By Paul M. Banks
1. Los Angeles Lakers (14-3)
Ron Artest is working out well so far. Who saw that coming? They have just so many weapons.
2. Phoenix Suns (14-5)
Finally held under 100 in a game. And it was the Knicks who did it? seriously
3. Denver Nuggets (13-5)
Like the Nelly song lyric says “a Nugget kinda fellow I push the Carmelo”. And Melo is leading the NBA in scoring this year. Anyone still think they’re a one-year wonder?
4. Dallas Mavericks (14-5)
I was pleased to hear NBA TV’s Marc Fein make the same exact observation I made in my last power rankings, the next day on television.
5. Portland Trail Blazers (12-8)
Oden is 3rd in the league in blocks, and finally showing some explosiveness on offense.
6. San Antonio Spurs (9-6)
Tim Duncan will go down as one of the most underrated players of this era. He’s not as flashy as Kobe or LeBron, but you can build titles around him.
7. Utah Jazz (10-7)
Booze is playing like a man looking for a new, big contract isn’t he? With stepping up to complement D. Will and Jerry Sloan now getting a four year extension, look for Utah to see some elevation in the standings.
8. Houston Rockets (10-8)
The Trevor Ariza, Carl Landry, and Aaron Brooks core is outperforming everyone’s expectations. They’re a lot better in reality than on paper
9. Oklahoma City Thunder (6-6)
Like Garth Brooks sang “Thunder rolls,” in his tune that was obviously about what happens when Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Jeff Green and James Harden are all on on the same night. J/K I know that song was about a much darker topic than OKC b-ball.
10. Sacramento Kings (9-8)
They’re going to come back to Earth eventually, right? For the Kings, one game over .500 is out of this world
11. New Orleans Hornets (7-11)
Haven’t utterly self-destructed in the absence of CP3, so that’s encouraging. Fun fact: franchise born in Charlotte got it’s name from the city’s nickname “the Hornet’s nest”. Came from King George III who referred to Charlotte as “that hornet’s nest of rebellion.”
12. Los Angeles Clippers (8-11)
Chris Kaman is their leading scorer? REALLY! It won’t be long until Eric “Basketball Judas” Gordon steps up and passes him.
13. Memphis Grizzlies (3-8)
I’m not a big Gay guy. I don’t think Rudy Gay is someone you can build your franchise around. A good second or third option yes, go-to guy, no. Mayo isn’t the answer either.
14. Golden State Warriors (6-11)
I can think of a few teams that could score at will on their defense: the Kansas Jayhawks, Texas Longhorns, North Carolina Tar Heels.
15. Minnesota Timberwolves (2-16)
Time to start thinking about the ’73 Sixers 9-73 “record”, if the Nets don’t beat them to it.