30. Cleveland Cavaliers (Last Week’s Ranking: 30): Even the new year couldn’t seem to provide some hope for the lowly Cavs, whose downward spiral continues after they lost arguably their best player, Anderson Varejao, for the rest of the season to an injury. Losers of 10 straight, they are simply playing for the most ping pong balls come May.
29. Minnesota Timberwolves (26): They almost knocked off the Spurs last night, and Kevin Love’s double-double streak remains intact at 24 consecutive. Unfortunately for them, the T-Wolves should be more concerned on how they are going to keep Love in Minny past 2012. Beasley undoubtedly has a very bright future, but if they are banking on Darko’s potential as an all-star, Love is already packed.
28. Sacramento Kings (29): They’ve lost seven of their last ten, and trade rumors continue to swirl around their roster – including everyone not named Tyreke Evans – but a 20-point win over the Nuggets on Thursday night at least shows that they aren’t Cleveland status … yet
27. Washington Wizards (27): While John Wall may not be a walking highlight reel like fellow rookie Blake Griffin, it’s hard not to gush over his potential. What’s even better for the Wizards’ present? They are showcasing a much more comfortable Rashard Lewis, who is finally playing in at his natural position of small forward. At the same time, the amount of immaturity on their roster will be the Wizards’ Achilles heel down the stretch.
26. Toronto Raptors (25): Andrea Bargnani isn’t Dirk Nowitzki, but his scoring numbers aren’t much different than Dirk’s at 25 years of age. Dirk in 03-04: 21.8 PPG on 46.2 percent shooting from the field; Bargnani this season: 21.5 PPG on a 47.3 percent clip. However, his rebounding numbers (5.8 RPG) are suspect for a seven-footer who plays 35 minutes a night.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJYPDecEnng
Next: 25-21
25. New Jersey Nets (28): The status of acquiring Carmelo seems to fluctuate every five minutes, but until that happens, the Nets should be focusing on picking up more wins like their 96-94 over Chicago, in which former Laker Sasha Vujacic stole the show.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LE7KS9c7Y0
24. Detroit Pistons (24): The Pistons have arisen as a possible third-team facilitator in many proposed Carmelo deals; and while those deals would finally see Richard Hamilton on his way out, it doesn’t seem to do much for their future as the Pistons rumored acquisitions would be Troy Murphy and Johan Petro – not the additions most Pistons’ fans are looking for.
23. Charlotte Bobcats (23): Paul Silas has breathed new life into this team, which has won four of its last six – who did those four wins come against? Detroit, Cleveland, Minnesota and Washington – who just happen to be four of the six teams ranked below the Bobcats. Although DJ Augustin and Gerald Henderson starting to prove their worth as former lottery picks, the trade status of team captains Gerald Wallace and Stephen Jackson remain uncertain.
22. Milwaukee Bucks (17): Yes, they are missing Brandon Jennings and his 17.9 PPG, but 91.3 points per game as a team? Come on, you have to average more than that with John Salmons, Andrew Bogut and Corey Maggette on your roster. They’ve been plagued by injuries, but if they don’t start scoring more points, they might slip too far out of playoff contention after being projected as a lock for the postseason by most.
21. Los Angeles Clippers (22): They are so, so close to busting out. Even with Chris Kaman out, this team is for real. DeAndre Jordan is a shot-swatting machine, Eric Gordon is becoming more and more of a consistent offensive threat. Oh yeah, they have that one rookie – Blake Griffin – he’s not so bad either. Look for them to continue playing well and maybe even challenge for a playoff spot. Even if they don’t, they will unquestionably be one of the most hyped teams heading into next season.
Next: 20-16
20. Philadelphia 76ers (20): 14.9 points and 8.8 rebounds per game aren’t wowing numbers, but how many of you thought those would be the numbers of Elton Brand nearly halfway through the season? Rookie Evan Turner continues to be a work in progress, but he still has shown the potential to become a solid player in this league.
19. Indiana Pacers (19): The Darren Collison hype is long gone, Danny Granger is nearing that category as well and the Pacers haven’t won two games in a row since November, but somehow, at 14-20, Indiana surprisngly remains in the Eastern Conference playoff hunt.
18. Phoenix Suns (18): A 25-point rocking at the hands of the New York Knicks in Amaré’s first return to Phoenix was tough to swallow; nevertheless, they are finding was to score (105.9 PPG) – even with a less-than-imposing roster. Posting the 28th worst rebounding numbers in the NBA at 38.8 pull downs per game really makes you worry about the team’s future, which has invested a large portion of their future in the contracts of Channing Frye (6.0 RPG), Marcin Gortat (6.0 RPG) and Hakim Warrick (4.3 RPG).
17. Golden State Warriors (21): Could the Warriors surprise everyone and snag a playoff spot this year? Behind Monta Ellis’ 25.2 scoring average to go along with a plethora of lethal shooters, it could happen. They’ve won six of their last 10 and with the Lakers, Spurs and Jazz penciled in as the only tough opponents for the rest of January, the first month of the new year could be good to the Warriors. If David Lee can start playing like a $60 million player as opposed to a $45 million player, watch out.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rBRDWLD11c&feature=related
16. Houston Rockets (15): The potential is all there: Kevin Martin, Aaron Brooks, Luis Scola, Shane Battier – even Kyle Lowry, but after going 11-4 during December, Clutch City has yet to win a game in 2011. Granted, their opponents have been: Portland and Denver on the road, Portland at home, Orlando on the road and Utah at home – but with Boston, Oklahoma City, New Orleans and Atlanta next up, it makes you wonder when this team will pickup its first win of the new year.
Next: 15-11
15. Denver Nuggets (10): The Nuggets need to hurry up and decide if they are going to trade Carmelo or not, because the new rumors that flash across ESPN after every commercial break aren’t helping this Denver team that has lost three in a row and six of its last 10. Whatever the Nuggets decide to do, it’s starting to seem like this season is slowly slipping out of their control. Unless some sort of midseason revival happens, don’t be surprised to see Denver fall out of the playoff race in favor of hungrier teams, such as the Clippers, Warriors and Grizzlies.
14. Memphis Grizzlies (16): Is Memphis for real? They are nearing .500 after knocking off the Lakers, Thunder and Jazz; and with the exception of four contests against the Mavs, Bulls, Hornets and Magic, their entire schedule for the rest of January could have them at 25-24 by the months end. They aren’t extremely deep, but top-five players: Randolph, Gay, Mayo, Conley and Marc Gasol are as talented as any starting five in the NBA.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6bg9FiTV_w
13. New Orleans Hornets (13): The Hornets are so desperately lacking in depth department that they look like a D-League team whenever CP3 and David West are off of the court. They try to keep one of the two on the floor at all times, but here’s the problem: When West is in and Paul is out, no one can get West the ball; and when Paul is in and West is out, Paul has nobody to pass to. Ariza and Okafor are solid, but if this team wants to last longer than four games in the playoffs, they need to get some help off of the bench.
12. Portland Trail Blazers (14): Brandon Roy who? Even though their franchise player is appearing less and less so, the tandem of LaMarcus Aldridge and Wes Matthews is keeping Portland’s playoff hopes alive. They fell apart in overtime to Miami last night, but they are scheduled to play only two teams above .500 for the rest of the month, which has to help their spirits moving forward. Aldridge and his 20.5 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 1.26 BPG should have a spot on the all-star team, but with how loaded the West is at the forward spot, that might not be as easy as it would be if Aldridge was playing in the East.
11. New York Knicks (12): Their starting five of Felton, Fields, Chandler, Gallonari and Stoudemire resembles the mid-to-late 2000s lineup of the Suns more and more every day, but with no depth down low, it will be tough for the Knicks to knock off teams such as the Celtics, Bulls and Magic who are loaded down low. There’s no doubting this team’s excitement level, however, which is putting up a league best 107.6 PPG.
Next: 10-6
10. Atlanta Hawks (11): They’ve had an easy schedule to start the new calendar year and they have reaped the benefits, going 4-0 since entering 2011, including an impressive 23-point win on the road against Utah. Joe Johnson hasn’t been scoring at the rate, which most would expect a $20 million per year player to; however, the Hawks haven’t needed him to post big numbers, as Al Horford, Jamal Crawford and Josh Smith are all providing assistance in that area, guiding Atlanta to eight wins in their last 10 games.
9. Utah Jazz (9): Elias Sports Bureau offers a nice stat about the Utah Comeback Kids – err Jazz: After allowing the Rockets to take a 16-point lead on Saturday, the Jazz stole the victory way from Houston – marking the seventh time this season that the Jazz have won a game after trailing by 15-or-more points. They like to do it the hard way, but the Jazz seem to always find a way to come out with a win.
8. Oklahoma City Thunder (8): It’s starting to sink in for the rest of the NBA that the most lethal offensive duo is not located in Miami or Los Angeles – instead, the pair of Kevin Durant (28.2 PPG) and Westbrook (21.9 PPG) can be found in OKC, where the Thunder are continuing their rise as one of the NBAs best. However, with Serge Ibaka (6.7 RPG) as their only legitimate threat on the glass, Thunder U is going to need to find a greater presence on the boards if they want to contend with the West’s best.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3LIaxHtxCM
7. Chicago Bulls (5): Derrick Rose may not have the same assist numbers as Rajon Rondo, Chris Paul, Deron Williams and Steve Nash, but he still might be the best of the bunch. No point guard in the league has the ability to play the role of scorer and facilitator as well as Rose this season who is on pace to be only the second player (the other being LeBron James last season) and the first point guard since Gary Payton in 1999-2000 to average over 24 points, while dishing out over eight assists per game.
6. Dallas Mavericks (4): Shawn Marion is a solid replacement for the injured Caron Butler, who is out for the rest of the season; but if the Mavs are thinking championship, they are going to need to find a more offensively-savvy talent on the wing if they want to contend for a title. Rumors have mentioned Philadelphia’s Andre Iguodala and Charlotte’s Stephen Jackson as possibilities.
Next: 5-1
5. Los Angeles Lakers (7): Don’t get too excited fellow Lakers fans. A four-game winning-streak was enough to to bump the Lakers back into the top five (especially with Dallas’ recent struggles); and wins over New Orleans and New York was nice to see, but if the Lakers want to regain their position as the NBA’s alpha dogs, they are going to need something in the neighborhood of eight, nine or ten consecutive victories. Unfortunately for the purple and gold, losing Matt Barnes for the next eight weeks is going to make that goal much more challenging.
4. Orlando Magic (6): The new-look Magic have won nine in a row and don’t appear ready to let up any time soon. With three of their next four games against New Orleans, Oklahoma City and Boston on the road, their streak will be challenged; regardless, Hedo Turkoglu has seemingly risen from his grave and is posting modest numbers 12.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and 6.3 assists in 12 games with the Magic, including a triple-double during Orlando’s 20-point win over Golden State. Even with no real backup to Dwight Howard, this team is going to be battling Boston, Orlando, Chicago and Miami for a berth in the finals.
3. Boston Celtics (2): This team continues to be hit with injuries, but it hasn’t caused them to deviate off course whatsoever. Garnett’s out, but Rondo is back in action dishing out his freakish assist numbers for the Celtics, who average a league-best 24.6 dimes per game. Age just does not seem to play a factor for the C’s, as Ray Allen (35) and Paul Pierce (33) look as young as ever, helping the Celtics maintain the second best record in the league while Rondo and Garnett have been sidelined with injuries.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWvZlnhae3k
2. San Antonio Spurs (1): After blowing out Oklahoma City last Saturday, the Spurs proceded to drop two consecutive to Boston and New York, then was barely able to knock of Indiana and Minnesota. Nevertheless, this team doesn’t have much to worry about other than the possibility of an injury. Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker and Richard Jefferson are carrying this team through the season while Timmy D rests up for the playoffs to show the rest of the world that the Lakers aren’t the only team capable of representing the West in the NBA Finals.
1. Miami Heat (3): It’s almost enough to make me want to gouge my eyes out, but there’s no denying the fact that the Miami Heat are playing the best basketball in the NBA right now. Everyone knew that it was coming too; LeBron, Wade and Bosh were bound to click sooner or later and reel off a ton of wins in a row. They have won 21 of their last 22, and their all-star trio is accounting for 67.4 percent of their points. They may not have anyone reliable past their big three, but that doesn’t seem to be a problem for the Heat, who have only lost once since starting off 9-8.