Post by 76erskyd on Jun 14, 2007 2:39:28 GMT
1. ▲1
DETROIT PISTONS ~ 15-2
As the NBA’s best team Detroit is proving that you don’t have to make big moves to win games. At 15-2 the Pistons are one of the NBA’s only teams to have made a total of 0 transactions this year. Detroit has become the greatest force in the NBA and with an average of 4 players in double figures every game shouldn’t cease to be such.
2. ▼1
PHOENIX SUNS ~ 13-3
Despite the end of the Suns 9 game winning streak Phoenix has remained one of the NBA’s greatest teams. The trade of NBA superstar Shawn Marion for Andre Kirelenko and sophomore C Andrew Bogut may prove to be a negative move this year, but the new Phoenix line-up hasn’t stumbled that much yet.
3. ▲8
TORONTO RAPTORS ~ 12-6
Four straight wins has brought Toronto to within ½ a game of the NBA’s 3rd best record. Although Toronto has not claimed control of the Atlantic Division their recent success has shown their ability to gain that title. Toronto has traded some future projects like Andrea Bargnani and Joey Graham for more polished players like Shane Battier and Donny Marshall and this decision has clearly brought Toronto immediate results.
4. ▲3
HOUSTON ROCKETS ~ 11-5
At 11-5 Houston has become the third best team in the Western Conference. Despite falling from their 6-1 start to the season they have been rolling lately, winning their last three games. Despite lacking play from Tracy McGrady, Yao Ming has dominated the NBA with a lethal combination of offense and defense; also Andrea Bargnani has been putting up strong numbers as a rookie starter. Houston has taken a strong lead on the Southwest Division and is currently the only Southwest Division team with a n active win streak. Unlike the preceding members of the Power Ranking, Houston has made a total of 5 trades this season.
5. ▼2
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS ~ 12-5
Despite remaining the third best teams in the NBA the Cavs have failed to make a big late November run like Houston and Toronto. Cleveland is trapped in the NBA’s most destructive division and has failed to put a dent in Detroit’s dominance of their powerful division rivals. Although Cleveland is one of the NBA’s best teams it will take more than a strong start to the season to win in the NBA and Cleveland’s fall in the Power Ranking is indicative of that.
6. ▼1
NEW JERSEY NETS ~ 11-4
New Jersey’s fall of one slot in this Power Ranking is not based on any personal failure, but rather this team’s lack of making a run. New Jersey has gone 2-1 since the last Power Ranking, but is very close to loosing the Atlantic Division title to Toronto. Since the last Power Ranking, New Jersey made the major trade of Vince Carter, Marcus Williams and Filler for Gerald Wallace, Raymond Felton and Filler; but this deal has not yet had the intended results. Maybe once their new players adjust to their new home the Nets will start to make a run, but for now they will have to settle with being #^ in this Power Ranking.
7. ▼1
CHICAGO BULLS ~ 11-5
Like Cleveland, Chicago has suffered from Central DivisionItis and has failed to get what really matters, control of a Division. Chicago’s star studded line-up appears indestructible, but Detroit will be the true test of that. Chicago has gone 2-1 since last week’s edition of Power Rank, but a showdown with Detroit or Cleveland will prove who deserves the Central Division title come March. Chicago is still in the process of making changes to their bench, and searching for the perfect Detroit-busting combination.
8. ▼4
ORLANDO MAGIC ~ 12-6
Going .500 since the last Power Rank didn’t help Orlando’s fight to remain in the top 10 teams, their records remaining strong did. Despite the return of Stevey Franchise to Florida not being as successful as the Orlando front office may have hoped this team has claimed control over their Division and has remained a force in the NBA.
9. ▲5
MIAMI HEAT ~ 10-6
Like Toronto, Miami has been raised up in this week’s Power Ranks due to a four game winning streak. Miami has not yet taken control of the Southeast Division from their Floridian brother but the Wade-Shaw combo is finally starting to mesh like it did last year. Miami has made major additions to their bench with the acquiring of Quentin Richardson, Bobby Jackson, and Vladimir Radmanovic from Los Angeles and should expect to see more games added to their current win streak
10.
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS ~ 10-6
The Clippers have managed to hold on to the 10th seat in Power Ranking by going 3-1 since last weeks edition. This teams play has been consistent, and has gotten better, what the Clippers really need to get ahead in the Power Rankings is more games. If the Clippers recent success continues than maybe they will start to move up rather than sitting as teams fall below them and others rise up to fill those spots. The Clippers decision to stick with the core of Elton Brand and Corey Maggette has proven smart as this team has proven that they can hold a spot in the NBA’s top 10.
11. ▼3
SAN ANTONIO SPURS ~ 9-8
San Antonio has slumped slightly; going 1-2 since the last Power Rank, but this team has barely remained over .500, and remained one of the Western Conferences top 5 teams. Despite strong play from young C Francisco Elson, San Antonio needs a much better level of bench production to move up in the Power Rank, this team is good now, but how long can a starting five maintain that?
12. ▼3
INDIANA PACERS ~ 10-8
Central DivisionItis strikes again! If not for the fact that Indiana was the fourth best team in their Division, Indiana would probably have been # 11 in this Power Ranking. Indiana went 2-2 since last weeks Power Rank. Even though this team is pretty good, if the season ended now Indiana would be 8th seed in the playoffs, not good considering that seeds track record. Indiana is not a bad team; they just wound up in a Division that has had a strong negative on their success. My advice for Indiana, swap places with Denver or Minnesota!
13.
UTAH JAZZ ~ 9-9
Utah is the perfect example of the Eastern domination of the West; they are the best team in the Northwestern Division, a division that would likely loose the March Madness Tournament. Utah has had a decent run; in fact they went 3-1 since the last Power Ranking. Apparently trading away Carlos Boozer and Andre Kirelenko works, seeing as Mehmet Okur, Michael Redd, and Deron Williams have started to click and win games. What I don’t understand is, why when your team is starting to win why do you trade Okur and Redd! Best of luck to Utah, but I do expect to see this team fall in the next Power Rank as a result of the second set of core changes in Utah.
14. ▲4
SACRAMENTO KINGS ~ 8-7
I can explain in one sentence why Sacramento jumped from 18 to 14 in this week’s Power Ranking, they won more than one game over the last week! Sacramento went 2-1 since last week thanks to the solid production of Brad Miller and Mike Bibby, if this team wants to move into the top 10 they have to get more bench production and get more from Josh Childress. I feel that if this team had hung on to Ron Artest rather than trading him for a player I believe to be an underachiever, Josh Childress, they could be In the top 10 now, because apparently they can win games with this lineup.
15. ▼3
NEW ORLEANS HORNETS ~ 7-9
The Hornets are the first team in this week’s Power Ranking to have lost every game since last weeks Ranks. The Hornets have a strong line-up of apparent underachievers; Tyson Chandler should not be the number 2 scoring option when Desmond Mason, Devin Harris, Devin Brown, and Jerry Stackhouse also grace the roster with their presence. If the Hornets want to move up in the Power Rankings they have to beat some production out of everyone they acquire this year and take some of the scoring weight off of Chris Paul, Tyson Chandler, and David West.
16. ▲7
DENVER NUGGETS ~ 6-9
You know you’re in the NBA’s worst division when this record has you tied for 2nd place. Denver’s rise from 4-8 to 6-9 is admirable, they obviously were tired of being at the bottom, but they just need to get a few more wins and continue their +.500 streak to keep going up. What I don’t understand is how a team with Jason Terry as 6th man was so bad, if Desegana Diop can play a little more Offense and this team splits their minutes more evenly I expect a mid-season playoff run.
17. ▲5
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES ~ 6-9
As the team tied with Denver for second place in the Northwestern Division the deciding factor between these two teams slots was literally one game. The Timberwolves are starting to adjust to life without Kevin Garnett, but again, with no 1st Round Picks over the next two years this team will have to rely on the youth they already have. So far, the Wolves seem capable of some jumps up in the league, but can they win in the future with impaired ability to rebuild with rookies?
18. ▲1
CHARLOTTE BOBCATS ~ 7-10
The reason the Bobcats didn’t overtake the Nuggets and Timberwolves in this week’s Power Ranking is because this team went 1-3 since the last Power Ranking. Once Vince Carter can adjust to life in Charlotte and Marcus Williams can fill Raymond Felton’s shoes this team can start to win games. I’m not sure I agree with shaking up the guards so heavily, but that’s not really my business.
19. ▲10
MILWAUKEE BUCKS ~ 6-10
The Bucks jump up of 10 slots in the Power Ranking is based solely on the fact that they went 2-1 since last week and have managed to survive as the weaker little brother of the other four members of the Central Division. The Bucks at first appeared interested in Defensive upgrades but with the addition of star Shawn Marion seem apparent of winner upgrades. Although I don’t completely agree with moving young C Andrew Bogut, I do agree that Shawn Marion is the kind of player that is worth loosing one of two young bigmen over. This team can win games, but how many?
20. ▲5
PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS ~ 7-11
As the streak of teams that move up in Power Ranking continues (the last 5 teams) so does the winning. Like the Bucks, the Blazers went 2-1 since last week and have started to win games. I actually liked the addition of Ben Gordon, however I’m pretty sure Kobe knows how to fill his shoes. Honestly, I have no idea how this team’s future will be, that totally depends of Kobe Bryant’s play and happiness.
21. ▼1
WASHINGTON WIZARDS ~ 6-10
All good things must come to an end, and this marks the end of the moving up streak. The Wizards did go 2-1 since last week, and despite being tied with the Bucks I don’t understand this team’s record. They started the season with a good player in Gilbert Arenas and a good second option in Caron Butler. I love the idea of moving Antwan Jamison for Al Harrington and Andris Biedrins, Washington gets a much more definitional PF and a great young C project. The only reason Washington didn’t extend the streak is because they confuse me with the linkage of their roster and their record.
22. ▲5
NEW YORK KNICKS ~ 7-12
I feel that this team is doing more to change. The Knicks went 2-2 since last week, but have had a front office that has worked diligently to fix the NBA’s worst cap hell in recent memory without completely bombing their team. Obviously this has worked seeing as the Knicks have avoided reaching the dreaded 30th position and simultaneously attempted to get a number of 07 Draft Picks.
23. ▼7
SEATTLE SUPERSONICS ~ 7-11
Here’s Seattle! I was wondering where they went. The Sonics were doing pretty well last week, but the only reason they didn’t fall further this week is because they won a game. Seattle has disappointed me with their moves so far. They weren’t and great team last year and doing nothing is not the right way to go about winning more games, especially with Sear Sene as your first round pick. I like the idea of adding Michael Redd, but this team needs a superstar, and with the moving of Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, and Shawn Marion this year (WOW!!!) I don’t understand how this team didn’t jump on one of them. I believe they have the pieces to add a great player and haven’t been aggressive enough on the trade market.
24. ▼9
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES ~ 6-10
Some GM’s may ask what makes Memphis 6-10 different from Milwaukee’s 6-10, that would be wins. Memphis was 6-7 last year and lost three straight games. Memphis brought in Carlos Boozer and Devon George but has really scrambled their roster to a point where I don’t care to figure out the amount of change. This is an improvement on what could have happened to this team, but I just think that this team needs to stop making so many blockbusters and stop moving the same players in them, find a roster and stick with it!
25. ▼1
ATLANTA HAWKS ~ 5-10
In recent weeks Atlanta has found the base for a team, they made some moves and moved the products of those moves but this team made a good choice in sticking with Joe Johnson. They moved Josh Smith, dunks, and Childress, hair, and picked up Jamal Tinsley, Dikembe Mutombo, David Wesley, Al Jefferson, and Ron Artest. That is a strong core that can work now and work in 2 years. This team hasn’t won much because they had a bad roster to fix up and did that. I have nothing more to say about this team.
26. ▲4
LOS ANGELES LAKERS ~ 5-11
Some people may care to point out that the Lakers have one of the leagues worst records, I would like to point out that I don’t care. The Lakers started the season with one of the worst managements in the league; they gave up Bynum and Odom for Peja and Bobby Jackson. Then the new management came along. This team was literally forced into semi-rebuilding mode by bad management. The new management made a great trade of Kobe Bryant for Zach Randolph, Ben Gordon, and LaMarcus Aldridge. That is a great core to compliment rookie Rudy Gay, Jamal Crawford, and Quentin Richardson. I think LA should seek out a new big name player (not quite a Kobe). Honestly, I can overlook the record in this case, I have no complaints about the new management of this team. By the way they went 1-2 since last week.
27. ▼10
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS ~ 6-11
Run and gun everything does not win titles. This is a decent team, but I don’t totally love the moves to add offensive bigmen Antwan Jamison and Pau Gasol. I don’t love Peja Stojakavic. Whoever said that defense wins championships forgot that defense wins games too. ‘Nuff said.
28.
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
We have now reached the Eastern equivalent of the Northwestern Division, the Atlantic Division. Even though I don’t completely agree with the decision to trade away Kyle Korver and Andre Iguodala even I can’t argue with the impressive performance of Ike Diogu over the last two games, Jason Richardson just needs to adjust to Philly. Maybe the 76ers will move up, maybe not, all I know is that this team is in rebuilding mode and is showing the first components of an entire new 76ers team.
29. ▼8
BOSTON CELTICS ~ 4-12
As much as I hate to bash the boss I can’t argue with a record of 4-12 and 4 straight losses. I like the Celtics decision to get rid of Sebastian Telfair, and to bring on Josh Smith. There’s not much I can say, this is a team working with a bad roster, there trying to move forward and I think they can.
30. ▼3
DALLAS MAVERICKS ~ 5-12
Here it is, the infamous 30th spot in the Power Rank. Dallas is not the worst team in the NBA right now, but they are the most confused. They have traded away Jason Terry, Carlos Boozer, Stackhouse, Devin Harris, Desagana Diop and added, Marcus Camby, Lamar Odom, and Baron Davis. Why? I don’t quite understand what this team wants to do, what kind of players they want and what direction they’re going in. I think that Dallas’ poor record reflects the confusion in the Front Office, but that’s just my opinion.
DETROIT PISTONS ~ 15-2
As the NBA’s best team Detroit is proving that you don’t have to make big moves to win games. At 15-2 the Pistons are one of the NBA’s only teams to have made a total of 0 transactions this year. Detroit has become the greatest force in the NBA and with an average of 4 players in double figures every game shouldn’t cease to be such.
2. ▼1
PHOENIX SUNS ~ 13-3
Despite the end of the Suns 9 game winning streak Phoenix has remained one of the NBA’s greatest teams. The trade of NBA superstar Shawn Marion for Andre Kirelenko and sophomore C Andrew Bogut may prove to be a negative move this year, but the new Phoenix line-up hasn’t stumbled that much yet.
3. ▲8
TORONTO RAPTORS ~ 12-6
Four straight wins has brought Toronto to within ½ a game of the NBA’s 3rd best record. Although Toronto has not claimed control of the Atlantic Division their recent success has shown their ability to gain that title. Toronto has traded some future projects like Andrea Bargnani and Joey Graham for more polished players like Shane Battier and Donny Marshall and this decision has clearly brought Toronto immediate results.
4. ▲3
HOUSTON ROCKETS ~ 11-5
At 11-5 Houston has become the third best team in the Western Conference. Despite falling from their 6-1 start to the season they have been rolling lately, winning their last three games. Despite lacking play from Tracy McGrady, Yao Ming has dominated the NBA with a lethal combination of offense and defense; also Andrea Bargnani has been putting up strong numbers as a rookie starter. Houston has taken a strong lead on the Southwest Division and is currently the only Southwest Division team with a n active win streak. Unlike the preceding members of the Power Ranking, Houston has made a total of 5 trades this season.
5. ▼2
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS ~ 12-5
Despite remaining the third best teams in the NBA the Cavs have failed to make a big late November run like Houston and Toronto. Cleveland is trapped in the NBA’s most destructive division and has failed to put a dent in Detroit’s dominance of their powerful division rivals. Although Cleveland is one of the NBA’s best teams it will take more than a strong start to the season to win in the NBA and Cleveland’s fall in the Power Ranking is indicative of that.
6. ▼1
NEW JERSEY NETS ~ 11-4
New Jersey’s fall of one slot in this Power Ranking is not based on any personal failure, but rather this team’s lack of making a run. New Jersey has gone 2-1 since the last Power Ranking, but is very close to loosing the Atlantic Division title to Toronto. Since the last Power Ranking, New Jersey made the major trade of Vince Carter, Marcus Williams and Filler for Gerald Wallace, Raymond Felton and Filler; but this deal has not yet had the intended results. Maybe once their new players adjust to their new home the Nets will start to make a run, but for now they will have to settle with being #^ in this Power Ranking.
7. ▼1
CHICAGO BULLS ~ 11-5
Like Cleveland, Chicago has suffered from Central DivisionItis and has failed to get what really matters, control of a Division. Chicago’s star studded line-up appears indestructible, but Detroit will be the true test of that. Chicago has gone 2-1 since last week’s edition of Power Rank, but a showdown with Detroit or Cleveland will prove who deserves the Central Division title come March. Chicago is still in the process of making changes to their bench, and searching for the perfect Detroit-busting combination.
8. ▼4
ORLANDO MAGIC ~ 12-6
Going .500 since the last Power Rank didn’t help Orlando’s fight to remain in the top 10 teams, their records remaining strong did. Despite the return of Stevey Franchise to Florida not being as successful as the Orlando front office may have hoped this team has claimed control over their Division and has remained a force in the NBA.
9. ▲5
MIAMI HEAT ~ 10-6
Like Toronto, Miami has been raised up in this week’s Power Ranks due to a four game winning streak. Miami has not yet taken control of the Southeast Division from their Floridian brother but the Wade-Shaw combo is finally starting to mesh like it did last year. Miami has made major additions to their bench with the acquiring of Quentin Richardson, Bobby Jackson, and Vladimir Radmanovic from Los Angeles and should expect to see more games added to their current win streak
10.
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS ~ 10-6
The Clippers have managed to hold on to the 10th seat in Power Ranking by going 3-1 since last weeks edition. This teams play has been consistent, and has gotten better, what the Clippers really need to get ahead in the Power Rankings is more games. If the Clippers recent success continues than maybe they will start to move up rather than sitting as teams fall below them and others rise up to fill those spots. The Clippers decision to stick with the core of Elton Brand and Corey Maggette has proven smart as this team has proven that they can hold a spot in the NBA’s top 10.
11. ▼3
SAN ANTONIO SPURS ~ 9-8
San Antonio has slumped slightly; going 1-2 since the last Power Rank, but this team has barely remained over .500, and remained one of the Western Conferences top 5 teams. Despite strong play from young C Francisco Elson, San Antonio needs a much better level of bench production to move up in the Power Rank, this team is good now, but how long can a starting five maintain that?
12. ▼3
INDIANA PACERS ~ 10-8
Central DivisionItis strikes again! If not for the fact that Indiana was the fourth best team in their Division, Indiana would probably have been # 11 in this Power Ranking. Indiana went 2-2 since last weeks Power Rank. Even though this team is pretty good, if the season ended now Indiana would be 8th seed in the playoffs, not good considering that seeds track record. Indiana is not a bad team; they just wound up in a Division that has had a strong negative on their success. My advice for Indiana, swap places with Denver or Minnesota!
13.
UTAH JAZZ ~ 9-9
Utah is the perfect example of the Eastern domination of the West; they are the best team in the Northwestern Division, a division that would likely loose the March Madness Tournament. Utah has had a decent run; in fact they went 3-1 since the last Power Ranking. Apparently trading away Carlos Boozer and Andre Kirelenko works, seeing as Mehmet Okur, Michael Redd, and Deron Williams have started to click and win games. What I don’t understand is, why when your team is starting to win why do you trade Okur and Redd! Best of luck to Utah, but I do expect to see this team fall in the next Power Rank as a result of the second set of core changes in Utah.
14. ▲4
SACRAMENTO KINGS ~ 8-7
I can explain in one sentence why Sacramento jumped from 18 to 14 in this week’s Power Ranking, they won more than one game over the last week! Sacramento went 2-1 since last week thanks to the solid production of Brad Miller and Mike Bibby, if this team wants to move into the top 10 they have to get more bench production and get more from Josh Childress. I feel that if this team had hung on to Ron Artest rather than trading him for a player I believe to be an underachiever, Josh Childress, they could be In the top 10 now, because apparently they can win games with this lineup.
15. ▼3
NEW ORLEANS HORNETS ~ 7-9
The Hornets are the first team in this week’s Power Ranking to have lost every game since last weeks Ranks. The Hornets have a strong line-up of apparent underachievers; Tyson Chandler should not be the number 2 scoring option when Desmond Mason, Devin Harris, Devin Brown, and Jerry Stackhouse also grace the roster with their presence. If the Hornets want to move up in the Power Rankings they have to beat some production out of everyone they acquire this year and take some of the scoring weight off of Chris Paul, Tyson Chandler, and David West.
16. ▲7
DENVER NUGGETS ~ 6-9
You know you’re in the NBA’s worst division when this record has you tied for 2nd place. Denver’s rise from 4-8 to 6-9 is admirable, they obviously were tired of being at the bottom, but they just need to get a few more wins and continue their +.500 streak to keep going up. What I don’t understand is how a team with Jason Terry as 6th man was so bad, if Desegana Diop can play a little more Offense and this team splits their minutes more evenly I expect a mid-season playoff run.
17. ▲5
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES ~ 6-9
As the team tied with Denver for second place in the Northwestern Division the deciding factor between these two teams slots was literally one game. The Timberwolves are starting to adjust to life without Kevin Garnett, but again, with no 1st Round Picks over the next two years this team will have to rely on the youth they already have. So far, the Wolves seem capable of some jumps up in the league, but can they win in the future with impaired ability to rebuild with rookies?
18. ▲1
CHARLOTTE BOBCATS ~ 7-10
The reason the Bobcats didn’t overtake the Nuggets and Timberwolves in this week’s Power Ranking is because this team went 1-3 since the last Power Ranking. Once Vince Carter can adjust to life in Charlotte and Marcus Williams can fill Raymond Felton’s shoes this team can start to win games. I’m not sure I agree with shaking up the guards so heavily, but that’s not really my business.
19. ▲10
MILWAUKEE BUCKS ~ 6-10
The Bucks jump up of 10 slots in the Power Ranking is based solely on the fact that they went 2-1 since last week and have managed to survive as the weaker little brother of the other four members of the Central Division. The Bucks at first appeared interested in Defensive upgrades but with the addition of star Shawn Marion seem apparent of winner upgrades. Although I don’t completely agree with moving young C Andrew Bogut, I do agree that Shawn Marion is the kind of player that is worth loosing one of two young bigmen over. This team can win games, but how many?
20. ▲5
PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS ~ 7-11
As the streak of teams that move up in Power Ranking continues (the last 5 teams) so does the winning. Like the Bucks, the Blazers went 2-1 since last week and have started to win games. I actually liked the addition of Ben Gordon, however I’m pretty sure Kobe knows how to fill his shoes. Honestly, I have no idea how this team’s future will be, that totally depends of Kobe Bryant’s play and happiness.
21. ▼1
WASHINGTON WIZARDS ~ 6-10
All good things must come to an end, and this marks the end of the moving up streak. The Wizards did go 2-1 since last week, and despite being tied with the Bucks I don’t understand this team’s record. They started the season with a good player in Gilbert Arenas and a good second option in Caron Butler. I love the idea of moving Antwan Jamison for Al Harrington and Andris Biedrins, Washington gets a much more definitional PF and a great young C project. The only reason Washington didn’t extend the streak is because they confuse me with the linkage of their roster and their record.
22. ▲5
NEW YORK KNICKS ~ 7-12
I feel that this team is doing more to change. The Knicks went 2-2 since last week, but have had a front office that has worked diligently to fix the NBA’s worst cap hell in recent memory without completely bombing their team. Obviously this has worked seeing as the Knicks have avoided reaching the dreaded 30th position and simultaneously attempted to get a number of 07 Draft Picks.
23. ▼7
SEATTLE SUPERSONICS ~ 7-11
Here’s Seattle! I was wondering where they went. The Sonics were doing pretty well last week, but the only reason they didn’t fall further this week is because they won a game. Seattle has disappointed me with their moves so far. They weren’t and great team last year and doing nothing is not the right way to go about winning more games, especially with Sear Sene as your first round pick. I like the idea of adding Michael Redd, but this team needs a superstar, and with the moving of Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, and Shawn Marion this year (WOW!!!) I don’t understand how this team didn’t jump on one of them. I believe they have the pieces to add a great player and haven’t been aggressive enough on the trade market.
24. ▼9
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES ~ 6-10
Some GM’s may ask what makes Memphis 6-10 different from Milwaukee’s 6-10, that would be wins. Memphis was 6-7 last year and lost three straight games. Memphis brought in Carlos Boozer and Devon George but has really scrambled their roster to a point where I don’t care to figure out the amount of change. This is an improvement on what could have happened to this team, but I just think that this team needs to stop making so many blockbusters and stop moving the same players in them, find a roster and stick with it!
25. ▼1
ATLANTA HAWKS ~ 5-10
In recent weeks Atlanta has found the base for a team, they made some moves and moved the products of those moves but this team made a good choice in sticking with Joe Johnson. They moved Josh Smith, dunks, and Childress, hair, and picked up Jamal Tinsley, Dikembe Mutombo, David Wesley, Al Jefferson, and Ron Artest. That is a strong core that can work now and work in 2 years. This team hasn’t won much because they had a bad roster to fix up and did that. I have nothing more to say about this team.
26. ▲4
LOS ANGELES LAKERS ~ 5-11
Some people may care to point out that the Lakers have one of the leagues worst records, I would like to point out that I don’t care. The Lakers started the season with one of the worst managements in the league; they gave up Bynum and Odom for Peja and Bobby Jackson. Then the new management came along. This team was literally forced into semi-rebuilding mode by bad management. The new management made a great trade of Kobe Bryant for Zach Randolph, Ben Gordon, and LaMarcus Aldridge. That is a great core to compliment rookie Rudy Gay, Jamal Crawford, and Quentin Richardson. I think LA should seek out a new big name player (not quite a Kobe). Honestly, I can overlook the record in this case, I have no complaints about the new management of this team. By the way they went 1-2 since last week.
27. ▼10
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS ~ 6-11
Run and gun everything does not win titles. This is a decent team, but I don’t totally love the moves to add offensive bigmen Antwan Jamison and Pau Gasol. I don’t love Peja Stojakavic. Whoever said that defense wins championships forgot that defense wins games too. ‘Nuff said.
28.
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
We have now reached the Eastern equivalent of the Northwestern Division, the Atlantic Division. Even though I don’t completely agree with the decision to trade away Kyle Korver and Andre Iguodala even I can’t argue with the impressive performance of Ike Diogu over the last two games, Jason Richardson just needs to adjust to Philly. Maybe the 76ers will move up, maybe not, all I know is that this team is in rebuilding mode and is showing the first components of an entire new 76ers team.
29. ▼8
BOSTON CELTICS ~ 4-12
As much as I hate to bash the boss I can’t argue with a record of 4-12 and 4 straight losses. I like the Celtics decision to get rid of Sebastian Telfair, and to bring on Josh Smith. There’s not much I can say, this is a team working with a bad roster, there trying to move forward and I think they can.
30. ▼3
DALLAS MAVERICKS ~ 5-12
Here it is, the infamous 30th spot in the Power Rank. Dallas is not the worst team in the NBA right now, but they are the most confused. They have traded away Jason Terry, Carlos Boozer, Stackhouse, Devin Harris, Desagana Diop and added, Marcus Camby, Lamar Odom, and Baron Davis. Why? I don’t quite understand what this team wants to do, what kind of players they want and what direction they’re going in. I think that Dallas’ poor record reflects the confusion in the Front Office, but that’s just my opinion.