TheHoopsForum Power Ranking
By Ron Campbell
3/09/2009
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The Richard Hamilton is back in the starting line up and Pistons are back on track, the Pistons are a contenders again, the Pistons are going to make a late playoff push, these are all things I heard this week after the Pistons won four games in a row, I wasn't duped like a customer at a used car lot, I knew the prices. February 27th Detroit got past Orlando who is without Jameer Nelson and for some strange reason the Pistons have Orlando's number so ok they win that game, I am not convinced they don't stink. March 1st the Pistons get past Boston very impressive win to the uninformed, Boston was without Kevin Garnett. I am not budging these guys stink. On March 3rd the Pistons get past a Carmelo Anthony-less Nuggets, frankly my dear I don't give a damn. The Golden state Warriors have made a commitment to youth and have reduced the playing time of the starters so the Pistons had to get past these guys and they did. March 7th Pistons lose 87 to 83 to Hawks a legitimate playoff contender who is not missing any core players. So don't think AI is he reason for the Pistons recent hot streak these were all games they should have won.
(2)1. LA Lakers (50-12)
The Lakers are in firm command of the West with an eight game lead over the San Antonio Spurs, the real thing to focus on at this point is whether the Suns will be able to get into the eighth seed for a Kobe vs. Shaq dream first round match-up.
(1)2. Cleveland (49-13)
I was shocked when the Cavs lost Friday to the Celtics but the Cavs are still number two in the rankings because Rajon Rondo ankle injury could have the Celtics finish behind the Cavs this season.
(4)3. Orlando (49-16)
Not a good look for Orlando to allow a Celtics team with Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo to comeback a nearly get the win.
(3)4. Boston (49-15)
What a terrible away from the ball foul called on Leon Powe in the final minute of the Celtics 86 to 79 loss to the Magic. It would have been a tremendous show of strength for the Celtics to get back to back wins over the Cavs and Magic.
(8)5. Utah (40-23)
The Jazz are the best team in the NBA right now they have won 11 games in a row and have regained control of the Northwest division. I am very excited to see how the Jazz do this week as they play their next four games on the road against the Pacers, Hawks, Heat and Magic.
(5)6. San Antonio (42-20)
Tony Parker-Longoria has carried the Spurs so far in March, he is averaging 25.4ppg and 6.8apg. Tim Duncan meanwhile has played dismissal in March, he is only averaging 14.6ppg and 9.6rpg well below his season averages of 20.2ppg and 10.6rpg.
(6)7. Houston (41-23)
We will know after this week how good the Rockets will be come playoff time, this week the Rockets play Nuggets, Lakers, surging Bobcats and the Spurs.
(9)8. New Orleans (39-22)
Since his awkward return to the New Orleans Hornets Tyson Chandler has had his best stretch of basketball this season averaging 11.0ppg and 10.9rpg in seven games.
(7)9. Denver (40-24)
Two weeks ago I would have told you these guys have a real shot at getting to the conference finals but the Nuggets have forgotten what it takes to win on the road, they are 0-6 in their last six road games.
(11)10. Portland (39-23)
The scary thing about the Greg Oden situation is that Sam Bowie actually had better numbers his rookie year then Greg Oden did. I hope Oden is able to reach his potential.
(10)11. Dallas (38-25)
Mark Cuban threatened to get rid of the whole team after a loss to the Thunder, the problem with the Mavs is that they do not have a leader Jason Kidd is too old and Dirk and the other players who are left from the team that made a championship run in 2006 are so scarred they will never recover.
(13)12. Atlanta (35-28)
The Hawks find themselves in quite a pickle losing six out of ten, they are in very real danger of losing home court advantage in the first round to the Miami Heat as they hold a slim game and a half lead for the fourth spot.
(14)13. Miami (33-29)
I can understand Dwayne Wade being upset about not really being in the MVP race despite a terrific season but don't take a shot at Kobe's MVP season. Wade felt Chris Paul of the Hornets was more deserving of the award.
(12)14. Phoenix (34-29)
The Suns have lost four games in a row and this has put Shaq in a very bad place as he took shots at Dwight Howard and exchanged cold words with former coach Stan Van Gundy.
(15)15. Detroit (31-30)
Despite everything that was said above the Pistons have a good chance to win all their games this week. They face the Magic, Knicks, Raptors and Grizzlies. Allen Iverson will be out another two weeks with a bad back and a severely bruised ego.
(16)16. Philadelphia (30-31)
The 76ers have lost three out of four but have a three game home stand this week before they go on a five game west coast trip.
(18)17. Chicago (29-34)
The Bulls have the eighth seed and despite my objections it is pretty safe too say Derrick Rose will win the Rookie of the Year Award his team has been way more successful then OJ Mayo's Grizzlies.
(17)18. Milwaukee (30-36)
The Bucks are a half game behind the Bulls in the race for the eighth spot and during this final stretch the Bucks don't have a prayer. It would take a monumental effort from Charlie Villaneuva and Ramon Sessions to get these guys in the playoffs.
(20)19. Charlotte (28-35)
Last week I said the Bobcats have an outside chance to make the playoffs and I am looking more right everyday, the Cats have won six games in a row and are only one game behind the Chicago Bulls for the eighth spot.
(19)20. New Jersey (28-35)
New Jersey has a very good chance to get the eighth seed as well; simply because they have Vince Carter who has kept his word and turned it up averaging 26ppg in the last three games.
(21)21. Indiana (28-37)
There is really no way around it Roy Hibbert and Brandon Rush are disappointments but they are not busts they have potential. Jim O'Brien isn't really patient with young players. Joe Johnson was traded under his watch.
(22)22. New York (25-37)
Danilo Gallinari has shown some promise lately scoring in double figures last week while displaying a lot of versatility. This kid could be a player in a few years.
(24)23. Golden State (21-42)
Monta Ellis may want out of Golden State most likely he is angry probably because he was disciplined for breaking his contract and he doesn't want to take responsibilities for his actions.
(23)24. Toronto (23-41)
Chris Bosh has expressed his displeasure about Shaquille O’Neal’s recent diss towards him even going as far as to say "I thought we were cool", Shaq said Bosh was Rupaul of power forwards Bosh would be better served directing his anger towards the Raps recent five game losing streak.
(28)25. Oklahoma City (17-46)
Oklahoma City has played too well and will not finish with one of the worst records good thing is the team with the worst record rarely ever gets the first pick in the NBA draft.
(27)26. Washington (14-49)
Commander and Chief Barack Obama needs to make more time in his busy schedule to attend Wizards games as his presence is the only thing that will inspire good play from this group. The Wizards have lost five in a row.
(30)27. Sacramento (14-49)
Andres Nocioni is only getting 18 minutes a game in Sacramento, I thought Nocioni would be viewed as the second at least third best player on the team, of figure.
(26)28. Memphis (16-46)
This season was just a complete disaster and Rudy Gay is already shaping up to be a support player for his career, not surprising he deferred to other players while at Connecticut and he is doing the same thing now in the NBA.
(25)29. Minnesota (18-44)
The Wolves have lost their last nine games in a row; time for the Wolves to start thinking about the draft and what this team will need to be competitive on a nightly basis. Wolves might consider packaging the pick and Mike Miller for a veteran who can help.
(29)30. LA Clippers (15-48)
After owner Donald Sterling called out his Clippers after a 106 to 78 loss to the Spurs the Clippers lost 118 to 95 to the Grizzlies they lost again on Saturday but only by one. Donald Sterling, Mike Dunleavy and Baron Davis are all awful just awful.
| Name | Comment |
| Stu Parker | wow. after reading this blog....You are spot on. I do not deny Kevin Garnett's ability as a player but HATE the BS stuff he does...All negative crap. |
| | This is a very unfair article. Garnett is an Olympic Gold Medalist, an MVP, an ALL STAR MVP, an ALL NBA member and an NBA Champion... you know how many current players can say that? 2 others (Shaq & Kobe) and they are all considered among the best players at their respected positions in the HISTORY of basketball. The same should be said for K.G. |
| | This is a very unfair article. Garnett is an Olympic Gold Medalist, an MVP, an ALL STAR MVP, an ALL NBA member and an NBA Champion... you know how many current players can say that? 2 others (Shaq & Kobe) and they are all considered among the best players at their respected positions in the HISTORY of basketball. The same should be said for K.G. |
| Ra | This is blasphemy. I hope a Celtics fan did not write this article. |
| KWAPT | How old is that clip of KG? C'mon..of course that was a punk move, but what was that, 10 years ago? It's simple: KG is a fierce competitor who uses intimiadation and mental toughness to strike fear in the heart of his opponents. If he is on your team, you LOVE him. If he is not, you may loathe him. But either way, he is a great player. You cannot deny that. |
| Alex | Wow, now we are going to call an Olympic Gold Medalist, an MVP, an ALL STAR MVP, an ALL NBA member, an NBA Champion, a player that has more 20-10-5 seasons than Larry Bird, Defender of the Year (2008 and most likely, this year) overrated? Hmm, right now I'm kind of smelling a bit of jealousy mixed with stupidity in this article. |
| Tweedster | This blog is poorly written, scattered and incoherent. Thankfully, someone else already tackled the inconsistencies and leaps of logic. Check it out hear:
http://celticshub.com/2009/10/22/did-you-hear-kg-is-overrated/ |
| Tweedster | Some actual statistics, and not just conjecture and strange conclusions based on the number of 'chips KG has.
http://www.celticstown.com/is-kevin-garnett-clutch.html |
| SP | ron campbell must love the Lakers. Or the Cav's. Or the Magic. but he doesn't know @$@@ about basketball! |
| Ed The Sports Fan | I'm sorry, there's no way in life Allen Iverson isn't in the starting 5, especially ahead of Nash. Give a damn about MVP's, Iverson's done more with much much MUCH less and totally revolutionized the game. Other than that, I think your decade team is cool.
-Ed. |
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