NBA Power Rankings [Week 1]
Here are my NBA Power Rankings as of today. I’m not like ESPN or any of the mainstream guys that do power rankings. This is more a snapshot of where the teams fall at this moment, not where they should be or might be. Also I will only be doing the top 16, since who really cares about everyone else, right? Is Dallas a little high this week? Maybe. Is Oklahoma City for real? I’m not sure. Feel free to criticize if you’d like (like you guys need that invitation).
1. Boston Celtics (5-0): They are solid offensively, but they are allowing only 79.8 points per game. Next best? 85.3 (by Detroit). Wow. If this team can stay healthy (BIG if), they should be considered the favorites to win the ‘Ship.
2. Dallas Mavericks (3-1): After taking one on the lip opening night against the Wizards, the Mavs have looked unstoppable. Marion and Nowitzki look rejuvenated. Will they be a title contender? I doubt it, but right now no one wants to play this hot squad.
3. L.A. Lakers (3-1): With Pau out for a while, this team drops below the Mavs, but they are still very talented and playing like they want another title. Kobe is also playing defense like crazy, averaging 3 steals a game.
4. Denver Nuggets (4-0): ‘Melo is the man and this team is for real. I don’t care that every other team added people and they didn’t. They are a deep team and have Mr. Big Shot holding the reins. I would put them #2 if it wasn’t for the fact they haven’t really beaten any great teams yet.
5. Phoenix Suns (4-0): Are they back? No, but so far the leash has been taken off a bit, and you know Nash and Amare can be successful in the up-tempo offense. I don’t know if it will last, but boy it looks pretty for now.
6. Orlando Magic (3-1): No Vince Carter means a drop in my book. Especially after taking an embarassing loss to Detroit last night.
7. San Antonio Spurs (2-1): That loss to Chicago looks bad, but it was the 2nd of a back-to-back, and we all know the Spurs never really start trying until March or so. For the time being, Manu killing bats will have to do.
8. Cleveland Cavaliers (3-2): The Big Shaqckle jokes aside, they still have LeBron and no one should count them out yet. They have rattled off 3 straight against terrible teams, and Shaq finally posted a decent game with 21 and 8 against the Wiz last night.
9. Atlanta Hawks (3-1): The win against Portland last night gives them some legitimacy in my mind. And look at that Al Horford guy, huh? 12.8 points and 12.5 rebounds. Not bad.
10. Miami Heat (3-1): What can I say? When Wade is healthy, I truly believe you could put him with any other 4 guys in the league and he would make that team a 4-5 seed in the East on his own. Since that is basically the situation, expect that 4-5 seed come April.
11. Houston Rockets (3-1): No Yao, no T-Mac, no Artest, no star power of any kind. And yet this team does all the little things well. Also, give Ariza credit for really stepping up his game, averaging 21.3 ppg so far.
12. Oklahoma City (2-2): This team is one Kobe OT shot away from being 3-1. Durant is struggling with his shot a bit, but as a team the Thunder looks like they are finally gelling a bit.
13. Portland Trailblazers (2-3): I know 2-3 looks bad, but these Blazers have played an extremely rough schedule and managed to come away with 2 wins against Houston and OKC, and losing only to Houston, Denver and Atlanta. Tough early schedule, right?
14. Washington Wizards(2-2): Gilbert’s baaaack. For now at least, and the knee looks healthy. With Blatche filling in admirably for Jamison, and Butler hopefully getting healthy (he hasn’t looked super so far, but it’s early), this team may be back in the hunt in the East after a bit of a hiatus.
15. Chicago Bulls (2-2): The Bulls schedule is probably the toughest of any of the top 16 teams. San Antonio, @Boston, @Miami, Milwaukee. For them to be 2-2 after that stretch maybe puts them higher. Shooting 41% from the field and 22% from 3-point land as a team? That brings them back down here.
16. Philadelphia 76ers (2-2): So what is the identity of this team? It’s unclear. The one thing that is clear is that Iguodala looks spectacular and this Speights kid has potential. Also Lou Williams is averaging 17ppg on 56% shooting. How long until we stop asking “How does this team fit around Brand?” and start asking “Can Brand find a role on this team?”
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Comments
Comment from Legion of Dumars
Time November 4, 2009 at 10:12 pm
The Bulls are awful. They are going to struggle to score 85 ppg this year. The Pistons beat Orlando (your #6) without two of there starters last night. Bulls barely bear Milwaukee. Shooting 41% from the field and 22% from 3 point land “brings them down here”? How high did you want to put them? Awful
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Comment from Ethan
Time November 4, 2009 at 10:16 am
Big surprise that you forced the Bulls into the top half of the league. Did oyu know they almost lost last night AT HOME to MILWAUKEE?!?!?! Not sure if you watched the game, but I watched closely at every second from start to finish and they looked awful. Entirely. I don’t care that they came back, Pargo sucks and so do the bulls.