NBA Power Rankings: Week 15

Since I started the NBA season with another blog, I will continue my weekly NBA Power Rankings here. The Spurs and Bobcats bookend the power rankings. The Raptors leaped four spots whereas no team took such a fall this week (no team dropped more than two spots).

 

Power Rankings Week 15:

(W-L Season) followed by (W-L From previous week)

Ranking from previous week in parentheses. 

1 (1). San Antonio Spurs (38-11) (2-0) – They were given good news when Duncan’s injury was announced as nothing serious. Now they go on their annual rodeo trip without Duncan for the meantime.

2 (2). Oklahoma City Thunder (35-12) (1-1) – Did anyone see Westbrooks’ tantrum this week? Seems like a reason for it is because of an unusual five second call that was whistled against him.

3 (4). Miami Heat (30-14) (2-1) – Though their record looks nice, they are last in the NBA in rebounding.

4 (3). Los Angeles Clippers (34-15) (1-2) – 2-6 in their last eight games, and they are missing Cliff  Chris Paul. Coincidence?

5 (5). Memphis Grizzlies (30-16) (2-1) – With Rudy Gay frustrated in Memphis, the Grizzlies shipped him north of the border. Let’s see if this changes the team’s play.

6 (6). New York Knicks (30-15) (3-0) – Three home wins against Magic, Bucks, and Kings will help you maintain your spot in the rankings, but not enough to make a jump quite yet.

7 (7).  Denver Nuggets (30-18) (3-0) – Andre Igoudala is always given the hardest assignment on a nightly basis, and does a great job against some of the elite players in the NBA.

8 (8). Golden State Warriors (30-17) (4-0) – Don’t worry 49’ers fans, the Warriors seems to be actually quite good this year!

9 (9). Indiana Pacers (28-19) (2-1) – Latest rumors involve Danny Granger who might be replaceable with the way Paul George has been playing.

10 (10). Chicago Bulls (29-18) (3-1) – A team without their superstar has the highest road winning percentage in the NBA. Very impressive.

11 (11). Brooklyn Nets (28-19) (2-1) – Well the Nets got their All-Star Center with Lopez being named as an injury replacement. Is he the best center in the NBA? Don’t think so, but some might.

12 (12). Utah Jazz (26-22) (2-2) – Lost by a franchise worst 45 points at home to the team right under them. But let’s be honest. Had the Jazz had Gordon Heyward playing, the outcome would have been totally different, right?

13 (13). Houston Rockets (26-23) (2-1) – Seem to be back on track after losing seven in a row. They are 5-2 in their last seven games with both losses against the Nuggets.

14 (14). Milwaukee Bucks (25-21) (2-2) –  Larry Sanders is doing his best JJ Watt impression, averaging 3.1 blocks per game.

15 (17). Los Angeles Lakers (22-26) (3-1) –  Almost blew a good week when Nash shockingly missed two free throws late in the game against the Pistons. They are on the right track, but still have things to figure out.

16 (15). Atlanta Hawks (26-20) (1-1) – With the deadline just a few weeks away, the Hawks will likely get a lot of calls for Josh Smith, Horford, and Korver.

17 (18). Boston Celtics (24-23) (3-0) – No Rondo hurts, and now get news that Sullinger is out for the year. Pouring salt on the wound.

18 (16). Portland Trail Blazers  (24-23) (2-1) – Still hanging around in the West, thanks to strong play by rookie Damian Lillard.

19 (19). Dallas Mavericks  (20-27) (1-2) – Doesn’t seem like it’s their season. Some late tough calls going against them, after blowing leads late in the game, has caused Cuban to continue his officiating rant.

20 (20). Philadelphia 76′ers (20-26) (2-1)  – There are reports that Bynum might be ready soon. Will it be enough time for the 76’ers to sneak into the playoffs?

21 (25). Toronto Raptors (17-31) (3-1) – Just the acquisition of Rudy Gay gives the Raptors a shot at making the playoffs this year. Such is the life in the Eastern conference.

22 (21). Detroit Pistons (18-30) (1-3) – Tayshaun Prince is finally out of Detroit after being the last Piston player left form their championship days. How disappointed was this fan?

23 (22). Minnesota Timberwolves (18-26) (1-2) – Just like the Mavericks, it just wasn’t their year this year.

24 (23). New Orleans Hornets (15-33) (0-4) – Maybe the players were just taking part in the Super Bowl week festivities?

25 (24). Sacramento Kings (17-32) (1-3) – Tyreke Evans might be an interesting name that will be mentioned in rumors until the deadline.

26 (28). Cleveland Cavaliers (14-34) (1-2) – I hope, and I’m sure many others hope that Kyrie Irving replaces Rondo in the ASG starting lineup.

27 (27). Phoenix Suns (16-32) (1-2) – Did not expect them to have double the amount of losses than wins 48 games into the season.

28 (26). Orlando Magic (14-33) (0-4) – The main asset they received by trading Dwight? A legitimate shot at the #1 pick come June.

29 (29). Washington Wizards (11-35) (0-4) – They have been competitive in more games than their record may show, but they haven’t found a way to close them out.

30 (30). Charlotte Bobcats (11-35) (0-3) – Scary seen in Houston when MKG hit the ground and laid their for several minutes. It seems like he only suffered a concussion and was released by the hospital the next day.

 

What do you guys think of these rankings? Someone too high? Too low? Leave a comment or tweet me @YoniPollak.