Mike Monroe's NBA power rankings: Nov. 23, 2008
Express-News
TOP 10
(Last week’s rank in parentheses)
1. Lakers (1): Now we know: Phil Jackson was behind the Shaq-Kobe drama all those years. Who says? Shaq, who then denies everything he said on the record.
2. Celtics (3): Happy Birthday, Sam “I Am” Cassell. One of the league’s best guys ever is same age as Jack Benny always was. (Ask your grandparents)
3. Cavaliers (2): How uptight are Clevelanders going to be for the next two seasons now that the Knicks have gotten so far under the salary cap?
4. Magic (9): They’re league’s hottest team, and Jameer Nelson has been just as important to their win streak as Dwight Howard, who is shooting 58 percent.
5. Nuggets (11): All George Karl wanted to talk about before Wed. game at AT&T? That he didn’t “diss” Allen Iverson, as had been reported. Turns out, he didn’t.
6. Rockets (7): Whaddaya know? Tracy McGrady’s knee gets sore and he doesn’t miss a single game. And Yao’s foot doesn’t feel so bad, either.
7. Pistons (4): They still miss Billups, but at least Rip Hamilton has stopped moping long enough to make a few more buckets.
8. Suns (5): Lakers exposed their weaknesses; their early offense is way down, and they take way too many spot-up jumpers.
9. Jazz (8): D. Williams targets this week for return; they’d better hope Boozer is back soon, too. They’re no elite team without the two.
10. Hornets (6): Uh-oh. They were losing and squabbling before return trip to temporary home in OKC provided an easy victory.
THE REST
11. Hawks (10)
12. Trail Blazers (13)
13. Raptors (12)
14. SPURS (15)
15. Heat (14)
16. Mavericks (19)
17. 76ers (18)
18. Bulls (22)
19. Warriors (25)
20. Knicks (16)
21. Kings (26)
22. Bucks (17)
23. Pacers (21)
24. Nets (20)
25. Bobcats (24)
26. Grizzlies (23)
27. Timberwolves (29)
28. Wizards (27)
29. Clippers (28)
30. Thunder (30)