IF THE PLAYOFFS STARTED THIS SECOND
The standings will be different in a few hours, but what if they started right now?
EAST
1-CLEVELAND v. 8-MILWAUKEE - The Bucks gets slaughtered. Cavs in 4, maybe 5.
2-BOSTON v. 7-PHILADELPHIA - KG's injured, but the Big Three are still determined to be a dynasty, not a one-season wonder. (*cough* Heat! *cough*) Celtics in 5.
3-ORLANDO v. 6-DETROIT - This will actually be interesting. They're a better team without Allen Iverson. Yes, they don't have Billups, but Orlando doesn't have Jameer Nelson either. Dwight Howard will have to work for his numbers against Rasheed Wallace, but he'll still get them. More intriguing would be watching Tayshaun Prince keeping Rashard Lewis out of it, and Rip Hamilton trying to out-shoot Hedo Turkoglu. But Flip Saunders is gone. Magic in 7, or 5 if A.I. is back.
4-ATLANTA v. 5-MIAMI - There will be at least one game that the Hawks should win that they lose because Dwyane Wade carries his team on his back singlehandedly. Heat in 7.
1-CLEVELAND v. 5-MIAMI - LeBron and D-Wade. Only one has a ring. Mwa ha ha! Cavs in 6.
2-BOSTON v. 3-ORLANDO - Very intriguing. I think Stan Van Gundy's a better X-and-O coach than Doc Rivers. I never thought Doc was that great a coach, but if you suddenly have Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett, well, they coach themselves, and no other teammate is going to try to be selfish on the court with them. Who's hungrier? Celts. I like Rondo over Alston in the point-guard match-up, I like Howard over Perkins in the center match-up (heh). Bench play is a little deeper in Orlando but not by much. When in doubt... Celtics in 7.
1-CLEVELAND v. 2-BOSTON - Mo Williams is better on offense; Rondo is better on defense. LeBron and KG will be epic. I think they're really close, but I'll go with defense. Celtcs in 6.
WEST
1-L.A. LAKERS v. 8-DALLAS - The Mavericks will split the 2 in L.A., then the Lakers will split the two in Dallas. Dirk will be broken by the home loss. Lakers in 6.
2-SAN ANTONIO v. 7-PORTLAND - The young Blazers could put a scare in to the Spurs, but if the Spurs Big Three all play, no chance. Spurs in 5.
3-DENVER v. 6-UTAH - Tonight's game may serve as a preview, but the Jazz are too deep for the Nuggets. Jazz in 6.
4-NEW ORLEANS v. 5-HOUSTON - There are a few teams the Rockets could beat in the first round, but this is one that could give them fits. CP3 can run circles around Aaron Brooks, and Tyson Chandler won't be a pushover for Yao. Ron Artest and Shane Battier can keep David West off his game here and there. Rick Adelman and Byron Scott will make for a good coaching duel. Both teams are hot right now. Tough one, but Hornets in 7.
1-L.A. LAKERS v. 4-NEW ORLEANS - Epic. Too bad Andrew Bynum is out. Yes, Pau Gasol has been just fine getting things done, but I see match-up issues here. Kobe Bryant will have at least two 40-point games. Lakers in 7.
2-SAN ANTONIO v. 6-UTAH - The Spurs have held the Jazz's number for over a decade, but the Spurs are finally old enough, and the Jazz's young guys are finally just seasoned enough for the series to go in Jerry's kids' favor. Jazz in 6.
1-L.A. LAKERS v. 6-UTAH - I know I'm wearing homer glasses here, but with the Jazz finally healthy, their record belies how good they really are. The L10 column is a better tell where they stand, and they've already shown they know how to beat the Lakers. Jazz in 6.
NBA FINALS: BOSTON v. UTAH
Friday, March 6, 2009
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
NBA Power Rankings
My Latest NBA Power Rankings
I took advantage of having NBA TV, watching more games and highlights of games. Alas, it is over.
Eastern
1. BOSTON - KG, Pierce, and Ray all look determined to be a dynasty. Not a one-and-done champion like the Heat. They want to be the first team since the Shaq-Kobe Lakers to win repeat championships.
2. CLEVELAND - Man, the Jazz had Mo Williams at one point and let him walk away for nothing because they still had Raul Lopez. Heh. I know there's a lot of speculation that Lebron is going to leave in 2010, but if the team he's surrounded with now is winning, and especially if he gets ring in the next two years, why would he leave? Money. If he cares more about money than winning, he'll head to New York. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see him stay.
3. ORLANDO - Dwight Howard is a younger, slimmer, in-shape Shaq, which is scary for everyone else. They have a pretty versatile supporting cast too, with different guys stepping up on different nights. Rafer Alston should be serviceable since Jameer Nelson is out, but at this point I don't see the Magic beating the Cavs or the Celtics.
4. ATLANTA - There's the top three in the East, and then here on the second tier, the Hawks rule the roost. Mike Bibby and Joe Johnson are deadly from outside, making it easy for Al Horford and Josh Smith to have their nights. The Hawks took the Celts to the mat last year, and they're a better team this year.
5. MIAMI - Too soon to tell if the Jermaine O'Neal trade is going to work out for them, but Dwyane Wade has been proving nightly why he's one of the best in the league.
6. DETROIT - They're like the Spurs of the East, but with fewer rings. Until they get knocked out in the first round, it's foolish to sleep on the Pistons. And yet they're another year older, and the A.I.-Billups trade has worked out a lot better for the Nuggets than the Pistons. If they get the wrong match-up, they could easily be bounced in the first round.
7. INDIANA - Danny Granger's injury hurts them. Now is not the time for them to be dropping games they otherwise would win if their star player was healthy.
8. PHILADELPHIA - Elton Brand = free-agent bust. I thought it was a good move at the time, but it just didn't work out.
9. CHICAGO - I think the trades they've made helps them this year. Brad Miller's back in his old stomping ground, John Salmons boosts the backcourt (in fact, they now have the luxury of a clogged backcourt), and they'll be in better shape salary-wise down the road.
10. MILKWAUKEE - Had they been healthy all year, they'd be pencilled in for at least a seventh seed in the playoffs, but alas, the Injury Bug has bitten often. I didn't expect much noise from them at the trade deadline. This summer is when more important decisions will be made.
11. NEW JERSEY - The Nets added by not subtracting. They needed more front-court help, but if they'd jettisoned Vince Carter, they would have sent the signal they're giving up on making the playoffs. Devin Harris and Vince Carter have proven to be a deadly backcourt duo, but I think it'd be good for the young players on the team to experience the playoffs again, even if it's a first-round stomping.
12. NEW YORK - They kept David Lee and added Larry Hughes, who can make up for a bit of the scoring they lost when they traded away Jamal Crawford. The playoffs are still a possibility; in fact, a realistic possibility, as Chris Wilcox can be that seventh-eighth guy, where Malik Rose couldn't.
13. TORONTO - Maybe Marion can give them a boost, but it's going to take a lot of luck for them to make it to the eighth seed. I think Chris Bosh is just going to play out his contract and skedaddle in 2010. Which means Marion is a priority re-sign this summer.
14. CHARLOTTE - When your head coach is in his late 60's, do you really want to continue in rebuilding mode? And yet, whoever the eighth seed is will have a losing record, so they still have a chance. A small small chance.
15. WASHINGTON - Thanks for nothing, Agent Zero.
Western
1. L.A. LAKERS - Until they lost Andrew Bynum, they looked unstoppable for a return to the NBA Finals. But with Bynum out, and no Ronny Turiaf to fall back on, I guess they're hoping Josh Powell can give a little. Getting rid of Radmanovic means Lamar Odom gets more time. I don't see the Lakers losing the #1 seed, but it might be closer that it would have been had Bynum not gone down.
2. SAN ANTONIO - They're pacing themselves. This is what the Spurs do. They bounce around in the middle of the pack for a while and then their winning trajectory slowly goes up, and then they have a great April and become that team no one wants to face. Too bad they couldn't pull off the Vince Carter trade though.
3. NEW ORLEANS - Awkwaaaard. Tyson Chandler was gone, and this team instantly became a first-round exit. But now Chandler is back. If he can stay healthy, they're deadly. If his turf toe or other injuries sideline him, well, the Hornets have a great starting five but they're still not that deep. Chris Paul will singlehandedly win them some game, and it'll be considered a disappointment if they don't at least make the second round.
4. DENVER - All hail Chauncey Billups. This talented team just needed the right leader, and they found him. He turned Nene into a beast, he made Kenyon Martin relevant again, but most importantly, he helped Carmelo get his numbers and win at the same time.
5. UTAH - They beat the Lakers and Celtics without Carlos Boozer, and now they get him back. As long as injuries finally leave them alone, they should be scary good in the playoffs. The trouble is they still need to prove they can win on the road. Injuries can be blamed to a degree for their 9-17 road record, but really, they've lost a lot of games in single digits they should have won. D-Will's playing like he takes it personally he wasn't invited to All-Star weekend, which is a good thing.
6. PORTLAND - They have the pieces in place. They'll scare someone in the first round, but I don't see much beyond that. Next year, though, look out.
7. HOUSTON - It seems like the Rockets and the Suns are fighting to avoid the playoffs, but I see Yao Ming keeping his team in it. They lose T-Mac for the year, they traded Rafer Alston for Kyle Lowry... yeah, I see them trading T-Mac in the summer for some pieces, and doubling-down on Aaron Brooks.
8. DALLAS - Thanks to the events in Houston and Phoenix, this is the lowest seed I see the Mavs getting in the playoffs. They had a rough start to the season, but it's come together nicely as of late.
9. PHOENIX - They didn't trade Amare Stoudamire but they lost him for the remainder of the regular season anyway. I don't think Steve Nash, Shaquille O'Neal and Jason Richardson are going to be enough to get them out of ninth place, which is where they sit now.
10. GOLDEN STATE - Irrelevant. They'll score in bunches and might get an occasional upset, but without a strong point guard, they're like a bunch of Gungans running around in circles.
11. MINNESOTA - Kevin McHale's been an improvement as coach, but losing Al Jefferson for the year means another season hoping they land in the top three in the lottery.
12. MEMPHIS - Giving away Kyle Lowry for a pick at the bottom of the first round doesn't seem too smart.
13. L.A. CLIPPERS - I wonder if Baron Davis lays awake night going, "Yes, I have my millions, but am I really going to be stuck as a Clipper for the rest of my career?"
14. OKLAHOMA CITY - Tyson Chandler would have been a nice boost for a hopeful future. How happy could Thunder fans possibly be that they wound up with Malik Rose instead?
15. SACRAMENTO - Well, they still have Kevin Martin... and that's about it.
I took advantage of having NBA TV, watching more games and highlights of games. Alas, it is over.
Eastern
1. BOSTON - KG, Pierce, and Ray all look determined to be a dynasty. Not a one-and-done champion like the Heat. They want to be the first team since the Shaq-Kobe Lakers to win repeat championships.
2. CLEVELAND - Man, the Jazz had Mo Williams at one point and let him walk away for nothing because they still had Raul Lopez. Heh. I know there's a lot of speculation that Lebron is going to leave in 2010, but if the team he's surrounded with now is winning, and especially if he gets ring in the next two years, why would he leave? Money. If he cares more about money than winning, he'll head to New York. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see him stay.
3. ORLANDO - Dwight Howard is a younger, slimmer, in-shape Shaq, which is scary for everyone else. They have a pretty versatile supporting cast too, with different guys stepping up on different nights. Rafer Alston should be serviceable since Jameer Nelson is out, but at this point I don't see the Magic beating the Cavs or the Celtics.
4. ATLANTA - There's the top three in the East, and then here on the second tier, the Hawks rule the roost. Mike Bibby and Joe Johnson are deadly from outside, making it easy for Al Horford and Josh Smith to have their nights. The Hawks took the Celts to the mat last year, and they're a better team this year.
5. MIAMI - Too soon to tell if the Jermaine O'Neal trade is going to work out for them, but Dwyane Wade has been proving nightly why he's one of the best in the league.
6. DETROIT - They're like the Spurs of the East, but with fewer rings. Until they get knocked out in the first round, it's foolish to sleep on the Pistons. And yet they're another year older, and the A.I.-Billups trade has worked out a lot better for the Nuggets than the Pistons. If they get the wrong match-up, they could easily be bounced in the first round.
7. INDIANA - Danny Granger's injury hurts them. Now is not the time for them to be dropping games they otherwise would win if their star player was healthy.
8. PHILADELPHIA - Elton Brand = free-agent bust. I thought it was a good move at the time, but it just didn't work out.
9. CHICAGO - I think the trades they've made helps them this year. Brad Miller's back in his old stomping ground, John Salmons boosts the backcourt (in fact, they now have the luxury of a clogged backcourt), and they'll be in better shape salary-wise down the road.
10. MILKWAUKEE - Had they been healthy all year, they'd be pencilled in for at least a seventh seed in the playoffs, but alas, the Injury Bug has bitten often. I didn't expect much noise from them at the trade deadline. This summer is when more important decisions will be made.
11. NEW JERSEY - The Nets added by not subtracting. They needed more front-court help, but if they'd jettisoned Vince Carter, they would have sent the signal they're giving up on making the playoffs. Devin Harris and Vince Carter have proven to be a deadly backcourt duo, but I think it'd be good for the young players on the team to experience the playoffs again, even if it's a first-round stomping.
12. NEW YORK - They kept David Lee and added Larry Hughes, who can make up for a bit of the scoring they lost when they traded away Jamal Crawford. The playoffs are still a possibility; in fact, a realistic possibility, as Chris Wilcox can be that seventh-eighth guy, where Malik Rose couldn't.
13. TORONTO - Maybe Marion can give them a boost, but it's going to take a lot of luck for them to make it to the eighth seed. I think Chris Bosh is just going to play out his contract and skedaddle in 2010. Which means Marion is a priority re-sign this summer.
14. CHARLOTTE - When your head coach is in his late 60's, do you really want to continue in rebuilding mode? And yet, whoever the eighth seed is will have a losing record, so they still have a chance. A small small chance.
15. WASHINGTON - Thanks for nothing, Agent Zero.
Western
1. L.A. LAKERS - Until they lost Andrew Bynum, they looked unstoppable for a return to the NBA Finals. But with Bynum out, and no Ronny Turiaf to fall back on, I guess they're hoping Josh Powell can give a little. Getting rid of Radmanovic means Lamar Odom gets more time. I don't see the Lakers losing the #1 seed, but it might be closer that it would have been had Bynum not gone down.
2. SAN ANTONIO - They're pacing themselves. This is what the Spurs do. They bounce around in the middle of the pack for a while and then their winning trajectory slowly goes up, and then they have a great April and become that team no one wants to face. Too bad they couldn't pull off the Vince Carter trade though.
3. NEW ORLEANS - Awkwaaaard. Tyson Chandler was gone, and this team instantly became a first-round exit. But now Chandler is back. If he can stay healthy, they're deadly. If his turf toe or other injuries sideline him, well, the Hornets have a great starting five but they're still not that deep. Chris Paul will singlehandedly win them some game, and it'll be considered a disappointment if they don't at least make the second round.
4. DENVER - All hail Chauncey Billups. This talented team just needed the right leader, and they found him. He turned Nene into a beast, he made Kenyon Martin relevant again, but most importantly, he helped Carmelo get his numbers and win at the same time.
5. UTAH - They beat the Lakers and Celtics without Carlos Boozer, and now they get him back. As long as injuries finally leave them alone, they should be scary good in the playoffs. The trouble is they still need to prove they can win on the road. Injuries can be blamed to a degree for their 9-17 road record, but really, they've lost a lot of games in single digits they should have won. D-Will's playing like he takes it personally he wasn't invited to All-Star weekend, which is a good thing.
6. PORTLAND - They have the pieces in place. They'll scare someone in the first round, but I don't see much beyond that. Next year, though, look out.
7. HOUSTON - It seems like the Rockets and the Suns are fighting to avoid the playoffs, but I see Yao Ming keeping his team in it. They lose T-Mac for the year, they traded Rafer Alston for Kyle Lowry... yeah, I see them trading T-Mac in the summer for some pieces, and doubling-down on Aaron Brooks.
8. DALLAS - Thanks to the events in Houston and Phoenix, this is the lowest seed I see the Mavs getting in the playoffs. They had a rough start to the season, but it's come together nicely as of late.
9. PHOENIX - They didn't trade Amare Stoudamire but they lost him for the remainder of the regular season anyway. I don't think Steve Nash, Shaquille O'Neal and Jason Richardson are going to be enough to get them out of ninth place, which is where they sit now.
10. GOLDEN STATE - Irrelevant. They'll score in bunches and might get an occasional upset, but without a strong point guard, they're like a bunch of Gungans running around in circles.
11. MINNESOTA - Kevin McHale's been an improvement as coach, but losing Al Jefferson for the year means another season hoping they land in the top three in the lottery.
12. MEMPHIS - Giving away Kyle Lowry for a pick at the bottom of the first round doesn't seem too smart.
13. L.A. CLIPPERS - I wonder if Baron Davis lays awake night going, "Yes, I have my millions, but am I really going to be stuck as a Clipper for the rest of my career?"
14. OKLAHOMA CITY - Tyson Chandler would have been a nice boost for a hopeful future. How happy could Thunder fans possibly be that they wound up with Malik Rose instead?
15. SACRAMENTO - Well, they still have Kevin Martin... and that's about it.
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