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1. Lakers
2. Rockets
3. Hornets
4. Pistons
5. Celtics
6. Raptors
7. Jazz
8. Suns
9. Hawks
10. Cavs
Fixed.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/powerranking
1. Lakers
2. Hornets
3. Celtics
4. Rockets
5. Pistons
6. Raptors
7. Jazz
8. Suns
9. Cavaliers
10. Spurs
11. Mavericks
12. Hawks
13. 76ers
14. Pacers
15. Bulls
16. Magic
17. Blazers
18. Nuggets
19. Warriors
20. Bucks
21. Grizzlies
22. Nets
23. Wizards
24. Bobcats
25. Knicks
26. Heat
27. Thunder
28. Timberwolves
29. Kings
30. Clippers
Celtics lose to Pacers and still top three.
1. Lakers
2. Rockets
3. Hornets
4. Pistons
5. Celtics
6. Raptors
7. Jazz
8. Suns
9. Hawks
10. Cavs
Fixed.
at this point, i would put the hornets above the rockets, the rockets just haven't gotten "it" imo
and spurs Top 10...
So much for the credibilty of these Power Rankings.
Nope, just telling it like it is. Mavs are bleeding.
Rockets have had decent compe ion and are still undefeated.
Lakers have an average win margin of 20 points.
I don't see why the Hornets aren't #1. Same record as the Lakers, but they've beaten higher quality opponents, without Tyson Chandler in two games and Peja in one. The Lakers have played well enough for the #2 spot, but they haven't had a chance to prove themselves against any playoff lock teams.
Warriors,Suns, Cavs, slightly better compe ion
Blazers, Clippers, Nuggets, about the same
But the Lakers won more convincingly...20 point margin. And because they're injured, I see the Hornets sliding a bit.
But because they're injured, they should be higher on the list. They're doing more with less.
They are doing much more with less but I think the Lakers did better with more, the Blazer & Clipper games were over by half-time.
Hornets got pushed pretty good by the Suns at the end. I didn't watch the Cavs game and they barely beat the Warriors.
Power rankings only track how a team is doing over a certain stretch. Most good teams will be number 1 at some point this season. Always fun to argue about them though, there is no correct order to place them.
I like the NBA's power rankings better. Rockets at number 3 and it's a more realistic power ranking.
1L.A. Lakers (2)3-0Off: 112.5 (5), Def: 89.5 (1) -- It looks like the talk about focusing on defense wasn't just lip service, and Saturday's win in Denver of an example of how defense can get you a win when you aren't shooting well. Outrebounding your opponent 15-3 on the offensive boards helps too.
2New Orleans (3)3-0Off: 116.0 (4), Def: 105.1 (17) -- Losing Tyson Chandler and Peja Stojakovic to ankle injuries this early is obviously a concern, but it does give the Hornets' bench, which we questioned just a week ago, some extra time to develop. Starting for Peja, Rasual Butler came up big in Saturday's win over the Cavs.
3Houston (6)3-0Off: 103.4 (18), Def: 91.3 (3) -- The Artest era couldn't be off to a better start and you all did a great job in voting for Tuesday's matchup with the Celtics for Fan Night. After that, it's a five-game trip that includes matchups with the Lakers, Suns and Spurs. Let's see how these Rockets really stack up.
4Boston (1)2-1Off: 93.1 (28), Def: 91.3 (2) -- Only once last season (including the Playoffs -- 108 games total) did the Celtics have a worse offensive game than they did Saturday night in Indiana (and it was against Mike D'Antoni's Suns!). We'll hold off on bringing back the questions about their hunger, but this is a new season and those shiny rings no longer keep you in the top spot.
5Utah (5)2-0Off: 112.3 (6), Def: 97.6 (6) -- The Jazz are off to a solid start despite the absence of Deron Williams. And the schedule god (Matt Winick) has them playing the Clippers (again), the Blazers, the Thunder and the Knicks this week. It's like treading water when it's only up to your neck.
6Toronto (11)3-0Off: 109.1 (8), Def: 102.1 (11) -- After witnessing the Raptors' Wednesday win in Philly, we realized that we may have underestimated them. But then we also realized how much they underachieved last season. So, our underestimation was partly their fault.
7Detroit (9)2-0Off: 117.8 (1), Def: 110.2 (23) -- Michael Curry's new offense seems to be working just fine, thanks. Of course, the Pistons haven't exactly played teams with serious defensive reputations, but an eye-opening performance from Walter Herrmann on Saturday lets you know just how many guys who can score that Detroit has.
8Phoenix (12)2-1Off: 116.1 (3), Def: 115.0 (25) -- So, under Terry Porter, the Suns are still a great offensive team and still a not-so great defensive team. They just play at a much, much, much slower pace (87.5 possessions per game vs. 95.6 last season). That's no fun. The Matt Barnes pickup is looking pretty good though.
9Atlanta (16)2-0Off: 106.5 (13), Def: 95.0 (4) -- It's one thing to win your first two games, but what should be really encouraging is the toughness that the Hawks showed this week in winning in Orlando (they were 12-29 on the road last season) and in coming back to beat the Sixers.
10Dallas (14)1-1Off: 106.3 (15), Def: 106.3 (19) -- Could Gerald Green be a factor for the Mavs this season? He was on Saturday, scoring seven of his nine points in the fourth quarter of a close win over in Minnesota. Meanwhile, Antoine Wright went from starter to DNP.
11Cleveland (4)1-2Off: 102.7 (21), Def: 102.7 (13) -- The Cavs' offense has yet to find a rhythm, but it must be written that they've played two of the best teams in the league on the road. After Monday's visit to Dallas, the schedule eases up quite a bit.
12San Antonio (7)0-2Off: 117.5 (2), Def: 121.0 (30) -- Don't let the per-game numbers fool you. The Spurs have given up just 203 points through their first two games, but when you factor in their painfully slow pace, you realize that they are the worst defensive team in the NBA. Yes, that's right. The San Antonio Spurs. I'm serious!
13Indiana (23)1-1Off: 100.9 (23), Def: 95.6 (5) -- The Pacers' win over the Celtics on Saturday was definitely one that made you scratch your head. Let's see if they can repeat that defensive effort on Wednesday against the Suns.
14Philadelphia (8)1-2Off: 105.0 (16), Def: 101.0 (10) -- After two games, the Sixers had outrebounded their opponents by 41, but they were just 1-1. And then they went and blew a 23-point lead in Atlanta. Not having any shooters will do that to you. Not forcing turnovers like you did last year will too. But we'll still give Philly some more time before we admit to overrating them.
15Orlando (10)1-2Off: 107.8 (10), Def: 107.1 (20) -- Until Saturday's comfortable win over the Kings, the Magic were clearly the most disappointing team of the season's first week, losing to the Hawks at home and to the Grizzlies in Memphis. Now, they have four more at home, including a Thursday night TNT matchup with the Sixers, which could tell us a lot about both squads.
16Chicago (22)2-1Off: 102.2 (22), Def: 99.6 (8) -- With wins over the Bucks and Grizzlies and a loss in Boston, it's still hard to tell where the Bulls stand at this point. It is, however, easy to see where Derrick Rose stands. The kid can play.
17Denver (17)1-2Off: 102.8 (20), Def: 103.1 (15) -- The Nuggets' defense has been decent (and would be better if they could rebound) to start the season, but their offense has struggled with Carmelo Anthony suspended for the first two games and 'Melo and Allen Iverson combining for just 26 points in Saturday's loss to the Lakers.
18Portland (13)1-2Off: 106.4 (14), Def: 118.1 (28) -- With Shaquille O'Neal and Amare Stoudemire combining for 39 points (on 14-of-22) and 21 boards Saturday, the Blazers sure could have used that Oden guy. Cue Guns N' Roses, because we need just a little (more) patience.
19Milwaukee (18)2-2Off: 103.7 (17), Def: 103.2 (16) -- The Bucks are learning to play defense under Scott Skiles and the coach has been encouraged by his team's effort. Put Michael Redd's ankle injury in New York on Sunday in the discouraging side of the ledger.
20Golden State (21)1-2Off: 109.6 (7), Def: 109.9 (22) -- Point guard? We don't need no stinkin' point guard! The Warriors took the Raptors to OT with DeMarcus Nelson and C.J. Watson playing a total of 22 minutes. But when Golden State got their first win the next night, the two point guards played more than 50 minutes. Maybe they do need one.
Either that or it's further proof that media people still aren't watching the Spurs. So now are they flying over the radar?
NBA's Analysis of the Spurs
when you factor in their painfully slow pace, you realize that they are the worst defensive team in the NBA.
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