Post by Oklahoma City Thunder on Dec 28, 2008 18:30:02 GMT -5
*OKC wrote comments for teams ranked 1-6
*ORL wrote comments for teams ranked 7-12
*TOR wrote comments for teams ranked 13-18
*CHA wrote comments for teams ranked 19-24
*DET wrote comments for teams ranked 25-30
A new edition of Power Rankings will be released every 3 sim weeks.
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Jazz[/td][td]
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Raptors[/td][td][/td][/tr]
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Thunder[/td][td]
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Magic[/td][td][/td][/tr]
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Cavaliers[/td][td][/td][/tr]
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76'ers[/td][td][/td][/tr]
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Celtics[/td][td][/td][/tr]
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Grizzlies[/td][td][/td][/tr]
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Heat[/td][td][/td][/tr]
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Suns[/td][td] [/td][/tr]
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Trailblazers[/td][td] [/td][/tr]
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Nets[/td][td] [/td][/tr]
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Bucks[/td][td] [/td][/tr]
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Bobcats[/td][td] [/td][/tr]
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Mavericks[/td][td] [/td][/tr]
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Pistons[/td][td] [/td][/tr]
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Wizards[/td][td] [/td][/tr]
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Rockets[/td][td] [/td][/tr]
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Warriors[/td][td] [/td][/tr]
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Lakers[/td][td] [/td][/tr]
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Hawks[/td][td] [/td][/tr]
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Knicks[/td][td] [/td][/tr]
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Nuggets[/td][td] [/td][/tr]
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T'Wolves[/td][td] [/td][/tr]
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Kings[/td][td] [/td][/tr]
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Pacers[/td][td] [/td][/tr]
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Clippers[/td][td] [/td][/tr]
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Bulls[/td][td] [/td][/tr][/table]
*ORL wrote comments for teams ranked 7-12
*TOR wrote comments for teams ranked 13-18
*CHA wrote comments for teams ranked 19-24
*DET wrote comments for teams ranked 25-30
A new edition of Power Rankings will be released every 3 sim weeks.
Rank (Last) |
Team
[/td][td]Record
[/td][td]Comment
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1
(3)
[/td][td](3)
Hornets[/td][td]26-3
[/td][td]Well, what can you really say? The Hornets just run train on everyone they play. It should be pointed out that their recent trade of the great Chris Paul will only make their team deeper and more dangerous, IMO. Yes, they lose a great great PG, but they gain depth with Turkoglu moving to the bench in the 6th man role. How many teams can say they have a 80+ player coming off the bench? I know it sounds like a broken record, but the Hornets are the favorites to win the title, AGAIN.[/td][td][tr][td]
2
(1)
[/td][td](1)
Jazz[/td][td]24-5
[/td][td]Utah has consistently beat their opponents by double digits. That's a sign of a great team. The great ones, dominate games they should win. Nick Young and Channing Frye just recently returned from their fairly long term injuries, and that should only help the Jazz. Not to mention Kirk Hinrich was just recently named Western Conference Player of the Month for December. And remember, rumors are just that, RUMORS 
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3
(4)
[/td][td](4)
Raptors[/td][td]23-6
[/td][td]I think its pretty safe to say that the Raptors have been declared the best team in the East, as they should be. The recent injury to O.J. Mayo has hurt the Raptors as of late as they are not very deep at the SG position. Hasn't hurt them too much as they recently beat a very good Thunder team. They just recently traded for Eddie House to help with the depth problems. He will start at SG until Mayo gets back.[/td][td][tr][td]
4
(2)
[/td][td](2)
Thunder[/td][td]22-7
[/td][td]DOH! This is the way the Thunder GM has to feel after trading away 2/5 of a lineup that was playing so well. Andre Miller was leading the league in assists and Dirk was doing his part, but the Thunder GM decided he needed a change. Change is not always good, and in this case, its not good. Paul Pierce has not fit in well with Caron Butler and Derrick Rose is making rookie mistakes. Expect the Thunder GM to make a trade real soon to fix some of these problems they have had as of late.[/td][td][tr][td]
5
(5)
[/td][td](5)
Magic[/td][td]22-9
[/td][td]Chris Paul, Yao Ming, & Carmelo Anthony. Yep, they are on the SAME TEAM! Are you kidding me? That trio by themselves would be good enough to do very well in the East, but then you throw in a David Lee and a Jamal Crawford and you have a dominant team. If the roster stays intact, I could see this team competing with New Orleans for the best record in the league. Orlano has also done well in clearing cap space for next season, as CP3 is going to need a new contract.[/td][td][tr][td]
6 (9)
[/td][td]Cavaliers[/td][td]21-9
[/td][td]The Cavs have to be one of the most surprising teams of the year thus far. We all knew they would be good, but this good? They are competing for a division title and a #2 seed. Behind the great play of MVP candidate, Elton Brand, the Cavs are poised to keep their throne atop the division. CLE has to be asking, "Hey Indy hows my ass taste?" As Brand was ignored in the latest MVP rankings. He wont be ignored for too long.[/td][td][tr][td]
7 (7)
[/td][td]76'ers[/td][td]18-9
[/td][td]Team Anomaly, who would have thought that this team could still be under 10 losses with Agent 0 and KG as the only redeeming pieces. Philly has always perplexed me like the paintings of the never-ending staircases...how is it possible? Well, sadly for both 76er fans and step aerobic junkies alike...it isn't. And as long as this team relies on the offensive prowess of Bell and Nocioni to carry them, since Gilbert isn't the same shoot-first PG we all know and love, I don't see them holding their top 10 status.[/td][td][tr][td]
8
(11)
[/td][td](11)
Celtics[/td][td]16-13
[/td][td]Fortunately for Boston, scoring doesn't seem to be a problem in the foreseeable future. However, their front court might. Alston was a solid addition as Jo-Jo can step back into the 2 position and "make it rain on dem hoes" but the Nene/Gooden combo can only hold up for so long. When faced in playoff situations, against the Beastern Bigs (KG, Yao, JO and Brand, to name a few), there won't be any amount of scoring punch from Jo-Jo and Durant that could keep pace. For the short term, on the other hand, things look well and I can easily see this team overtaking Philly and joining Orlando, Toronto and Cleveland atop the East.[/td][td][tr][td]
9 (16)
[/td][td]Grizzlies[/td][td]15-12
[/td][td]Some crafty maneuvering on Memphis' part has created a real scary team out West. Pau and Dirk should pummel teams and leave them bawling their eyes out after 48 minutes of inside/outside, scoring/rebounding, in-your-face nasty basketball. 15-12 should be a simple figment of the imagination 10 games from now when they sit around the 23-14 range, laughing down at those they left in the dust. And we haven't even discussed the kind of hurt that Andre Miller and Peja can do. "But...but...he's starting anthony parker!" you say, bitch please.[/td][td][tr][td]
10 (6)
[/td][td]Heat[/td][td]18-12
[/td][td]Yes, the Heat are trending down...which is a very difficult thing to conclude when you get rid of a cancerous growth like Starbury. It's unfortunate, but true. The team is actually worse off...on paper...with Calderon and Green than Ray Ray and "Pee Pants" (Marbury). But as Miami mentioned, we must look to the future and there are many many nice treats at the end of the rainbow with Boozer, Calderon and Green at the helm. Chandler is a defensive monster and Battier is the kind of do-it-all un-selfish player that will find his place in this system. So trends look down for now, but cheer up you "other" Floridian fans and keep your heads held high, you'll still make the playoffs.[/td][td][tr][td]
11 (19)
[/td][td]Suns[/td][td]18-13
[/td][td]My GOD is that Linas Kleiza as the #2 scorer in the desert. Where's D-Wade? Where's J-Smoove (as the kids call him)? There really is no answer here, and if there is...I'm sure Phoenix is just as anxious to hear from you as I am. Shaking off this paranormal, X-Files-esque scoring conundrum, Phoenix is finding ways to win. So assuming that Wade/Smith/both can shake off what can only be heat exhaustion/alien abduction, Phoenix could be back in the thick of things. But for now, we'll safely place them at 11 with a shiny green arrow next to them. (By the way, isn't Area 51 somewhere down there in the SW too, New Mexico perhaps? Food for thought!)[/td][td] [tr][td]
12 (14)
[/td][td]Trailblazers[/td][td]17-12
[/td][td]Well this isn't your father's jail-blazer squad by far. Hell, the only reminder of those days is Travis Outlaw and that's more an unfortunate name coincidence above anything. These gentlemen of the Big Foot-filled NW have potential higher than the freak, test-tube children of Michael Jordan and Candace Parker. But that's besides the point. The T-Blazers can and will have a solid team for years to come but are one center away from dominance. And unless they can actually capture, train and play the elusive Big-Foot himself...I don't see this team going any farther than middle of the pack. (Some more food for thought for Portland's GM and all interested.. & [/td][td] [tr][td]
13 (13)
[/td][td]Nets[/td][td]15-13
[/td][td]At the beginning of the year, we all figured that the Nets would be the best team in the east and challenging the Magic for first overall, but sadly, the Nets season has been dreadful and not succeeding. The main question that the Nets GM is asking himself is, should he trade away some of his players? So far it’s not working and maybe it’s time to make a change before it get’s too late and Toronto and Philly run away from the rest in the division.[/td][td] [tr][td]
14 (10)
[/td][td]Bucks[/td][td]14-13
[/td][td]Down, Down, Down is what the bucks have gone from the beginning of the season. Coming into the New Year the Bucks have been a very disappointing 14-13 and are barely in the playoffs as of right now. Very strange from last season, where the Bucks where running the East with Orlando, but the Bucks have slowed down a lot and maybe it’s time for them to trade some of there key players to get back in front. I personally believe this team can make the playoffs but time will only tell.[/td][td] [tr][td]
15 (24)
[/td][td]Bobcats[/td][td]16-15
[/td][td]KITTY’S FOR THE WIN!! Everyone is talking about how the East is powerful and they never saw the Bobcats making the playoffs. Well let me tell you guys a little something, if the playoffs where to start today, the Bobcats would be in the playoffs!! YES PLAYOFFS! This team was awful when the season started, but now they're doing a great job in the powerful eastern conference. Props have to go to the GM who has made this team into a contender. Will they make the playoffs this year? Well, I believe so![/td][td] [tr][td]
16 (15)
[/td][td]Mavericks[/td][td]16-15
[/td][td]Trying everything to win, but somehow there still a .500 team. I do not understand how this team isn’t doing great in the West with OKC and Utah. The GM has tired everything and maybe he’s giving up, but maybe it’s time for 1 more shake up. Many basketball people are predicting a trade of Jason Kidd for a younger PG, maybe that can help the lonely Mavericks?[/td][td] [tr][td]
17 (8)
[/td][td]Pistons[/td][td]13-14
[/td][td]This has been a yo-yo like season thus far for Detroit. They win 3-4 games, then they lose 5-6 games. This team is very inconsistent, but you have to give credit for what the GM is doing with this team. They are doing everything they can to try and make this team turn around. All they need is a solid center men and I think this team will do very well.[/td][td] [tr][td]
18 (20)
[/td][td]Wizards[/td][td]13-14
[/td][td]Starting the New Year, the Wiz has found their leader and his name is Chris Bosh. With T-Mac being traded, Bosh is now the number one guy in Wiz Land. But now the GM needs to find players to play around Bosh, maybe a better PG to help him out? Maybe Jason Kidd could really help this team? This team is a good team with Wallace and Bosh as there 3-4 but they are missing 1-2-5. If they can address that issue with out trading CB4, expect the Wiz to make another run into the playoffs like they did last year.[/td][td] [tr][td]
19 (12)
[/td][td]Rockets[/td][td]12-15
[/td][td]The Rockets have had a big overhaul in the past few weeks, and only Big Al remains a starter for this team from the last rankings. Some what of a disappointment so far this season, The Rockets are the 8th seed in the West, but wouldn't even be in the running in the East. Trading Iggy and Head for Billups and Wilcox adds a lot of pressure to this team to win now, but this GM wouldn't have it any other way. We'll see what happens, they should be better after this trade but it may damage there potential in the long run.[/td][td] [tr][td]
20 (18)
[/td][td]Warriors[/td][td]13-18
[/td][td]We keep talking about the Warriors, we think they're going to make a trade or do something, but nothing ever changes. The rest of the league has left the Warriors in the dust, and they need to realize that. Adding Mo Petes was an okay move, but not the change they need. Deron needs some help, and the Warriors do have some value with Harrington and Lewis to make a big deal. If nothing changes the Warriors are destined to fail, this team is obviously not playing up to their potential, they should be in the playoffs easy.[/td][td] [tr][td]
21 (21)
[/td][td]Lakers[/td][td]11-17
[/td][td]Give this team some time and I think they will be in the playoffs. Sheed gives them a presence down low, and with the AI/Kobe tandem back together I see the Lakers doing some big things. Getting Udonis Hasslem can only help this team, and right now they have more talent than Golden Sate or Houston. If they can get into the playoffs this will be a tough team, and if #24 is really the next MJ, maybe they win a series or two? An interesting match up would be the Thunder vs. Lakers, Shaq and Kobe have never squared off in the playoffs. Someone would HAVE to taste the others ass, and that would just be fun to watch. I would take the Thunder, but like I said if Kobe is the next MJ maybe just maybe the Lakers can do it.[/td][td] [tr][td]
22 (17)
[/td][td]Hawks[/td][td]11-18
[/td][td]The East has left the Hawks behind, but that's okay, they keep developing and get a better pick. Al Horford is statistically the best player in the league, and that has to give the Hawks hope for the future. Mo Williams, Mike Miller, YI, and of course Horford will be a nice core to build around for a long time to come. This team should compete next year in the stacked East, but even this year the Hawks have shown they aren't a bad team.[/td][td] [tr][td]
23 (23)
[/td][td]Knicks[/td][td]11-18
[/td][td]Another team that has been left behind in the East, and it just shows how stacked the East is. This is another good basketball team people, and I believe could compete in the West. The Iggy/Ellis/Kaman Trio is sick, and will be sick for a long time to come if the GM so chooses. Guys like Hakim Warrick, Nate Robinson, Jordan Farmar, and Ike Diogu will determine this teams future, since they don't have their pick this year. You don't sleep on the Knicks, they will put a knot on your head if you do.[/td][td] [tr][td]
24 (25)
[/td][td]Nuggets[/td][td]11-19
[/td][td]I would not put a red X by the Nuggets name when it comes to the playoffs. They made a big trade last week and acquired Ray Allen and Stephon Marbury for some young guys and Calderon. I criticized the trade hardcore, and I still believe I'm right but NO ONE disagree that pairing those 2 with D12 will make them a respectable team right away. Jason Thompson, Jared Bayless, Matt Barnes, Brock Lopez, Jason Kapono, and pretty soon Devin Brown make this a very deep team as well. This is a good basketball team and don't be shocked if they don't make a serious play for the playoffs, they may come up short but they will at least get close. [/td][td] [tr][td]
25 (27)
[/td][td]T'Wolves[/td][td]9-19
[/td][td]Is it 2010 yet? That's what the Minny GM has to be asking him self, because the Wolves dont look make any noise this year in the West and could be that way again next year. This team does have one solid rock though, and the rock is Danny Granger. He is the teams lone star and in order to succeed in the future this man is going to have to be there leader. Once he gets some help though from the FA Minny will look to sign in 2010 this team should get back into contender status.[/td][td] [tr][td]
26 (29)
[/td][td]Kings[/td][td]7-24
[/td][td]The kings have to be the biggest disappointment in the NBA this season. With a roster that has players such as Luol Deng, Marvin Williams, and Boris Diaw you think this team would be semi-competitive, but that is not the case. Deng has really had a poor year both on both sides of the ball. His counterpart though in the frountcourt Boris Diaw hasn't been stellar either though and teams have been taking advantage of that. One of few bright spots though is Courtney Lee. He was picked late in the 1st round and now is starting and putting up 14 PPG.[/td][td] [tr][td]
27 (26)
[/td][td]Pacers[/td][td]6-19
[/td][td]This year is not the year for Indiana. There just two young and don't have enough experience to keep up with top tier teams let alone even mid-tier teams. Don't get me wrong this team is stocked with talent, enough talent to make a big push for the playoffs in the next couple of years, I just can't see it as of now though. One thing fans in Indy can look forward to though in the NBA Draft. Indy is loaded with picks and should be the main attraction in New York this year and he will be dealing a lot of his picks because he doesn't have near enough roster space.[/td][td] [tr][td]
28 (22)
[/td][td]Clippers[/td][td]9-23
[/td][td]After such a hot start this team has come back to earth. The Clippers at one time where the division leaders and looking like a breakout team but lately this team has been thrown around like rag dolls and under preforming. The young rook Michael Beasley has played great for LAC putting up 18 and 8 a night but he just hasn't got enough support from his teammates and that's why this team is playing so poorly. The Clips recently made a move sending Mike Conley Jr. to Chicago for two guys with a lot of upside in Spencer Hawes and D.J. Agustin.[/td][td] [tr][td]
29 (28)
[/td][td]Spurs[/td][td]5-24
[/td][td]There isn't to much to say about the Spurs. There just flat out not very good. Andrew Bogut and Ramon Felton have played well but this team just doesn't have enough talent. You have to wonder if they regret trading away Monta Ellis and Andre Iguodala. The team will be looking forward to the NBA Draft and could really use a guy lake Blake Griffin down in the low post with Bogut.[/td][td] [tr][td]
30 (30)
[/td][td]Bulls[/td][td]4-28
[/td][td]The Bulls just recently pulled out a tremendous upset win against one of the East powers Milwaukee. Willie Green played well and maybe its a sign that the Bulls are getting better. There still at the bottom of the power rankings though and for good reason. There 4-28 and the team best player would be a role player on most other teams. Hopefully they can gain some momentum though and show people that they still are out there fighting night in and out and not tanking to try to get a good draft pick.[/td][td] 
