4/6/2010 NBA Basketball Power Rankings - Natio

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "4/6/2010 NBA Basketball Power Rankings - Natio"

Joseph Doyle
5 years ago
Views:

1 ESPN TV RADIO MAGAZINE INSIDER SHOP ESPN3 SPORTSCENTER En Español Register Now myespn (Sign In) Power Rankings: Late-season shuffle Week: 23 Team Rankings By Marc Stein ESPN.com Monday, April 5 Add Widget Most of the significant shuffling in this season's penultimate edition of ESPN.com's weekly NBA Power Rankings can be found in the 4-to-15 range. With the Cavaliers, Magic and Lakers still occupying the top three spots, this week's most notable movers are Phoenix (No. 5 to No. 4), San Antonio (No. 9 to No. 6) and Oklahoma City (No. 11 to No. 7) with the Spurs reaching their highest position since the first week of the regular season. Dallas and Denver, meanwhile, have fallen to No. 10 and No. 11, respectively, with Milwaukee dropping to No. 15 after the sickening elbow injury suffered Saturday night by center Andrew Bogut. In the bottom half of the rankings, Indiana has unexpectedly jumped from No. 21 to No. 18 even though the Pacers have long since fallen out of playoff contention. And New Jersey has managed to rise out of the bottom two for the first time since Week 7, inching to No. 28 and dropping Detroit (thanks to a 2-18 funk) down to No. 29. Click here to rank the teams yourself, or click here to comment on these rankings. Also, check out John Hollinger's daily Power Rankings. Tune in Tuesdays to "NBA Fastbreak" on ESPN to see the week's U.S. Army Power Rankings Power Rankings: Week 23 RK (LW) TEAM REC COMMENT 1 (1) Cavaliers We repeat: Cleveland is one of just 12 teams in history to post consecutive 60-win seasons. And nine of its 11 predecessors won at least one championship; Dallas and Utah are the only exceptions. 1/10

2 (2) Magic 54-23 The Magic are on a quiet 15-3 roll and rank as the only team in the league to beat the other 29 teams.

3 (3) Lakers 55-22 4 (5) Suns 50-27 5 (4) Jazz 50-27 6 (9) Spurs 47-29 7 (11) Thunder 48-28 8 (10) Hawks 49-27 9 (6) Trail Blazers 47-30 10

contract extension for Kobe worth some $90 million -- the story of NBA Green Week -- would bring a little calm to Lakerland.

The Suns just completed a stretch where eight of 11 opponents were sub-.500 teams, so it was a good time to let Robin Lopez rest his back.

Q: Does finishing the season as strongly as anyone make up for last season's April meltdown?

They are starting to look like the Spurs again, with Manu-inspired wins over the Cavs, Celtics, Magic and Lakers in a span of just 10 days,

Imagine how much trouble the OKC kids are going to cause if they ever acquire or develop a front-line center and get some actual, you know,

The one decent race we had in the East was the jockeying between the Hawks and Celtics to avoid a first-round matchup against Milwaukee.

If this is Pritchard's last trade in Portland -- which I still find hard to believe -- he's signing off with a good one.

No one's suggesting that a 13-game win streak is ever a bad thing.

slippage on D. The news is only getting worse.

doesn't have a sub-.500 team left on the schedule. Is there such a thing as a heartbreaking victory?

2 2 (2) Magic The Magic are on a quiet 15-3 roll and rank as the only team in the league to beat the other 29 teams. Even more unique: Stan Van Gundy actually sounded satisfied (pleased, even) when someone gave him that stat. 3 (3) Lakers (5) Suns (4) Jazz (9) Spurs (11) Thunder (10) Hawks (6) Trail Blazers (7) Mavericks (8) Nuggets (13) Celtics (14) Heat (15) Bobcats (12) Bucks You'd think a contract extension for Kobe worth some $90 million -- the story of NBA Green Week -- would bring a little calm to Lakerland. The calm lasted about 48 hours thanks to a panic-inducing home loss to the Spurs. The Suns just completed a stretch where eight of 11 opponents were sub-.500 teams, so it was a good time to let Robin Lopez rest his back. Check the schedule: Lopez will be missed a lot more in the final five games. Q: Does finishing the season as strongly as anyone make up for last season's April meltdown? A: Can't answer until we see what happens in the playoffs, since anyone could win or lose a Round 1 series in this West. They are starting to look like the Spurs again, with Manu-inspired wins over the Cavs, Celtics, Magic and Lakers in a span of just 10 days, but there's always an asterisk for this group. This time? George Hill's twisted ankle. Imagine how much trouble the OKC kids are going to cause if they ever acquire or develop a front-line center and get some actual, you know, experience. As it is, they're going to win 50 and could still win their division. The one decent race we had in the East was the jockeying between the Hawks and Celtics to avoid a first-round matchup against Milwaukee. We don't even get to enjoy that much now after Andrew Bogut's misfortune. If this is Pritchard's last trade in Portland -- which I still find hard to believe -- he's signing off with a good one. The Blazers were pre-camby. With Camby, they're and a team you want to avoid in Round 1. No one's suggesting that a 13-game win streak is ever a bad thing. In the Mavs' case, though, winning 13 straight pitched expectations to a level they don't look ready for, judging by a 5-6 funk and serious slippage on D. The news is only getting worse. On top of all the uncertainty surrounding the playoff availability of Karl and K-Mart, Andersen has a freshly sprained ankle and Denver doesn't have a sub-.500 team left on the schedule. Is there such a thing as a heartbreaking victory? Sunday's near fold against the Cavs definitely makes you wonder. The Celts' consolation: Don't think they still have to Fear The Deer (or anyone else) in the first round. On March 1? The D-Wades were ninth in the East. On April 1? They were up to sixth... and soon headed for No. 5 thanks to Bogut's injury. An easy schedule is easy in real life only if you capitalize. And Miami has. As if the longer-term uncertainty surrounding Larry Brown's future wasn't unsettling enough, here's some short-term cause for panic: Bobcats warrior Stephen Jackson is dealing with a bad hammy, ankle, hand and elbow. It all comes crashing down for the second-half darlings in one brutal week: heartbreaking loss in Cleveland, OT loss in Charlotte and then the sickening loss of Bogut for the rest of the season to a gruesome elbow injury. 2/10

16 (16) Bulls 37-39 The Bulls have hit a 6-2 stride since a 10-game losing streak -- translation: since getting healthy --

17 (17) Grizzlies 39-37 18 (21) Pacers 29-48 19 (19) Rockets 38-38 20 (20) Raptors 38-38 21 (18) Hornets 35-43 22 (25)

28 (29) Nets 11-66 29 (27) Pistons 23-53 It's not just the 1-8 start that cost the Griz their playoff ending to this

They've lost after leading by 10 or more 15 times, tops in the league ahead of 13 blown leads by Boston, Golden State,

The good news: This 7-2 run with nothing to play for has to hush some of those rumbles about players bailing on Jim

It's a successful season even without a playoff berth for the injuryravaged Rockets. Quite the style transformation, too.

If you had an inkling that the Raptors' playoff credentials were a bit suspect -- and Sunday's home loss to Golden State

The Hornets have dropped 11 of 14, they've lost five of seven since Chris Paul's comeback and the playoffs are long gone.

More evidence that the Curry-Monta backcourt will eventually be broken up?

record-tying W in Toronto. Our Elias data isn't any more upbeat for the Knicks than it is for the Clips. Elias says N.Y.

proceed with their expected coaching change) with the spotlight mercifully pointed elsewhere.

The category is games lost after leading by 20 points or more. Saturday's L in Denver was L.A.'s third such collapse.

Blame Curry's second-half numbers and his popularity/stature and Jennings' quality contributions to a playoffbound team

3 16 (16) Bulls The Bulls have hit a 6-2 stride since a 10-game losing streak -- translation: since getting healthy -- and should relish this week's trip to Canada now after seeing what just happened to Toronto at home against Golden State. 17 (17) Grizzlies (21) Pacers (19) Rockets (20) Raptors (18) Hornets (25) Warriors (22) Knicks (24) 76ers (23) Clippers (26) Kings (28) Wizards (29) Nets (27) Pistons It's not just the 1-8 start that cost the Griz their playoff ending to this Cinderella season. They've lost after leading by 10 or more 15 times, tops in the league ahead of 13 blown leads by Boston, Golden State, Houston. The good news: This 7-2 run with nothing to play for has to hush some of those rumbles about players bailing on Jim O'Brien. The bad news: This 7-2 run with nothing to play for ain't exactly improving Indy's lottery odds. It's a successful season even without a playoff berth for the injuryravaged Rockets. Quite the style transformation, too. This is how vital running is to them now: Houston is 0-16 when it scores less than 95 points. If you had an inkling that the Raptors' playoff credentials were a bit suspect -- and Sunday's home loss to Golden State didn't confirm those suspicions -- this should do it: Toronto is against teams.500 or better. The Hornets have dropped 11 of 14, they've lost five of seven since Chris Paul's comeback and the playoffs are long gone. So we beg of thee, CP3: Shut it down for the rest of the season. Playing any more is a needless risk. More evidence that the Curry-Monta backcourt will eventually be broken up? The Dubs sure don't play worse when Monta's out, improving to a decent 6-9 when Ellis sits this season with Nellie's record-tying W in Toronto. Our Elias data isn't any more upbeat for the Knicks than it is for the Clips. Elias says N.Y. will be the league's only team with an active streak of at least five straight losing seasons as soon as Charlotte wins twice more. The Phillies are back to work just in time to allow the beatendown Sixers to complete this season of underachievement (and proceed with their expected coaching change) with the spotlight mercifully pointed elsewhere. Our friends at Elias have unearthed a category that finds the Clips in the league lead. The problem? The category is games lost after leading by 20 points or more. Saturday's L in Denver was L.A.'s third such collapse. I'm afraid that the ROY race will be closer than you think for Reke. Blame Curry's second-half numbers and his popularity/stature and Jennings' quality contributions to a playoffbound team despite his statistical decline. A consistently torturous season rolls on: The Wiz win for just the second time in 19 games since Feb on the same night that the Redskins trade for Donovan McNabb to render everything else in town a non-story. These are the kinds of fun hypotheticals we get to throw around about the Nets now that they've passed the nine-win mark: What if Prokhorov just decides to keep raising his offer until he gets a "yes" from Coach K? The Pistons just fell 30 games under.500 for the first time since , but Charlie V. is still trying to keep it positive on Twitter: "These are some tough times in Detroit, but we need to continue to hang in there." 3/10

30 (30) Timberwolves 15-62 Sota is stuck down in the No. 30 basement for a second successive week -- with only one more Monday to get out -- even though its record isn't worse than New Jersey's.

4 30 (30) Timberwolves Sota is stuck down in the No. 30 basement for a second successive week -- with only one more Monday to get out -- even though its record isn't worse than New Jersey's. That's pretty much the worst of both worlds. ESPN Conversations 555 comments + Add your comment Sponsored Links Penny Stock Jumping 2000% Sign up to the #1 voted penny stock new sletter for free today! w w w.aw esomepennystocks.com Cleveland Cavaliers Tickets Cleveland Cavaliers Tickets. Sold Out? Not Here. w w w.stubhub.com $13/Month Car Insurance? Insurance deal just passed now allow s you to get car insurance for $13 GoGetAutoInsurance.com Buy a link here Find Tickets: Search by Team: Season tickets or single game tickets, all the best seats are here. See all tickets 4/10

5 SPORTS NFL MLB NBA NHL College Football College Basketball Soccer NASCAR MORE Racing Golf Tennis Boxing MMA Recruiting Olympic Sports Horse Racing FANTASY Football Baseball Streak for the Cash SPORTSNATION Profiles Groups Chats VIDEO Most Recent Highlights THE LIFE Travel Sports Passport Arcade Contests TOOLS Contact Us Member Services myespn ESPN Alerts News Wire Corrections Daily Line RSS TV LISTINGS 5/10

6 RADIO PODCENTER INSIDER PAGE 2 COMMENTARY SHOP ESPN3.COM SPORTSCENTER ALL SPORTS NFL MLB NBA NHL College Football College Basketball Women's Basketball College Sports Recruiting Golf NASCAR Racing Soccer --World Cup High Schools Tennis Boxing Mixed Martial Arts Olympic Sports Horse Racing Poker WNBA Lacrosse Cricket (Cricinfo) Rugby (Scrum) Action Sports Outdoors Bassmaster COMMENTARY Blogs Ombudsman 6/10

7 PAGE 2 Sports Guy's World FANTASY Football Baseball» 2010 Draft Kit Basketball Hockey Soccer Arcade Video Games Poker Club Uber All Fantasy Games Masters Best Ball Baseball MMA Live Pick 'em Tournament Women's Tournament Hardcourt Streak for the CASH College Hoops Pick 'em Stock Car Fantasy Fishing Soccernet Bracket Predictor VIDEO Most 7/10

8 Recent Highlights 30 for 30 Around the Horn Countdown Daily E:60 Mayne Street Inside Deal MMA Live Pardon the Interruption Outside the Lines Daily Dime TV The Next Round NBA.com SPORTSNATION Profiles Groups Conversations Chats Polls Message Boards Widgets ESPN on Facebook SportsNation on Twitter CITIES ESPNBoston.com ESPNChicago.com ESPNDallas.com ESPNLosAngeles.com ESPNNewYork.com ESPN Local THE LIFE Travel Sports Passport Arcade Video Games Tickets Contests Books 8/10

9 Active.com NBA Home Scores Schedule Standings Rankings Teams Atlantic Boston Celtics New Jersey Nets New York Knicks Philadelphia 76ers Toronto Raptors Central Chicago Bulls Cleveland Cavaliers Detroit Pistons Indiana Pacers Milwaukee Bucks Southeast Atlanta Hawks Charlotte Bobcats Miami Heat Orlando Magic Washington Wizards Pacific Golden State Warriors Los Angeles Clippers Los Angeles Lakers Phoenix Suns Sacramento Kings Southwest Dallas Mavericks Houston Rockets Memphis Grizzlies New Orleans Hornets San Antonio Spurs Northwest Denver Nuggets Minnesota Timberwolves Oklahoma City Thunder Portland Trail Blazers Utah Jazz Players Stats TrueHoop Daily Dime Draft Rumors Odds Local Tickets ESPN» All Sports» NBA ESPN.com: Help PR Media Kit Advertise On ESPN.com Sales Media Kit Report a Bug Corrections Contact Us Site Map Mobile ESPN Shop Jobs at ESPN Supplier Information 9/10

PREV H/A DIV CONF RK SOS. Last Game: MEM, W Next 2: WAS (Wed), NY (Fri) Schedule Injuries Transactions Hollinger Stats Comment SOS

PREV H/A DIV CONF RK SOS. Last Game: MEM, W Next 2: WAS (Wed), NY (Fri) Schedule Injuries Transactions Hollinger Stats Comment SOS ESPN TV RADIO MAGAZINE INSIDER SHOP ESPN3 SPORTSCENTER En Español Register Now myespn (Sign In) 2009-200 Hollinger Power Rankings Teams: -5 6-30 2 3 4 Intro and Method» Comment» Marc Stein's Weekly NBA