RK LAST WK
1 (2) BULLS 20-6
The Bulls had a decent 3-1 week, but an even better news was the return of Deng to the lineup. Rip Hamilton missed the Bulls last four games due to a groin injury, but he's expected to be back this week at which time the Bulls will be at full strength.
2 (3) HEAT 18-6
Two losses to the Bucks - a team with a 10-13 record - brought into question the team's focus, especially after blowing an 18-point lead to the Bucks. Lebron's 24 points tied his career high for most points in a quarter. Unfortunately, the Heat needed Lebron to score at least 50 points to beat the Bucks, but he he only scored 16 points in the next three quarter to finish with 40 for the game.
3 (1) THUNDER 18-5
Kevin Durant was absolute brilliant against the Grizzlies. He scored 7 points in the final minutes of the game, including an impressive fade-away 3-pointer, which led to a 101-94 win over the Griz. The Durant-Westbrook-Harden trio is the reason many predicted that the Thunder will come out of the West, but their lack of a solid post offensive threat, is why I see them ultimately not winning the championship.
4 (5) 76ERS 17-7
Every team has a certain team they have problems matching up with and for the Sixers that team is the Miami Heat. Two of their last three losses came against the Heat, one by 21 and the other by 20 points. With that said, the Sixers still have the league's stingiest defense, which allows their opponents only 86.5 points per game. The Sixers 17-7 record is fourth best in the league, so it wouldn't surprise me to see Lou Williams - the Sixers leading scorer - be selected as a first-time all-star.
5 (8) CLIPPERS 14-7
The Clippers have the second best record in the Western Conference and were rewarded by fans who voted for both CP3 and Blake Griffin to start in the all-star game. The only disappointment is that Griffin has declared that he will not be defending his slam-dunk title. The other tandem to "lob city" center DeAndre Jordan is expected to replace Griffin in the Dunk contest.
6 (7) PACERS 16-7
Unfortunately either Hibbert or Granger will get snubbed from the all-star team, because I seriously doubt both players will make it despite Granger's claim that the Pacers deserves two players because of their record. The Pacers have been the biggest surprise in the league early on, but that didn't stop them from trying to improve their team. They almost added Chris Kaman, but the Hornets decided to take Kaman off the trading block.
7 (15) SPURS 16-9
A week ago the Spurs were outside the playoffs with the ninth seed in the West, but a 4-0 week highlighted by a 107-96 win over the Thunder, propelled the Spurs all the up to the third seed in the West. Tony Parker was absolutely phenomenal during the Spurs last 3 games, averaging 28ppg. I think everyone should hold off on Thunder's coronation, because the Spurs is the one team that matches up very well with the Thunder.
8 (14) MAGIC 15-9
After losing four straight and looking like they were completely falling apart, the Magic turned things around a little, by winning their last three games. The Magic have been all smiles lately, especially Dwight Howard, which is more of a show because everyone expects the Magic to trade Howard after the all-star break.
9 (4) HAWKS 16-8
Like the Pacers, I expect the Hawks to also be disappointed by an all-star snubbing. Either Joe Johnson or Josh Smith will not make the team and if they continue their current 2-game losing streak, both players might be in danger of not being selected.
10 (6) NUGGETS 15-9
It looked like the Nuggets Ty Lawson was on track to make the all-star team and he still might end up making it, but their last 5 games may have put a wrinkle in that plan. The Nuggets have a 1-4 record over their last 5 games and during that stretch they've allowed their five opponents to average a whopping 106.2 points per game.
11 (16) CELTICS 13-10
The Celtics have completed turned their season around after starting with a 5-9 record, they have gone on to win 8 of their last 9 games, including four straight. Now the Rondo is back, the team is finally at full strength and the rest of the league better take notice, because this is not the same team that started the season. For a team that once had four all-stars, the Celtics will be lucky to have two this year. I actually only expect the Cs to have one all-star and it probably will be Paul Pierce.
12 (12) TRAIL BLAZERS 14-10
With the Blazers alternating wins and losses over their last six games, there hasn't been much to cheer about recently in Portland. The Blazers LaMarcus Aldridge will almost certainly make the all-star team, but it was Nicolas Batum who stole the headlines in the team's 117-97 win over the Nuggets, when he set a Blazers record by making nine 3-pointers in the game.
13 (11) JAZZ 13-9
The Jazz ended their 2-game slide by defeating the Lakers 96-87 in Utah. Paul Millsap has one of the league's highest PER (Player Efficiency Ratings)at 25.19, which is why it wouldn't surprise me if he made his first all-star appearance.
14 (13) LAKERS 14-10
The Lakers, like the Clippers will have two all-star starters, with Bynum making the team for the first time. That would have been a great thing in terms of a Bynum-for-Dwight trade, but the word out of Orlando is that Dwight Howard wants no part of the Lakers, thanks to Kobe. Apparently Kobe's pitch to Dwight was for him to join the team as the third option behind Kobe and Pau and that obviously turned off Dwight. Maybe it's just rumors and if it is, Dwight Howard could just end up being a Laker.
15 (20) TIMBERWOLVES 12-12
The Timberwolves improved to .500 with a 100-91 win over the Rockets and the team is only 1.5 games behind the Mavericks for the eighth and final playoff spot in the West. Kevin Love is definitely poised to make his second straight all-star appearance and the Timberwolves future looks very bright with Rubio emerging as the team's second star.
16 (9) MAVERICKS 14-11
Dirk may be rounding into shape, but his 27ppg over the last two games could not prevent the team's 3-game losing streak. The Mavs have been battling injuries all season and with Jason Kidd in and out of the lineup because of a calf injury, the team has struggled finding consistent point guard play which is one reason for their inconsistent play.
17 (10) ROCKETS 13-11
The Rockets had been on a rise recently before running into their nemesis, the Minnesota Timberwolves. Yes, the Rockets lost two straight games to the wolves, but they are still only a 1/2 game behind the Mavs for the eighth and final playoff spot in the West.
18 (17) GRIZZLIES 12-12
The Grizzlies have been on a though stretch recently, winning only 2 of their last 8 games. I expect only one Grizzlies player to be selected to the all star team and I doubt it will be Rudy Gay. I'm expecting Marc Gasol to make his first all-star appearance, but I'm sure he will gladly give up an all-star selection for a playoff berth.
19 (18) BUCKS 10-13
Brandon Jennings hit three straight 3-pointers during a critical stretch in the fourth to help his team beat the Heat 105-97, which was the Bucks second straight win over the Heat this season. Before the season began, I predicted that Jennings would have to have an all-star season, in order for the Bucks to make the playoffs and so far, his 19.9ppg average on .433 percent shooting has him on the cusp of making his first all-star appearance.
20 (19) CAVALIERS 9-13
Kyrie Irving is already an amazing player and he's only a rookie. His 18.1ppg average on .50 percent shooting is impressive yes, but Irving has the infamous "clutch" gene. He hit the game winner against the Celtics a week ago and followed that up with two big-time driving layups in the final seconds to give Cleveland a 91-88 victory over the Mavericks in Cav's last game. It's going to be a dog fight between Irving and Jennings, if the league decides to add a third point guard to the all-star team behind Rose and Williams.
21 (22) KNICKS 9-15
At 9-15, the Knicks are only 1.5 games behind the Bucks for the eighth and final playoff spot. I guess that's why the team is still very optimistic in anticipation of Baron Davis arrival. Will the 34-year-old Davis and his bad back be enough lead the Knicks to the playoffs, or will the Knicks have to rely on sporadic solo performances like the 25-point career high by Jeremy Lin, to be successful? I still believe Davis could be the answer. All he has to do is average around 12ppg, 8apg and get better shots for Anthony and mainly Amare.
22 (21) SUNS 9-14
Finally, there's word out of Phoenix that management will oblige to Steve Nash's request, if he ask to be traded. I was really happy to hear that! The only problem is, because Steve is such an outstanding character, I doubt he will actually go up to management and request a trade. I hope management can take it one step further and actually ask Nash for a list of teams he would like to be traded to. That would be the gentleman thing to do.
23 (26) KINGS 8-15
The Kings are sporting a 2-game winning streak for the second time this season thanks to an impressive 95-92 win over the Blazers and a 114-106 OT win over the Warriors. Sadly, rookie Jimmer Fredette was not a part of the Kings last two wins. He was benched for both games by head coach Keith Smart, because Fredette has only been a one-dimensional player. All he does is provides scoring off the bench and with a .365 field goal percentage, I guess Smart is trying to send a message to Fredette.
24 (23) WARRIORS 8-13
If you are 4 games out of the playoffs, you have to beat teams like the Sacramento Kings, no matter where you play them, if you seriously expect to make the playoffs. I would have package rookie Klay Thompson, the injured Kwame Brown and a protected draft pick to the Hornets for Chris Kaman, when he was on the trading block. Matter of fact, I would probably propose that trade now, because I think New Orleans would make that trade. A move like that will give the Warriors a good shot of making the playoffs, because Kaman would allow Lee to play his natural position - the power forward spot - which would ultimately help the Warriors small back court of Ellis and Curry. The Warriors will finally have some reliable size up front, and even Jerry West - special consultant to the Warriors - was recently quoted saying that the Warriors needed size.
25 (24) NETS 8-17
This team is three games out of the playoffs in an Eastern Conference where anything can happen. It appears that Dwight Howard will either re-sign with the Magic or welcome a trade to the Nets. Forget about the list of teams Howard would go to, I think the Nets are clearly his preferred destination, so it will sure help if the Nets are still in playoff contention by the time the trade is ultimately made.
BOTTOM FEEDERS
26 (25) RAPTORS 8-17
The Raptors Bargnani missed six straight before rejoining the team a few weeks ago for two games, but got injured again and has since missed the team's last six games, during which stretch the Raptors are 2-4. If Bargnani had been healthy for most of the Raptors games this season, not only would they have a better record, but he would probably have been a first time all-star.
27 (28) PISTONS 6-20
The Detroit Pistons are sizzling hot right now, no I'm just kidding, but they are sporting a 2-game winning streak with wins over Bucks and the Hornets. Second year center Greg Monroe is quietly having a really nice season for the Pistons. He's averaging 16.3ppg, 9.9rpg on .518 shooting from the field and .817 percent from the free-throw line. I would like to see Monroe block more than the 0.5 shots a game that he averages, but if he was on a winning team with those numbers, he would definitely have been in the all-star discussion.
28 (27) WIZARDS 4-20
The Wizards are piling up losses as John Wall has reverted back to being inconsistent. I mean seriously, Wall's 1-12 shooting for only 2 points in a 109-103 loss to the Magic in Orlando was the difference. The Wizards might have won the game if Wall had play even average, matter of fact, the Wizards would have a better record if Wall was more consistent this season.
29 (29) HORNETS 4-20
We shall see if conspiracy theorist are right, when they claim that the NBA draft in fixed, because the Hornets will certainly end the season with one of the worse records in the league, which should increase the chances of landing the top pick. Don't cry of river if you are a Hornets fan, because your fortunes could be turned really quickly. The Hornets are well situated under the cap and they probably could end up with the first pick.
30 (30) BOBCATS 3-21
The Bobcats continues to be the worst team in the league and that isn't going to change anytime soon. I expect the Cats to be in a 3-horse race along with the Hornets and Wizards for the league's worst record and best odds of drafting Kentucky's Anthony Davis, the consensus number one pick of this summer's draft.
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