NBA POWER RANKINGS - by RP

1. Los Angeles Lakers (11-1) – More of the same. Since there is no point talking about how great they have been, learn how to ball fake from the Machine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQU-xfpaYF4

2. Boston Celtics (13-2) – Ditto.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers (10-3) – Only losses coming to good teams on the road. Big difference from years past when they lost to sub .500 teams regularly.
4. Denver Nuggets (9-5) – Nuggets have looked really impressive after the trade. Look for Melo to bust out of this mini-slump and putting up big numbers.
5. Houston Rockets (10-5) – Four road wins in the past week. How long will Yao and T-Mac’s bodies hold up?
6. Phoenix Suns (9-5) – Thus far they have been mildly inconsistent. Not sure if they have the right guys to play this new style for the long haul.
7. Orlando Magic (10-4) – Still don’t love them in the big picture, but Howard and company keep racking up the wins.
8. Atlanta Hawks (8-5) – Who would have thought the Hawks have a home court advantage???
9. Detroit Pistons (8-5) – Disappointing effort in a home loss brought back memories of days gone by and knocked them off what might have been a top-3 ranking.
10. San Antonio Spurs (7-6) – You don’t think the Spurs are going to be a factor down the stretch? Please. The Big Fun might get some MVP talk, not that he cares about it, if he holds down the fort without Manu and Tony.
11. Portland Trailblazers (9-6) – I think most sensible humans figured that the team would regress slightly as Oden got assimilated into the rotation. Maintaining a decent record in the process is just a bonus.
12. New Orleans Hornets (8-5) – Flying under the radar thus far. Do you realize either Rob Horry (7 rings), Steve Kerr (5) or James Posey (2) have been on the NBA Champion’s roster every season since ’93-’94, except for the ’04 Pistons?
13. Utah Jazz (9-6) – Boy seems like a lot of teams battling injuries are staying afloat.
14. Philadelphia 76ers (7-7) – Did Iggy stop trying after he got paid? The Summer must have been fun for him.
15. New Jersey Nets (6-6) – Does anyone even watch their games? Marv and Mike would be the only reason to tune in, I love those guys!
16. Chicago Bulls (7-8) – As a follower of LeBron’s every move his rookie year, I must say Rose is a better finisher than he was at that stage. He was unreal the last two minutes in Utah. I couldn’t help but laugh when Larry and Drew embraced after the game winner. Boys for life!
17. Miami Heat (7-7) – I wonder how much D. Cook, Chalmers and Beasley love the club life?
18. Dallas Mavericks (6-7) – For the 80123491029425^th time in the last 2 years, BREAK UP THE TEAM! It’s over!
19. Milwaukee Bucks (7-9) – Did anyone else watch Richard Jefferson dunking on Frankie Muniz in the 2004 All-Star Weekend Celebrity Game? Why was he in that game? Why did he try so hard? What a tool?
20. Toronto Raptors (6-7) – I must ask. Isn’t Chris Bosh pretty much the same guy J-O’Neal was for a brief period in Indy?
21. Indiana Pacers (5-7) – Is Danny Granger the prototypical future All-Star that will never be the best player on a champion? Think Mike Redd.
22. Golden State Warriors (5-8) – Get well soon Monte. I can’t wait to see you running up and down with Crawford.
23. New York Knicks (7-6) – Nice record but the fire sale, including one of my favorite players, JC, isn’t going to help them. That said, as a lifetime Cavalier Fan, consider me fearful of 2010.
24. Charlotte Bobcats (4-9) – My boy Cohin (also a DSS contributor) once got dunked on by Gerald Wallace in the Alabama State High School playoffs. True story.
25. Sacramento Kings (5-11) – Zanesville’s finest, Kevin Martin, is destined for the Danny G. career trajectory. Sorry man, could be worse though…
26. Memphis Grizzlies (4-10) – Like Rudy Gay, who might never fulfill the potential.
27. Minnesota Timberwolves (3-9) – Al Jefferson is a baller.
28. Los Angeles Clippers (2-12) – I’ve searched the entire Internet, but have yet to find any legal troubles for Ricky D. All I found were those pictures of him with those potentially teenage white chicks. Let it be known that he used to donate tickets to his fan clubs in Cleveland and Boston. Misunderstood guy.
29. Oklahoma City Thunder (1-13) – I always thought Kevin Durant was overrated. Even if he gets good, he’s not going to be a top-5 guy.
30. Washington Wizards (1-10) – Maybe Gilbert is right. Blake Griffin will fit nicely with these guys.

NBA Player of the Week:

Dwayne Wade – He’s in Olympic form with 39 per in back to back-to-back games.