The Mavericks retain the top spot but the Suns are right there waiting to leapfrog them to the top. The Lakers win four straight despite playing through significant injuries. The Spurs slump unexpectedly while the Rockets hold their own with Yao Ming. Where the rankings get tricky is at the top of the Eastern Conference where the separation between the Pistons, Wizards, Bulls and Magic is hard to quantify. The Cavs and Magic overcome difficult stretches to have perfect weeks. The scorching hot Bulls lose two of three but then wax the Pistons. Give it a week or two and the pecking order in the East will become more evident.
| 1 |
Dallas Mavericks
(27-8)
[last week #1 (24-7)] |
The Mavericks may have lost on Sunday to the Lakers, but they’re still the best team in the NBA by two wins. It’s amazing that the Mavericks barely gained any space over the Phoenix Suns despite the win streak. Up next for the Mavericks, a visit to the Utah Jazz. Could Dallas be looking at a losing streak? |
| 2 |
Phoenix Suns
(25-8)
[last week #2 (21-8)] |
Phoenix keeps on winning. With losses to the Wizards and Mavericks in late December, the Suns have now won 22 of the last 24. Steve Nash tells local media that he’ll probably start licking his hands again now that the league has gone back to the old ball. Gross, but apparently effective. |
| 3 |
Los Angeles Lakers
(23-11)
[last week #6 (20-11)] |
LA ends the Mavericks 13-game win streak despite playing without Lamar Odom and Kwame Brown. The Lakers are just a single win behind the Spurs and one full game behind the Jazz. Did anyone expect Luke Walton to ever play this well? They’re 8-5 since Odom went down and 3-0 without Brown. Maybe it’s time to give GM Mitch Kupchak a little credit for putting together a relatively deep squad. |
| 4 |
Utah Jazz
(24-10)
[last week #4 (22-9)] |
There’s no real denying at this point that Andrei Kirilenko is having a down year. Last season he averaged 15.3 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 4.3 apg and 3.2 bpg. His numbers are down across the board at 9.2 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 3.7 apg and 2.5 bpg. If his stats are a sacrifice to the team cause, then so be it. It just seems like there’s something more going on that hasn’t reached the boiling point yet. |
| 5 |
San Antonio Spurs
(24-11)
[last week #3 (23-8)] |
The Spurs had a tough week losing three before taking the Grizzlies on the road. Local reports suggest the Spurs are looking to add some athleticism to help them come playoff time. It’s not clear if the Clippers are interested, but San Antonio apparently has designs on Corey Maggette. For any other team the fourth best record in the NBA would be considered a good start . . . |
| 6 |
Houston Rockets
(21-13)
[last week #8 (19-12)] |
The Rockets have been winning without Yao, but the schedule played a part in that. The first game on the road trip didn’t end well in overtime against the Wolves. This week they have visits to Chicago, Denver and Sacramento. In between they’ll host the Lakers on Wednesday. The Rockets are still very close to being among the top teams in the West but also within striking distance of bubble teams like the Warriors and Kings. |
| 7 |
Detroit Pistons
(19-12)
[last week #7 (18-11)] |
Considering the Pistons are playing without Billups, it’s no wonder they’ve tailed off a bit. Time to pick it up a notch, with a four-game stretch of beatable teams. Flip Murray hasn’t been consistent, struggling in the loss to Chicago with just two points in 30 minutes (1-9 from the field). Backing him up is Will Blalock who went scoreless against the Bulls, missed all three of his shots. The pair combined for four assists with four turnovers . . . |
| 8 |
Washington Wizards
(19-14)
[last week #9 (17-13)] |
As dominant as the Wizards are at home (13-3), they’re not a particularly good road team (6-11). They’ve won some big ones (Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns), but their most recent loss in Toronto was a minor letdown. The Wednesday night match up at home against the Bulls could be a playoff preview. |
| 9 |
Chicago Bulls
(20-14)
[last week #5 (19-12)] |
Tough, tough loss to the Suns. After a let-down on the road to the struggling Nets, a loss to the Chauncey Billups-less Pistons at home Saturday would have been a major drop in momentum. Instead, Chicago managed to salvage the week with a solid win. The next three should be challenging (Houston, a visit to Washington then back home hosting New Jersey). |
| 10 |
Orlando Magic
(21-14)
[last week #11 (18-14)] |
Orlando took advantage of a light week to improve to 14-6 at home. The Magic will take it on the road in what should be a challenging trip: the Warriors, Lakers and Suns over a three day span. At just 7-8 in away game, this week would be the ideal time to reestablish their early season dominance. |
| 11 |
Cleveland Cavaliers
(21-12)
[last week #12 (17-12)] |
The Cavaliers are finally showing signs of life, winning four games in five nights. They needed a strong start considering the next seven are on the road. After an unimpressive December, Cleveland can make a serious statement this week with wins over the Kings, Suns and Clippers. |
| 12 |
Minnesota Timberwolves
(17-15)
[last week #16 (13-15)] |
Minnesota is on a legitimate run. They’ve won four straight including two against the Spurs and Rockets. That could extend to seven if beat the struggling Clippers, Grizzlies and Nets. If the Rockets can continue to play well without Yao Ming, the top six playoff seeds in the West seem secure . . . but Minnesota has a very good chance to take one of the final two spots. |
| 13 |
Indiana Pacers
(18-16)
[last week #13 (17-15)] |
Jermaine O’Neal finally vents to the media. He didn’t demand a trade, but it’s clear he’s not happy playing for a mediocre team. The Pacers aren’t bad, but the writing is on the wall . . . they peaked a few seasons ago. O’Neal still has three more years left on his contract after this campaign at over $20 million per. Though a mid-season trade does not seem likely, he could moved over the summer . . . especially if the post-season is predictably brief. |
| 14 |
Golden State Warriors
(18-18)
[last week #15 (16-16)] |
The Warriors are a slightly better version of the Clippers. They win at home and fall apart on the road. Monta Ellis is back from injury which helps, but the Warriors are going to have to pick it up a notch if they want to sneak into the playoffs. With the Wolves on the rise and the Nuggets likely to turn it around once Carmelo Anthony returns from injury, Golden State could once again be left on the outside come April. |
| 15 |
Denver Nuggets
(16-15)
[last week #10 (16-12)] |
When the Nuggets are at full strength and can turn to the tiny lineup of Allen Iverson and Earl Boykins, they’ll cause teams some serious problems. Having to rely on that right now, night after night just isn’t working. The role players Denver is forced to turn to aren’t ready for starring roles (Yakhouba Diawara, DerMarr Johnson, Julius Hodge and Linas Kleiza). It’ll be very interesting to see how it all finally does fit together once the suspensions have expired. |
| 16 |
Milwaukee Bucks
(16-17)
[last week #14 (16-15)] |
After a nice run the Bucks had a rough week against tough competition (Wizards and Cavaliers). This week they’ve got a light schedule (Nuggets, Raptors, Sixers and Hornets). The goal for the Bucks is to climb to the fifth seed. The Atlantic Division winner likely be an under .500 fourth seed which mean home-court advantage for the Bucks (though they have a long way to go to catch Orlando, Chicago and Indiana). |
| 17 |
Toronto Raptors
(15-19)
[last week #19 (13-18)] |
Chris Bosh is back and Toronto looks poised to establish themselves as the best team in the sorry Atlantic Division. They can take a 2-1 series lead over the Nets if they win in Jersey on Tuesday. Bryan Colangelo has put an interesting team together in just one summer. They may not be a major force but the Raptors are winning at a 44.1% clip, which is an improvement over last year’s 27 win season (32.9%). |
| 18 |
Sacramento Kings
(14-17)
[last week #18 (13-15)] |
The Kings seemed to put the trade rumors behind them (Ron Artest, Mike Bibby, etc), but then coughed up a game they fought so hard to get back into (Lakers). Two nights later they blow a lead to the Blazers and once again get waxed in overtime. Sacramento isn’t bad enough for the team to pull the plug, but also not quite good enough yet to make a playoff run. They’re only a couple of games behind the Nuggets and Wolves, but nine of the next 13 are on the road. |
| 19 |
Miami Heat
(14-19)
[last week #20 (13-17)] |
Coach Patrick Riley is out (for now). Interim Coach Ron Rothstein is in. Dwyane Wade is back from the wrist injury but suspended forwards James Posey and Antoine Walker are still trying to get their body fat % down. Without Wade they were terrible but the Heat beat the Blazers in Portland on his return. The next four are on the road (Sonics, Warriors, Jazz and Lakers). Will the Heat regain their form when Shaquille O’Neal returns, allegedly on the 15th in LA? |
| 20 |
Los Angeles Clippers
(15-19)
[last week #17 (14-16)] |
After a nice stretch at home the Clippers have returned to their losing ways on the road. It’s understandable dropping one to the Wizards, but the Hawks? They’re simply not going to make the playoffs if they can only win outside of Staples at an 18.8% pace. The Vince Carter for Corey Maggette rumor hit the local stations, but to match salaries LA would have to include Cuttino Mobley. It seems a stretch Jersey would take on his deal (which doesn’t expire until 2009/10). |
| 21 |
New York Knicks
(15-21)
[last week #25 (13-20)] |
There’s no question Isiah Thomas is fighting for his job, the Knicks were clear about that from the start. What happened against the Nuggets in December was inexcusable, but coaching is an inexact science. If Thomas was at fault for the brawl but in the process got the attention of his team . . . who is to say he didn’t do the right thing? New York is 6-4 since the fight; before they were just 9-17. |
| 22 |
New Jersey Nets
(14-19)
[last week #21 (13-18)] |
For a moment the Nets were a playoff team but then they lost to the Cavs. Two Raptor wins in a row and Jersey is back on the outside looking in. Considering how badly they need a big man, should the Nets strive for the playoffs (without home court advantage in any round) or a lottery pick? This draft in particular is loaded with capable size. |
| 23 |
Portland Trail Blazers
(14-21)
[last week #22 (13-18)] |
The overtime win in Sacramento was impressive, but was that more about the Kings struggles than Portland starting to pull together? Losing to the Heat the next night on the second of a back-to-back is no shock. What’s going to be trickier are the next two . . . visits to San Antonio and Dallas back-to-back. |
| 24 |
Boston Celtics
(12-21)
[last week #26 (10-19)] |
Coach Doc Rivers tapped the injured Paul Pierce to be an unofficial assistant coach. That plan was quickly scrapped so Pierce could maintain his conditioning while out. Boston has started to figure out how to win now and again without their All-Star. Theo Ratliff has opted for back surgery and is likely done for the season. |
| 25 |
Seattle SuperSonics
(13-23)
[last week #23 (13-19)] |
The schedule was difficult and the Sonics went winless. It doesn’t improve much this week with a visit to Phoenix on tap. It’s becoming pretty obvious by now that Seattle is not a playoff team. Injuries have been the story but the ax could fall on Coach Bob Hill if the team doesn’t improve. It’s a shame to get judged when working with so little, but that’s the NBA. From the get go Seattle has been snake-bit, losing center Robert Swift before the season even started. |
| 26 |
New Orleans Hornets
(12-21)
[last week #24 (12-18)] |
The Hornets are another team that never had a chance. Hopefully Byron Scott won’t lose his job either while trying to navigate through the Western Conference with half a roster. Devin Brown was a nice free agent pickup. If the Hornets can get a nice lottery pick, next season they could be a very, very dangerous team . . . if healthy. |
| 27 |
Charlotte Bobcats
(9-23)
[last week #27 (9-21)] |
After finishing out 2006 with a bang, the Bobcats have started the year slowly with losses to the Wolves and Magic. With a little bit of time off, Charlotte has a winnable schedule after a visit to Detroit on Wednesday (Knicks, Sixers, Bucks, Nets, Hawks (twice) and Raptors . . . all under .500). Once again Gerald Wallace went down with injury (shoulder), but he isn’t expected to be gone long. |
| 28 |
Philadelphia 76ers
(9-24)
[last week #28 (8-22)] |
The Sixers got the nice revenge win over the Nuggets. They’re slightly better than before the Iverson trade, but sufficiently bad enough to earn a nice lottery pick (if earn is the proper term). Word is the team is happy with Andre Miller and the leadership that he brings to the floor. With a big chunk of his salary already paid in a front-loaded contract, he could very well be the Sixers’ starting point guard next season. |
| 29 |
Memphis Grizzlies
(8-27)
[last week #29 (7-25)] |
Apparently this Tony Barone character has made the Grizzlies’ season suddenly bearable for the team, despite the constant losing. Now that Memphis is no longer close to being sold, GM Jerry West is back on the phones. Sources say Pau Gasol and Mike Miller will not be traded by the deadline. No team has neither won more few nor lost more than the Grizzlies. |
| 30 |
Atlanta Hawks
(10-21)
[last week #30 (9-20)] |
Anyone notice that the Hawks falling apart coincided with Tyronn Lue going down with injury? Lue should be back soon and eventually Josh Smith. Atlanta is better than they’ve played, but obviously not as good as their hot start. Beating the Clippers finally ended the losing streak, but doesn’t say much considering how hard it is for LA to get any sort of win on the road. |
