Category: NBA

NBA Power Rankings (records as of All Star Break)

Each week during the heart of the NBA season, and once or twice during the NBA Preseason, we’ll gather the troops around the roundtable and hash out the NBA Power rankings.

Let’s take a look with an eye to the playoffs this week.

1. Miami Heat (27-7) – It is hard not to put the Heat at the top of this list.  They have the talent and the experience to go all the way.  The key is staying healthy.  Without Wade they don’t have a chance.  [soliloquy id=”82219″]

2. Oklahoma City Thunder (27-7) – Talent wise they are there with Durant and Westbrook, maybe the best duo in the league.  The NBA is one of those leagues where you usually have get there first before you can win it.

3. Chicago Bulls (27-8) – Probably still the most complete team in the league led by the most complete player in Derrick Rose.  Should be a good battle with Miami for homecourt in the second half.

4. San Antonio Spurs (24-10) – They are playing great but it is hard to forget their second half swoon and playoff exit last year.  Still there is no team with more experience.

5. Dallas Mavericks (21-13) – It took them a while to find their stride but they are still defending champs.  The defense is still there even with the loss of Tyson Chandler and I have a hunch they will trade for reinforcements.

6. Orlando Magic (22-13) – Trade talk still swirling but this team is a legit contender with Dwight Howard.  If they deal him for Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol their chances actually go up in my books.

7. Los Angeles Clippers (20-11) – They could definitely win the title – for most entertaining team.  Throwing lobs in the playoffs is not as easy but they could at least win one round.

8. Atlanta Hawks (20-14) – They should maybe blow this team up because it is good but not good enough.  Second round is the ceiling I think.

9. Indiana Pacers (21-12) – If you are overlooking them they will beat you.  This is a feisty team that operates as just that – a team.

10. Memphis Grizzlies (19-15) – If Zach Randolph comes back healthy they could be off to the races.  Don’t forget this team upset the Spurs without Rudy Gay last year.

Houston Rockets (20-14)
Los Angeles Lakers (20-14)
Philadelphia 76ers (20-14)
New York Knicks (17-18)
Denver Nuggets (18-17) – The potential is their but they have lost their way.
Portland Trailblazers (18-16)
Minnesota Timberwolves (17-17)
Boston Celtics (15-17) – If they can just make it in all bets are off.
Utah Jazz (15-17)
Golden State Warriors (13-17)
Phoenix Suns (14-20
Cleveland Cavaliers(13-18)
Milwaukee Bucks (13-20)
Detroit Pistons (11-24) – More than half their wins came in the last 10 games.
Sacramento Kings (11-22) – Jimmer is not an NBA phenomenon.
New Jersey Nets (10-25)
Toronto Raptors (10-23)
New Orleans Hornets (8-25)
Washington Wizards (7-26)
Charlotte Bobcats (4-28)

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Bet On NBA Basketball

Each week during the heart of the NBA season, and once or twice during the NBA Preseason, we’ll gather the troops around the roundtable and hash out the NBA Power rankings.

Oklahoma City (26-7) –  Is it too much to say that Durant and Westbrook are the best duo in the NBA?  They haven’t earned their championship stripes but what else are they lacking?

Miami Heat (26-7) – A Heat vs Thunder finals would make for some great watching for sure.  Heat are looking great right now, perhaps a bit ahead of their closest conference challengers in Chicago.

Chicago Bulls (27-8) – The most complete team on the list so far but they are totally different when Derrick Rose is out of the lineup.  I like their commitment to defense though to smooth things over.

San Antonio Spurs (23-10) – You can’t ignore that record and the fact that Tony Parkers has been lights out lately.  It is just too bad that Manu Ginobili is out once again.  This time for much shorter.

Dallas Mavericks (21-13) – I know they are the defending champs but when you watch them play it is hard to see it.  Delonte West is now out for a while so we will see if they can keep up their recent strong play shorthanded.

Orlando Magic (22-12) – They are playing much better but what will happen as we get closer and closer to the trade deadline.  The All-Star game is in Orlando this year and hopefully the parade of stars can take the focus on Dwight Howard for a moment.

Los Angeles Clippers (20-11) – It is still hard to consider these guys a contender but they are bringing it most nights.  Losing Chauncey Billups was huge for them, they are just .500 in the games since.  This team could slide down the ranking at any moment.

Los Angeles Lakers (20-13) – Perhaps the most dangerous thing in the league is a Kobe Bryant scorned.  He isn’t happy with the rumours surrounding Pau and has sounded off.  At least he can back things up with his play.

New York Knicks (17-17) – Witness the power of Linsanity, elevating a team with a .500 record into the top 10 of the power rating.  Some are even talking MVP which would make him the least likely winner, ever.  Still he has to be considered. [soliloquy id=”82219″]

Memphis Grizzlies (19-15) – The Grizz are on a nice run that makes you think about last year’s playoffs.  The offense has been really sharp lately and young legs appear to be tiring less often.

Indiana Pacers (21-12)
Philadelphia 76ers (20-13)
Denver Nuggets (18-16)
Boston Celtics (15-16)
Portland Trailblazers (18-16)
Atlanta Hawks (19-13)
Houston Rockets (20-14)
Minnesota Timberwolves (17-17)
Utah Jazz (15-17)
Golden State Warriors (13-17)
Phoenix Suns (14-20)
New Jersey Nets (10-24)
Milwaukee Bucks (13-19)
Sacramento Kings (11-22)
Toronto Raptors (10-23)
Cleveland Cavaliers (13-18)
Detroit Pistons (11-24)
New Orleans Hornet (8-25)
Washington Wizards (7-26)
Charlotte Bobcats (4-28)

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