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1st April, 2008 - 2:41 pm
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| Current Features |
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SCOOP DU JOUR: Camby, Yao, Pudge, Wright, And Favre!
Marcus Camby feels blindsided, Yao Ming returns, the Marlins like Pudge Rodriguez, David Wright almost pitched in the All-Star Game, and the latest on Brett Favre.
LOCKER TALK: Get Your Temporary OKC Gear!
Local Oklahoma City retailers have temporary OKC NBA apparel for sale.
STANDING 10: Top 10 Careers Of Players Picked 6th
You might wonder if Danilo Gallinari will qualify for this list in the future, but most New York fans would probably laugh at such an idea.
MOCK DRAFT: 2008 NBA Mock Draft, Version 13.0 (Draft Day Edition)
Weeks and months of waiting has finally come to an end, and Draft day is officially here.
PLAYER RANKINGS: Ranking The Best Players Of The 2008 Playoffs
Which players have played the best through the Conference Finals?
CLASSICS: Hakeem Vs. Ewing: Who Was The Better Center?
Born within six months of each other in opposite corners of the world, two seven footers who are finalists for the Basketball Hall of Fame this fall are two of the best ever to play the center position.
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By Jason M. Williams
This week’s rankings begin to differentiate the various possible playoff match-ups and account for a couple of big returns from the injured lists in Washington and Indiana.
Once again, the Boston Celtics remain at the top after yet another extremely impressive week. The biggest rise in the rankings this week goes to the dangerous San Antonio Spurs (up from No. 8 to No. 4) while the biggest drop in the Team Rankings belongs to the struggling Dirk-less Dallas Mavericks (No. 14 to No. 17), who dropped three spots this week. .
The format is simple. The rankings reflect each team’s current ranking, along with their ranking from the last week (LW), and their current win-loss record.
1. (1) Boston Celtics 58-15
After crushing the Suns and Hornets each by 20 this past week, does anyone really doubt this team is the best in the NBA?
2. (5) New Orleans Hornets 50-22
Chris Paul must be the MVP. Aside from their letdown against the Celts, these Hornets appear ready to take on anyone in the West.
3. (2) Detroit Pistons 52-21
Richard Hamilton made his return just in time to destroy the Cavs. The Pistons have a very light week with only three games against Minnesota, New Jersey, and Miami.
4. (8) San Antonio Spurs 51-23
Just when you thought they were out - they pull you back in... Once again, the Spurs are rolling, winners of their last seven and back in the running for the top seed in the West.
5. (3) L.A. Lakers 50-24
The Lake Show isn't running on all cylinders without Pau Gasol. Kobe's crew is only 5-4 without the big Spaniard.
6. (4) Phoenix Suns 49-24
Big losses back-to-back in Detroit and then Boston. But Shaq has been money lately, averaging nearly 17 points and 10 rebounds over his past five.
7. (7) Houston Rockets 49-24
Despite losing by 21 to the now-again-mighty Spurs, Luis Scola showed them what they dealt away for nothing with a huge 24 point, 7 rebound game.
8. (6) Utah Jazz 48-26
If the Jazz are serious about returning to the West Finals, they had better improve upon their shockingly awful 16-22 road record.
9. 10 Denver Nuggets 45-28
A big win over Golden State has pushed Denver into a three-way tie for the seventh seed in the West. It appears the Nuggets can outlast the Mavs for one of the final two playoff spots…or can they?
10. (9) Philadelphia 76ers 37-37
The week began with a huge win in Boston, but the Sixers have fallen back a bit after consecutive losses to Phoenix and Cleveland. This week looms large as they face the Nets and a home-and-home series with the Hawks, who are battling for the eighth seed right now.
11. (11) Orlando Magic 47-27
Orlando has basically solidified its spot as the third seed in the East. Do they prefer Toronto (2-1 record against), Philly (3-1), or Washington (2-1 with one remaining)?
12. (12) Golden State Warriors 45-28
The Warriors lost to Denver but picked up a big win over Dallas. Can they hold off the Mavericks and cling to another eight-seed this year? Big games at San Antonio and at Dallas this week.
13. (13) Cleveland Cavaliers 41-33
Cleveland has clinched a playoff spot to defend its Eastern crown. However, it appears they will go no higher than four-seed, which begs the question - Can LeBron beat the Celtics in Round 2?
14. (15) Washington Wizards 38-35
Caron Butler is just nasty. He's averaged 18.4 points, 7.4 assists, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.2 steals since coming back five games ago. And better yet? Gilbert Arenas will soon be on the floor.
15. (17) Toronto Raptors 37-36
Now is the time for the Raptors to move up in the standings. The only team remaining on their schedule (9 games) with a winning record is Detroit.
16. (18) Atlanta Hawks 33-40
The Mike Bibby Project is beginning to work out. The Hawks have won three in a row and seven of their past ten to grab hold of the eight-seed.
17. (14) Dallas Mavericks 45-28
The Mavs have all but fallen out of it. A huge loss to the Warriors leave them on the verge of being ousted from the playoffs.
18. (16) Portland Trail Blazers 38-36
A home loss to the Bobcats can only mean one thing: Kevin Pritchard wants more ping pong balls to land Derrick Rose next to Greg Oden in next year's lineup.
19. (20) Indiana Pacers 30-43
Jermaine O'Neal's return gives the Pacers a legit chance of getting into the playoff picture. But why would they want to ruin a chance at drafting a textbook Larry Bird pick in Kevin Love?
20. (21) Sacramento Kings 33-40
Despite the poor season, Sacramento remains one of the more difficult arenas to capture a win. The Kings are 22-13 at home this year.
21. (19) New Jersey Nets 31-43
The Nets are basically toast. They have upcoming games against the Sixers, Pistons, Raptors, Cavs, and Raptors again.
22. (22) Chicago Bulls 29-44
The recent grumblings of Chris Duhon have pretty much solidified the possibility that he will be elsewhere next season.
23. (23) Charlotte Bobcats 28-45
Would the Bobcats even be better if they had Adam Morrison this entire year? Who knows? Will the Bobcats start anew and deal Emeka Okafor? Might be a good idea…
24. (26) Minnesota Timberwolves 19-53
If the New York Giants playing their starters against the Pats in Week 17 taught the sports world anything about positive karma, then you can fully expect the Wolves to land the top pick in the 2008 NBA Draft. They have been gutting it out every night and have won seven of their past 12 games.
25. (24) Milwaukee Bucks 24-48
A bright spot for the Bucks was rookie point guard Ramon Sessions coming off the bench to spur a rally that nearly erased a 17-point deficit. Can he get more time leading into next season?
26. (27) L.A. Clippers 22-51
Elton Brand is now cleared to play, but what's the point? To risk injury? To decrease opportunities to win the Draft Lottery? It doesn't make sense for him to return now.
27. (25) Memphis Grizzlies 19-54
Rudy Gay has been the biggest bright spot for the Grizzlies this season. He has average a team-high 19.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.44 steals, and 1.8 assists per game.
28. (29) Seattle Supersonics 17-57
It is obvious that Kevin Durant has made his mark on the NBA landscape already this season. But did they make the right selection with Jeff Green at the fifth pick? His play has improved dramatically in the second half, and he is averaging 16.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.0 steal, and 1.0 block per game over his last five games.
29. (30) New York Knicks 20-53
Despite wanting to put the dysfunctional Knicks in the last slot because they are flat out awful and in shameless Tank Mode, they have won twice in the past couple weeks over the NBDL Heat.
30. (28) Miami Heat 13-60
While getting absolutely shattered by Detroit's second-team, Blake Ahearn led the Heat with 15 solid points off the bench on 3-10 shooting. Yes…Blake Ahearn.
Feel free to contact Jason M. Williams with your thoughts. He can be reached at Jason.Williams@RealGM.com for comments or questions. |
