NBA POWER RANKINGS - WEEK 9

Sorry about not having a Power Rankings last week, everyone was wrapped up during the holidays. For this week, myself and RP will be handling the duties.

Disclaimer: In regards to the Bulls write up, RP is just a hater. The Bulls are finally getting some help, as they have everyone healthy again. Thank God we don’t have to see Hunter out there in the 4^th quarter of games anymore. And they are finally going with the starting lineup I have been talking about for weeks. Look for them to play a lot better in the upcoming games! GO BULLS!

Tip-Off:

1. Cleveland Cavaliers (24-8)

• Our leader, Docksquad himself, was not happy about this. But they are currently 14-3 against teams that were .500 or above the night they played. Combine that with a shellacking of the defending champs and you have your #1 team in the nation. (RP)

2. Los Angeles Lakers (24-5)

• The Lakers are reeling a little right now. They got a beat down from the Cavs on Christmas, Kobe now has two injuries he is dealing with, and Ron Artest may be drinking Henny again, after falling down and getting hurt at his own house. Based on their entire body of work, I still think the Lakers should be ranked one here, but they will need to show us all some more quality victories before grabbing that number 1 spot again. (VC)

3. Boston Celtics (23-6)

• They might be dropping soon if the losing ways continue. Two straight losses against some joker teams. At least they handled the Magic without Pierce. (RP)

4. Orlando Magic (22-8)

• I thought the Magic were playing great ball until they lost to a Paul Pierce less Celts last week. Despite that loss, the Magic are playing well on the defensive side of the ball, which should help them come playoff time. Especially with all of the weapons they have on the offensive side of the ball. (VC)

5. Atlanta Hawks (21-8)

• Big test coming up against Cleveland, with a home and home. Let's see how one of the hottest teams in the league fares. Josh Smith is a legit candidate for Defensive Player of the Year and Most Improved Player. BOC. (RP)

6. Dallas Mavs (22-9)

• After another nice week, they are now ranked second in the West. Soft is the word that comes to mind when people think of the Mavs, but they are proving everyone wrong this year by playing a different brand of basketball. They are winning with their D. Their defense is sick now, and Dirk is a top five MVP Candidate. (VC)

7. Portland Trailblazers (20-12)

• They picked up a nice win against a semi-reeling Denver. Who knows how long they can keep it going though? They are cursed. Sad. (RP)

8. Denver Nuggets (20-11)

• I know Melo is sick, but we all know that Billups is the real MVP of this squad. I'm sure my counter part in this post will disagree, but that's what I think at least. The Nuggets were a top five team with Billups, and they are now 1-4 without him. Enough said. (VC)

9. Phoenix Suns (19-12)

• Nice win against the Lakers and they are happy to get Barbosa back for sure. I'm a Jared Dudley fan. Add him on Twitter. (RP)

10. San Antonio Spurs (17-11)

• The Spurs are starting to get on a roll right now, winning eight out of their last ten, but that could be because they are playing a soft part of their schedule right now. Regardless of that, they are winning ball games, and beating teams they should be beating. This wasn’t the case earlier this year. They have a lot of new parts, and it's good to see them coming together for one last run. (VC)

11. Houston Rockets (18-13)

• Carl Landry is getting mad BJs from everyone of late. One of the hardest workers in the league, without a doubt. Sucks for T-Mac, officially washed-up. (RP)

12. Utah Jazz (17-13)

• Will this team ever get it together and contend with the big boys, or will they be a middle of the pack West team forever? I'm starting to finally think with the roster they have right now, they won't get over the hump. It might be time to start making some moves for the Jazz, which they started last week by trading away Maynor and Harpring(big contract). (VC)

13. Miami Heat (16-12)

• South Beach cooled off after their hot start to the season. Lately they have picked up some cheap Ws against some broke teams. (RP)

14. OKC Thunder (15-14)

• Recently, the Thunder have slipped up a little bit, but they are on their way back up. They got a nice little win streak going, and they now face a softer part of their schedule coming up. Time for Durant to do his thing, and hopefully gain some All Star votes. (VC)

15. Sacramento Kings (13-16)

• This committee continues to underrate this squad. Nice W against the Nuggets without Tyreke. One of my favorite teams in the league. (RP)

16. Toronto Raptors (15-17)

• The Raptors started off slow, but are finally gaining some steam. They are winning games by playing defense, which I thought wasn't possible with the roster they have assembled. Let's see if this is a mirage or if they can keep it up and live up to their potential. (VC)

17. Memphis Grizzlies (13-16)

• Zach Randolph is absolutely BOC. Wow. 28 and 18 in his last five games, four of them Ws. Damn. It will be a travesty if this man isn't an All-Star this year. (RP)

18. Los Angeles Clippers (13-17)

• Let's see if Baron's game winner vs. the Celtics on Sunday can propel this team. They also get Blake Griffin back soon too. They got the players, but do they have the right coach there, and can they gel before the playoffs get out of reach? GWS. (VC)

19. New York Knickerbockers (11-19)

• They were playing well for a minute, but now are back to their old ways. What happened to Nate the Great? (RP)

20. New Orleans Hornets (13-15)

• This team struggles on the road, and we got a good look at that vs. my Bulls last week. I don't know what is wrong with David West, but he certainly isn't playing like his former All Star self. It even looks like he isn't even trying at times. Does he know he is possibly going to be dealt soon? (VC)

21. Milwaukee Bucks (12-16)

• Another team that is reeling after the hot start. When will they move Mike Redd? (RP)

22. Charlotte Bobcats (11-17)

• I thought the SJax trade would help the Bobcats become a better, more consistent team, but that hasn't been the case so far. They do still play some good defense though, but will it be enough to overcome their offensive deficiencies?

23. Chicago Bulls (11-17)

• They suck. When are they firing their coach? Ew. (RP)

24. Detroit Pistons (11-19)

• The Pistons are struggling right now, but I won't ride on them too much yet, even though I hate them. I want to see how they do in the next couple weeks now that they got BGeezy and Rip back, before passing judgment on them. I'm going to wait because of the fact that they have been missing a ton of their roster throughout the season so far. (VC)

25. Washington Wizards (10-18)

• Can't buy a W. Always losing to trash teams at the end of games. Gilbert is overrated. Please blow this team up, as I have been saying all along. (RP)

26. Golden State Warriors (8-21)

• I think the Warriors need a big shakeup from their roster to their head coach if they want to get back into contention in the near future. It sucks because just a couple of years ago, they were one of the most fun teams to watch. Remember the Baron on AK 47 dunk?!?! SAD FO (VC)

27. Minnesota Timberwolves (7-24)

• Even these guys are getting wins against the Wiz. Brewer is nice. So is K-Love. (RP)

28. Indiana Pacers (9-20)

• The Pacers are just bottom feeders without their best player, Danny Granger. He is still going to be out 3 more weeks from what I am reading, so things are not looking good for this squad. Sorry Indiana, but hey at least you have the Colts right? (VC)

29. Philadelphia 76ers (7-22)

• This is just sad. Plenty of talent. No direction. No focus. No future. (RP)

30. NJ Nets (2-28)

• What more is there to say to Nets fans then wait until next year? Don't worry us Chicago Sports fans are used to that saying. Next year they will get a top pick, and have a ton of money to sign a sick player. On a side note, they did finally get Yi back too. (VC)

VC'S MVP Watch:

1. Kobe
2. Lebron
3. Wade
4. Dirk
5. Nash

VC'S R.O.Y. Watch

-These two are way ahead of everyone else, so need to list anyone else. Blake comes back soon though, so let's see how he plays.

1. Tyreke Evans
2. Jennings

Thanks for checking this week’s Power Rankings out. Please leave some comments too, if you get a chance…