Hoops Haven NBA Power Rankings – Version 1

Every two weeks,‭ ‬we at the Haven,‭ ‬will rank the Top‭ ‬16‭ ‬Teams based on their performance during the weeks.‭ ‬This will be our first rankings of the young season. Previous rankings are inside (). Where does your team rank?

1) Boston 8-1 (3) – The Celtics are clearly the best in the league right now. Pierce, Allen, and Garnett look to be back in ‘08 form, while Sheed has been the NBA’s best 6th man. With Rondo’s contract no longer an issue, is 70 wins a possibility?

2) LA Lakers 7-1 (2) – The defending champs have won 6 straight after a 1-1 start. Kobe is leading the league in scoring(33 ppg), Artest is being a good boy, and it appears that Andrew Bynum is starting to live up to the hype(21 ppg and 11.3 rebs).

3) Phoenix 8-2 (15) – The Suns are winning with their usual up-tempo style and getting contributions from everyone. Nash looks back to MVP form(17.1 ppg and 50% from 3 pt) while leading the league in assists(11.8). Amare Stoudemire(18.1 ppg) leads the team in scoring, while Grant Hill(8.2) leads in rebounding, and Jason Richardson and Channing Frye have been superb, shooting over 43% from three.

4) Denver 6-3 (5) – The Nuggets are proving that last season wasn’t a fluke. although they have lost 3 of their last 4, they are among the leagues elite teams. Carmelo Anthony has been MVP caliber and even led the league in scoring(30.2 ppg) until the last few games. The key to success is scoring. They are averaging 120 ppg in wins and 90 ppg in losses.

5) Orlando 6-3 (1) – Our preseason #1 has been good but slip to #5 since they have some injury issues. Dwight Howard(18 ppg and 10.6 rebs) has started slow (for him) and Vince Carter(18 ppg) has missed 4 games already. On the bright side, Jameer Nelson has shown little effects of last season’s injury(13.9 pts and 5.8 ast) and Ryan Anderson has been a pleasant surprise(15 ppg and 5 rebs).

6) Atlanta 6-2 (10) – With 1 of their 2 losses to the defending champs, the Hawks could once again be a Top 4 squad in the East. Joe Johnson(21 ppg, 6 rebs, and 4 ast) is playing like a MVP candidate while Bibby has dissapointed(10 pts, 4 ast). The real strength of the team looks to be their young frontcourt with Al Horford(13.5 pts and 10.5 rebs) and Josh Smith(16 ppg), who leads the team in assist(4.4) and became the youngest to 900 blocks.

7) Miami 6-2 (14) – The Heat along with Phoenix have been the surprises of the early season. The Heat’s only 2 losses have been to elite teams(Pho and Cle). D. Wade(30.6 ppg) has been his usual outstanding self, while Beasley(13.9 ppg) has shown flashes of being a top pick. Chalmers(5.0) leads in assists, J. O’Neal has been productive(13.9 ppg, 8 reb, 1.5 blk), and Haslem(9.4) leads in rebounding. Can they keep this up all season?

Portland 6-3 (6) – The Blazers have won 4 straight after a 2-3 start. During that stretch, they have won by defense, allowing only 83 ppg. Brandon Roy (20.8) leads in scoring, Miller(5.4) leads in assists, and Oden(8.7) leads in rebounding and blocks(2.2). Webster has been fantastic with highlight reel dunks and blocks.

9) Cleveland 6-3 (7) – The Lebronettes have responded well after an 0-2 start. LBJ wants to win the MVP again at 28.2 pts, 7.3 rebs, and 7.1 ast. They have gotten a boost from Varejao’s rebounding(8.6) but need more from Shaq(11.3 pts and 6.8 rebs). The key is getting production from Mo Williams(18.1 pts and 4 ast).

10) Dallas 5-3 (8) – The Mavs are 3-2 in November and have an easy schedule upcoming. Dirk has been fantastic(26.5 ppg), even scoring 25 points in a 4th quarter vs Utah. Jason Kidd(8.6 ast) and Dampier(10.3 rebs) have proven that age is just a number by leading the team in assists and rebounds. The key is Josh Howard(12.7 ppg), who has missed 5 games.

11) Chicago 4-4(NR) – The Bulls 4 losses are all to over .500 teams and may have gotten hosed against Denver, when Brad Miller’s buzzer beater was erased. Even though Rose has started slow(13.8 pts and 5.6 ast), Deng(17.4) has taken up the scoring slack, while Noah is establishing himself as an elite rebounder(12.3) and shot blocker(2.3). Tyrus Thomas’ broken forearm will hurt. Rookie Taj Gibson(8 pts and 5 reb) has been a pleasant surprise.

12) San Antonio 4-3 (4) – The Spurs may have some chinks in the armor starting to show. Injuries to Tim Duncan and Tony Parker have severely weakened them early on. Ever since grabbing a bat, Ginobili has been playing rabid averaging more than 24 ppg. Newcomer Jefferson(17.3) leads in scoring, while Duncan(11.8) leads in rebounding, even by missing 3 games. They will need Parker and Duncan to contend.

13) Milwaukee 4-2 (NR) – The Bucks surprisingly have been overachieving with only 2 losses. They have been led by the early rookie of the year, Brandon Jennings(20.7 ppg and 5.2 ast) and center Bogut(15 ppg and 9.2 rebs). Michael Redd’s(13 ppg) inability to stay on the floor(2 games) is a major concern.

14) Philadelphia 4-4 (14) – The Sixers have been both good and bad, but about what we expected. The Lou Williams(14.4 pts and 5.1 ast) at the point experience at the point has been good as Iggy(18.6 pts, 6.5 rebs, 5 ast) pushes for his 1st All star Selection. Speights(7.1) has stepped it up by leading the squad in rebounding and may soon be in the starting lineup with Elton Brand(10 ppg and 5 rebs) being ineffective.

15) Toronto 4-4 (NR) – The Euroraptors are at .500 because they beat the weaker teams and lose to the top teams(Orlando, Dallas, and SA), Bosh(28.9 ppg and 11.5 rebs) has stepped up his game, while Turkoglu(14.5 pts) has been a slight disappointment. Bargnani(19.6 pts) and Calderon(12.4 pts and 6.4 ast) have been great.

16) Oklahoma City 4-4 (NR) – Don’t look now but the upstart Thunder are starting to gel. They opened some eyes by blowing out the Magic by almost 30 pts on Nov 8th. We’ll see if they can stay ranked with contests against some of the leagues elite(SA, Miami, and Orlando) looming. Durant(27 ppg, 7.5 reb) should be an All Star as Westbrook(7.3) is leading in assists.

The Best of the Rest:

Sacramento(4-4), Utah(3-5), Detroit(4-4), Indiana(3-3), and Charlotte(3-5)

Teams on the Rise:

Miami and Phoenix

Teams on the Side:

Washington and San Antonio

updated 11/13/09

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