This week’s “NBA Power Rankings” look drastically different from last week’s edition as this bizarre NBA season begins its fifth week. The New Orleans Hornets and San Antonio Spurs continue to lead the charge with the Spurs taking over on top while the Miami Heat continue to confuse me with their chameleon performances. For the love of Willie Burton, please remain consistent! I know you guys just want to “chill” like Chris Bosh but try to be serious, will you?
After the rankings please read on to view my irrelevant weekly award winners!
Oh, and I request that everyone please take a look at this*** unbelievably insane dunk courtesy of Blake Griffin ***from last week’s contest against the Knicks. OH MY!!! Also check out the column I wrote about Blake HERE
Check out last week’s rankings HERE.
(NOTE: The previous rank of each team on the list will be in parenthesis to the left of the team name)
1. (2) San Antonio Spurs: 11-1 (Last week: 3-0)
The Spurs vault into the top spot after an undefeated week that included quality wins over Chicago and a tough Jazz squad. Tim Duncan garnered recognition for becoming the Spurs’ all-time leading scorer while Tony Parker and company continued to fill it up and shut’em down. San Antonio ranks 2nd in the NBA in offensive efficiency and 6th in defense. Rough week for these guys coming up as they face the Magic, Mavericks, and Hornets.
2. (1) New Orleans Hornets: 11-1 (Last week: 3-1)
Began the week with their first loss to the Mavericks and ended their week with an ugly 79-71 victory over the now 4-8 Kings. Not exactly the way to stay on top, guys. Losing to Dallas was one thing, especially considering they defeated them two nights later, but barely shooting just .322 from the floor against Sacramento is not a good sign. Tough week coming up for these guys as well – they face the woe-be-gone Clippers first, followed by the Jazz, Blazers, and Spurs. Yikes.
3. (4) Los Angeles Lakers: 12-2 (Last week: 4-0)
The Lakers won each of their contests last week by double-digits, although three of those were against the Wolves, Bucks, and Pistons. Their destruction of the Warriors was very impressive though and Pau Gasol, Kobe Bryant, and Lamar Odom all had excellent weeks stat-wise, although they did allow Darko Milicic to go bananas the other night. Oh, and Pau Gasol happened to score 28 points against the Warriors on 10-10 shooting from the floor and 8-8 from the line to further bolster his MVP standing. This week they face the Bulls, Jazz, and Pacers.
4. (8) Orlando Magic: 9-3 (Last week: 3-0)
Rashard Lewis is alive and well, folks! Excellent week for the Magic and I’m sure they were psyched by the return of their $100 million man. Look, 14.3 points per outing is not what that kind of money should buy, but compared to what they WERE getting it’s pretty darn productive. Lewis shot a blistering seventy-percent from the field the past two nights as well. Dwight Howard was dominant as usual, including 25 points, 12 boards, and 3 blocks against Indiana last night. Two tough ones next week against the Spurs and Heat.
5. (N/A) Oklahoma City Thunder: 9-4 (Last week: 4-0)
The Thunder make their first appearance with after posting outstanding wins over the Jazz, Bucks, Rockets, and Celtics. Their victory over Boston was very impressive as they persevered despite the absence of Durant (ankle). Russell Westbrook continues his ascension into stardom, posting 22, 21, 31, and 18 point performances last week. Good to see you shooting better as well, Mr. Durant! The Mavericks and Pacers will prove challenging for these guys this week.
6. (3) Boston Celtics: 9-4 (Last week: 1-2)
Celtics fans can only hope this past week was just a bump in the road – after opening with a very convincing win over the Wizards they lost to the Durant-less Thunder and the hapless Raptors (who have surprised me as of late, I admit). Without Rondo they looked rather lost against Toronto and word is that he won’t play against the Hawks this week. Boston SHOULD win at least two this week as they face the Hawks, Nets, and Raptors. You never know though….
7. (6) Dallas Mavericks: 8-4 (Last week: 2-2)
Fairly decent week for the Mavs, starting with a win against the undefeated Hornets followed by losing a close one to them two nights later. Both those games were entertaining and could have gone either way, although I’m thinking that the Mavs are better equipped for a playoff run than New Orleans based on the way Tyson Chandler and Brendan Haywood are playing defense. Dirk Nowitzki enters the fray this week in our “NBA MVP Roll Call” – if it weren’t for Nowitzki and Jason Terry this offense would be in trouble. VERY tough week on the horizon – the Spurs, Heat, and Thunder are on the horizon.
8. (5) Utah Jazz: 9-5 (Last week: 2-2)
The Jazz are tough to judge right now – solid victories over the Nets and Blazers last week but relatively convincing losses against the Spurs and Thunder. Jazz nation is especially fired up about Paul Millsap being left off the NBA All-Star ballot and I can’t help but agree. The Jazz have the Hornets and Lakers coming up and if they lose both they’ll probably drop off this list entirely.
9. (7) Miami Heat: 8-5 (Last week: 2-1)
Another of the “Make up your mind!” teams who flip between excellent and mediocre almost nightly. LeBron and company looked lost against the Grizzlies the other night without Wade and now face a couple of months without superb-backup Udonis Haslem who sustained a severe foot injury in the game. The Heat have potentially tough games against the Pacers, Magic, and Mavericks coming up – each of those teams have the type of post-defenders that Bosh has struggled with this season.
10. (N/A) Atlanta Hawks: 8-5 (Last week: 1-1)
Atlanta moves into this position almost by default – the Warriors and Suns took themselves out of the race with rough weeks (Golden State was absolutely DESTROYED by the Lakers on Sunday night). The Hawks have had such an easy schedule so far but are defeating the teams they should, so good on them! Their close 98-93 loss to the Mavs essentially assured them of this spot. Josh Smith and Al Horford continue to have very solid seasons but this team needs a point guard – ASAP! The Celtics loom as their only terribly difficult game this week.
OH SO CLOSE: Chicago Bulls, Portland Trailblazers, Denver Nuggets
Now time for the awards ceremony, courtesy of former Denver Nuggets superstar Reggie Williams:
- “Are You Kidding Me? award winner – Darko Milicic (Timberwolves)
Darko went off against the Lakers for 23 points, 16 boards, five assists, and six blocks. Read that again, folks. Repeat.
- “Jerry Lucas Award” winner – Blake Griffin (Clippers)
The Clippers might stink but Blake is worth watching – Griffin posted 17 and 15 rebound games last week to pull down this honor, including a 44 point outburst.
- “Steve Kerr Award” winner – Stephen Jackson (Bobcats)
I am not a huge Jackson fan but when you nail 13-22 treys (.591) and average nearly thirty points on the week (and a 2-1 record) you deserve something.
- “Adam Morrison Award” winner – Emeka Okafor (Hornets)
When you sandwich a 2-10 outing with a 3-14 performance and the only shots you take are close to the hoop you are deserving of this honor, buddy!
- “Mark Eaton Award” winner – Darko Milicic (Timberwolves)
Thirteen swats in just three games for the former #2 pick.
- “Kevin Porter Award” winner – Chris Paul (Hornets)
Way to rack up the dimes – 28 assists on the week for the Hornets point guard.
See you all next Monday…