The NBA: Top 10 Stories of 2013

Happy New Year!

Last year provided us with compelling and exciting basketball from Miami's win streak to the struggles of the Lakers, Nets and Knicks to the surprising trade of KG & PP and to Dwight's change of address again.

Here's a recap of the best stories of 2013 and hopefully we get better and bigger things for 2014!

The Miami Heat won again in 2013. Can they do it for a 3rd time in 2014?
(Image from: ESPN)

1. Heat Repeat
The Miami Heat was favored to win back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013 and they managed to do that thanks to the greatest 3-point shooter in NBA history, Ray Allen hitting that crucial corner three in Game 6. Miami went on to win in OT and then finish the Spurs in Game 7. Just imagine if the Heat lost that game and the series, LBJ would be 1-2 in the Finals with Miami and the Big 3 would most probably be separated. Instead, LeBron James solidified his claim as one of the best ever by winning his 2nd straight ring and Finals MVP. Miami is on rarefied ground with the chance to 3-Peat.

The NBA: Power Rankings: Week 9

Happy New Year basketball fans! Welcome to the last edition of the Power Rankings for 2013.

Lots of developments took place last week that involved major injuries to important players (Westbrook, Horford) and a suspension to Andrew Bynum.

Trade speculations between Brook Lopez for Pau Gasol or Gasol for Andrew Bynum have started to circulate.

Meanwhile, teams that are supposed to tank like the Suns, Celtics and Raptors are still playing decent ball and within close range of a playoff spot. Phoenix is playing exceptional and is just 1/2 game behind the Clippers for the division lead.

The Knicks and Nets still suck and that will probably NOT change for 2014.

Hero team of the week: OKC won 3 straight and 2 of those games did not include Russell Westbrook.

Sucky team of the week: The Nuggets have lost 7 straight and they already have 7 home losses after going 38-3 at home last season.

The standings are current up to December 31, 2013 and the rankings from Last Week refer to Week 8.

Please hit the comments and follow me on Twitter @rollzter

Eric Bledsoe is making sure that the Phoenix Suns are not tanking this season
(Image from: USA Today Sports)

1. Indiana Pacers | 24-5 | Last Week: 1 | Same
Lance Stephenson is playing amazing ball over the last 5 games: 18 ppg, 8 rpg, 6 apg. On the other hand, Danny Granger has been ineffective in his first 4 games back from injury. The Pacers will have an easy schedule over the next 2 weeks with just 1 out of 9 games against a +0.500 team.

The NBA: Power Rankings: Week 8

Merry Christmas and Happy Basketball season to all! There will be 5 games on Christmas Day but 2, maybe 3 of the games lack injured superstars and 4 of the teams playing are non-playoff teams. I dont suggest that you wake up early or stay up late just to watch the first 2-3 games.

Now, the last 2 games between the Rockets-Spurs and Warriors-Clippers should be watched.

Hero team of the week: Miami has won 5 straight games and they defeated the Pacers in Round 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals Preview.

Sucky team of the week: The Nets have lost 3 straight and they lost Brook Lopez for the rest of the season with a broken foot.

The standings are current up to December 25, 2013 and the rankings from Last Week refer to Week 7.

Please hit the comments and follow me on Twitter @rollzter

Kevin Durant is leading the league in scoring and the
Thunder is within half a game of the NBA's best record

1. Indiana Pacers | 23-5 | Last Week: 2 | +1
Indy almost beat the Heat in Florida but came up a tad short. Too bad, they don't play again until March. The Pacers came up with 3 straight wins including a major beat down vs the Rockets (+33). Lance Stephenson leads the NBA in triple-doubles with 3.

The NBA: KOBE 9 Elite featuring Nike Flyknit

I am not a fan of Kobe Bryant BUT I respect his game and competitiveness. He is truly one of the best I have ever seen and quite frankly, maybe the best Los Angeles Laker ever.

Now, his latest edition of basketball footwear from Nike, I can definitely be a fan of!

First look at KOBE 9 Elite featuring Nike Flyknit

Nike Philippines had a private event today to unveil the KOBE 9 Elite featuring Nike Flyknit. The event was attended by prominent sneakerhead (Sole Movement), shoe retailer (Titan), popular bloggers (kickspotting.com & hoopnut.com) and some sports celebrities (Jinno Rufino & James Velasquez).

This colorway is a tribute to Manny Pacquiao who inspired the current look of the KOBE 9 Elite

The new edition of KOBE 9 Elite features a design similar to what boxer's wear for training and fights. Kobe was inspired by Manny Pacquiao and his boxing shoes so Nike adapted that look into the KOBE 9 Elite. The higher cut of the shoe is higher than normal high-tops to give Kobe (or the wearer) added support and protection for the Achilles' heel.

The NBA: Power Rankings: Week 7

The Blazers continue their hot play to start the season. These guys are for real and Damian Lillard made sure we noticed with two game-winners in their last 2 games. LaMarcus Aldridge is playing amazing with career-highs in points and rebounds.

Over in the East, the Pacers and Heat will have Part 2 of their clash in South Florida to see if Miami can avenge their loss at Indy last week.

There's one week left before the NBA unveils their annual Christmas Day lineup of 5 games which starts at noon and ends after midnight on December 25. Can the Lakers get their act together to compete and upset the Heat? Can the Knicks prevent a blowout loss to the Thunder? How much points will see between the Clippers and Warriors?

Hero team of the week: Blazers still lead the West and the NBA thanks to their superb offense and Damian Lillard's clutch play with 2 game-winners in 2 games.

Sucky team of the week: The Grizzlies are struggling without Marc Gasol and the losses are piling up. They are 4 games out of a playoff spot in the West.

The standings are current up to December 18, 2013 and the rankings from Last Week refer to Week 6.

Please hit the comments and follow me on Twitter @rollzter

Damian Lillard nailed 2 game-winners in 2 straight games to keep
the Blazers atop the West and the HoopNut Power Rankings
(Image by: USA Today)

1. Portland Trailblazers | 22-4 | Last Week: 1 | Same
The Blazers lead the league on offense and in their last 2 games, Damian Lillard kept their winning streak at 5 games with his jumper at the buzzer vs the Pistons and a cold-blooded three vs the Cavaliers. LaMarcus Aldridge had 31 points and 25 boards (career-high) vs the Rockets.

The NBA: Power Rankings: Week 6

That was an eventful week of basketball! Lots of great match-ups that included a few NBA Finals preview games (Thunder-Pacers, Spurs-Pacers, Blazers-Pacers) and games between the bottom-feeders (Knicks-Nets, Magic-Knicks, Nets-Bucks). Someone needs to win even the crappy games, right?

The Black Mamba made his debut vs the Raptors but his team lost. Bryant had 8 turnovers as he tried to facilitate and do too much at times.

There was the trade involving Rudy Gay going to the Kings. This will be Gay's third team in less than a year. Will the Raptors be better without Gay or is this a sign that they will tank the season? As for the Kings, can Thomas and DMC share the ball with Rudy and vice versa?

Hero team of the week: Blazers thumped the Thunder and Pacers to continue leading the West.

Sucky team of the week: There's no magic in Orlando with their team losing 6 straight games then having more injuries (Vucevic, Harris).

The standings are current up to December 10, 2013 and the rankings from Last Week refer to Week 5.

Please hit the comments and follow me on Twitter @rollzter

LaMarcus Aldridge has guided Portland to the top spot in the West.
(Image from: USA Today)

1. Portland Trailblazers | 18-4 | Last Week: 4 | +3
The Blazers are firing on all cylinders. They are 2nd in team offense and have won 5 of 6 games including impressive wins over the Thunder and Pacers. They were a buzzer-beater away from having a perfect week. LaMarcus Aldridge has risen as a viable MVP candidate with his stellar play.