NBA Power Rankings: December 7th
Note: These rankings consider both momentum and record. A hot team may get the nod over a squad with a better winning percentage.
Here's a look at the best of the best...
1. Phoenix Suns (15-4)
It's now or never for the Suns' championship hopes.
The Suns are coming off a high-scoring victory against Toronto Wednesday night. Phoenix notched a season-high 136 points.
Leandro Barbosa came off the pine to score 35, while Amare Stoudemire chipped in 25.
The addition of Grant Hill is looking like a wise one.
2. San Antonio Spurs (16-3)
The Spurs fell from the No. 1 spot despite their victory Wednesday night. Even without Tim Duncan, San Antonio notched a surprise win over the Dallas Mavericks.
Manu Ginobli scored 37 points. Tony Parker added 23.
Without Duncan, though, the Spurs can't strike a very strong claim to the top spot.
3. Orlando Magic (16-4)
If the season ended today, Dwight Howard would be MVP. If Howard keeps producing and the Magic keep winning, the big man will run away with the award.
If I were to compare Howard to anyone right now, it'd be a young Moses Malone.
Note: While Howard and Rashard Lewis have received all the credit, Hedo Turkoglu, Jameer Nelson, and Keith Bogans have been key to the Magic's success.
4. Boston Celtics (15-2)
Last season it took until February for Boston to win 15 games.
This newly assembled team has made Doc Rivers look good so far, but I'm still not sure he's the best man for the job.
The C's lost 18 straight under Rivers last season. In Orlando, the coach flopped despite having Tracy McGrady on the roster.
Are the Celtics the class of the East?
I'm not convinced...yet
5. Utah Jazz (13-6)
Props to head coach Jerry Sloan—you won't find a more loyal head man in the NBA.
Sloan's no-nonsense mentality is just one of the many qualities that earns him the respect of his players.
Note: Ronnie Brewer and Paul Milsap are two guys to pay attention to in Utah.
6. Detroit Pistons (13-5)
The Pistons have won five straight games, and are 8-3 over their last 11.
Detroit is coming off a 91-76 win over the New Orleans Hornets Wednesday.
Look for Detroit to make a run to the Eastern Conference Finals for the sixth consecutive season.
7. New Orleans Hornets (12-7)
Chris Paul is an early MVP candidate, but guys like Peja Stojakovic and David West have been inconsistent.
The Hornets were demolished Wednesday night by the Pistons. Despite the loss, Tyson Chandler had an impressive line—scoring 17 points and grabbing 22 boards.
8. Dallas Mavericks (12-8)
The Mavs lost to San Antonio—minus Duncan—on Wednesday night.
They followed that performance with a loss to the Denver Nuggets on Thursday.
Dirk Nowitzki scored 32 points for the Mavs. Allen Iverson followed his 51-point performance against the Lakers with a 35-point effort.
Dallas has been inconsistent of late, and is now riding a two-game losing streak. Don't get too high on this team until they prove themselves come playoff time.
9. Los Angeles Lakers (11-8)
The Lakers have only been good enough to make the playoffs as a No. 7 seed the last two seasons. Look for more of the same this year.
Los Angeles earned this spot by winning two games against the Denver Nuggets. Despite 51 points from Iverson in the most recent contest, the Lakers were able to hold on en route to a 111-107 victory.
Iverson scored 33 of his 51 in the first half.
Kobe Bryant scored 25 points, while Vladimir Radmanovic added 21 off the bench for the Lakers.
10. Golden State Warriors (10-8)
Golden State has been the hottest team in the league since the return of Stephen Jackson. The Warriors are 8-2 in their last ten games.
I thought coach Don Nelson was crazy to make Jackson a team captain—but Jackson has proven his maturity and ability in the young season. Don't forget that Jackson has postseason experience from his days in San Antonio.
The team rebounded from a loss to Orlando by smoking the Bucks 120-90 on Wednesday night.
I don't have much faith in this Warriors' prospects for playoff success after the pointless offseason trade that sent Jason Richardson to Charlotte.
Note: Andris Biedrins is averaging a double-double on the year—11 points and 10 rebounds.
