29. Sacramento Kings (28): Even though they have almost as many stadium issues as the Minnesota Vikings, the biggest problem currently facing the Kings is their inability to take advantage of their available talent. That’s why they’re 21-43.
28. Minnesota Timberwolves (27): In the last ten games, the Timberwolves have won only one. They blew a huge first half lead against the Warriors on Sunday and continue to be the prime example of an injury ending a team’s season.
27. Golden State Warriors (25): Well the Warriors aren’t the worst in the league, but they’re close. Prior to their Sunday win, they had lost eight straight. And their standing as California’s forgotten team continues…
26. Portland Trail Blazers (23): The loss of LaMarcus Aldridge hit the Blazers harder than anyone could have expected. They’ve lost five straight and went from playoff contenders to one of the West’s worst. No wonder they want Mitch Kupchak.
Next Page: NBA Power Rankings: 25-21
25. Cleveland Cavaliers (26): It seemed like this past week was going to make the Cavaliers’ season even worse (a 39-point loss to the Pistons), but a win against the Knicks allowed them a quick taste of playing spoiler.
23. New Jersey Nets (21): Four-straight losses have clouded their late-season success. I wonder if they really think that pursuing Kevin Garnett via free agency is going to boost this franchise’s future success.
22. Washington Wizards (29): Surprisingly, the Wizards have won three straight. Still, it’s sad to see as talented a player as John Wall suffering on as poor a team as Washington.
21. Detroit Pistons (24): Coming in at tenth place in the East isn’t bad for a team that had such a horrible mid-season run. There’s plenty to improve on this off-season, but there are also positives to build on as well.
Next Page: NBA Power Rankings: 20-16
19. New Orleans Hornets (20): A new owner, a new name and a new logo. Despite coming in last place in the West, I have a feeling that this franchise is heading in a new (and better) direction.
18. Orlando Magic (17): The season-ending surgery that Dwight Howard will undergo will also end any hopes that the Magic had of making a legitimate playoff run.
17. Milwaukee Bucks (13): The Bucks’ slim playoff hopes are on life support and they’ll need three straight losses from the 76ers. Oh and three straight wins of their own, including one against Philly.
16. Phoenix Suns (11): The Suns are in the playoffs. The Suns aren’t in the playoffs. They’re in. They’re out. The cycle will end, however, when they take on the Jazz on Tuesday to decide their fate.
Next Page: NBA Power Rankings: 15-11
14. Dallas Mavericks (15): Currently holding onto the No. 7 seed in the West, the Mavericks might have done themselves a favor if they can avoid the Lakers in the first round. They’re sudden inconsistency makes a repeat seem unlikely, though.
13. Utah Jazz (18): Who knew last week that the Jazz would be in the playoff picture while the Suns watched from outside the box? Well probably somebody, but it still comes as a surprise nonetheless. Still, I give them props for the strong late-season push.
12. Denver Nuggets (14): If you’re having a conversation about a team that really wants to make the playoffs, the Nuggets better be in it. They’ve been playing lights out for the past couple of weeks and might just edge the Mavericks for the No. 6 seed before season’s end.
11. Atlanta Hawks (9): Well a Sunday loss to the Knicks isn’t promising and two tedious games in the upcoming week won’t help, but the Hawks are still looking good as the postseason nears. They’re still one of the strongest teams in the East.
Next Page: NBA Power Rankings: 10-6
10. New York Knicks (10): Who needs Linsanity when the Knicks are playing as well as they have been over the past two weeks? The only problem is that they’re likely facing the Heat in the first round, which will be an uphill battle.
8. Oklahoma City Thunder (2): With the playoffs just around the corner, the Thunder aren’t looking like the team that dominated the West all season long. Plus, the indefinite loss of James Harden to a World Peace-induced concussion is going to be painful.
7. Los Angeles Lakers (3): So much for thinking that the bench stint was going to stunt Kobe’s abilities. The two blowout losses to the Spurs are worrisome, though. The Lakers without World Peace is going to be a bit challenging once the playoffs start.
6. Miami Heat (6): Even with a strong playoff positioning, it seems like injuries could become an issue as the postseason gets under way in Miami. You can never, however, count out LeBron and Co. in the early rounds of the playoffs.
Next Page: NBA Power Rankings: 5-1
5. Boston Celtics (4): You would think that a 1-2 week for the Celtics would drop them down the rankings. However, you can only expect so much when their starting lineup doesn’t include any of their noteworthy names. They’ll be ready for the postseason.
3. Indiana Pacers (7): Arguably one of the hottest teams in the NBA right now, the Pacers have been burning through their final few opponents and are primed for a legitimate championship run. They left it to Danny Granger and it paid off.
2. Chicago Bulls (1): The best record in the league and the Bulls continue to roll as the season nears its end. Imagining this team with a healthy Derrick Rose in the lineup losing a seven-game series is hard at this point.
1. San Antonio Spurs (5): Since the Spurs first lost to the Lakers two weeks ago, they’ve won seven straight, including two blowouts against the purple and gold. They’re on fire heading into the playoffs and will most likely be the West’s No. 1 seed.