LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat vault into third in this week’s edition of the “NBA Power Rankings” here at TSJ following their 96-80 rout of Kobe Bryant and the lethargic Los Angeles Lakers on Christmas.
Yes, lethargic. Apathetic. Bordering on wretched. That’s how terrible their defensive execution and intensity were.
And as a result they’ve dropped into seventh. Way to go, fellas.
The Mavericks still occupy the top spot followed by the Celtics, Heat, and Spurs in easily the most difficult week to rank the elite teams of the season.
Consider the madness - both the Spurs and Celtics were defeated by the Magic, who were beaten by the Mavericks, who defeated the Heat, who defeated the Lakers, who haven’t defeated an elite team since November…
Making matters much more complicated than necessary were the recent victories by the Magic over two NBA powers. They move up from 11th to 8th based on those wins and, if this whole Gilbert Arenas/Jason Richardson transaction works out the way I think it will, we’ll see the Magic rise up a few more spots by the end of January.
As usual I deliver commentary and stats for the top fifteen followed by the best of the rest.
To view my NBA MVP Power Rankings CLICK HERE
NOTE: Each team’s previous rank is located in parenthesis next to the team name.
Enjoy!
1. (3) Dallas Mavericks
RECORD
LAST TEN
OFFENSE
DEFENSE
PACE
23-5
9-1
109.2 (10)
102.8 (7)
91.0 (21)
The Mavericks just keep on rolling against every elite team the NBA has to offer. Disregarding the odd 103-99 setback againt the Bucks that ended their twelve-game winning streak Dallas has defeated the Jazz (twice), Thunder, Spurs, Heat (twice), and Magic since November 20th.
That’s a pretty impressive roll call of excellence, wouldn’t you agree?
2. (1) Boston Celtics
RECORD
LAST TEN
OFFENSE
DEFENSE
PACE
23-5
9-1
108.5 (11)
99.0 (1)
91.0 (20)
I can’t help but feel like the Celtics gave away their Christmas Day contest to the Magic - I have to give the Magic credit for clamping down defensively but Boston could have generated a little more than the 32 second-half points they mustered.
Oh, and Glen Davis and I need to have a chat. What in the world was that baseline spin-move you attempted on Dwight Howard in the fourth. You know better than that!!!
That being said, Boston had won fourteen in a row heading into that contest behind Kevin Garnett’s brilliant defense and Paul Pierce’s clutch play.
3. (4) Miami Heat
RECORD
LAST TEN
OFFENSE
DEFENSE
PACE
23-9
9-1
110.5 (5)
99.9 (2)
90.7 (24)
Miami absolutely destroyed the Lakers on Christmas behind LeBron’s triple-double, Wade’s penetrating ability, and a revitalized Bosh.
What a difference a few weeks make in our little NBA world.
The Heat offense is beginning to look potent and that defense is quite marvelous right now, although they still can’t defeat the Mavs.
4. (2) San Antonio Spurs
RECORD
LAST TEN
OFFENSE
DEFENSE
PACE
26-4
9-1
112.9 (1)
104.3 (9)
93.1 (12)
The Spurs are playing so well that Tim Duncan can have an extreme off-night and still prevail by double-digits. Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili picked up the slack in their 94-80 win over the Wizards last night despite Duncan’s 2-9, five point performance.
San Antonio has just one loss (Magic) in their last twelve games but have a difficult schedule ahead: The Lakers, Mavericks, Thunder, and Celtics are all on tap by January 5th.
5. (8) Utah Jazz
RECORD
LAST TEN
OFFENSE
DEFENSE
PACE
21-9
6-4
109.5 (9)
105.8 (14)
90.8 (23)
Utah has won three straight and, while their past ten games have resulted in a 6-4 mark, three of those losses have been to the Mavs (twice) and Heat, so I won’t hold those against you right now.
Besides, at least you defeated the Bucks, which neither the Mavericks or Lakers could do recently.
6. (7) Oklahoma City Thunder
RECORD
LAST TEN
OFFENSE
DEFENSE
PACE
21-10
7-3
109.8 (8)
107.5 (18)
93.0 (13)
Welcome back, Kevin Durant! Although Durant has been playing well lately that was one spectacular performance on Christmas in Oklahoma City’s win over the Nuggets. Durant scored 44 points which now represents the seventh-highest scoring game in Christmas history.
Russell Westbrook and crew have a big test coming up as they play the Mavericks on Monday night.
7. (5) Los Angeles Lakers
RECORD
LAST TEN
OFFENSE
DEFENSE
PACE
21-9
7-3
112.3 (2)
105.0 (11)
93.1 (11)
What a putrid performance you guys put on for all of us on Christmas. Did you not eat your Wheaties that morning?
That’s all I have to say on the matter.
An angry Lakers bunch heads to San Antonio to face the Spurs on Tuesday night - should be a fantastic game.
8. (6) Chicago Bulls
RECORD
LAST TEN
OFFENSE
DEFENSE
PACE
19-10
8-2
105.6 (17)
100.5 (3)
93.0 (14)
I wasn’t sure if the combination of Carlos Boozer and Derrick Rose would be all that spectacular but early results show that I am indeed an idiot.
Boozer has adapted to coach Tom Thibodeau’s defensive scheme pretty well - can you believe the Bulls are #3 in defense so far? What a fantastic hiring by Chicago.
The Bulls have a fairly easy schedule coming up - Bucks, Nets, and Cavaliers are on tap next week.
9. (11) Orlando Magic
RECORD
LAST TEN
OFFENSE
DEFENSE
PACE
18-12
3-7
105.7 (16)
101.6 (5)
91.5 (19)
That was a pretty decent win over the Celtics on Christmas despite Dwight Howard offering just six points on 1-4 shooting.
You did block five shots though, Dwight! That total now ranks third in Christmas Day NBA history.
I have a hunch that the Magic won’t be out of the top five for long. While most are skeptical of their new pieces fitting in I’m confident that Orlando is going to find a way to combine all their talents and make… magic?!
Terrible, I know.
10. (9) New York Knicks
RECORD
LAST TEN
OFFENSE
DEFENSE
PACE
18-12
7-3
110.3 (6)
108.9 (22)
96.8 (2)
The Knicks were in danger of dropping out of the top ten altogether but won consecutive games against quality opponents to right the ship. Saturday’s win over the Bulls was particularly impressive considering New York is not exactly used to winning games based on defensive excellence.
Oh, and congratulations to Stoudemire for recording the second-highest block total (6) in Christmas Day history.
Brutal schedule coming up for Amare and crew - the Heat, Magic, and Spurs are all on tap before January 4th.
11. (14) Houston Rockets
RECORD
LAST TEN
OFFENSE
DEFENSE
PACE
14-15
7-3
110.1 (7)
108.7 (20)
95.1 (5)
With rumors circulating that the Rockets are in talks with various teams about trading for Yao Ming (CLICK HERE for info) you’d think the team might be distracted considering Yao is the former-franchise player.
Not quite.
Houston has altered its offensive philosophy in Yao’s absence and is surging, having won six of their past seven games.
They haven’t played the best competition though. That figures to change when the Heat come to town next week.
**12. (13) Denver Nuggets **
RECORD
LAST TEN
OFFENSE
DEFENSE
PACE
16-13
3-7
111.0 (4)
109.6 (24)
95.9 (3)
The Nuggets have been without the services of Carmelo Anthony during the past three games, all losses, as he deals with his sister’s death.
With him present they have been highly competitive recently, including a narrow 113-112 defeat at the hands of the Spurs, so I’m not dropping them out of the top twelve based on their last three.
A relatively weak slate of games coming up could be just what the doctor ordered to right George Karl’s ship.
13. (12) Atlanta Hawks
RECORD
LAST TEN
OFFENSE
DEFENSE
PACE
19-13
5-5
106.9 (14)
105.2 (12)
89.9 (27)
Joe Johnson has looked like the dynamic scorer he was before his recent injury during the past two games - he has averaged 23.0 points on over .500 shooting in his last two and since returning on 12/17 he has averaged more than six assists per game.
I still don’t know what to make of Atlanta - one night they defeat the Magic in Orlando and then the next they are slaughtered by the woeful Pistons.
Some consistency, please!
14. (10) New Orleans Hornets
RECORD
LAST TEN
OFFENSE
DEFENSE
PACE
18-12
5-5
104.5 (20)
101.6 (4)
90.0 (26)
New Orleans has won two straight after a disappointing stretch that saw them lose to the 76ers, Pistons, and barely defeat a horrendous Kings’ outfit.
Where in the world would these guys be without Chris Paul? I’m afraid to even think about it.
Tough week coming up with both Boston and the Lakers back-to-back.
15. (N/A) Portland Trailblazers
RECORD
LAST TEN
OFFENSE
DEFENSE
PACE
15-15
6-4
107.0 (13)
107.0 (16)
88.7 (30)
Before falling victim to Monta Ellis’ scoring rampage on Christmas the Blazers had won three straight. Props to guard Andre Miller for dishing out 15 assists in that game, good for 8th in Christmas Day history.
Despite losing Greg Oden for the rest of the year and Brandon Roy’s perpetual knee issues Portland keeps on fighting.
Well done, gentlemen.
THE BEST OF THE REST
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Phoenix Suns - Don’t ever retire, Steve Nash and Grant Hill.
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Memphis Grizzlies - We’ve reported an O.J. Mayo sighting!
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Philadelphia 76ers - Don’t look now: Doug Collins’ group has won seven of eleven
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Milwaukee Bucks - Nice wins over the Lakers and Mavericks recently.
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Indiana Pacers - Come on Roy Hibbert! Pull it together!
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Golden State Warriors - Monta Ellis, you are a gem.
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Toronto Raptors - These guys have lost eight of ten.
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Los Angeles Clippers - Please enter the Dunk Contest, Blake!
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Detroit Pistons - Make a move, Joe. You know you need to.
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New Jersey Nets - Welcome to the team, Sasha Vujacic!
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Minnesota Timberwolves - Another 18 rebounds for Love the other night. Big deal.
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Charlotte Bobcats - Get on the sideline and COACH, MJ!
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Cleveland Cavaliers - Missing LeBron right about now?
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Washington Wizards - Only win in their last ten came at the expense of the Bobcats.
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Sacramento Kings - How I miss you, Chris Webber!
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