duncan228
12-27-2009, 12:31 AM
NBA power rankings: Dec. 27, 2009 (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/NBA_power_rankings_Dec_27_2009.html)
Mike Monroe
TOP 10
(Last rank in parentheses; through Friday’s games)
1. Celtics (2): Beating Magic without Pierce (out with infected knee) proved their defense is league’s best.
2. Cavaliers (4): They acquired Shaq to help them against Magic, Celtics, Lakers; after Christmas win, they’re 2-1 against those three.
3. Lakers (1): Extension City: Pau’s is done, and reports in L.A. say Kobe’s is right around the corner.
4. Trail Blazers (13): Three-game win streak over Mavs, Spurs, Nuggets with M*A*S*H units merits major jump in rankings.
5. Hawks (3): Prediction: They’ll be on TV in a Christmas Day game next season.
6. Nuggets (5): What gives? Kroenke’s extension offer to Karl contract doesn’t even reach average for West head coaches.
7. Magic (6): Howard still seems mad; you’d be mad too if you went 1 for 7 in Christmas Day TV game.
8. Mavericks (8): Has the Jet been grounded? Terry went into Saturday’s game 46 of 138 from the field in last 10.
9. Heat (10): Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy defends Wade from criticism from TV analyst Jeff Van Gundy.
10. Suns (9): So they won’t go 41-0 at US Airways Center this season; Phoenix is still overachieving.
THE REST
11. Rockets (7)
12. Jazz (11)
13. SPURS (12)
14. Thunder (15)
15. Hornets (14)
16. Grizzlies (16)
17. Kings (17)
18. Raptors (23)
19. Knicks (20)
20. Bobcats (22)
21. Wizards (27)
22. Clippers (19)
23. Bucks (21)
24. Bulls (24)
25. Pacers (25)
26. Pistons (18)
27. 76ers (26)
28. Wolves (29)
29. Warriors (28)
30. Nets (30)
Mike Monroe
TOP 10
(Last rank in parentheses; through Friday’s games)
1. Celtics (2): Beating Magic without Pierce (out with infected knee) proved their defense is league’s best.
2. Cavaliers (4): They acquired Shaq to help them against Magic, Celtics, Lakers; after Christmas win, they’re 2-1 against those three.
3. Lakers (1): Extension City: Pau’s is done, and reports in L.A. say Kobe’s is right around the corner.
4. Trail Blazers (13): Three-game win streak over Mavs, Spurs, Nuggets with M*A*S*H units merits major jump in rankings.
5. Hawks (3): Prediction: They’ll be on TV in a Christmas Day game next season.
6. Nuggets (5): What gives? Kroenke’s extension offer to Karl contract doesn’t even reach average for West head coaches.
7. Magic (6): Howard still seems mad; you’d be mad too if you went 1 for 7 in Christmas Day TV game.
8. Mavericks (8): Has the Jet been grounded? Terry went into Saturday’s game 46 of 138 from the field in last 10.
9. Heat (10): Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy defends Wade from criticism from TV analyst Jeff Van Gundy.
10. Suns (9): So they won’t go 41-0 at US Airways Center this season; Phoenix is still overachieving.
THE REST
11. Rockets (7)
12. Jazz (11)
13. SPURS (12)
14. Thunder (15)
15. Hornets (14)
16. Grizzlies (16)
17. Kings (17)
18. Raptors (23)
19. Knicks (20)
20. Bobcats (22)
21. Wizards (27)
22. Clippers (19)
23. Bucks (21)
24. Bulls (24)
25. Pacers (25)
26. Pistons (18)
27. 76ers (26)
28. Wolves (29)
29. Warriors (28)
30. Nets (30)