RK LAST WK
1 (2) HEAT 21-7
Since returning back to the lineup, Wade has once again become the focal point of the offense. Both Lebron and Bosh have seen a drop in numbers, especially on the offensive end since Wade's return. Lebron started the season off on a tear, but his scoring average has dropped down from over 30ppg down to 27.9ppg and it's all because he continues to take a back seat to Wade and I just don't get it! Lebron has always averaged more than Wade and his field goal percentage has always been higher than Wade as well, so the argument that claims Wade is a better scorer simply doesn't add up. As a fan of the game, it is very bothersome to see Lebron take such a back seat. To me, it makes absolutely no sense whatsoever! I truly believe if Kobe, Jordan or even Wade for that matter had Lebron's body and physical gifts, they would have each averaged over 40ppg.
2 (1) BULLS 23-7
Luol Deng returned to the Bulls lineup just in time to be selected by the coaches as a first time all-star. I didn't expect Deng to make the team, because he had missed 7 of the Bulls 28 games, but I guess the coaches decided that the Bulls - the team with the best record in the Eastern Conference - deserved to have two all-stars. Despite having the best record in the Eastern Conference and posting a 5-2 record without Rose this season, the Bulls have to be concern about Rose's lingering back spasms.
3 (3) THUNDER 21-6
The Oklahoma City Thunder may have the best record in the league, but I still consider them to be the third best team in the league behind the Heat and Bulls. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are putting up huge numbers, especially Westbrook as of late, but I think the Thunder lack of a post scorer is the one thing that's stopping them from being the best team in the league. Another thing that would concern me if I were a Thunder fan, is that fact that they lead the NBA in turnovers with 17 a game.
4 (5) CLIPPERS 17-8
Losing Chauncey Billups (torn Achilles) for the entire season was a major blow. Obviously the team cannot replace Billups leadership, but the Clippers are hoping to replace his scoring by landing shooting guard J.R. Smith, once his contract with his current team in China ends this Wednesday. In the main time, I expect CP3 to step up his offensive production, which will help him make a strong case for winning the MVP Award.
5 (7) SPURS 19-9
San Antonio has been on a tear as of late and are currently sporting a 7-game winning streak. The winning steak clearly helped Tony Parker's all-star selection. Over the Spurs last 5 games, Parker played very well and led the Spurs in points and assists with 26ppg and 7.2apg. I expect the Spurs to make a run for the best record in the West now that Manu Ginobili is back in the lineup.
6 (4) 76ERS 19-9
I predicted either Lou Williams or Andre Iguodala was going to make the all-star team, but I felt Lou had the edge because his overall numbers were better. Iguodala got the nod, because he is far more exciting. On the court the Sixers had a 2-2 week, with one of those defeats being a heartbreaking 78-77 loss to the Clippers in Philadelphia.
7 (16) MAVERICKS 17-11
Like Tony Parker, Dirk really step up his game recently, which is why he made the all-star team. Many don't believe Dirk deserves to be an all-star, because he is only averaging 18.3ppg for the season. However, over the Mavericks last 5 games, Dirk definitely put up all-star like numbers by averaging 26.4ppg on .549 field goal percentage.
8 (9) HAWKS 18-10
I know Josh Smith is upset after being snub from the all-star team, because I'm sure he felt he deserved to make the team over his own teammate Joe Johnson, who was eventually chosen by the coaches, but calling out the commissioner, wasn't the way to go. After news of being snubbed, Smith came out and went for 23 and 19 boards and helped his team to an 89-87 win over the Magic, but followed that up with a 8-point performance in a 20-point blowout loss at home to the Heat. It's that kind of inconsistency that caused the coaches to overlook Smith and it's that kind of inconsistency that will ultimately lead to the Hawks First or Second Round Playoff exit.
9 (14) LAKERS 16-12
It's fair to say that, Kobe Bryant is the most cold-blooded player in the league, especially with the game on the line. Against the Raptors with the game on the line, Kobe hit two huge jumpers, a 3-pointer and the game-winner with 4 seconds left. Since coming into the league, Kobe has made 16 of the 29 game-winning shots he's attempted. The Lakers are in search of a back-court teammate to pair Bryant up with and it's looking more like that player will be Gilbert Arenas. What's the worse thing that could happen? The Arenas experiment doesn't work out, but what if it does? I expect the Lakers to offer Arenas the $1.4 million veteran's minimum, which will be prorated to around $700K.
10 (17) ROCKETS 16-12
The Rockets are currently the sixth seed in the Western Conference, but I think they can secure a playoff berth by making one move and that will be to add Chris Kaman. I know the Hornets supposedly took Kaman off the trading block, but I think they will consider a trade for the right mixture of youth and draft picks.
11 (8) MAGIC 17-11
After that crazy 4-game losing streak, the Magic seem to have turn things around a little. The team has a 5-2 record since, with both losses coming in overtime against the Clippers and the Hawks. The owner of the team recently came out and confirmed what everyone already knew which was, that he does not want to trade Dwight Howard.
12 (6) PACERS 17-10
The Pacers are going through a though stretch right now, losing four of their last five games. Before you get nervous, it's worth pointing out that the Pacers last five opponents have all been teams with plus .500 records, so let's just say the schedule got the best of them. The good news is after the Pacers play Miami on Tuesday, their next seven opponents will all have sub .500 records. On another note, as I predicted a week ago, Pacers center Roy Hibbert was selected as a first time all-star while his teammate Danny Granger got snubbed.
13 (11) CELTICS 15-12
There's a very crazy rumor being circulated regarding a Rondo-for-Gasol trade, and like I said, a very crazy rumor. Considering the bitter rivalry between the Lakers and Celtic - the two teams have met in 12 NBA Finals - Celtic's general manager Danny Ainge, would have to be completely crazy to trade Rondo for Gasol. Not to take anything away from Gasol, because he is a good player, but just to put things in perspective, Rondo is a top five point guard. In the Celtics last game - a 95-91 win over Chicago - Rondo posted a triple-double with 32-15-10 as in points, assist and rebounds. The Lakers will gladly make that trade.
14 (21) KNICKS 13-15
I have a saying "success is the crossroad where preparation and opportunity meets." The opportunity for Jeremy Lin came when Knicks head coach Mike D'Antoni decided to play him for one game, before cutting him. Lin's opportunity was also enhanced by the fact that the Knicks two star players, Amare and Carmelo were both out of the lineup. Thanks to being prepared, Lin took full advantage of this opportunity. Over the Knicks last 5 games (all wins), Lin averaged 26.8ppg, 8.0apg and shot a very impressive .515 percent from the field. The media has dubbed this story "Lin-cinity," and it has truly been the most exciting and unexpected story in the league over the last week.
15 (16) NUGGETS 16-12
The Nuggets finally ended their 5-game skid by beating the Pacers 113-109 in Indiana. The team's recent skid clearly attributed to Ty Lawson not being selected to the all-star team. The Nuggets are also 1-2 since losing their leading scorer Gallinari, whose expected to be out for a month with an ankle injury. After being one of the top four teams in the West for most of the season, the Nuggets have slid to the seventh seed and are only a game ahead of the Portland Trail Blazer, the ninth seeded team in the West.
16 (13) JAZZ 14-13
The Jazz are currently hanging on to the eighth and final seed in the Western Conference, but I expect them to eventually lose that spot to the Grizzlies and Blazers. I know I've been riding him all season, but Devin Harris has to step up, in order for the Jazz to make the playoffs and I don't see it happening which is why I predicted they wouldn't make the playoffs. Harris 9.1ppg is just not going to cut it.s
17 (12) TRAIL BLAZERS 15-13
The Blazers are struggling and have been this way all season long. On paper, they seem to have it all. Guards, perimeter defenders, inside scoring and rim protectors, but somehow that has not equated into wins this season. I definitely expect them to make the playoffs, but if the season ended today, they would be out.
18 (18) GRIZZLIES 14-14
This is the year of the bigs and Marc Gasol like the Pacers Al Hibbert, was the beneficiary with an all-star selection. At 14-14, the Grizzlies are doing their best to stay in the playoff race and are only a game behind the Jazz for the final playoffs spot in the West. Without Z-Bo though, I see the Blazers not the Grizzlies making the playoffs.
19 (19) BUCKS 12-15
Brandon Jennings declared recently that he's keeping his options open to bigger market teams, so what do I read from that? Absolutely nothing, because bviously he is not a max player. With Bogut out for a while and the Knicks surging, the Bucks chance of making the playoffs just became slimmer. I don't see any team offering Jennings - a shoot first point guard with a low shooting percentage - anything over a $12 million average per season. I think what Jennings needs to focus on right, is getting his team to the playoffs and winning a few games in the playoffs.
20 (22) SUNS 12-15
I've been singing Nash praises all season, but I didn't expect him to make the all star team because I felt CP3, Westbrook and Tony Parker were one too many point guards. That said, it didn't bother me one bit to see Nash make the team. I understand Steve Nash all-star selection is been classified as a "lifetime achievement" selection by many critics, but I totally disagree. Nash has one of the highest PER of any guard in the league at 23.70 not to mention he leads the league in assist with 10.3 per game. The guy is an ageless wonder and at 38 years old, is still a top 6 point guard in the league.
21 (15) TIMBERWOLVES 13-15
The Wolves are definitely a much improved team from last season and before their current 3-game losing skid, I'm sure a few fans were secretly thinking maybe this team had a chance of making the playoffs. Well, that's not going to happen, at least not this season. The Wolves will be a playoff team when Derrick Williams arrive, meaning when he's clearly the team starting small forward.
22 (24) WARRIORS 10-14
The Warriors followed a heartbreaking overtime loss in Sacramento, a close loss to the Thunder - the team with the league's best record - with two straight wins over Denver and Houston. I think the Warriors may be on to something. I'm not just saying this because of their 2-game winning streak, I'm say this because the Warriors could have easily won their last four games. The team is only 3 games behind Jazz, so making the playoffs isn't out of reach, but I think adding a big man is necessary for the team to have a fighting chance.
23 (20) CAVALIERS 10-16
The Cavs Kyrie Irving missed the team's last three games because of a concussion injury. Not to worry, Irving is expected back soon and in reality, the Cavs were not expected to make the playoffs this season anyway. In Irving's absence, Jamison has turned back the clock. Over the last three games Jamison averaged 27ppg and 9rpg on .582 shooting.
24 (23) KINGS 10-17
The Kings have been playing well as of late, winning 4 of their last 6 games including a very impressive 106-101 win over OKC, the team with the NBA's best record. Over the Kings last five games, DeMarcus Cousins has been very impressive averaging 20.8ppg, 13.6rpg on .43 percent shooting. The one good thing I've noticed is that Cousins seems to be far more content under new head coach Keith Smart and the Kings team as a whole are becoming much more comfortable with Smart.
25 (26) RAPTORS 9-20
Jose Calderon's 30-point on 13-of-18 shooting was almost enough to pull off an upset over the Lakers, but Kobe's game-winning fade away with 4 seconds spoiled his effort. The team's leading scorer Bargnani remains out (calf) and the Raptors are in no rush to bring him back, especially since it's clear they won't make the playoffs this season.
BOTTOM FEEDERS
26 (27) PISTONS 8-21
If the Pistons keep playing like this, they could find themselves off my bottom feeders list in no time. They were sporting a 4-game winning streak, before losing to the Wizards and center Greg Monroe was very instrumental in that. Over the Pistons last five games, Monroe averaged 21.4ppg and 11.2rpg on .587 shooting from the field and .905 from the line. This guy is easily a top five center in the league and this is only his second year.
27 (25) NETS 8-21
The Nets have been on a slump recently and other than Williams all-star selection, the team has nothing really to be excited about. Well, rookie MarShon Brooks - the team second leading scorer at 14ppg - returned to the lineup after missing 9 of his previous 10 games because of a lingering toe injury, but it will take him some time to get back in game shape, so I expect the Nets to continue to struggle.
28 (28) WIZARDS 6-22
Wizards star point guard John Wall season has been very inconsistent to say the least. The up-again-down-again Wall, has been on one of those up surges recently. Over the last five games, Wall led the team to a 2-3 record by averaging 19.6ppg and 9.0 apg on .493 shooting. Like I've always said, the Wizards will go pretty much the way Wall goes, it's as simple as that.
29 (29) HORNETS 4-23
After starting the season with two straight wins, the Hornets have gone on to win only two games in their last 25 outings. The only thing that can be said for the Hornets and it's really not even worth mentioning, is that they are not the worst team in basketball. That distinction belong solely to the Charlotte Bobcats
30 (30) BOBCATS 3-24
The Bobcats are clearly the worst team in the NBA. All you have to do is look at two stats and you'll understand exactly why this team is by far the worst team. First of all, they can't score, they are ranked dead last in the league at 86.3 points per game. They compound that by being the worst defensive team in the league, allowing their opponents to score 100.9 points per game.
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