RK (LW) TEAM REC
1 (1) Lakers 3-0
The Lakers are a very good team when Kobe and Gasol plays well, but adding Lamar Odom to the mix makes them virtually unbeatable. Odom was dominant in week one averaging 16ppg and 13.7rpg, which lead to a 3-0 start for the defending champs.
2 (3) Heat 3-1
After the first game of the season in which the Heat loss 88-80 to the Celtics, every doubter and Heat hater had something negative to say, totally ignoring the fact that it was just the first game of the season. The Heat went on to win their next three games in convincing fashion and their stifling defense allowed their four opponents to average an nba low of 80.8 points per game. They haven’t even come close to their offensive potential. Lebron, Chris and Dwyane (LCD) averaged only 55ppg in the first week. The Heat will be a terrifying team for their opponents when the big three (LCD) hit their offensive peak of an average of around 70ppg.
3 (2) Celtics 2-1
After an 88-80 win over the Heat, I thought that the Celtics would finish their week undefeated, but they laid an egg by losing to the Lebron-less Cavaliers in Cleveland the very next game. Maybe it was a lack of focus or, maybe the Celtics are an aging team and an up and down season is what we should expect. Their one bright spot was Rondo, the self-proclaimed best point guard in the nba who dished out 24 assist in a 105-101 win against the Knicks. Not to put too much on it, but after losing to Cleveland, the Celtics only beat the Knicks by 4 points in Boston and it took 24 assists from Rondo to do it.
4 (10) Trail Blazers 3-0
The Blazers moved up 6 spots to claim the third ranking thanks to going undefeated in week one. They had 5 players average double figures in scoring led by Brandon Roy, the player Kobe Bryant claimed is the hardest player to guard. He is off to an impressive start with a 25ppg average.
5 (4) Magic 1-1
Coming into this season, the Magic were sporting a 21 game winning streak in the preseason, but like I’ve said from day one, the preseason is a fluke. In their first game they came out with a very impressive 112-83 win over the Washington Wizards, but that was before running into a revamped Miami Heat team. Their 96-70 loss to Miami was a humbling experience, but that was only 1 out of 82 games so let’s not get alarmed and start passing judgment because the Magic will recover.
6 (11) Hawks 3-0
Entering the season, I felt that the Hawks had no upside due to the stagnant offense. Too much one on one and no ball movement with the ball usually ending up in Joe Johnson’s hands at the end of the shot clock was the way the Hawks played over the last few seasons. In the first week however, the Hawks seem to be a completely different team. Yes Joe Johnson led them in scoring with 23ppg, but the Hawks also had 5 other players average double figures in scoring leading to a 107.3ppg average over their first 3 games. They could be a scary team if they continue to move the ball and keep up this pace.
7 (19) Hornets 3-0
The Hornets had the most impressive week by beating the Bucks, Nuggets and the Spurs. This allowed them to jump 11 spots in the rankings. CP3 averaged 20ppg and 9.3apg to lead the charge and I guess new head coach Monte Williams seems to be reaching his team early in the season, which surprises me considering all of the uncertainty surrounding CP3 future with the team during the summer.
8 (8) Thunder 2-1
I expect the Thunder to improve this season, but like Jeff Van Gundy said, their improvement may not necessarily mean more wins. They have the bull eye on their backs, which means they will not sneak up on teams like they did last season. Maintaining and finishing with the same record as they did last season with this bulls eye on them, would be an improvement in my book. Had it not been for a one point 105-104 victory over the struggling Pistons, the Thunder could be 1-2 right now. As far as the mvp race, I think everyone needs to hold off on rushing to crown the nba’s newest poster child Kevin Durant who averaged 29.3ppg on only 38.8% from the field.
9 (6) Dallas 2-1
Adding Tyson Chandler this season definitely makes the Mavericks a much better defensive team. Having two 7 footers to combat the Lakers interior makes them a formidable opponent and you can expect them to be right there when the season ends. I expect for them to increase on their current streak of 10 straight seasons with at least 50 wins.
10 (9) Bulls 1-1
Derrick Rose did all he could to make sure his team did not start the season 0-2 by posting a league best 33.5ppg. Joakim Noah fresh of his new 5 year/$65 million contract extension played like a beast averaging 16.5ppg and leads the league 18 rebounds per game. The Bulls has the potential be a top 5 team once Carlos Boozer returns from injury.
11 (14) Nuggets 2-1
Carmelo did not help the unstable situation in Denver when he confirmed recently that he will not re-sign with the Nuggets. All this did was put trade talks back in motion. The Nuggets are good enough and will continue to be a playoff team, but it is evident that Carmelo will indeed be traded.
12 (5) Spurs 1-1
It’s one thing to ask your teammates not to take the regular season for granted like the Spurs Ginobili did, but it’s a though feat for an aging team. However, I still believe the Spurs will be the team that will ultimately challenge the Lakers in the West this season. Re-signing Tony Parker to a 4 year/$50 million extension was a good gesture on the part of the Spurs which showed their commitment to winning.
13 (7) Jazz 1-2
I know the Jazz are off to a slow start, but their 120-99 win in their last game over Oklahoma reminded us that Jerry Sloan is still their coach. The Jazz will play hard which will equate into wins. I expect them to move up in the rankings once newly acquired center Al Jefferson gets acclimated to coach Sloan’s system.
14 (15) Suns 1-2
The Suns are also off to a slow start with a 1-2 week, but their two losses were to Portland and the Lakers. The Suns will be fine once newly acquired forwards Warrick and Hedo gets familiar with the Suns system. I expect them to be a playoff team, but their upside may be limited especially with the West being so deep.
15 (17) Grizzlies 2-1
Obviously Rudy’s Gay (22.3ppg and 8rpg) continues to be the Grizzlies leader, but that should be expected considering the Grizzlies signed Gay to a 5 year/$80 million extension this during the summer. The surprise for Griz however, has been Second year forward Darrell Arthur, who is averaging 17ppg on 60% shooting.
16 (12) Bucks 1-2
The Bucks started the season with two disappointing losses to New Orleans and Minnesota, but rebounded with a 98-88 win over the Bobcats in Milwaukee to avoid going 0-3 week one. The one bright spot for the Bucks is that they allowed their opponents to score an average of 93 points, which was 8th best in the league. They should be fine once they improve on the 91.3 points they average, which was 26th in the league.
17 (24) Pacers 2-1
The Pacers moved up 7 spots with a 2-1 week thanks in part to having 5 players averaging double figures in scoring led by Danny Granger’s 27ppg. The Pacers success will depend on if second year center Roy Hibbert and newly acquired point guard Darren Collison continues to improve. Hibbert is off to a great start averaging 18ppg, 10rpg along with 2.7bpg.
18 (25) Warriors 2-1
The Warriors were off to a nice 2-0 start before losing Steph Curry to an ankle injury. Hopefully he is not out much longer than one game, because the Warriors cannot afford to be without him if they expect to maintain or move up. Monte Ellis either improved his trade value or made it difficult for the Warriors to give him up considering how well he played in week one with a 27ppg average making a whopping 58.9% of his shots.
19 (27) Kings 2-1
From what I hear, Sacramento’s rookie DeMarcus Cousins in determined to win the Rookie of the Year (ROY) award, but I expect him to come up short behind the Clipper Blake Griffin and the Wizards John Wall. Yet in week one, Cousins was somewhat impressive with averages of 13.3ppg and 7.3rpg. As a team, the Kings have 6 players averaging double figures, which is the reason behind their 2-1 start.
20 (20) Knicks 1-2
In all fairness to the Knicks, they had a very though schedule to start the season, despite that, they loss by a combined 9 points to Portland and Boston. Knicks forward Wilson Chandler is off to an excellent start averaging 21ppg and if forward Gallinari can fight his way out off an early season funk, the Knicks should be fine. The problem is the young fellow game may be bothered due to all the trade talks surrounding him in a package for Carmelo Anthony.
21 (28) Nets 2-1
The Nets definitely made an improvement and actually won their first two games this season. Brook Lopez played like an all-star averaging 24.7ppg, but he must improve on his 6.7rpg. Rookie Derrick Favors has improved after a subpar preseason and is averaging a double-double, 10.3ppg and 10rpg in only 21.3 minutes per game and clear indication of why the Nets drafting him with the 3rd overall pick.
22 (23) Cavaliers 1-2
The Cavaliers shocked the basketball world by beating the Celtics in their first game of the season, but followed up with two losses to Toronto and Sacramento. Let’s not forget, the Cavs have been without Mo Williams who I expect to lead them in scoring this season. With that said, playing without Lebron will be a strange adjustment for the Cavs this season.
23 (30) Raptors 1-1
The Raptors only played 2 games in week one, but their 20 points win over the Cavaliers as along with several teams going winless was enough to give them the 23rd spot.
24 (26) Minnesota 1-2
There’s nothing new to report on the Minnesota front except that Michael Beasley is leading them in scoring. I don’t know if that’s a good thing, but then again, who else do they have? They traded former all-star center Al Jefferson to allow Kevin Love the opportunity to blossom and so far this season Kevin is averaging 14ppg and 13rpg.
25 (18) Bobcats 0-3
To understand why the Bobcats are winless all you have to do is look at the 101 points average they are allowing their opponents to score. Could they already be missing the defensive presence of Tyson Chandler? Or, did they peak last season and we are about to witness a downward spiral, which will eventually lead to a Larry Brown departure?
26 (29) Pistons 0-3
The Pistons first two losses were by a combined 4 points before losing to the Bulls in Chicago by 10 in a game in which they were ahead by 15. They are the only winless team that could easily be 3-0 if a few bounces had gone their way. A competitive week with no wins was still enough to move the Pistons up 3 spots.
27 (21) Wizards 0-2
John Wall almost took over the ROY race by putting up 28 points and 9 assist in his second game, but the Wizards still suffered a 99-95 loss to Atlanta. Expect for the Wizards to be a somewhat better team once Gilbert Arenas returns, but make no mistake, this team will go as far as John Wall can take them.
28 (22) 76ers 0-3
Imagine being matched up with Miami, Atlanta and Indiana in the first week of the season? That was what the 76ers had to deal with in week one. Most good teams would lose 2 out of 3 of those games so an 0-3 start is not that bad when you put things in prospective.
29 (13) Rockets 0-3
To say that the Houston Rockets are having the most disappointing season of any team thus far would be an understatement. They are the second best offensive team behind the Lakers averaging 110ppg, but they are also the league’s worst defensive team allowing their opponents a mind blowing 117ppg. There is no way I expect this trend to continue, but after week one the Rockets are ranked 29th. They would have dropped to the last spot if not for their 110ppg average.
30 (16) Clippers 0-3
The Clippers are a work in progress and with rookie sensation Blake Griffin not really having a post game yet, the Clippers have been relying heavily on Chris Kaman who is shooting a woeful 29.8 percent from the field. Griffin is averaging a double-double with 16.7ppg and 11rpg, but beside Kaman, the Clippers are getting nothing from Baron Davis who is also shooting a woeful 32.4 percent from the field while making on 11 percent of his 3s. Kaman and Davis must come around very soon or else the Clippers could be in for a long a miserable season.
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