, was because the Cavs had two starters out.
3 (3) Cavaliers 37-9
If the season was over today, three things would come back to haunt the Cavs. Their loss against the Wizards in Washington. Their overtime loss against Chicago in Cleveland. And Big Z decision to return one day later against the Clippers rather than suit up against the Magic in Orlando. If he could play one day later, he could sure play against Orlando. Had he, I am convinced the Cavs would have beat Orlando. He poses a major problem for the Magic center Dwight Howard, because of his ability to shoot from as far as the 3 point line.
4 (2) Lakers 37-9
I am not one to wish illness on anyone, but karma is a weird thing. Do you remember when Andrew Bynum recklessly foul Gerald Wallace and walked over his ailing body as if he didn’t care? Rather than suspend him, the nba only increased his flagrant one to flagrant two. Rather than a suspension, he’s going to be out for 8-12 weeks due to a a knee injury he suffered. The Lakers will still do well because I expect Kobe to probably blow by D-Wade and take over the scoring lead, but they will miss Bynum without question.
5 (5) Spurs 32-14
Do you get the feeling that Manu is beginning to play like the Manu of old? I certainly do. Then again, regardless of how well Manu plays, I still see the Spurs one notch below the Lakers. The Spurs could really use a defensive player next to Timmy.
6 (6) Nuggets 31-16
Chauncey Billups was selected to the all-star team as expected, but Carmelo snubbing could serve as a motivation for him and the team. In all honesty, Carmelo has been injured and his numbers are the lowest since his rookie season which is why he was snubbed. I expect him to use this moment as a fuel in the second half of the season.
7 (9) Trail Blazers 29-17
Three straight wins and an all-star selection was just the recipe needed to move the Blazers up after week 14. Brandon Roy was clearly deserving of being selected. Though I don’t expect Blazers Rookie Rudy Fernandez from Spain to win the slam dunk contest, I anticipate that by the end of the slam dunk contest he would have introduced himself to America.
8 (7) Hornets 28-16
The Hornets ended the week with losses against Golden State and the Spurs which clearly hurt them. They clearly miss Pargo, their backup point guard from last season. They must address that, because too much strain is being put on Chris Paul.
9 (8) Rockets 29-19
The Rockets welcome back Yao, who was actually joined by McGrady and Artest, but that only lasted for one game. McGrady was out with an ankle injury the very next against Golden State and the Rockets won 110-93. It appears the Rockets are on the verge of having their three stars healthy and playing together.
10 (13) Mavericks 27-19
I have been an advocate of trading Josh Howard for Josh Smith all season long, but that is if the Mavericks can convince the Hawks to make that trade. Smith is a great finisher and defender and will fit in very well the Mavericks. In the main time, the Mavericks are simply a decent team.
11 (11) Heat 25-21
The Heat have moved up in the standings, thanks to the slumping Detroit Pistons. However, the idea of D-Wade being a legitimate MVP contender can be put to rest. That race is only between two players. Ironically the two best players in the league, Kobe and Lebron.
12 (12) 76ers 23-23
The Sixers welcome back Elton Brand who came off the bench to score 9 points. The reality is simple. Will the Sixers stay pat and allow Brand to simply be just a decent player averaging 12-15 points and about 9 rebounds, while paying him $15 million, or will they accept the reality that they overpaid him and move him at the first opportunity they get? I definitely think the Sixers are seriously shopping Brand.
13 (14) Suns 25-20
Amare does not like the style of play that new head coach Terry Porter has the team playing this season. He clearly wants to leaves and will do his best to probably win the all-star mvp award this year in Phoenix. The Suns could wind up being a great team, if they can pull the right trigger for Amare, because believe me, a ton of teams will give up a lot to get him.
14 (15) Jazz 26-22
The Jazz are still without two starters, but somehow are doing their best to keep pace in the West. They may not be moving up in the standings, but they are certainly not slipping. The Mavericks have pulled away slightly, but the Jazz are right there with the Suns competing for the final playoff spot.
15 (10) Hawks 27-20
I know their starting center Horford has been out, but to going 5-8 during that stretch is simply unacceptable especially when nine of those games were against sub .500 teams. Something needs to change in Hawks land.
16 (21) Knicks 21-25
With the Bucks losing Michael Redd for the rest of the season, the thought of the Knicks making the playoffs has become a serious reality. A 3-0 record in week 14 shows their upside and I expect them to clearly make a push.
17 (16) Pistons 25-21
The Pistons loss their fourth straight game at home for the first time since 2000-01 season. The word is, new head coach Michael Curry’s substitution patterns are coming down from his boss Joe Dumars, because if they weren’t, he will be on the verge of being fired. Deep down, I know Antonio Mcdyess is hoping he had opted for the Cavs rather than going back to the Pistons.
18 (19) Bucks 24-27
Charlie Villanueva has been the one constant in Milwaukee and helped his team win their last two games in week 14. With Redd being out, the Bucks will need more from other players, mainly Richard Jefferson to really step up for them to hold on the eighth and final playoff spot in the East.
19 (18) Bobcats 19-28
Beating the Lakers in L.A. in double overtime was a nice way to start the week. Unfortunately the loss of Gerald Wallace was too much to bear. The Bobcats finished the week with two straight losses while Wallace was out of the lineup.
20 (17) Timberwolves 16-30
The T-Wolves are much better these days, but after their impressive 10-2 record to start the year, have gone on to lose their last three games. I believe the snubbing of Al Jefferson has affected them a bit, but I expect Kevin McHale to use that to refocus his team. Either way, the Wolves are a young up and coming team so we can’t really expect much from them.
21 (20) Pacers 19-29
Danny Granger was selected as a first time all-star as expected, which is the only thing the Pacers have to be proud of this season. I will say this, the Pacers could have easily won five more games this season and had they done that, would have had a 24-24 record.
22 (25) Bulls 21-27
The only person that needs to be worried right now is John Paxson. Other than having a serious contender for the ROY award in Derrick Rose, the Bulls and their fans have nothing to be proud of this year. It all falls back on Paxson, because he was the one that put this team together.
23 (22) Nets 21-27
I will name a few players who were deserving of making the all-star team ahead of Devin Harris, beginning with his own teammate Vince Carter. Then you have Boston’s Ray Allen and Mo Williams from Cleveland. Harris has been slumping over the last two weeks and so has the Nets. Once a playoff team, they are now sinking rapidly.
24 (24) Warriors 15-33
The Warriors are a much improve team now that Monte Ellis has returned. However, I will like to make a suggestion to legendary head coach Don Nelson. What if you played Turiaf and Biedrins together, maybe that might help with the Warriors rebounding deficiency? What if you play rookie Morrow a few more minutes. Isn’t he the best shooter on the team? Maybe that might open up driving lanes for Ellis and Maggette. Just a thought.
25 (23) Raptors 19-30
For as much as many of us rave about Chris Bosh, I will be the first to point out that he is really not a good on ball defender. You add in the fact that he may not re-sign in 2010, maybe the Raptors might surprise everyone with a trade. I will be very shock if they do, but with the way things are in Toronto anything is possible.
26 (26) Thunder 11-37
The Thunder still one of the worse teams in the league has made some strides in the right direction as of late. I expect them to improve by 15 to 20 games next season and Kevin Durant to make his first all-star team.
27 (30) Kings 11-38
Are the Kings really serious about paring Kevin Martin with Shawn Marion, or is it just rumors? I really like that trade for them. Even though they have no chance of making the playoffs, they will put themselves in a great position with Martin and Marion, not to mention a high draft pick for next season.
28 (27) Grizzlies 11-35
All new head coach Lionel Hollins needs to do is teach his young team how to be competitive. Believe me, by next season, the Grizzlies will improve by 20 games and Avery Johnson will regret not taking the job.
29 (29) Wizards 10-37
The Wizards are tanking this season and Gilbert Arenas will not return for sure. I expect them to have one of the biggest turnarounds next year, but that will be because of the addition of a top three pick and the return of Arenas.
30 (28) Clippers 10-37
Who could have predicted at the start of this season, that the Clippers would be the worse team at some point in the season. I don’t even think a trade at this point is a good idea, unless it saves them money.
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