milkyway21
04-19-2005, 02:07 AM
Still kickin'
Others made headlines, but Spurs still team to beat
Posted: Monday April 18, 2005 12:53PM; Updated: Monday April 18, 2005 2:53PM
The men in robes and red caps have met. The white smoke has risen from the chimney. No, we're not talking about the conclave to name the next Pope. We're talking about this season's final edition of Power Rankings. Here's how the college of cardinals (OK, yours truly) sees the league's 30 teams stacking up as the NBA playoffs get set to begin:
This week's high riser: SONICS (No. 6 from 12)
This week's big drop: WARRIORS (No. 19 from 11)
NBA Power Rankings
Rank LW Team
1 6 San Antonio Spurs (59-21)
They yield the fewest points in the league (88.3) and own the best home record by far (38-3). If Tim Duncan's ankle holds up, they look good for a third NBA Finals berth in seven years.
2 2 Miami Heat (57-23)
Shaquille O'Neal did what he promised to do, leading them to the top of the East. With Dwyane Wade at his side, he just might have the right sidekick this year to get past the Pistons.
3 1 Phoenix Suns (61-19)
The NBA's best (and biggest surprise) of the regular season. But can Steve Nash & Co. continue to control the tempo and play their style of ball in the rough-and-tumble playoffs?
4 5 Detroit Pistons (53-27)
The defending champs are healthy and enter the postseason as the hottest team in the NBA. With Larry Brown and their cast of proven vets, they could bring Motown a second straight crown.
5 4 Dallas Mavericks (56-24)
The trendy "dark horse" of this year's playoffs. With Dirk Nowitzki and a real defense for a change, new coach Avery Johnson has the weapons to take advantage if the Spurs and Suns stumble.
6 12 Seattle SuperSonics (52-28)
Their surprising season fizzled at the end due to injuries. But with Rashard Lewis back in the lineup, and Vladimir Radmanovic getting close, they have the firepower to beat anybody.
7 10 Indiana Pacers (43-37)
They survived the Malice in the Palace, and all sorts of injuries, to finish sixth in the East. Now Jermaine O'Neal (shoulder) is healthy again and looking to send Reggie Miller out a winner.
8 8 Sacramento Kings (49-31)
Like the Pacers, they endured a slew of injuries to notch a fifth straight 50-win season. If Brad Miller and Bobby Jackson come back, they too have the talent and experience to make a run.
9 7 Houston Rockets (49-31)
After a slow start, coach Jeff Van Gundy finally got Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming working as a tandem. But the loss of Juwan Howard to a season-ending injury will be tough to overcome.
10 3 Denver Nuggets (48-32)
No team was better over the second half of the season, and they have a proven coach in George Karl. But their playoff road looks brutal, especially if they draw the Spurs in the first round.
11 15 Boston Celtics (45-35)
Antoine Walker's return was enough to push them over the top in the weak Atlantic. With him, Paul Pierce and Gary Payton, coach Doc Rivers has they savvy to challenge in the East.
12 17 Washington Wizards (45-35)
Gilbert Arenas, Larry Hughes and Antawn Jamison were the NBA's highest scoring trio, spearheading their surprise season. But will their lack of playoff experience hurt them?
13 9 Chicago Bulls (46-34)
They overcame an 0-9 start to make the playoffs for the first time since the end of the Jordan Dynasty in 1998. But can they overcome season-ending injuries to starters Eddy Curry and Luol Deng?
14 13 Memphis Grizzlies (44-36)
Mike Fratello picked up where Hubie Brown left off, getting the most of this deep roster that plays at both ends. However, a late-season fade won't help their confidence entering the playoffs.
15 19 New Jersey Nets (40-40)
With Jason Kidd and a rejuvenated Vince Carter, they rallied from a disastrous start to get back in the playoff hunt. If they make it, and Richard Jefferson (wrist) returns, they could be dangerous
16 14 Philadelphia 76ers (41-39)
The big Chris Webber trade didn't quite work out as planned. Still, Allen Iverson won another scoring title, dished out a career-high 8.0 assists and kept them in the playoff race until the end.
17 16 Minnesota Timberwolves (42-38)
Kevin McHale took over for Flip Saunders and nearly guided them into the playoffs. But their disappointing season now means the likely departures of Latrell Sprewell and Sam Cassell.
18 18 Cleveland Cavaliers (40-40)
New owner Dan Gilbert fired coachPaul Silas late in the season only to see the move backfire. As a result another sterling season by LeBron James seemed destined to end in disappointment.
19 11 Golden State Warriors (32-48)
For the 10th consecutive year, they failed to make the playoffs. But Baron Davis, acquired in a trade, made them one of the NBA's hottest teams after the All-Star break and brought hope for the future.
20 21 Los Angeles Clippers (36-44)
After a promising start they got waylaid by injuries. But Bobby Simmons emerged as a solid player, and they had a chance to finish ahead of the Lakers for the first time since '92-93.
21 20 Orlando Magic (35-45)
Grant Hill's amazing comeback got overshadowed in the end by the team's collapse, which cost Johnny Davis his job. But at least Dwight Howard lived up to his top billing.
22 22 Toronto Raptors (32-48)
Feuds, fistfights and the trade of franchise player Carter kept things bubbling in Toronto. A dismal first season for GM Rob Babcock, who will be under the gun like few of his peers this summer.
23 23 Los Angeles Lakers (34-46)
Kobe Bryant did all he could (maybe too much) to try to carry them to the playoffs. But as the stunning resignation of Rudy Tomjanovich showed, the team was never quite one happy family.
24 24 Milwaukee Bucks (30-50)
After a surprising '03-04 campaign, they crashed back to reality in '04-05. They just hope free-agent shooting guard Michael Redd doesn't use it as an excuse to sign elsewhere this summer.
25 25 New York Knicks (32-48)
Allan Houston never got healthy, Jamal Crawford wasn't ready to be the savior, and Lenny Wilkens lost his job. Time to get Phil Jackson or Larry Brown on the speed dial.
26 28 Portland Trail Blazers (26-54)
The Darius Miles outburst summed up their testy campaign and led to Maurice Cheeks' ouster as coach. Now they appear on the verge of another major housecleaning, perhaps top to bottom.
27 26 Utah Jazz (25-55)
The loss of Andrei Kirilenko early in the season sent them into a tailspin from which they never recovered. Carlos Boozer and Mehmut Okur weren't able to pick up the slack.
28 29 New Orleans Hornets (18-62)
After a horrid start, they recovered to avoid catching the '72-73 Sixers for worst all-time record. Meanwhile, the trades of Davis and Jamal Mashburn brought cap relief for this summer.
29 27 Charlotte Bobcats (17-63)
With rookie Emeka Okafor and improved center Primoz Brezec leading the way, they managed to be respectable for an expansion team. Now they just have to build on it.
30 30 Atlanta Hawks (13-67)
Josh Smith's All-Star Slam Dunk title was the lone highlight in another dismal campaign. But the Walker trade to Boston brought more cap room, so there's hope for this summer.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/writers/marty_burns/04/18/final2/index.html
:D :D :D
Others made headlines, but Spurs still team to beat
Posted: Monday April 18, 2005 12:53PM; Updated: Monday April 18, 2005 2:53PM
The men in robes and red caps have met. The white smoke has risen from the chimney. No, we're not talking about the conclave to name the next Pope. We're talking about this season's final edition of Power Rankings. Here's how the college of cardinals (OK, yours truly) sees the league's 30 teams stacking up as the NBA playoffs get set to begin:
This week's high riser: SONICS (No. 6 from 12)
This week's big drop: WARRIORS (No. 19 from 11)
NBA Power Rankings
Rank LW Team
1 6 San Antonio Spurs (59-21)
They yield the fewest points in the league (88.3) and own the best home record by far (38-3). If Tim Duncan's ankle holds up, they look good for a third NBA Finals berth in seven years.
2 2 Miami Heat (57-23)
Shaquille O'Neal did what he promised to do, leading them to the top of the East. With Dwyane Wade at his side, he just might have the right sidekick this year to get past the Pistons.
3 1 Phoenix Suns (61-19)
The NBA's best (and biggest surprise) of the regular season. But can Steve Nash & Co. continue to control the tempo and play their style of ball in the rough-and-tumble playoffs?
4 5 Detroit Pistons (53-27)
The defending champs are healthy and enter the postseason as the hottest team in the NBA. With Larry Brown and their cast of proven vets, they could bring Motown a second straight crown.
5 4 Dallas Mavericks (56-24)
The trendy "dark horse" of this year's playoffs. With Dirk Nowitzki and a real defense for a change, new coach Avery Johnson has the weapons to take advantage if the Spurs and Suns stumble.
6 12 Seattle SuperSonics (52-28)
Their surprising season fizzled at the end due to injuries. But with Rashard Lewis back in the lineup, and Vladimir Radmanovic getting close, they have the firepower to beat anybody.
7 10 Indiana Pacers (43-37)
They survived the Malice in the Palace, and all sorts of injuries, to finish sixth in the East. Now Jermaine O'Neal (shoulder) is healthy again and looking to send Reggie Miller out a winner.
8 8 Sacramento Kings (49-31)
Like the Pacers, they endured a slew of injuries to notch a fifth straight 50-win season. If Brad Miller and Bobby Jackson come back, they too have the talent and experience to make a run.
9 7 Houston Rockets (49-31)
After a slow start, coach Jeff Van Gundy finally got Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming working as a tandem. But the loss of Juwan Howard to a season-ending injury will be tough to overcome.
10 3 Denver Nuggets (48-32)
No team was better over the second half of the season, and they have a proven coach in George Karl. But their playoff road looks brutal, especially if they draw the Spurs in the first round.
11 15 Boston Celtics (45-35)
Antoine Walker's return was enough to push them over the top in the weak Atlantic. With him, Paul Pierce and Gary Payton, coach Doc Rivers has they savvy to challenge in the East.
12 17 Washington Wizards (45-35)
Gilbert Arenas, Larry Hughes and Antawn Jamison were the NBA's highest scoring trio, spearheading their surprise season. But will their lack of playoff experience hurt them?
13 9 Chicago Bulls (46-34)
They overcame an 0-9 start to make the playoffs for the first time since the end of the Jordan Dynasty in 1998. But can they overcome season-ending injuries to starters Eddy Curry and Luol Deng?
14 13 Memphis Grizzlies (44-36)
Mike Fratello picked up where Hubie Brown left off, getting the most of this deep roster that plays at both ends. However, a late-season fade won't help their confidence entering the playoffs.
15 19 New Jersey Nets (40-40)
With Jason Kidd and a rejuvenated Vince Carter, they rallied from a disastrous start to get back in the playoff hunt. If they make it, and Richard Jefferson (wrist) returns, they could be dangerous
16 14 Philadelphia 76ers (41-39)
The big Chris Webber trade didn't quite work out as planned. Still, Allen Iverson won another scoring title, dished out a career-high 8.0 assists and kept them in the playoff race until the end.
17 16 Minnesota Timberwolves (42-38)
Kevin McHale took over for Flip Saunders and nearly guided them into the playoffs. But their disappointing season now means the likely departures of Latrell Sprewell and Sam Cassell.
18 18 Cleveland Cavaliers (40-40)
New owner Dan Gilbert fired coachPaul Silas late in the season only to see the move backfire. As a result another sterling season by LeBron James seemed destined to end in disappointment.
19 11 Golden State Warriors (32-48)
For the 10th consecutive year, they failed to make the playoffs. But Baron Davis, acquired in a trade, made them one of the NBA's hottest teams after the All-Star break and brought hope for the future.
20 21 Los Angeles Clippers (36-44)
After a promising start they got waylaid by injuries. But Bobby Simmons emerged as a solid player, and they had a chance to finish ahead of the Lakers for the first time since '92-93.
21 20 Orlando Magic (35-45)
Grant Hill's amazing comeback got overshadowed in the end by the team's collapse, which cost Johnny Davis his job. But at least Dwight Howard lived up to his top billing.
22 22 Toronto Raptors (32-48)
Feuds, fistfights and the trade of franchise player Carter kept things bubbling in Toronto. A dismal first season for GM Rob Babcock, who will be under the gun like few of his peers this summer.
23 23 Los Angeles Lakers (34-46)
Kobe Bryant did all he could (maybe too much) to try to carry them to the playoffs. But as the stunning resignation of Rudy Tomjanovich showed, the team was never quite one happy family.
24 24 Milwaukee Bucks (30-50)
After a surprising '03-04 campaign, they crashed back to reality in '04-05. They just hope free-agent shooting guard Michael Redd doesn't use it as an excuse to sign elsewhere this summer.
25 25 New York Knicks (32-48)
Allan Houston never got healthy, Jamal Crawford wasn't ready to be the savior, and Lenny Wilkens lost his job. Time to get Phil Jackson or Larry Brown on the speed dial.
26 28 Portland Trail Blazers (26-54)
The Darius Miles outburst summed up their testy campaign and led to Maurice Cheeks' ouster as coach. Now they appear on the verge of another major housecleaning, perhaps top to bottom.
27 26 Utah Jazz (25-55)
The loss of Andrei Kirilenko early in the season sent them into a tailspin from which they never recovered. Carlos Boozer and Mehmut Okur weren't able to pick up the slack.
28 29 New Orleans Hornets (18-62)
After a horrid start, they recovered to avoid catching the '72-73 Sixers for worst all-time record. Meanwhile, the trades of Davis and Jamal Mashburn brought cap relief for this summer.
29 27 Charlotte Bobcats (17-63)
With rookie Emeka Okafor and improved center Primoz Brezec leading the way, they managed to be respectable for an expansion team. Now they just have to build on it.
30 30 Atlanta Hawks (13-67)
Josh Smith's All-Star Slam Dunk title was the lone highlight in another dismal campaign. But the Walker trade to Boston brought more cap room, so there's hope for this summer.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/writers/marty_burns/04/18/final2/index.html
:D :D :D