Carmelo Anthony Trade: Power Ranking the Top 10 NBA Teams
Now that we know Carmelo Anthony is headed to New York to team up with Amar'e Stoudemire, it's time to look ahead towards the second half of the season as well as the playoffs.
While the trade deadline has yet to pass, most of the deals that will be made before the Feb. 24 deadline will involve role players and expiring contracts, meaning most—if not all—teams will look very similar to the way they do now.
It's safe to say no other player of Anthony's caliber will be on the move. Not this year anyway.
So as we look ahead to the rest of this NBA season, here are my power rankings of the top 10 teams.
10. Portland Trail Blazers
1 of 10
Current record: 32-24
The Blazers could look a little different come Thursday, as the team has been in talks involving a deal that would send point guard Andre Miller to the New Jersey. In return, Portland would receive point guard Devin Harris.
It remains to be seen who else would be part of such a deal, although it likely won't be Marcus Camby, who reportedly threatened to retire if he was traded. Camby is currently recovering from knee surgery, but is expected back soon.
On the court, LaMarcus Aldridge has taken his game to a whole new level. He is averaging 22.3 points per game on the season, including a 42-point effort in a game against the Bulls on Feb. 7.
The Blazers are currently on a six-game winning streak.
The key to the remainder of the season is the health of Brandon Roy, who is set to return in the next week or so. If Roy returns and is able to stay healthy, this team will continue to excel. Roy and the emerging Wesley Matthews make a very good backcourt.
Portland has played shorthanded for most of the year and still compiled an impressive record, and will only be better once some of their key pieces return.
9. Orlando Magic
2 of 10
Current record: 36-21
The Magic came into this season with high hopes, but G.M. Otis Smith and company quickly realized their team wasn't what they thought it would be.
So, the organization decided to pull the trigger on a three-team trade involving themselves, the Suns and the Wizards that netted them Jason Richardson, Hedo Turkoglu, Earl Clark and Gilbert Arenas.
From that point on, the Magic have shown flashes of potential, but overall have been inconsistent with their play.
Soon after making the trade, the team went on a nine-game winning streak, which included beating the Boston Celtics on Christmas Day.
Since that winning streak, the Magic are just 11-9, currently holding the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference.
Led by Dwight Howard, this team is loaded with talent. For them to have a chance to make the Finals, however, Gilbert Arenas must somehow find a way to regain his old form, or at least be a solid contributor.
There is high upside here, but also the potential for disaster.
8. New York Knicks
3 of 10
Current record: 28-26
The record here is rather insignificant, because that record was compiled by a completely different team.
Now that the Knicks have acquired Carmelo Anthony, we don't really know what they are.
So let's look at it like this:
The Knicks now have two superstar players who can each put up 25-30 points on any given night, and more if they need to.
However, the Knicks didn't only receive Carmelo Anthony in the trade. They also received a veteran point guard in Chauncey Billups who has championship experience and a good amount left in the tank. They don't call him "Mr. Big Shot" for no reason.
In addition, the Knicks were able to make the deal without giving Denver Landry Fields, who has excelled as the team's starting shooting guard in his rookie year.
Depth will be a question for the Knicks, as well as how fast they are able to develop chemistry and learn to play together.
But on talent alone, this team belongs in the Top 10.
7. Oklahoma City Thunder
4 of 10
Current record: 35-19
Oklahoma City is home to two of the best young talents in the NBA today.
Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook's supporting cast continues to improve as well, which will give the Thunder a chance to expand upon their impressive showing in last year's playoffs. The Lakers toughest challenge on their road to repeating as champions last year came against the Thunder in the first round.
However, Oklahoma will only go as far as their superstar takes them. The team is 18-4 in games where Durant scores 30 points or more.
6. Chicago Bulls
5 of 10
Current record: 38-16
Similar to the Knicks, the Bulls' record is somewhat deceiving, as the team has yet to play with their full roster healthy for a long period of time.
Carlos Boozer missed the first 15 games while recovering from a broken hand. Soon after he returned, Joakim Noah was diagnosed with a torn ligament in his right thumb which required surgery. Noah has been out ever since, although he is expected to make his return within the next few days.
Despite the injuries, the Bulls have put together an impressive record and currently hold the third seed in the East.
Derrick Rose has taken his game to the next level, and in doing so has put his name in the MVP conversation. Rose has averaged 24.9 points and 8.2 assists per game thus far while leading his shorthanded team.
The Bulls will only get better in the second half of the season.
5. Miami Heat
6 of 10
Current record: 41-15
The much-talked-about Heat started the season just 9-8, but have since won 32 of their last 39 games and seem to have finally figured out how to play together.
However, three of the team's 15 losses have come at the hands of the Boston Celtics, and the Celtics aren't going anywhere soon. LeBron and his friends will have to figure out how to beat Boston if they want any hope of advancing to the NBA Finals in their first season together.
4. Dallas Mavericks
7 of 10
Current record: 40-16
The Mavericks have assembled the fourth-best record in the league, currently second in the Western Conference.
However, seven of the team's 16 losses came without Dirk Nowitzki in the lineup. Nowitzki missed nine games earlier this season with a sprained right knee.
The Mavericks also lost starting small forward Caron Butler for the season due to a knee injury.
Now that Nowitzki is back and healthy, the Mavericks have won 13 of their last 14 games and look poised to make a run to the NBA Finals.
3. Boston Celtics
8 of 10
Current record: 40-14
The Celtics have had another impressive season so far, highlighted by three wins over the Miami Heat. The Celtics clearly want to show Miami that they still own the East.
For Boston, the second half of the season will be all about remaining healthy. Doc Rivers is excellent at managing his players' minutes, keeping the larger goal in mind.
They will likely go through a few struggles in the second half, but as usual, will be ready to go come playoff time.
They are still the favorites in the Eastern Conference.
2. San Antonio Spurs
9 of 10
Current record: 46-10
The Spurs got off to a fast start, winning 15 of their first 17 games, and haven't looked back since.
San Antonio is a very balanced team, with five players averaging double-digits in scoring. Manu Ginobili's 17.9 points per game leads the team.
The Spurs have also been fortunate health-wise, with no player suffering any major injuries. Their main goal will be to maintain the status quo in the second half as they gear up for another title run.
1. Los Angeles Lakers
10 of 10
Current record: 38-19
Yes, this team has struggled of late. However, their struggles aren't anything they can't overcome.
This team still has more talent than anyone else in the NBA and are a very deep team. The return of Matt Barnes will only make them better.
Sure, this team has looked poor at times. But come June, they know how to turn it on.
