Power Rankings II
#1 – Boston Celtics
Yes, they are no longer undefeated and they struggled to beat a shorthanded Nets however they are still playing the best basketball of the NBA.
#2 – Phoenix Suns
During the season preview, I wrote that the Suns are the easiest team to predict that will blow our expectations and they are doing just that. The run and gun is back with the killer combination of Nash and Stoudmire who are returning to their old forms.
#3 – Los Angeles Lakers
Still without Gasol for the entire last week and now without Bynum, the Lakers struggled a little bit against the goods Thunder and Rockets and ran over who they should, the Grizzlies and the Hornets. Kobe’s performance throughout the week has been impressive.
#4 – Orlando Magic
Throughout last week, the Magic found their first two losses of the season against a banged up Pistons and against the young Thunder, both on the road. Off course they miss two of their top scorers, Rashard Lewis and Vince Carter, but what were surprising are the statements from both Stan Van Gundy and Dwight Howard who said some of them quit on those games.
#5 – Denver Nuggets
Tough schedule for the Nuggets this week, on a trip to the East Coast, they played four games on the road and found their first two losses, against the Heat and the Hawks on back to backs when they clearly seemed warn out.
#6 – Miami Heat
Their only loss was to the Suns on a game that Stoudmire went off. Wade is carrying them again this season and their early schedule has been favorable. On this pace, they are on their way to the playoffs.
#7 – Dallas Mavericks
Disappoint heartbreaking loss against the weak Hornets on a game when they didn’t show up to play their best basketball but had it on their hands late and let it slide. Good win against a good Raptors team at home.
#8 – Cleveland Cavaliers
It’s scary to see the Cavaliers against good teams, even at home this season. Off course they can run over the Knicks, but they can’t generate any offense from somebody else not named LeBron James when they face a decent playoff team. Shaq just doesn’t fit there.
#9 – Atlanta Hawks
They did allowed 103 points to a Bobcats team that simply can’t score but a huge win against the Blazers on the road worth the rise on the rankings.
#10 – Portland Trail Blazers
They did drop a game against a pretty good Hawks at home but wins against an upcoming Thunder and the aging Spurs worth the spot.
#11 – Houston Rockets
On a battle against the defending champions, Kobe Bryant was just too much for them and they lost however it was clear which team won on the swap. Ariza took them to overtime and was a fumble away of the win.
#12 – Chicago Bulls
Weird loss to the Heat at home but huge win against the Cavaliers on the road last week. They are the Miami Dolphins of the NBA, so many formations, variations and rotations, cool to watch.
#13 – Oklahoma City Thunder
Huge win against the Magic at home when they just run over them however Oklahoma City lost every other game of the week.
#14 – San Antonio Spurs
They look old and Parker is hurt already.
#15 – Philadelphia 76ers
They’re such a .500 team. This week they lost to the Celtics and the Pistons, who they should and beat the Nets who they also should.
#16 – Detroit Pistons
No Hamilton and no Prince last week but some way, somehow they stole a win against the Magic. They seem on the right way.
#17 – Washington Wizards
We can’t blame them for the tough losses this week. Washington miss Antwan Jamison and Mike Miller. Jamison is supposed to their third high scorer and Miller is such a nice option on the Wing that without those guys, their offense is just limited.
#18 – Toronto Raptors
They are on the same, lost for whom they supposed to and beat who they supposed to.
#19 – Charlotte Bobcats
They got their first wins of the season this week. As Raja Bell and Flip Murray came back, they won some outside shooting which helped them to beat inside out defenses like the Nets and the Hawks.
#20 – Utah Jazz
They are such a weird team. Utah showed up to play against an aging Spurs but dropped against the Jazz. Really?!!
#21 – New Orleans Hornets
This is the one, clear team that reached the playoffs last season and won’t make it this one. They quit on Byron Scott. Chris Paul is playing unbelievable games and they are still losing badly.
#22 – Milwaukee Bucks
They are who we thought they were: win at home, lose on the road.
#23 – Los Angeles Clippers
Kris Kaman was their MVP this week (something I thought I would never say in my life) as they started to twist their season.
#24 – Indiana Pacers
It was a better week to Larry Bird’s team but it is always a better week when you face the Knicks.
#25 – Minnesota Timberwolves
They are still bad and they miss Kevin Love a lot but at least they fight and you can’t ask for more than that. Two heartbreaking losses against teams that are way better than they are, Celtics and Clippers, made their week.
#26 – Sacramento Kings
Wow. On a week when Kevin Martin got hurt and Nocioni was arrested, the Kings beat the Grizzlies and the Warriors at home, shocked the Jazz in Utah and had a close game against the Hawks in Atlanta. Probably their best week in a while and they are now (wait for it, wait for it) 3-4! Sacramento won 42,9% of their games and now I’m on suicide watch.
#27 – Golden State Warriors
They are still a mess but a talented one and that’s what makes it frustrating.
#28 – Memphis Grizzlies
Where to begin? 5 games played this week, 5 games on the road, and 5 losses. Iverson debuted but came off the bench, was unhappy, went to the media and left before even played one single home game. It’s unsure if he’ll ever come back and even so, when.
#29 – New Jersey Nets
There’s no way to blame anybody for this slow start. The Nets lost four of their top scorers in one week, faced the Celtics with only eight healthy guys and still put up a decent fight. At least they are trying.
#30 – New York Knicks
They quit. How couldn’t they?
Check More At: MVN
Power Rankings I: http://basketballoutsider.wordpress.com/2009/11/01/power-rankings-i/
Rafael Uehara
Josh Dhani
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