Power Rankings | Dec 9th

[Oklahoma City Thunder]

*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
*OKC wrote comments for teams ranked 25-30

A new edition of Power Rankings will be released every 2 sim weeks.

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1
(2)

[/td][td]Jazz[/td][td]

17-2

[/td][td]Another set of power rankings, another new #1 team. The Jazz have reclaimed the top spot after their tremendous showing over the past 2 weeks going 6-0. Kirk Hinrich has been playing out of this world over that span. The only concern has to be the up and down play of Amare. 1 week hes an MVP candidate the next he looks so-so averaging 12 and 7.[/td][td]

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2
(1)

[/td][td]Thunder[/td][td]

16-3

[/td][td]The Thunder's winning streak came to an end after a surprising loss to the Celtics at home on Dec 2nd. After that loss, OKC has piled up 4 straight wins behind the strong play of Shaq. If the Thunder want to make any noise in the playoffs, they will have to get Caron Butler going. He needs to be that 3rd scorer behind Dirk and Shaq.[/td][td]

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3
(3)

[/td][td]Hornets[/td][td]

16-3

[/td][td]The Hornets are consistently burying their opponents into submission. Not much is heard about this team, but all they do is win. The 2 time defending champions have an offensive and defensive balanced attack to die for.Expect the Hornets to compete for their 3rd straight title barring any major injuries.[/td][td]

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4
(4)

[/td][td]Raptors[/td][td]

16-4

[/td][td]Jermaine O'Neal is playing like its 2002, MVP like. Game in and game out, JO sets the tone with his inside scoring and defensive rebounding prowess. If the MVP was given out today, JO is the clear cut winner. The Raps will go as far as he carries them and with the way he's been playing, that could be FAR.[/td][td]

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5
(5)

[/td][td]Magic[/td][td]

14-6

[/td][td]Orlando hit another bump in the road losing to Indiana, but that can be attributed to the injury of the JET, Jason Terry. He makes that team go, and without him out there at 100%, the Magic are not the same team. Expect the Magic to play .500 ball until he gets back, and then look for them to take off with a full healthy roster.[/td][td]

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6 (11)

[/td][td]Heat[/td][td]

13-7

[/td][td]The Heat have gotten HOT. South Beach has to be pleased with the way their team has been playing as of late. The Heat, led by Carlos Boozer's 18 and 10, are striding at the perfect time as the team in front of them is a bit banged up. Expect the Heat to be 1st in the division very soon.[/td][td]

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7 (7)

[/td][td]76'ers[/td][td]

12-6

[/td][td]They're back! It was the other day I was saying Philly was having problems being called an elite team in the east, now look at them. Philly coming into December 1st was about 1 game back of the leading Toronto Raptors. It was amazing to see how this team has come together, and if only they can keep this chemistry, they should be able to at least go after 1st place in the Division. Should be a fun ride for the fans in Philly.[/td][td]

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8
(15)

[/td][td]Pistons[/td][td]

10-7

[/td][td]It’s about time, Detroit is playing good now. This team started out awful but made a few questionable trades to try and get this team back on track, now look at them, right behind the 1st place Cavs, they are only .5 games back. By the end of January, I would say this team is back into the top five, I am 100% sure this team will be heading to the playoffs. There is no way this team can not make the playoffs unless every player is out of the season.[/td][td]

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9 (6)

[/td][td]Cavaliers[/td][td]

11-7

[/td][td]Being 1st place in the division sounds great, but this team has slowed down and now is giving others in the division a chance to come back. The Cavs came out with a great start but since then have slowed down. The team is getting great games from Elton Brand but he is only 1 person. It looks like the Cavs may need to make a trade to get some help for Brand. The injury to Brad Miller also isnt helping their cause.[/td][td]

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10 (8)

[/td][td]Bucks[/td][td]

10-8

[/td][td]Once in the top 4 now top 10, is shocking to see but it’s true. The Bucks have fallen and they need help. Can VC be the answer? The team just finished acquiring Vince Carter from New Jersey for Martin and it looks to be a good sign for Bucks fans. VC will bring scoring which they need. Maybe next time we talk about Power Ranks, this team will be in the top 5 again.[/td][td]

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11 (13)

[/td][td]Celtics[/td][td]

11-10

[/td][td]I have to tip my hat to Boston GM; he has done a great job with this team. This team, who we all thought was going to be a rebuilding project, come out the gates with a great record and is still producing. The Boston GM wanted his team to make the playoffs for sure, so he goes out and gets Allen Iverson from Denver which is a huge trade for the Celtics. It now brings them scoring and you also have superstar Joe Johnson. Watch out guys, if Boston gets on a winning streak, they will be making some noise![/td][td]

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12 (9)

[/td][td]Rockets[/td][td]

8-8

[/td][td]Been a good year so far for the Houston Rockets. Yeah they aren’t in the top 10 anymore, but still this team has changed and I have to say I am impressed with what they have accomplished. I still believe that this team will make the playoffs despite what there record is right now.[/td][td]

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13 (10)

[/td][td]Nets[/td][td]

10-9

[/td][td]The preseason pick to win the East is disappointing badly, this team started off well but is barley in the top half of the league anymore. Maybe Kevin Martin coming into town will lift spirits once he gets use to playing in a Nets uniform. In any case the Nets better step there asses up, or watch Raptors, 76ers, and/or Celtics take there season.[/td][td]

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14 (19)

[/td][td]Trailblazers[/td][td]

10-9

[/td][td]Blazers are playing up to there potential as far as I can see, they still need a center. Diop can give you D and rebounding, but doesn't really fit in with the rest of the team. Harris, Roy, Maggette, all want to get up the court, and even Aldridge is good for a big. They have 2 solid bench wings in Webster and Outlaw they could trade for a center, or maybe even start Outlaw at the 4 and Aldridge at the 5.[/td][td]

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15 (12)

[/td][td]Mavericks[/td][td]

10-11

[/td][td]In my eyes the Mavs saved there season by trading for Tracy McGrady. It will take him time to get used to Dallas, but once he does I expect the Mavs to make a move into the 4-6 range in the playoffs and be tough come playoff time. I would not want to play this team in the playoffs, T-mac gives them a go to guy and compliments Jason Kidd very well. With T-mac and Manu on the wing's, Kidd should put up plenty of dimes. Only concern is there posts are very very slow (Randolph and Ziggy.)[/td][td]

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16 (14)

[/td][td]Grizzlies[/td][td]

9-10

[/td][td]Another disappointing team, the question is will the Grizzles GM have the patience to let Derrick Rose develop? In my eyes he needs to move Rose for a better PG now, or trade Dyess, Pierce, and Peja to get younger. Memphis better get it together quick, they have a really old team and there window to win a title is getting smaller and smaller.[/td][td]

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17 (21)

[/td][td]Hawks[/td][td]

9-10

[/td][td]Charlotte was the surprise team of the SE, now Atlanta has trumped them and is looking very good themselves. Al Horford is playing out of this world, and with YIIIIIIIIII down in the post they will be set there for a long time. Mike Miller, Ricky Davis, and Mo Williams give them pretty good guard play, and with a deep bench could this team make the playoffs?[/td][td]

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18 (17)

[/td][td]Warriors[/td][td]

10-12

[/td][td]Warriors need a trade, and need it now. Al Singletary once said "I want winners" and right now Deron Williams is the only winner the Warriors have. Change is needed, either Harrington, Shard, or Biedrins needs to leave in a trade to bring in some more Defense. Right now this team is lazy on the Defensive end and doesn't have enough weapons on Offense to outscore people.[/td][td]

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19 (18)

[/td][td]Suns[/td][td]

9-11

[/td][td]Wow, who would of seen this coming? The Suns are playing flat out bad basketball right now. The Suns GM has to be pulling his hair out after a horrendous 9-11 start after being one of the Western Conference's elite teams for the past 2 years. With a team that consist of a future Hall-of-Famer Dwayne Wade and good talent surrounding him in Josh Smith and Mike Bibby this team should be at least a top 6 team in the Western Conference, My guess is we see a big shakeup and I think it will happen a lot sooner than later.[/td][td]

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20 (25)

[/td][td]Wizards[/td][td]

8-11

[/td][td]Shaq and Kobe, Jordan and Pippen, and Thomas and Dumars. What do they all have in common? Both players were stars and both won NBA titles with each other. One pair of All-Stars dosent look like there quite in the same boat, yes you know who I am talking about; Chris Bosh and T-Mac. With a combo that good you would have to think Washington would be at least in the playoff picture but that isn't the case in D.C. The Wizards GM has been shopping both around and It's probably not a bad idea after this teams start.[/td][td]

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21 (24)

[/td][td]Lakers[/td][td]

8-10

[/td][td]The Lakers just cant seem to find their stride. They take one step forward and then two steps back. Lamar Odom hasn't played up to his potential and the bench is not contributing. If there is a bright spot though the backcourt of Kobe, Crawford, and Vujacic seems to be one of the most underrated trios in the league. Each is putting up over 17 PPG, 3.5 RPG, and 4 APG.[/td][td]

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22 (16)

[/td][td]Clippers[/td][td]

9-12

[/td][td]From one LA team to another, we now shift our attention to the Clips. After starting off so hot, LAC has recently cooled off. The Clips are only still a half game out of first in the Pacific Division, but you have to think that a team like Golden State or Phoenix will pick up where they left off last year and get hot at the right time. Although the Clips shocked everyone with how they started the year, I would not be suprised if they can regain the 1st place lead and hold it until the All-Star Break.[/td][td]

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23 (23)

[/td][td]Knicks[/td][td]

8-12

[/td][td]The Knicks are last right now in what look to be the hardest divisions in the NBA; The Atlantic. They are lacking the star power they once had, but now bring a more balanced attack. Chris Kaman seems to an All-Star with the way he is playing putting up 20 and 10 every night. Hakim Warrick has also filled in nice at PF putting up some big numbers in a couple recent games. The problem seems to be the backcourt for NY, Billups and Rip need to step it up if New York has any shot at making the playoffs.
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24 (20)

[/td][td]Bobcats[/td][td]

8-13

[/td][td]The Bobcats are also last in there division; The Southeast. The team just hasn't been playing good basketball as of late. They are on a 3 game losing streak and things dont seem to be getting much better. The core four in Charlotte has been playing really well but the team just can't pull out many wins. This team looks like they could be lottery bound which isnt a bad thing for the future, but it isnt a good thing for the morale of the teams current players, fans, coaches, and the Bobcats GM.[/td][td]

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25 (22)

[/td][td]Nuggets[/td][td]

7-13

[/td][td]The Nuggets, I cant seem to figure out. You would think a team with Dwight Howard and Allen Iverson would have done better than they did. Well, they didn't and the Denver GM was forced to trade A.I. for youth and depth. This new lineup should help D-12's stock, but the team itself wont be very good. Just not enough experienced scoring in the lineup next to Howard.[/td][td]

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26 (27)

[/td][td]Pacers[/td][td]

5-10

[/td][td]Maybe a ray of hope form Indiana? Maybe, maybe not. They have beaten the Magic and Mavericks and have hung tight with a few other good opponents over the past few weeks. The young team just needs time to gel. Also, expect to see the few veterans left on the team, to be traded by the deadline. This team is in complete rebuild mode, and having a guy like Troy Murphy on your IR eating money doesn't make much sense.[/td][td]

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27 (26)

[/td][td]T'Wolves[/td][td]

6-15

[/td][td]The addition of Danny Granger has been a good thing for the T'Wolves. Now all they have to do is figure out who they want to play with him. The problem is, they are an extremely small team (starting 6-9 Glen Davis at center and 6-7 Lina Kleiza at PF) and that wont fly when you have to face guys like Amare, Shaq, Dirk, Aldridge, D-12, & K-Mart all the time in the Northwest. The GM's hands are tied as thats all he has to work with. Its going to be a tough year in Minny.[/td][td]

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28 (29)

[/td][td]Spurs[/td][td]

4-15

[/td][td]Dont be mistaken, the 1 ranking jump for the Spurs has more to do with how bad the Kings are as opposed to anything well the Spurs have done as of late. The Spurs are what they are. A young team playing out the season. They are looking forward to the future and that starts with the NBA Lottery. If they win the lottery and draft Blake Griffin, projected #1 pick, and pair him up with Bogut, all of sudden the team doesnt look so bad.[/td][td]

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29 (28)

[/td][td]Kings[/td][td]

4-17

[/td][td]The Kings are in complete destrction. The GM needs to decide if he is going into full rebuild mode (trade vets like Diaw, Haywood, Haslem) or try to ride this tough stretch out and try and trade for a player that can help Luol Deng. Deng is not playing up to his standards due to defenses keying on him. Frankly, the Kings don't have anyone else that scares teams.[/td][td]

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30 (30)

[/td][td]Bulls[/td][td]

2-18

[/td][td]The Bulls are just riding the season out. They know who they are and they wont pretend otherwise. This team is loaded with young talent and they just need time to develop. In 2 years, this team should be back to respectabilty. If they land Blake Griffin, they can pair him with Kevin Love to make a great young front court. But the lottery comes 1st.[/td][td]

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[theanswer - IND]

thats good nice coments about me very happy with the way my team is going atm

[Dallas Mavericks]

hopefully tmac does well in my team. along with kidd and manu.

[sharmoot - POR]

nice write up, we have moved up? nice

ive played L.A at the 5 last season he just isnt as effective at the 5, and Diop isnt playing TOO badly actually but we will see i may need to make a change but right now im not too worried if i lose to teams like utah, NO and Toronto lol we still have alot of work to do.

[sharmoot - POR]

lets not forget OKC

[Charlotte Bobcats]

I'm not scared of the lottery! My morale is the same no matter what

[Los Angeles Clippers]

More appropriate and what I expected from my team lol

let's get one more good pick, sign something nice this offseason, and go from there!

[hardballer1 - NYK]

might not of moved but im quite pleased with the progress, hopefully everyone will step up and play better with the(hopefully) new line-up..

[Utah Jazz]

I don't wanna be #1. Too much pressure.

[San Antonio Spurs]

I'm afraid of the Lotto and I'll be one of the top 3 teams there.