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)
