Jan 20th 2009

I should just call it the late edition since I couldnt do it last week. I went to the Jazz Pacers game last week and sat 8th row and witnessed Okur's 43 Point Career Explosion. So with a couple weeks of no Rankings we should have a different NBA Power Ranking Landscape to talk about this week.

Here is the last Power Ranking for Reference

http://www.fannation.com/blogs/post/318236-week-10-nba-power-ranking

High Riser this week- 12- (21) Philadelphia, i had to do it, they have really improved and prior to the start of the season i thought they would be one of the teams to beat in the East and I'm sticking to it.

Pitiful Faller this week- 15- (8) Atlanta, I am surprised that they dropped this far but oh well, read on and find out why.

1- (4) Orlando- THey have the best record in the NBA with 33-8. Jameer Nelson is stepping up into All Star mode and leading them (aside from the Superman). nba.com reports: Doc Rivers said of the Magic, "Right now, there's nobody in the NBA playing better than Orlando." It's tough to argue with the man.

2-(3) Cleveland-Well last nights 2nd game of the TNT double header had the Cavs vs the Lakers but the Lakers were not going to be denied. There bench is deep and the Cavs are sturggling with injuries to Big Z and Delonte West. Lebron should be the MVP though, at least thats How Kobe feels.

3-(2) Boston - Well they are starting to look back to form after the horrible run of losses stacked up. They dismantled the Suns last night and really took over from the first. So this team will have minor collapses like that but the BIG 3 are still a force to be reckoned with and will be in the Eastern Finals, i didnt say finals but i know they will be competing for it.

4-(1) L.A. Lakers- 32-8 record, they dropped 6 straight before beating the Cavs last night. They were the best and now the 4th. WHo would of thought 2 weeks ago that the Cavs, Magic, and Celtics would all pass the Lake Show.

5-(5) San Antonio- Last time i dubbed the Spurs "The Silent Assasins." Now i would like to dub them the "Old Reliable." Manu is getting back to all star level play, how many treys did he hit the last couple of games.

6- (7) Denver- They are calling Chauncey Billups Mr Big Shot now, or something like that but dont talk to KMart after his free throws last night. This team is still very talented and they are doing it without Melo. Even guys like JR Smith are starting to play with consitency.

7- (6) New Orleans- Chris Paul game winner anyone? Yeah it happened last night and it was a three, and they won by 3... talk about drama and a dagger.

8- (10) Phoenix- So that Jason Richardson trade worked out pretty well. 10-6, but i dont think you should talk to any of them about Boston.

9-(13) Houston- Yao Ming recently went 12-12 on saturday. Then Tracy Mcgrady said that he is going to do his summer workout and come back better than ever. Basically this team is suffering from the Injury bug... again.

10- (12) Portland- Well Greg Oden should be good someday right. I guess he is a project but at least they have the B Roy's, Aldridge and another promising rook in Rudy.

11-(14) Utah- I would have put them higher but they had that said appearance against the Thunder and lost by 20, i bet Sloan really grilled them about that. si.com reports, "The've lost 108 man-games to injuries this season, forcing coach Jerry Sloan to use 13 different starting lineups. One reason for optimism is the recent play of point guard Deron Williams. A frequent member of the Jazz's injury report, Williams is averaging 26.3 points and 11.8 assists in the last four games. "

12- (21) Philadelphia- THey have won 7 straight without Brand and that included double digit wins over the Spurs, Hawks, Blazers. They gotta figure out how to include Brand in their offense and keep this train rolling.

13- (11) Dallas- Matt Carol could be that missing piece on the Mavs. No, JK. But Jason Terry sent the Jazz packing on Saturday night. Dirk is just an amazing shooter and he really hates the Jazz.

14-(9) Detroit- I was impressed with Richard Hamilton recently for saying he would come off the bench to help the team. But what he really meant was, Allen Iverson wont sit the bench and i'll be the bigger man and come off the bench so ball hog can keep doing his thing."

15- (8) Atlanta- THey are playing pretty well and Mike Bibby is the leader but Joe Johnson is becoming that locker room leader. I didnt want to drop them this far but couldnt help it since other teams are playing a little better.

16- (15) Miami- I am curious to see where everyone thinks Shawn Marion will be traded too before the Feb 19th trade deadline. I think it will happen but i dont know for sure.

17- (16) Milwaukee -The Bucks are that Roller Coaster team of the NBA.

18- (23) Charlotte- Well another trade and i dont think they are done yet. Having Diop now really opens up the offense to allow Diaw to play more SF and even PF and then Okafor at the PF instead of the C. I still think Felton will be traded as well.

19- (22) Chicago- They beat the Celtics and Raptors and now the team is getting healthy as well. So Kirk is back and this team has a new defensive presence.

20- (17) New Jersey-Coach Frank benched Vince and Devin for the 2nd half of a recent game and said that the team was embarresing. So either this team is going to continue to fall or be resparked. Will Carter be traded? Thats another one of my weekly questions.

21- (20) Indiana- Well i got to see Danny Granger light it up in SLC but the Jazz prevailed. The thing is that during that game Granger didnt miss (very much) and was deadly beyond the arc. He continued that all week and last night lost to Chris Pauls buzzer beating 3. Danny Granger should be an all star but the position is deep so he might not make it.

22- (25) Minnesota- Al Jefferson is averaging 20 PPG and 10 RPG and he should be an ALL STAR this season. Only two other players are doing that this season and its Dwight Howard and Tim Duncan.

23- (18) New York- Stephon Marbury is back in talks of a buyout for 1 MIllion dollars. Now did you hear Dr Evil asying that, lol.

24- (19) Toronto- What trade is this team going to and needing to make. Anthony Parker and Jermaine O'Neal are in talks of a different one every morning. I liked the Lamar Odom to Toronto idea.

25- (29) Golden State- Monta Ellis is participating in practice and should return soon... and in other news

26- (24) Memphis- Interesting fact of the week. Darius Miles played in his first game since 2006 and if he plays 9 more

27- (30) Oklahoma City- 2 wins in a week, against the jazz and pistons. Thats it, the league is folding.

28- (26) Sacramento- Well they were on the opposite end of the Magic three point records. If you dont know what i am talking about go look it up or ask someone for help.

29- (28) L.A. Clippers- Marcus Camby is now injured.

30- (27) Washington- Nick Young said this, ""It hurts. We'll be in the game every game, and it comes down to the last five minutes of the fourth quarter, and we always come up short," guard Nick Young told The Washington Times. "It's starting to take a toll on us now. We've got to get it together somehow. We've got to find a way."

Now thats funny looking!