A follow-up to the 2007 NBA Pre-Camp Power Rankings, here is the current power list as we approach the halfway point...
**In parentheses (pre-season rank, overall record, home record, road record, and record against teams in their respective conference)**
POISED FOR THE POSTSEASON...
1. Boston (#2, 30-5, 16-2, 14-3, 20-5 vs East): Why are the Celtics the best right now? They are tops in the NBA in points allowed per game, opponent FG%, and are beating opponents by a 12-point margin. And they recently went 4-0 on a West Coast road trip, temporarily silencing all critics.
2. Dallas (#6, 26-11, 17-3, 9-8, 17-5 vs West): The Mavs' recent 102-86 shellacking of Detroit and current seven-game win streak puts defensive minded Dallas ahead of the Pistons in the power rankings, for now. And Detroit has already lost twice to Chicago, whom Dallas defeated last month.
3. Detroit (#7, 28-9, 13-3, 15-6, 19-3 vs East): Still contending, the Pistons now feature a younger and deeper bench than in years' past. They're second in the league in points allowed per game, opponent FG%, and they lead the league with fewest turnovers per game. The key to their success thus far has been their overall balance and efficiency. Detroit wins on the road just as much as they do at home.
4. L.A. Lakers (#8, 24-11, 14-5, 10-6, 15-5 vs West): The Young Guns' ascent in the rankings is due to their ability to consistently beat the top teams in the West. The Killer B's (Bryant and Bynum) lead the way for the Lakers, considered by many as the deepest and most dangerous team in the NBA. L.A.'s well-balanced machine can score and play defense with the best of them. Case in point: #3 in the NBA in PPG and FG%, #4 in the NBA in opponent FG% and steals per game. And their average 7-point margin of victory is third in the league and tops in the mighty Western Conference.
5. Phoenix (#3, 26-11, 13-4, 13-7, 12-9 vs West) : Amid talk of discord, the Suns continue to remain competitive despite their serious lack of size, depth, rebounding, and defense. The most telling stat about Mike D'Antoni's bunch, however, is that they only feast on the east, where they are 14-2, but have lots of trouble against their western counterparts. Although they once again lead the league in scoring, they are still 28th in points allowed and 18th in opponent FG%. This is a disturbing trend for a team with serious talent, but one that also finds it difficult to keep up with opponents who possess that rare combination of size, athleticism, balance, and championship-caliber coaching. Against the top eight teams in the Western Conference, Phoenix is a paltry 2-6 while the Lakers, on the other hand, are 7-3 against the same competition.
6. San Antonio (#1, 24-11, 18-3, 6-8, 17-9 vs West): There is absolutely no reason to panic as the defending NBA champions have lost two in a row, gone 5-5 in their last 10, and are seemingly sliding. Why so? They are 20th in the league in opponent FG%, a defensive category they usually lead the NBA in. The reality is they are pacing. They go through this every year and despite talk of getting old, they remain third in the NBA in points allowed. It's the same old San Antonio Spurs come playoff time, when they'll be number one in most people's minds. For now, they are sixth because they lost to the Suns last month while playing without this year's team MVP Tony Parker.
7. New Orleans (#18, 24-12, 10-7, 14-5, 17-8 vs West): The Hornets should not be a surprise to people, only because we know that Byron Scott is their coach and Chris Paul is running the show. Coach Scott has instilled defense into this young nucleus and his players are responding much like the New Jersey Nets responded to his leadership on their way to the Finals earlier this decade. Now the key is... can they stay healthy, particularly veteran sharpshooter Peja Stojakovic?
8. Portland (#24, 22-13, 17-3, 5-10, 16-7 vs West) : It appears the Blazermaniacs have resurfaced. The red-hot Blazers have won 17 of their last 18 games and along the way defeated Utah three times, Denver twice, Golden State twice, New Orleans, Toronto, and appear headed for the playoffs without Greg Oden. And imagine if Oden comes back this season. Btw, Brandon Roy is the real deal and so is Coach Nate McMillan, who is my midseason Coach of the Year.
9. Denver (#11, 22-13, 15-5, 7-8, 13-10 vs West) : The Nuggets' dynamic duo of Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson keeps them in games offensively and their team defense isn't too shabby either (first in the league in steals per game and eighth in opponent FG%). However they are extremely thin at center, and their lack of depth at the point guard position could spell doom for the Nuggets come playoff time, where they will try to compete against the likes of Steve Nash, Tony Parker, Baron Davis, Chris Paul, Deron Williams, and Derek Fisher. That is not a very good sign for an inconsistent team.
10. Orlando (#19, 23-16, 7-8, 16-8, 14-6 vs East): The Magic started off strong but have tailed off lately, losing 12 out of their last 21, primarily because they are a jumpshooting team. Dwight Howard continues to be a monster, but besides him there isn't much else to be excited about. High-priced Rashard Lewis isn't even averaging 20 ppg and is shooting a disappointing 38% from three-point range. What baffles me about Orlando's management is why they picked up Lewis, who is essentially the same type of player as Hedo Tukoglu. Their stats and percentages are similar, making me wonder why they didn't go out and get a point guard like Steve Blake or Mo Williams instead.
11. Cleveland (#5, 19-18, 12-6, 7-12, 10-12 vs East): Don't let that .514 win percentage fool you. The defending Eastern Conference Champions got off to a slow start this year because of the holdouts of key players, Sasha Pavlovic and Anderson Varejao. Now both are back playing their customary roles, and the Cavs have quietly won seven of their last ten with King James putting on MVP-type performances. More importantly Cleveland is 9-6 against the mighty West, with wins against the Lakers, Dallas, Golden State, and Utah.
12. Golden State (#14, 21-16, 10-7, 11-9, 14-10 vs West): The run-n-shoot Warriors, led by quarterback Baron Davis, continue to pile up the points and play nonexistent defense. Because of their style, they are last in the league in points allowed. However their depth keeps them in most games and the solid all-around play of Andris Biedrins has been a pleasant surprise for Nellie's rag-tag bunch.
13. Utah (#21, 21-17, 15-3, 6-14, 11-10 vs West): Before the season began I specifically said that Jazz fans will be wondering if Derek Fisher was really the difference maker. Three months later D-Fish has proved my point, making a huge impact on both the Lakers and the Jazz. Utah sorely misses the leadership and locker room presence that Fisher provides, not to mention his defensive savvy and toughness on the court. Ronnie Brewer has done an admirable job replacing him at shooting guard, but there is no replacement for chamionship experience and this is the main reason why the Jazz, despite their overall efficiency, have slipped in the West after making it all the way to the West Finals last year.
14. Houston (#10, 20-17, 9-6, 11-11, 10-11 vs West): The Rockets are currently on their longest winning streak of the season at five games and seem to be on a roll without their leading scorer, oft-injured Tracy McGrady. Although they are fourth in the league in points allowed and third in opponent FG%, something remains missing in the grand scheme of things for this underachieving ballclub. Some say that Yao Ming is too soft, yet others say inconsistencies in their rotation is what has caused the inconsistency in their record. Whatever it is, they need to figure it out fast or else a huge trade may be on the horizon.
15. Toronto (#12, 19-17, 9-8, 10-9, 12-9 vs East): The absence of point guard T.J. Ford for half of the season has really hurt the Raptors thus far. Despite missing his leadership on the floor, they are sixth in the NBA in points allowed and second in steals per game. Notable wins so far have come against San Antonio and Dallas, and once Toronto gets Ford back in the lineup expect them to make a run for either the third or fourth playoff spot in the East.
16. Washington (#16, 19-16, 11-8, 8-8, 13-10 vs East): The Wizards have been a mild surprise as they currently hold the four spot in the East despite being without top scorer Gilbert Arenas for most of the season. Former Laker Caron Butler has done a tremendous job leading the way, averaging 22 ppg while shooting 50% from the field and 40% from long distance. Antawn Jamison has also pitched in by averaging 21.6 ppg and 11 boards. Maybe they're better off without Arenas, whose commitment to winning an NBA title has been questioned of late.
POISED TO BATTLE 'TIL THE END...
17. New Jersey (#15, 18-18, 9-12, 9-6, 13-12 vs East): When Jason Kidd trade rumors seem to always persist, something is bound to happen. Kidd for Pau Gasol and Mike Conley? Kidd for Arenas? Kidd for McGrady? Kidd for Mike Bibby? If I'm Rod Thorn, I choose one because either way I won't go wrong. Unless a move is made, the Nets will continue to hover around mediocrity.
18. Atlanta (#29, 15-17, 10-8, 5-9, 9-13 vs East): The fact that the Hawks are 6-4 against the West seems promising. With the emergence of Josh Smith as a bonafide potential All-Star player and Marvin Williams as a consistent scorer, there is hope in Atlanta after all. Now to see if they can develop team chemistry and defensive consistency with Joe Johnson as their leader. A playoff spot is definitely within reach.
19. Chicago (#9, 14-20, 7-10, 7-10, 11-11 vs East): With all that talent, the struggling Bulls still lack a strong inside punch. Looking on the bright side, they are 5-3 under new coach Jim Boylan. Now to see if they finally structure a deal to pick up Pau Gasol or Amare Stoudemire.
20. Indiana (#20, 17-21, 8-9, 9-12, 9-11 vs East): How is it that the Pacers are ranked seventh in the league in scoring and fifth in opponent FG% yet they're only 2-8 in their last ten games and are playing terribly of late? Maybe it's because Jermaine O'Neal has lost interest. His averages of 15 points and 7 rebounds are not typical of the All-Star forward and his style of play doesn't seem to fit Coach Jim O'Brien's system. You can expect O'Neal to be dealt by the trading deadline, especially if Indiana continues to slide.
POISED FOR THE LOTTERY...
21. Milwaukee (#25, 15-22, 10-5, 5-17, 10-12 vs East): There is no question that on paper, the Bucks have talent. Then why is it they can't seem to get over the hump? Because they are 28th in the league in opponent FG%, while only 22nd in scoring.
22. Sacramento (#23, 14-21, 10-9, 4-12, 6-13 vs West): They have been without Mike Bibby, Ron Artest, and Kevin Martin for most of the season. Martin is back, with Artest and Bibby soon to follow. But the big question is still whether or not Bibby and/or Artest will be traded. Chances are they'll be shipped out, especially since young players like Francisco Garcia, Mikki Moore, and John Salmons all have done fairly well in the Kings' youth movement.
23. Philadelphia (#26, 14-23, 7-11, 7-12, 8-12 vs East): Losers of six in a row, the 76ers are insisting they won't part with either Andre Igoudala or Andre Miller. Philadelphia is acting as if they're both franchise players, and if they continue to believe that they won't be winning anytime soon. At best, Igoudala is a third option on a contending team and Miller is a starter on only a quarter of the teams in this league.
24. Charlotte (#22, 13-23, 11-11, 2-12, 9-20 vs East): The story of their season will be beating the Celtics in Boston and Michael Jordan's return (to the practice court).
25. L.A. Clippers (#30, 10-23, 5-13, 5-10, 6-14 vs West): GM Elgin Baylor says he is extremely disappointed with the Clippers' performance this year despite the injuries to Elton Brand and Shaun Livingston and the All-Star caliber play of center Chris Kaman. What else is new?
26. Memphis (#17, 10-26, 6-12, 4-14, 5-17 vs West): The Grizzlies hired a new coach in Marc Iavaroni, who came from Phoenix, a team that doesn't have the word 'defense' in its vocabulary, and what is the result? 29th in the NBA in points allowed per game and 29th in opponent FG%. With all that talent in the lineup, there is no reason why Memphis should be this bad.
27. New York (#13, 9-26, 7-13, 2-13, 6-13 vs East): Hmm... now what to do with Isiah, Stephon, Eddy, Jamal, Quentin, David, Nate, Renaldo, Fred, Malik, Zach, Jared, Wilson and Mardy?
28. Seattle (#27, 9-27, 5-12, 4-15, 3-16 vs West): On to Oklahoma City we go...
29. Minnesota (#28, 5-31, 4-13, 1-18, 3-21 vs West): The Timberwolves recently beat Miami by 10, one of the few bright spots (along with Al Jefferson) in a year when they could possibly break the all-time record for futility. The only thing else worth looking forward to is February 8th, the homecoming of Kevin Garnett. Will the fans boo or show their appreciation? My guess is they won't respond the way Jazz fans jeered when Derek Fisher returned to Utah as an opposing player.
30. Miami (#4, 8-28, 4-11, 4-17, 3-17 vs East): 10 losses in a row and counting. When it rains, it pours. Led by The Big Everything Shaquille O'Neal, the Heat have shown that although they can fool us all by buying a championship it's just a matter of time until the true colors begin to reveal themselves. Now Little Pookie and Riles have come to find out what Kobe, Phil and Jerry have known all this time about the Big Liability - he's only there for the money.
Fearless prediction for 2008- The Knicks will trade all their players for Kobe and Kobe will lead our team to the Finals. We will vs the Lakers in the FInals and lose behind starburys 30 points and a shocking 10 rebounds from curry.
Two things from me J Dizz: First, I've found that I rarely check the scores in the morning paper for the Sterns, uh, I mean Spurs, or the Mavs. They don't concern me much. I like my chances against either when the seedings come out. But I do look for Lakers' scores. Guess I'm more concerned about them these days. Kudos to your team.
Secondly, why is it that you always have to compare the Suns to the Lakers in every blog you write? I guess we'll do what we did last year, though this time it's me saying wait 'til the playoffs. Fortunately for me, you have Odom on your team. So I still like my chances in a seven game series. And don't look now, but Banks is starting to get minutes. Could cause some problems for Fisher. Skinner is getting more minutes as well. If D'Antoni were smart, he'd start him and move Stoudemire to the four and Marion to the three. Bring Hill off the bench when he comes back in a few weeks . . .
Here I go again. Nothing you haven't heard me say before.
Of course , once again , all posts whether positive or negative prove oncee again. it's all about the Lakers. Greatest team period. 25% titles 50% Finals. but I do hope Bynum's knee isn't serious.
RICKO: The reason for me comparing the Suns to the Lakers all the time is so that fans can see the truth about these two teams.
And also because Phoenix is now the Lakers' most hated rival, much like Sacramento was earlier this decade.
It's nice to see Banks getting more PT. I like the idea of Hill as the sixth man, and Stoudemire at the four. However, if the Suns are going to start Skinner, they'd better sign a decent backup center.
Maybe D'Antoni will wake up but frankly I just don't see it happening. The guy is stubborn and set in his ways. The great coaches know how to adjust, can D'Antoni?
As far as Odom is concerned, be careful what you wish for. He has a history of success against Phoenix in the postseason.
PUMPDUDE: "deepest wishing well and most dangerous to implode"
You must be talking about your SUNS. Haven't they won like 62, 54, 61 games the last three years and have nothing to show for? Great regular seasons, MVP's, and then they implode in the playoffs.
Trust me, we won't miss Bynum as much as you guys would miss Amare if he were out. Know why? Because we've got a bench. You guys lose Nash and Marion for a game and you get blown out by 30.
How could anyone not put the lakers ahead of the Suns, They have beat them both meetings this year, and neither game was close. End of discussion for now Pumpdude you sound like a real half a faigg. Or maybe your a full one with that name, pumpdude thats just disgusting.
Last edited by stopbeingdumb on January 14th at 2:15 PM.
Lakers deepest team in the league? are you kidding me? have any of you laker's fans checked the benches of ANY of the other teams in the league? lets point to my personal favorite team/feel good story of the year (I'm an Oregonian, bred born and raised)the Portland Trailblazers. First of all, before the uproar that is sure to accompany this comment, take a look at the starting 5:
Brandon R.O.Y.- SG, 19.0 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 5.7 apg, 36.6 minutes
Lamarcus Aldridge-PF/C 17.9 ppg (he missed 5 games with an injury) 7.5 rpg, 1.2 apg, in 34.3 minutes
Joel Przybilla-C 5.0 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 0.4 apg in 21.1 minutes
Martell Webster-SF/SG 11.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 1.5 apg 29.4 minutes (used mainly as a 3 point specialist)
Steve Blake-7.9 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 4.7 apg, 28.2 minutes
That's the starting lineup...lets compare it to the laker's starting 5:
Kobe Bryant-SG 27.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 5.0 apg in 36.6 minutes
Derek Fisher-12.4 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 3.4 apg in 26.9 minutes
Lamar Odom-PF/SF 13.3 ppg 9.3 rpg, 2.7 apg in 36.4 min
Luke Walton-SF 7.9 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 3.0 apg in 25.3 minutes
Andrew Bynum- 13.1 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 1.7 apg 28 minutes
Of each starting 5, only Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum have better averages than their counterpart on the Blazers...Blake has been injured and doesn't get many minutes...in my next post, i'll talk about the bench
Now, for the bench...
Trailblazers:
PF-Channing Frye 6.9 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 18.1 mins
SF/PF-Travis Outlaw 12.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 1.4 apg, 26.1 mins
James Jones-10.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg, .8 apg 22.8 mins
PG-Jarrett Jack 9.7 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 3.7 apg 27.2 minutes
Lakers:
PF-Vladimir Radmanovic- 7.4 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 1.6 apg 19.3 minutes
SF-none worth mentioning...
PG-Jordan Farmar-9.4 ppg 2.4 rpg 2.8 apg 20.5 mins
Those are the players that even come CLOSE to competing with the blazer's bench, and as you can see, none of them really come very close...in fact, the blazer's bench has them beat by several points a game each...for the most part...
And lets not forget that the Blazers are the 3rd youngest team in NBA history, and they don't even have the #1 draft pick on the floor...
to all you blazer haters and laker lovers, the blazer's have the brightest future of any team in the league period, and all the experts say so...they haven't even touched their european players that they picked up in the last draft except for Sergio Rodriguez, and they have more depth at the guard/SF position than most teams in the league could ever hope for...so lakers fans...please, please, please stop embarassing yourselves by saying that the "lakers have the brightest future in the west"...nobody believes you...without kobe your team is nothing...he'll be gone soon...
for all that forgot. It's all about the Lakers
:) as for the Lakers. they are where the are about 1/2 the seasons 1st in the west. :) AHHHH 14 titles 28 Finals trips and still going strong. 1st in the NBA power rankings as of now http://www.nba.com/powerrankings/ see for yourself.
but j-dizzle I disagree. as a laker fan I like to ras the suns fans.(like we like to do to all the other teams in the league. but I like them. the kings were a different story. but they have great fans.
Last edited by onefishfan on January 15th at 11:05 PM.
BustedUp1: You are obviously one of those fans who relies waaayy too heavily on statistics to back up your claims. And you say that the Lakers' bench has "none worth mentioning"? Have you watched any Lakers games buddy?
The entire NBA, including ESPN, has talked about the BENCH MOB all year! I know for a fact all you watch is Blazer basketball.
You don't even have a clue at the contributions (both tangible and intangible) Trevor Ariza, Ronny Turiaf, Sasha Vujacic, and Javaris Crittenton have made to this team. Get a clue buddy.
As you know, stats do not tell the whole story.
I'm not going to discount the fact that your BLAZERS are good and have all the makings of a potential contender in the West.
But you cannot tell me that they're better than the Lakers at this juncture.
First of all, the Lakers have a better record.
Secondly, the Blazers, despite their potential and talent, still DO NOT have the playoff experience as a group to be considered a threat. This is huge.
If I were you, I'd wait first until your team makes the playoffs before you go on and criticize the Lakers' bench.
Better yet, let's wait until the Lakers play the Blazers a couple times this year before you start attacking the Lakers' credibility.
By the time Oden comes next year, Bynum will be an All-Star and Oden will be in foul trouble every time he plays L.A.
And one more thing, Lakers 9 titles since moving to Los Angeles, Portland 1.
And I know you'll never forget that choke job your Blzaers put on in the 2000 West Finals.
Last edited by J-DIZZLE on January 16th at 2:30 PM.
ONEFISHFAN: The Suns do have passionate fans. And they are probably more well-behaved than Kings fans.
For the most part I enjoy debating with Suns fans because they want their team to be like ours so bad.
They are so filled with sarcasm that they continually prove to me that they have insecurities about their team's ability to compete at the level we Lakers fans are used to.
J-Diz, pretty good stab at the Power Rankings, I'd say you're ahead of the oblivious boys back at DIME Mag.
Perhaps you gave a little too much love to Dallas in this version, the Lakers are playing the best in the West at the moment. We'll see if they can maintain that minus a big man for much of the 2nd half.
Truly powerful teams incur injuries, yet still manage to win. i.e. 2005-06 SUNS minus Amare.
Any plans to update these ranking on a periodic basis?
CAMIKE: I originally planned on doing the rankings every twenty games but got really busy with work so I couldn't put in the time to analyze each and every team.
There's a method I use in order to accurately rank the teams (for example, strength of schedule, head-to-head, games vs. common opponents, etc) and it would simply take too much time by doing this on a weekly basis.
However, I do plan on doing another one shortly after the All-Star Break and maybe one more after 60 games before I do the final rankings at season's end.
UC IRVINE graduate and proud to be an ANTEATER. My claim to fame is having played against the likes of Tayshaun and Tommie Prince, Jacque Vaughn, and Charles O'Bannon, plus getting dunked on by Schea Cotton in a CIF second round match in the nineties.
WIDELY KNOWN on FOX as one of the most biased LAKER HOMERS in blog history, highly criticized for hating on the PHOENIX SUNS fan base, and has been told on more than one occasion that LAMAR ODOM isn't worth the suit he's wearing.
Believe that "excellence is not an act but a habit."
Believe that the things you do and the things you don't do, they all send a message.
Believe that in order to know the world one must first know thyself.
And believe that it's the journey not the destination.
Finally, as the great Bruce Lee once said, "Man - he is constantly growing and when he is bound by a set pattern of ideas or way of doing things, that's when he stops growing."
This is the Way of the Dragon. Embrace it.
