It appears that the Top 3 spots of the Power Rankings simply rotate between the top 3 teams in the West (Thunder, Spurs, Clippers). For Week 13, the San Antonio Spurs reign supreme as the top team in the standings and in the rankings.
The Heat held on to the top spot in the East even after losing to the Celtics without Rondo due to the lack of competition in their division and conference. If the Heat played in the West, they would just be a fourth seed at the moment. Heck, the Celtics wont even be in the playoffs if slotted in the Western Conference.
The Lakers are making a little headway with their 3-game win streak but they are still 4 games behind the 8th spot which was the same position they were in a week ago. Still, that's a lot better than more losses. Anyone else impressed at how Kobe Bryant has been passing the ball and racking up insane assists???
The standings are current up to January 30, 2013. The rankings from last week refer to Week 12.
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| Manu Ginobili and the Spurs are back on top of the standings and the Power Rankings (Image from: Solar Sports Desk) |
1. San Antonio Spurs | 36-11 | Last Week: 2 | +1
The Spurs are 9-1 in their last 10 and have won 8 straight with Manu missing games during that streak while Tim Duncan and even Coach Pop missing some games as well. That streak could go into double-digits with games against the Bobcats and Wizards at home.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder | 34-11 | Last Week: 1 | -1
The Thunder had 2 losses last week where they failed to score 100 in both games. Russell Westbrook has been misfiring lately, going 16-56 (.285) in the last 3 games, averaging 15 points and 5 turnovers. The Thunder need Russ to be efficient because no one else can play the point.
3. Los Angeles Clippers | 33-13 | Last Week: 3 | Same
Chris Paul has missed 7 of their last 9 games with an injured kneecap. The Clippers went 1-3 in their last 4 without him. Blake Griffin has been great the last 5 games: 23 ppg, 9 rpg, 7 apg on 58% shooting but he needs more help with Willie Green and Butler struggling.
4. Miami Heat | 28-13 | Last Week: 4 | Same
The Heat lost in Boston without Rondo on Ray Allen's first game back there. Chris Bosh has started to rebound well having double-doubles in 2 of the 3 games last week. The Heat still struggles on the road and have a very mediocre 10-10 road record with 3 more road games in this trip.
5. Memphis Grizzlies | 29-15 | Last Week: 4 | Same
The Grizzlies and Rudy Gay seem to be forever tied to trade rumors until the trade deadline passes or a trade does happen. Rumor: Rudy Gay for Paul Pierce has been floated around and Im not sure thats a good deal for the Grizz to trade their best scorer for a slumping veteran.
6. New York Knicks | 27-15 | Last Week: 6 | Same
The Knicks are getting healthier with Felton back and Shumpert playing back into game condition. Kidd has sat out a couple of games with minor injuries. Tyson Chandler will be going to his 1st all-star game and he is very deserving even if his numbers arent that impressive.
7. Golden State Warriors | 28-17 | Last Week: 7 | Same
Good news: Andrew Bogut played on Monday after missing 38 games. He had 12 points, 8 boards and 4 blocks in 24 minutes. Bad news: Stephen Curry sprained his ankle again and missed half the game vs the Raptors and the game on Tuesday, both wins.
8. Denver Nuggets | 28-18 | Last Week: 10 | +2
The Nuggets have won 4 straight and are 18-3 (3rd best) at home. Wilson Chandler continues to be hampered with more injuries. Corey Brewer has emerged as their 3rd best scoring option in the last 2 weeks after Lawson and Gallinari. The Nuggets are very deep.
9. Chicago Bulls | 27-17 | Last Week: 11 | +2
The Bulls have 2 all-stars: Deng and Noah. Joakim Noah has been exceptional this year with his defense and passing while Deng has been injured often. Jimmy Butler has been great as Deng's replacement in the last 5 games: 14 points and 8 rebounds in 42 minutes.
10. Brooklyn Nets | 27-18 | Last Week: 9 | -1
Brook Lopez not being named all-star reserve is a mistake. He is in the top 3 in points in the paint and is among the best low post players in the NBA. He leads the Nets in points and blocks. Lopez is arguably the best offensive center in the East.
11. Indiana Pacers | 26-19 | Last Week: 8 | -3
The Pacers have lost 3 straight and went 1-3 in their Western road trip. Paul George followed up his selection as an all-star with 22 points and 7 rebounds in his last 3 games. The Pacers continue to be a top top team defensively but their offense is still sputtering at 29th.
12. Atlanta Hawks | 25-19 | Last Week: 12 | Same
The loss of Lou Williams has allowed Jeff Teague to take over: 25 points and 7 assists in the last 2 games. Kyle Korver had a scorching hot night vs the Celtics last Friday when he made 8 threes and helped the Hawks come back from 27 down and win in OT. Easily their best game of the year.
13. Milwaukee Bucks | 24-19 | Last Week: 14 | +1
The Bucks have no all-stars since Brandon Jennings didnt make the reserves list. Jennings has been hot of late, especially in January where he scored 30 or more in 5 games. Ilyasova continues to play well as a starter for Coach Boylan with 22 and 10 in the last 5 games.
14. Houston Rockets | 25-22 | Last Week: 15 | +1
The Rockets have won 3 straight with solid wins over the Hornets and the Nets. Then they massacred the Jazz on the road with a 45-point drubbing. James Harden is making a run at the 2nd-best SG after Kobe but D-Wade has overtaken him at the PER department.
15. Utah Jazz | 24-21 | Last Week: 13 | -2
The Jazz and the Rockets are both trying to hold off the Blazers and the Lakers for the 8th spot in the West. The Jazz had their worst defeat at home when they lost to the Rockets by 45. Gordon Hayward has an injury forcing him to miss games. The Jazz cant afford more losses if they want to make the playoffs.
16. Portland Trailblazers | 23-22 | Last Week: 17 | +1
The Blazers came back from 21 down in the 3rd to beat the Mavs with a buzzer-beater from LaMarcus Aldridge. He also made a game-tying three in their previous possession. That was his first trey of the season. Aldridge has 2 game-winning shots against his hometown team.
17. Los Angeles Lakers | 20-25 | Last Week: 20 | +3
The Lakers have won 3 straight and Kobe has been passing the ball and sharing the scoring. He's had 39 assists in the last 3 games and almost got triple-doubles in all 3. The effect is less shots for him and more for the team. With all their winning, the Lakers are still 4 games back of the 8th spot.
18. Boston Celtics | 21-23 | Last Week: 16 | -2
The Celtics have enough weapons to make the playoffs but losing Rondo definitely hurts their chances. It might be time for them to trade Garnett or Pierce (or both) to build around Rondo for the future. The Celtics wont be winning in the playoffs without Rondo.
19. Dallas Mavericks | 19-26 | Last Week: 19 | Same
The Mavs blew a 21-point lead vs the Blazers, one of the teams they need to catch to make the playoffs. They wasted a great game by Dirk who finally socred over 20 for the first time in 18 games. Shawn Marion is quietly having an efficient year, similar to last season after playing his 1000th game.
20. Minnesota Timberwolves | 17-24 | Last Week: 18 | -2
The T'wolves have lost 4 straight and now trail the Lakers and Mavs. Ricky Rubio is upset about not playing enough minutes due to his recovery from ACL injury. Coach Adelman is back after missing 3 weeks to be with his wife but sadly, his top players are still out (Pekovic, Love, Shved).
21. Philadelphia 76ers | 18-26 | Last Week: 21 | Same
The Sixers should pounce on their chance to catch the Celtics for the 8th spot after Rondo went down with his injury. There's talk that Bynum could be back after the All-star break so that should provide them with an extra boost. Jrue Holiday is deserving of his all-star selection albeit the team is below .500.
22. Detroit Pistons | 17-28 | Last Week: 22 | Same
Andre Drummond and Greg Monroe are becoming an impressive duo for the Piston's frontcourt. Drummond had 18 and 18 in their loss vs the Bucks. He has a PER close to 23 which ranks him #11 in the NBA and the top rookie. Drummond is more efficient than Harden and Westbrook.
23. Sacramento Kings | 17-29 | Last Week: 24 | +1
The Kings are 1-1 on their current 6-game road trip with games vs the Celtics and Knicks to follow. The Kings are last in points allowed and 26th in assists. Isaiah Thomas leads them in assists at 3.2 per game. Thomas hit a game-winner over the Wizards to cap a 22 and 7 night.
24. Toronto Raptors | 16-29 | Last Week: 23 | -1
The Raptors cant close out games nor can they hold leads in the 4th quarter. They lost to the Heat, Cavs and Warriors with leads in the last period. Bargnani is still injured but the Raptors should seriously trade him for assets. The Lowry-Calderon dynamic hasnt been working and one of them needs to be traded ASAP.
25. New Orleans Hornets | 15-30 | Last Week: 25 | Same
The Hornets trimmed an 18-point deficit to one vs the Lakers in the 4th but eventually lost. They had a nice win over the Grizzlies but the Spurs and Rockets were both losses. Grievis Vasquez continues to pass the ball well at 9.3 assists per game which ranks him 3rd in the NBA.
26. Washington Wizards | 11-32 | Last Week: 26 | Same
How important is John Wall to the Wizards? He has played 10 games and he already leads the team in points and assists. More importantly, they are 6-4 in that span and easily could be 7-3. Okafor has also been great lately with 3 double-doubles in their last 5 games.
27. Cleveland Cavaliers | 13-33 | Last Week: 27 | Same
Kyrie Irving is clutch. He buried the Raptors last Saturday with a game-winning three from 25 feet. He had 3 straight games of at least 32 points. Irving is emerging as the best PG in the East until Derrick Rose gets healthy. Irving is really an all-star regardless of team success.
28. Phoenix Suns | 15-30 | Last Week: 29 | +1
The Suns are 2-2 under new coach Lindsey Hunter. Steve Nash and the Lakers are visiting on Wednesday night and it would be the "win of the season" if they can manage an upset. Mike Beasley is starting to get minutes from the new coach and he has responded with 16 points and 5 rebounds.
29. Orlando Magic | 14-30 | Last Week: 28 | -1
The Magic have lost 6 straight and tough games coming vs the Celtics and Knicks. JJ Reddick has been rumored to be on the trading block while others covet Nik Vucevic who is a cinch to win MIP with 12 and 11 numbers and 7th in double-doubles.
30. Charlotte Bobcats | 11-33 | Last Week: 30 | Same
The Bobcats have snapped their 16-game home losing streak with a 1-point win vs the Timberwolves. They go on the road for 5 straight starting with a loss to the Bulls followed by the Spurs, Rockets and Heat. At least the Bobcats wont be in contention for worst record of all-time.
Biggest Rise: Lakers +3
Biggest Fall: Pacers -3
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