Post by Oklahoma City Thunder on Nov 19, 2008 16:09:10 GMT -5
*OKC wrote comments for teams ranked 1-6
*TOR wrote comments for teams ranked 7-12
*CHA wrote comments for teams ranked 13-18
*DET wrote comments for teams ranked 19-24
*HOU wrote comments for teams ranked 25-30
A new edition of Power Rankings will be released every 2 sim weeks.
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*TOR wrote comments for teams ranked 7-12
*CHA wrote comments for teams ranked 13-18
*DET wrote comments for teams ranked 19-24
*HOU wrote comments for teams ranked 25-30
A new edition of Power Rankings will be released every 2 sim weeks.
Rank (Last) |
Team
[/td][td]Record
[/td][td]Comment
[/td][td]Trend
[/td][/tr][tr][td]
1
(7)
[/td][td]Thunder[/td][td](7)
12-2
[/td][td]The Thunder are currently riding a 9 game winning streak and dont look like they are going to be slowing down anytime soon. The combination of Shaq and Dirk has worked out great so far. Andre Miller has also been playing at a very high level all season averaging over 8 assists per game. As the season goes on, it might be hard to keep all the ego's on this team happy. But, for now, they are content.[/td][td][/td][/tr][tr][td]
2
(1)
[/td][td]Jazz[/td][td](1)
11-2
[/td][td]For the 2nd straight power rankings, the #1 team fell a spot to #2. But just like last time, this has to do with the hot tear the Thunder have been on as opposed to anything negative the Jazz have done. Utah just finished a 4-0 week in which Amare Stoudemire established himself as a contender for the MVP.[/td][td][/td][/tr][tr][td]
3
(2)
[/td][td]Hornets[/td][td](2)
11-2
[/td][td]To borrow a line from former Arizona Cardinals football head coach, "The Hornets are who we thought they were!" New Orleans just keeps rolling along. They are doing it a little different this year. Duncan is not putting up MVP numbers, but the other starters are playing at a high level. Very balanced starting 5.[/td][td][/td][/tr][tr][td]
4
(4)
[/td][td]Raptors[/td][td](4)
12-3
[/td][td]Canada continues to rejoice as the Raptors have kept up a hot start. At 12-3, they sit a top one of the better divisions in basketball (the Atlantic). JO continued his great play and is the main reason why the Raps are playing so well. Also, team chemistry is huge in sims and the Raptors have it. Keep an eye on Baron Davis the next few weeks. Hes been dealing with a minor injury.[/td][td][/td][/tr][tr][td]
5
(6)
[/td][td]Magic[/td][td](6)
12-3
[/td][td]Orlando hit a few bumps in the road early in the season, but it looks like they have figured out what was wrong and everything is all jolly again at Disney World. No one in their starting 5 is putting up "WOW" numbers, its more of a "know your role" type offense. An unexpected bright spot for the Magic has been veteran PG Lindsey Hunter. Hunter is averaging double digits off the bench and he has already helped them win a few games.[/td][td][/td][/tr][tr][td]
6 (10)
[/td][td]Cavaliers[/td][td]8-3
[/td][td]Cleveland just keeps on keeping on. No one really gave this team any chance to compete in this division let alone win it. As it stands right now, the Cavs would be the central division champions. Cavs would have my vote as the surprise team of the year up to this point. It helps when Elton Brand is playing out of his mind, pulling down a league high 14 rebounds per game.[/td][td][/td][/tr][tr][td]
7 (11)
[/td][td]76'ers[/td][td]8-4
[/td][td]It’s great to see Philly back on the top 10 teams. The team had an awful start and now is slowly creeping back into the standings. They currently sit 2.5 games of the Toronto Raptors who lead the division, and with some non playoffs teams coming up for them, they should be able to win those games to try and catch Toronto. So far KG has been amazing for Philly, but on the downside, Gilbert Arenas is not doing anything productive with the team, and if Philly wants to be number 1 in the division, they need to get Gilbert going.[/td][td][/td][/tr]
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8
(3)
[/td][td]Bucks[/td][td](3)
9-5
[/td][td]What’s going on with Milwaukee? They used to be one of the top teams in the east, but have fallen very slowly as they lost first place in the division and also went down in the power ranks. Personally I think the bucks will pick it up, since they have a great team but if they do not pick it up, I wont be shocked if the GM were to make a trade or two to try and get this team over the hump. I still consider them a top team in the east no matter what place they are in right now.[/td][td][/td][/tr][tr][td]
9 (12)
[/td][td]Rockets[/td][td]7-4
[/td][td]GM OF THE YEAR has to be the headlines in Houston right now. Wow, just wow is all I have to say about this team. They are finally clicking and winning games which they could not do last year at all. I would really be shocked if this team didn’t make the playoffs, but right now they are showing everyone why this team is a great team, and do not mess around when playing them. With AI and AL on this team, I don’t think there is any team in the whole league that has a young core with so much talent.[/td][td][/td][/tr][tr][td]
10 (5)
[/td][td]Nets[/td][td]8-6
[/td][td]You would think New Jersey would be a top team in the east but they have disappointed many. New Jersey coming into this season looked to be a great team with Nash leading the way. Sadly now it is only Nash who is producing on this team but no one else is helping out. New Jersey is a great team, I consider them still a favorite to win the Division, but they need to wake up and smell the coffee and play some great basketball, or this team would just be failing expectations.[/td][td][/td][/tr]
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11 (16)
[/td][td]Heat[/td][td]8-6
[/td][td]About time this team started playing some great basketball. The GM had made it clear that he wanted to win this year but if not, to at least make the playoffs. Well now by the way his team is playing, they should make the playoffs. Starbury is coming around now and is helping this team. It was a matter of time before this team started to win games, but the downside to this is that he is in the same division with Orlando![/td][td][tr][td]
12 (8)
[/td][td]Mavericks[/td][td]8-7
[/td][td]Oh boy, here we go again is what the GM must be saying to himself. He has a great team, but why are they not winning? It is because no one likes Dallas? Its strange how this team isn’t a top team in the West this year but I can see why they are not. Wallace and Kidd are not helping this team at all, this team is hoping for one player to save them and it’s Manu. The team needs to pick up there act and play some basketball or the GM will make some moves in the near future.[/td][td][tr][td]
13 (18)
[/td][td]Celtics[/td][td]8-6
[/td][td]This is really one of the surprise teams of the league at this point, they started off 8-2 and though they have lost 4 straight (with Calderon out) they are still a good team. Joe Johnson is the leader of this team, with Kevin Durant becoming a legit super star. Factor in Jose Calderon when healthy is having a career year and this is one of the best 1,2, 3 combos in the league. Nene gives this team some stability on the boards and rebound, while Cwebb is having a nice year. Good bench and this team should be a low seed in the loaded Eastern Playoffs.[/td][td][tr][td]
14 (17)
[/td][td]Grizzlies[/td][td]6-6
[/td][td]Derrick Rose is the key to this team, and he is starting to get it together. A starting 5 of Derrick Rose, Paul Pierce, Peja Stojakovic, Pau Gasol, and Antonio McDyess is an elite team. He is like a young quarterback on a good team right now, he has all the weapons to succeeded but can he do? If Rose can this team will be a dark horse in the playoffs.[/td][td][tr][td]
15 (9)
[/td][td]Pistons[/td][td]5-6
[/td][td]The Detroit Pistons have made so many trades recently I had to look up who they actually have on there roster. Right now I think the starting 5 for the Pistons would be Stuckey/Richardson/Gay/Melo/Sheed with Hill off the bench. I like what this team is doing, and looks better than they were. Stuckey is playing nice in real life, but won't get a rating increase until next year so that has to be a concern. Could you see Hill play some PG? Or maybe see him dealt for a PG? Time will tell, but I wouldn't want to play Detroit in the playoffs.[/td][td][tr][td]
16 (23)
[/td][td]Clippers[/td][td]8-7
[/td][td]Here Clippy clippy clippy, you have finally arrived! Michael Beasley, Mike Conley, and Randy Foye are blossoming before our eyes into studs. Add Mo Petes playing like a man on a mission and you have the reason why the Clippers are #16. They should come back down to earth and take there spot in the draft lottery, but this is what you want to see out of a young team. Give them another pick nice and a big signing and you the Clippers maybe thinking playoffs next year.[/td][td][tr][td]
17 (14)
[/td][td]Warriors[/td][td]7-8
[/td][td]This team needs to take a page out of the Barack's playbook, they should "believe in change." This team has talent but is playing like absolute crap. Deron Williams, Rashard Lewis, and Al Harrington is a nice big 3. Add in Biedrins and the bench they have, and this should be a low seed in the West. I would expect a trade soon, because 7-8 won't get it done in the West.[/td][td][tr][td]
18 (13)
[/td][td]Suns[/td][td]6-8
[/td][td]The new GM promised to change this team up, and a trade has not happened. There about like they were last time we wrote, not much defense. There is for sure some talent on this team with Mike Bibby, Dwayne Wade, Al Thorton, Josh Smith, Danilo Gallinari, and even Eddie Curry, but they need to decide if there rebuilding or not. The time between now and the trade deadline will be a pivotal time for the Suns, moves have to be made.[/td][td][tr][td]
19 (15)
[/td][td]Trailblazers[/td][td]5-8
[/td][td]Portland is having a tough time playing D right now, and if they dont start playing it soon there going to fall out of the playoff race before you can blink. The GM has said a trade may be coming and one thing he may want to do is find a new Center because Diop is not doing the job, Recently going up against Dwight Howard and giving up 38 point and also only recorded 3 rebounds.[/td][td]
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20 (19)
[/td][td]Bobcats[/td][td]6-8
[/td][td]The Bobcats have been up and down all year, One high point was recently when Charlie V. stepped up and had a monster game; If he can keep it up Cha, could be looking at a playoff birth, and well deserved with the lineup that is being put out on the floor with Ford and Gordon leading the team. Cha also recently traded two young studs in Jeff Green and Jason Thompson for David Lee, and well see how that plays out as it could help short term, but hurt long term.[/td][td][tr][td]
21 (21)
[/td][td]Hawks[/td][td]5-9
[/td][td]Recently Atlanta has had solid play from the 2nd year man out of Flordia in Al Horford. Al has really taken over as the leader of the team and has been playing lights out this year. Yet, the Hawks are still 4 games under 5 hundred and looking for answers. They took a risk signing Ricky Davis this year and still haven't seen the Ricky Davis that use to be reliable. If Atlanta wants to sneak into the playoffs there going to have to get consistent play from him and backcourt partner Mo Williams who ATL invested a lot of money in last years FA market.[/td][td][tr][td]
22 (22)
[/td][td]Nuggets[/td][td]5-9
[/td][td]Denver is in the same boat as Portland playing in the Northwest Divison, and that's not a good thing. OKC and Utah both have only suffered 2 losses and its going to be very difficult for Denver to somehow climb over one of those teams, but If Dwight Howard has a say he will change that. Dwight is top 10 in the league in scoring and rebounding and with PG Allen Iverson dishing him the ball we could be looking at a MVP canidate when this season ends, and the Denver GM has to be happy with the trade he made to get Howard sending Kaman and Rip Hamilton for the beast known as D-12.[/td][td][tr][td]
23 (29)
[/td][td]Knicks[/td][td]4-10
[/td][td]New York, New York. They seems to be the hot topic in the NBA right now after making two big deals that will shake this team up dramatically. First they sent off rising star Danny Granger for big men Chris Kaman and Hakim Warrick; along with gaining former slam dunk champ Nate Robinson. Then after that they dealt there MVP of the season so far Carmelo Anthony for two reliable vets in Richard Hamilton and Chauncey Billups. With the team on a 3 game winning streak one wonders if this will disrupt the chemistry.[/td][td]
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24 (25)
[/td][td]Lakers[/td][td]4-9
[/td][td]I dont think a 4-9 start was what the Lakers GM was hoping for when the season started. After a slow start LAL decided to try to get his 1st rounder back because of how poorly his team was playing, then he turned that into a 2 1st that most likely will be lower than his. That move could play off but if he continues the bad play and gets a top 5 pick you know he will regret it. He also made a move sending Allen Iverson to Denver for Lamar Odom; Odom has gotten off to a slow start but just recently started playing better. Overall though one person who cant be happy in LA, Kobe.[/td][td][tr][td]
25 (24)
[/td][td]Wizards[/td][td]5-9
[/td][td]This team had some pretty high expectations at the beginning of the year with the superstar tandem of T-Mac and Bosh, but they just have not been able to put it together. With role players Dunleavy, Jackson, and Tinsley, you would think that this team would have enough to at least be in the top half of the league. What this team needs is a little more depth. McGrady has got to be traded for two quality starters so that this lineup can become a little more well rounded. This GM must build around Bosh, as he is a superstar who can play in the low post. A change must be made to this roster, and must be made soon if they want to salvage their season.[/td][td][tr][td]
26 (27)
[/td][td]T'Wolves[/td][td]5-10
[/td][td]This Timberwolves team is one that is young and inexperienced, and not too much was expected of them this year. They were predicted to be in the bottom 5th of the western conference, and so far it has been true. They look like they are moving in the right direction with all this youth, and they might just scrap this season in order to find more. Maybe a trade involving Big Ben and Q-dog might be in order to get this team some more youth and excitement. Granger, Gibson, Kleiza provide this team with a good core though.[/td][td][tr][td]
27 (26)
[/td][td]Pacers[/td][td]2-7
[/td][td]The Pacers were predicted to be one of the bottom two teams in the Eastern Conference and so far they have not disappointed. This team is very young though, and does have some very quality youth. The young duo of Bynum and Bargnani should be strong in the upcoming years, and nobody can argue that Rondo, Westbrook, or Gordon will be special. What this team needs is time..... and thats it. Look for them to finish in the bottom of the league with the possibility of a good draft pick to add more young studs to this team.[/td][td][tr][td]
28 (20)
[/td][td]Kings[/td][td]3-11
[/td][td]As I said in my preseason power rankings, I am not quite sure what this GM is wanting to do with this team. He did not make any major moves in the offseason to improve his team, and it shows. This team is on the decline and needs a shakeup. Luol Deng is this teams best player, and he either needs some help or needs to be traded. I see a major shakeup of this franchise in the near future.[/td][td][tr][td]
29 (28)
[/td][td]Spurs[/td][td]3-11
[/td][td]This team went through a major transition this year and went young. They traded away Monta Ellis and Iggy, but this team is very young. They were not expected to win alot of games this year, either by the GM or the rest of the league. This team does have lots of young talent and should be a force to be reckoned with in the future.[/td][td][tr][td]
30 (30)
[/td][td]Bulls[/td][td]1-13
[/td][td]This seems to be a familiar spot for the Bulls, who are a young team, but not as much talent as the Spurs or the Pacers. There is alot of question marks around this roster, with some unproven guys. Willie Green is the Bulls lone bright spot as he has been playing some good ball as of late. Look for this team to garner another high lottery pick.[/td][td]