NBA Power Rankings

March 3, 2008 by editor.

1. Los Angeles Lakers - the Lakers have clearly established themselves as championship contenders with the addition of Pau Gasol.  It has been impressive to watch how quickly he has assimilated into their lineup as if he was there all along.  Another key is the fact that Lamar Odom doesn’t have the pressure of being their number 2 next to Kobe with Pau there.  He can now play without that pressure.

2. Boston Celtics - They have cooled after their incredible start.  Garnett has missed time due to injury, and they lost 3 in a row coming out after the all star break.  They have since returned to their winning ways, and the key for them will be getting to the playoffs without any major injuries.

3. San Antonio Spurs - They survived the loss of Tony Parker without losing much ground, thanks to the superlative play of Manu Ginobili.  He put up over 40 points twice, and has controlled the tempo and run the team in Parker’s absence.  He has proven to be the most valuable player on this team.  Earlier in the season Ginobili put up 37 points against Utah and Dallas in back to back games without Tim Duncan.  They will be in the thick of things come playoff time.

4. Detroit Pistons - The Pistons keep rolling along, and they are getting good bench play from their second unit.  They are still in the mix for the top seed in the East, and I wouldn’t bet against them come playoff time because of their experience and their willingness to play lock-down defense.

5. Houston Rockets - Houston has won 15 straight including their game against Denver, so they deserve to be in this spot even though they have lost Yau Ming for the season.  This will actually give them a chance to reinvent themselves.  Yau has been great, but if he is going to be injury prone they need to see how well they do without him and build their team accordingly.  It will be interesting to see how they do.

6. New Orleans Hornets

Still one of the surprise teams in the West,  they keep humming along just a game and a half behind the Spurs.  Chris Paul is the straw that stirs their drink.  As he goes, so do they.  They lost a couple of games to the Wizards that they shouldn’t have, but they have not fallen apart like many thought they would.  Paul is a reminder to all how much of a difference a multi talented floor general can make to a team not over-run with talent. 

7. Utah Jazz

The Jazz have only lost 3 games at home this year, but have struggled on the road.  As long as their MVP Derron Williams  is healthy and running the team as he does and Carlos Boozer continues to be a stud, they will be a tough out in the playoffs.  Kyle Korver has been a good addition to their team and gives them more outside shooting.

8. Orlando Magic

If the season ended today, the Magic would be the 3 seed out of the East, and deservedly so.  They have played consistently at home as well as on the road, even with the rash of injuries to their point guards.  Turkoglu has stepped up his play this year and that has helped take some of the presure off of Dwight Howard and Rashard Lewis.  It will be interesting to see how they would stack up against Detroit or Boston in a 7 game series.

9. Golden State Warriors

Golden State is 8 and 2 in their last 10, and have climbed into the last playoff spot in the West.  They are only a game behind Dallas for the 7th spot as well.  Nelly ball is still thriving and Baron Davis and crew show no signs of slowing down.  Their main problem is that if they make the playoffs they won’t play Dallas again.

10. Dallas Mavericks

I hesitate to put the Mavericks in this spot because they have played unimaginative, uninspired basketball against the better teams in the league.  I thought they gave up too much to get Jason Kidd and even though he has energized them, they are still not much better than they were before.  Maybe they are bored with the regular season and are waiting for the playoffs.  The way they are playing lately, it is not a lock that they make it. 

There is my top ten, and that is the last word! 

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