duncan228
02-22-2009, 12:29 AM
NBA power rankings: Feb. 22, 2009 (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/NBA_power_rankings_Feb_22_2009.html)
Mike Monroe
TOP 10
(Last week’s rank in parentheses)
1. Lakers (1): Does anyone remember how far they were supposed to fall with Andrew Bynum on the injured list?
2. Cavaliers (3): Most shocking news of the season? Big Ben returns from All-Star break sans Afro: “I rocked it ‘til the wheels fell off.’ ”
3. Celtics (2): Without Garnett, potential home-court advantage in a playoff series with the Cavs is in serious danger of disappearing.
4. SPURS (4): If the Thunder buy out Joe Smith this week, expect them to challenge the Celtics and Cavs for his services.
5. Magic (6): New point guard Rafer Alston is no full Nelson, but he’s not half bad as replacement for an All-Star.
6. Nuggets (5): What’s worse than losing to the shorthanded Bulls? Worries that ’Melo and K-Mart could miss some time with injuries.
7. Hornets (7): Only member of the organization bummed by the return of Chandler (and his $12.5 million contract): owner George Shinn.
8. Rockets (9): Addition by subtraction — T-Mac out for the season means more touches for Yao, and that’s a good thing.
9. Jazz (8): They’ll play the remainder of the season with heavy hearts after the loss of owner Larry H. Miller, who ran the team the right way.
10. Trail Blazers (12): Point guard Blake is back, but star-crossed Oden is out again, this time with a bone chip in his kneecap.
THE REST
11. Mavericks (10)
12. Hawks (11)
13. 76ers (13)
14. Suns (17)
15. Heat (14)
16. Bulls (21)
17. Pistons (16)
18. Bucks (25)
19. Knicks (24)
20. Nets (15)
21. Bobcats (18)
22. Pacers (20)
23. Warriors (19)
24. Raptors (22)
25. Thunder (26)
26. Grizzlies (27)
27. Kings (28)
28. Timberwolves (23)
29. Wizards (30)
30. Clippers (29)
Mike Monroe
TOP 10
(Last week’s rank in parentheses)
1. Lakers (1): Does anyone remember how far they were supposed to fall with Andrew Bynum on the injured list?
2. Cavaliers (3): Most shocking news of the season? Big Ben returns from All-Star break sans Afro: “I rocked it ‘til the wheels fell off.’ ”
3. Celtics (2): Without Garnett, potential home-court advantage in a playoff series with the Cavs is in serious danger of disappearing.
4. SPURS (4): If the Thunder buy out Joe Smith this week, expect them to challenge the Celtics and Cavs for his services.
5. Magic (6): New point guard Rafer Alston is no full Nelson, but he’s not half bad as replacement for an All-Star.
6. Nuggets (5): What’s worse than losing to the shorthanded Bulls? Worries that ’Melo and K-Mart could miss some time with injuries.
7. Hornets (7): Only member of the organization bummed by the return of Chandler (and his $12.5 million contract): owner George Shinn.
8. Rockets (9): Addition by subtraction — T-Mac out for the season means more touches for Yao, and that’s a good thing.
9. Jazz (8): They’ll play the remainder of the season with heavy hearts after the loss of owner Larry H. Miller, who ran the team the right way.
10. Trail Blazers (12): Point guard Blake is back, but star-crossed Oden is out again, this time with a bone chip in his kneecap.
THE REST
11. Mavericks (10)
12. Hawks (11)
13. 76ers (13)
14. Suns (17)
15. Heat (14)
16. Bulls (21)
17. Pistons (16)
18. Bucks (25)
19. Knicks (24)
20. Nets (15)
21. Bobcats (18)
22. Pacers (20)
23. Warriors (19)
24. Raptors (22)
25. Thunder (26)
26. Grizzlies (27)
27. Kings (28)
28. Timberwolves (23)
29. Wizards (30)
30. Clippers (29)