NBA Power Rankings: Lakers Still on Top, Hornets Move Up
For the third time in as many weeks, the Los Angeles Lakers top the NBA Power Rankings. They still haven't lost a game and until they do, they can't even be considered anything other than first.
But, there are some changes on the list as some early surprises have continued to flourish. The Hornets are still undefeated, the Hawks have continued playing great and some usual faces are playing well.
Where do all of these teams stand in this week's list along with everyone else? Find out here.
Bottom of The Barrel: Teams Ranked 30-26
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The following are the 10 worst teams in the league. It's the bottom of the barrel.
30. Los Angeles Clippers (Last week: 30)
For the second straight week the Clippers are ranked dead last on the list. They haven't shown any improvement, going 1-3 in the last week. They aren't scoring and, although rookie Blake Griffin is off to a fine start, the team can't string together any wins.
29. Toronto Raptors (Last week: 29)
There are a bunch of teams looking awful in the East right now. The Raptors are probably the worst of them all. This will tell the whole story: Andrea Bargnani leads the team in scoring. That's not good. The team doesn't have a go-to guy and, although Reggie Evans has replaced Chris Bosh as the primary rebounder with 13 per game, he doesn't score. The whole thing is a mess.
28. Charlotte Bobcats (Last week: 28)
The last thing the East needed was a playoff team from last season to go south. It's happened and in a big way. The Bobcats made the playoffs for the first time in history last season, and now sit at 1-5. They're second-to-last in the league in points scored, third-to-last in rebounds and that's ruined a solid defensive start. Gerald Wallace and Stephen Jackson have put up points but the bench has been awful. The Bobcats have already lost to the Pacers, Nets and Pistons. That shouldn't happen.
27. Minnesota Timberwolves (Last week: 27)
Another year, another disaster for Minnesota. After challenging the Nets last season for worst record for a while, the Wolves have already mailed it in. Yes, they lead the league in rebounding, but it means nothing if they can't play some defense. They've given up the second-most points in the league at 113.5, and can't assist on offense either. Until they get a consistent scorer and some guys who make stops, this team will be a bust.
26. Houston Rockets (Last week: 18)
What happened to this team all of a sudden? Things were seemingly pointing up at the season's start, with some young guys getting minutes and with the return of Yao. The defense, though, is atrocious. It's the worst in the league so far as Houston has given up the most points at 116.4. Suddenly, with the team not winning games, Yao Ming has seen his minutes decrease.
Scoring is not the problem for the Rockets as they're second with 110.4. But it'll be hard for the Rockets to win with a defense that literally allows points on every opponents' possession.
Bottom of The Barrel Continued: Teams Ranked 25-21
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25. Detroit Pistons (Last week: 26)
The Pistons were on their way to dropping into 30th on this list before winning their last two games. One was not impressive, a win over the Bobcats, but the other was. On Sunday, they defeated the previously 4-1 Warriors to move up a spot this week.They trailed in the game against Golden State by three heading into the fourth quarter before winning 102-97.
Things will get tougher now for Detroit, as they head on a four-game West coast trip, and face the Lakers on their first game back. We'll see how they fare against better competition.
24. Philadelphia 76ers (Last week: 24)
The last couple of games for the 'Sixers have been a roller coaster. Against the Cavaliers at home, they allowed 44 fourth quarter points in a 123-116 loss. On Sunday, they trailed the Knicks' on the road by nine in the third quarter and won the game 106-96. They won that game against New York without their star player Andre Iguodala.
There's still a lot of work to be done with Doug Collins' bunch. The 76ers are a younger team that have talented players, and it showed at the Garden. Still, the Knicks aren't great competition, and now the Sixers will have three straight tough road games coming up.
23. Washington Wizards (Last week: 23)
At 1-4 so far, the Wizards don't look like a team ready to win. Rookie sensation John Wall has lived up to the hype through five games, averaging nearly a double-double, but the team isn't flowing solidly.
They're last in the league in rebounding, and have lost a lot of games in the second half. They stayed with the Knicks on Friday for a while, and at the end got blown out. There's talent on the roster and Gilbert Arenas is making his comeback, but it'll take some time for this team to win together.
22. Milwaukee Bucks (Last week: 13)
This is really surprising and quite disappointing. I predicted that the Bucks would win almost 50 games this season coming off a playoff season with a couple of stars. So far, it's been heading south as Milwaukee is 2-5 to start.
The reason isn't because of bad defense as they're fifth in the league in that category. The offense has been terrible. The Bucks are dead last in the league in scoring, averaging less than 90 points per game. Brandon Jennings has taken a step back and their leading scorer, Andrew Bogut, is averaging less than 15 points. If the offense doesn't come together, it'll be a disastrous season.
21. New Jersey Nets (Last week: 21)
Remember when the Nets started the season 2-0 and everyone was going nuts? Well, at least they were in the New York/New Jersey area. Since then, they haven't won a game. The losing streak is up to four for the Nets as they're 2-4 and just like last season, this team doesn't have what it takes.
Everyone made a big deal about the new head coach Avery Johnson, and the third overall draft pick Derrick Favors, but they forgot something. The core of the team didn't improve. Brook Lopez and Devin Harris didn't get it done alone last season and won't again this season.
20. Indiana Pacers (Last Week: 16)
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The Pacers have lost their last two games after a 2-1 start, and right now are a middle-of-the-road team. They don't have an identity yet their stars are shining.
Danny Granger and Roy Hibbert are having good seasons and with that, this team can have some success.
Their last two losses though, have come against under performing teams in the 76ers and Bucks. If the two aforementioned players continue having success, the Pacers can perhaps make something happen.
19. Cleveland Cavaliers (Last Week: 25)
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Through the first six games, the Cavaliers aren't as bad as people thought they'd be without LeBron James. They're an even 3-3 and are both 17th in the league in points for and against.
J.J. Hickson is scoring 16.5 points per game and five guys are in double figures in scoring.
They put together an impressive fourth quarter against the 76ers on Friday, scoring 44 points en route to a high-scoring victory. Their next two games are at home against the Nets.
Cleveland has the potential to play .500 basketball this season, which could get them to the playoffs, even without LeBron.
18. Memphis Grizzlies (Last Week: 19)
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The Grizzlies have lost three out of their last four games, and the ones they lost were devastating. Not because the season has ended and they're eliminated, but because of how they lost them. They scored 105 points or more in each game, and couldn't outscore their opponent.
They gave up 124, 115, and 123 points to the Lakers, Warriors, and Suns respectively, before finally winning again. What does that tell you? Two things: they can score with the best of them as they're sixth in the league, but they can't stop others from scoring as they're 25th.
Rudy Gay is having an outstanding season, averaging just over 27 points per game. If they can play some defense, they could be a threat in the West.
17. Sacramento Kings (Last Week: 22)
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The Kings have great, young talent and they won't lose 55 games this season. They're 3-3 and are improving as the season goes along.
It may not show as they've lost two straight games, but winning isn't everything for a team that's been horrible for some time.
Now, the two losses did come at home, and they have a game they should win coming up against Minnesota, but they're trying hard and, eventually, the wins will come.
They have a quirky schedule early on as they're in a stretch of eight out of nine games at home. They have five left, and all but one against the Hornets is winnable. Hopefully they can pull a couple out and show they're ready to roll.
16. New York Knicks (Last Week: 17)
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The Knicks should have a better record than just 3-3. They're fifth in the league in scoring, and a much improved 13th in points allowed. They're also 10th in rebounds and lead the league in blocked shots.
Why aren't they 5-1? It's because they've blown two games at home where they've led by nine at one point: one against Portland in the home opener, and on Sunday against the 76ers. So, they're .500 like a lot of other teams, and they must learn how to close out games.
They finally got a great game out of A'mare Stoudemire in Sunday's loss as he went for 21 points and 15 rebounds. It, unfortunately, didn't mean a thing.
They need to play with the same intensity and finish games out. If they do, they could have a good season.
15. Golden State Warriors (Last Week: 20)
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The Warriors look like they're for real. They haven't looked this good in ages. They're 4-2 and had a chance to be 5-1, but lost to the Pistons on Sunday.
David Lee is doing well in his first season with Golden State, leading the team in rebounds, and Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry have given the Warriors a great look.
There are two problems so far that the Warriors have to improve upon. One is defense, as they're allowing close to 103 points per game, and the other is play on the road. They're 4-0 at home, but 0-2 on the road.
All of their other numbers are great. They're eighth in scoring, and third in both rebounds and assists. If they improve their defense, look for around 45 wins this season.
14. Utah Jazz (Last Week: 14)
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The Jazz are only 3-3 so far, and they pulled one out against the Clippers on Sunday night. They trailed by 16 at halftime( 55-39), but outscored the Clippers 31-18, in the third quarter. They ended up winning the game in double-overtime and avoided dropping two below .500.
The Jazz have been average so far, perhaps missing Carlos Boozer a little bit. Paul Milsap is off to a great start, averaging a double-double and Deron Williams is having a monster season.
The defense has to improve, and now they go on the toughest road trip possible. They go to Miami, Orlando, and Atlanta, three of the best teams in basketball. Two of the games will be featured on national television.
13. San Antontio Spurs (Last Week: 15)
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The Spurs never seem to go away, no matter how older they get, and this season they're playing well again. They're 4-1 and are fourth in the league in scoring, with Manu Ginobili leading the team with 21 points.
Tim Duncan is still getting the job done, averaging a double-double, and Tony Parker is leading the team in assists. They're playing the way they have for the last decade, and every part of their game is working.
12. Dallas Mavericks (Last Week: 12)
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Dirk Nowitzki is having an amazing season, averaging close to 26 points per game and nine rebounds and through five games, the Mavericks are hovering around .500.
Dallas is playing great defense, as they're fourth in the league in points allowed. They're not really scoring so much as a team early on, but eventually, they'll be consistent enough, and when it happens, they'll win a bunch of games.
11. Chicago Bulls (Last Week: 10)
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The Bulls were hyped up to be a great team and a force in the East, but so far, that isn't the case. Carlos Boozer is still out, but even so, they have the talent to play better than they have.
After starting out 2-1, they've lost their last two to the Knicks at home, on national television, and lost another to the Celtics! Losing to the Celtics is one thing, but getting crushed to the Knicks at home is another.
They're scoring, rebounding, and assisting, but the defense has been poor, allowing 110 points or more in their last two losses.
Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah are playing great, and eventually this team will get everything together.
10. Phoenix Suns (Last Week: 11)
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Even without Mike D'Antoni as head coach, the Suns still play the same way, year-after-year. They score a ton of points and give them right back. Phoenix is third in the league in scoring and third from the bottom in points allowed, scoring and allowing 109 points per game.
Jason Richardson has become the go-to guy, and Steve Nash is helping out like he always does. The Suns don't have a guy who can rebound, though, as their leader is at six per game in Grant Hill.
They're just going to play the way they always do: trying to outscore teams and win late. They did pull out a great win on Sunday, handing the Hawks their first loss of the season in Atlanta.
Phoenix is basically a .500 team, unless they play better defense.
9. Oklahoma City Thunder (Last Week: 6)
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After a hot start, the young and talented Thunder have taken a step back, losing three of their last four games. One of those losses was to the lowly Clippers, but they do have a good win in Portland.
In their three wins they scored over 100 points. In their three losses, they scored under 100 points. They've been inconsistent so far, and aren't scoring or playing great defense.
They're dead last in the league in assists and so far, all their young players aren't flowing together like last season's 50-win team. They can definitely improve, though.
8. Denver Nuggets (Last Week: 8)
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Denver isn't doing badly so far, and there isn't a clear reason why Carmelo Anthony would want to leave town. The Nuggets are 4-2 and along with Anthony's 25 points per game, they're scoring a bunch of points and are playing solid defense.
Al Harrington has done a good job as sixth man, scoring 16 points off the bench, and Denver looks like they're ready for another fine season, as long as they keep Anthony.
7. Portland Trail Blazers (Last Week: 9)
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The Blazers are off to a good start at 5-3, led by Brandon Roy's 20 points per game. Marcus Camby has started in all eight games and has recorded 11 rebounds per game.
The offense could improve, but the defense has been pretty steady, and LaMarcus Aldridge has become a star forward. The Blazers are a good team and will have a good season in the West.
6. Orlando Magic (Last Week: 4)
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The Magic have won three straight games and they've all been against bad teams. Orlando has wins over the Wizards, Wolves, Nets and Bobcats, which isn't exactly the top of the league.
The defense, though, has been terrific and Dwight Howard is averaging three blocks per game. That's what's helped the Magic to their wins because the team is only in the middle of the pack in scoring.
Defense and rebounding is what they normally excel at and that's what's going on. They're second in rebounding and if they can find more offense other than Howard, they'd be elite.
5. Miami Heat (Last Week: 2)
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The Heat are fifth? How can that be? Well, it can and it is. They haven't been spectacular like advertised, and they aren't winning 72 games either. They're just a good team that will do well in a poor Eastern conference.
Don't get me wrong, they are good, but they were way over hyped. The two losses they have—they're 5-2—came against great teams in the Celtics and Hornets.
They do lead the league in team defense, allowing the least points per game, but they drop because they made themselves out to be the next coming of the 1996 Bulls.
Dwyane Wade and LeBron James are each averaging 20 or more points, but they don't even know who's taking the final shot. Why? Because none of the trio did in the loss to New Orleans.
For the record, the 1996 Bulls were 6-1 through seven games.
4. New Orleans Hornets (Last Week: 7)
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I told people that were wondering why the Hornets weren't higher up last week, that they would be if they kept it up. For those of you, here you go.
Fourth may seem low for an undefeated team, but the way I treat surprise teams: continue to prove you're worthy of moving up.
The Hornets are 6-0 and look elite. The defense is great and Chris Paul is having an All-Star season, averaging a double-double with six rebounds.
If they have any concern, it's scoring. They aren't even averaging 100 points per game, but the offense will improve with Paul leading the way along with David West.
The Hornets should improve to 7-0 on Tuesday night against the Clippers at home.
3. Atlanta Hawks (Last Week: 5)
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The Hawks should have been 7-0, but tripped up against the Suns at home on Sunday, albeit scoring 114 points.
They've been a surprise in the sense that they don't lose too often, but they aren't a huge surprise. This team has been improving for some time now and they are finally ready to contend with the best of them. That includes the team they face Orlando tonight on the road.
Joe Johnson hasn't been a bust, scoring over 20 points per game, and Al Horford is averaging a double-double.
The team scores at an unbelievable rate, and they have arguably the best starting five in basketball, or at least in the East. Jamal Crawford is once again scoring off the bench, 16 points per game.
The 6-1 record is tied for the best in the East as well.
2. Boston Celtics (Last Week: 3)
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Just like the Hawks, the Celtics are 6-1, and it'll sure be a fight for best record in the East between Atlanta, Boston, Orlando and Miami.
With Rajon Rondo on the team, it's not a surprise to see the Celtics leading the league in assists. Just like they have been doing for years, the Celtics are among the best defensive teams.
The scoring could improve. Paul Pierce and Ray Allen are doing well and the good thing is, Kevin Garnett is rebounding again, and is much improved from last season.
Rondo, though, is leading way, and is playing a role like Steve Nash used to. His 14.7 assists per game is tops in the league by a healthy margin. Boston and the Heat are the most talented teams in the conference.
1. Los Angeles Lakers (Last Week: 1)
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Three weeks, three number one spots for the Lakers. They still haven't lost, it's that simple.
They have the best record in the NBA at 7-0, and Paul Gasol has amazed this season. He's averaging 24 points per game, along with 10 rebounds and five assists, and just completed a triple-double in the Lakers win on Sunday.
Oh, by the way, Kobe Bryant is doing well too, and the team leads the league in scoring again. Nothing much to say, there just looking like early season favorites to win a third straight title.
