Post by Skillz on Dec 20, 2008 20:51:59 GMT -5
Mid-Season Power Rankings
Here are the power rankings. People had a week to do this, only 7 in. Ridiculous. Top 15 will have explanations. Not going to bother with the bottom 15 with this lack of effort.
1. Miami Heat (28-7)—5 first place votes
While not making much noise in the offseason, the Heat return the same young team as they had last year. Miami sits atop the Eastern Conference, and will do so consistently throughout the next decade.
2. New York Knicks (21-7)—4 2nd place votes
Possessing the best player in the league in Derrick Rose as well as studs Andrew Bynum and Luol Deng, the Knicks might be the favorite after their latest trade. Those three will be tough to matchup up with, as they have a great combination of inside and outside players.
3. Utah Jazz (23-6)—Votes ranged between 2nd and 6th place
The Jazz are the best and youngest team in the Western Conference and should be able to dominate the West for a long time. While they don’t really have a star right now, they have a bunch of players that could potentially become studs. Brandon Knight looks to be the next big point guard in BBS.
4. Indiana Pacers (21-9)—Votes ranged between 3rd and 9th place
Who? That’s right, the Pacers. Currently in his contract year, Nova has assembled a team that has clicked…fast. Veteran Ivan Chiriave and young-stud Kemba Walker lead the charge for the Pacers, but the league’s talent should be able to catch up to this overachieving team. Still, no doubt a nice squad who will remain one of the better teams in the league.
5. Philadelphia 76ers (18-10)—Consistent votes in the top 10
Acquiring Gerald Green in the offseason, the Sixers looked to be the best team in the East from my point of view. Still, despite their talent, they have not gotten over the hump. Turnovers have been a big problem for them, but they should be able to matchup with any team in the playoffs with John Wall, Dejaun Blair, and Dermar Derozan
5. (tied) Atlanta Hawks (15-12)—Consistent top 9 votes (except for early ballots)
After making a blockbuster trade for Kevin Durant, the Hawks might not be as good as their ranking suggests. Despite a poor supporting cast, Durant alone should be able to will the Hawks into the playoffs
6. Washington Wizards (18-7)—Inconsistent votes: 4 in the top 5, 3 out of the top 10)
A consistent playoff team, the Wizards might have their best team in franchise history right now. With Chris Paul running the show, the Wizards have shown consistent improvement, as players like Tyler Hansbrough, Paul Harris, and Danilo Gallinari are having career years.
7. Detroit Pistons (22-11)—Consistent top 10 votes
With Lebron James and Stephen Curry, the Pistons are very hard to matchup with. Complement them with solid role players in Karron Johnson and Tyson Chandler and you have a 50 win team. Still, the Pistons have their holes, primarily in the front court.
8. Los Angeles Clippers (18-9)—2 votes in the top 6
Tony Parker and Gilbert Arenas make an awesome outside tandem, and emerging star Chris Singleton is making am impact in his contract year. The Clippers don’t have many holes, and have a good shot at coming out of the West
9. New Jersey Nets (16-16)—Voted 11th or better by every team
Having so much success for so long, the Nets are finally starting to go down hill. While Greg Oden, D.J. Augustin, Dwyane Wade, and LaMArcus Aldridge should yield more than a .500 record, the Nets have been over powered by many Eastern Conference teams. DJ has also had the worst season in his career.
10. Denver Nuggets (18-9)—Ranked in the top 11 by every gm
The Nuggets are in the same position they are in every year: Good enough to contend for a top 3 seed in the West, but not good enough to win a title. Why? Dwight Howard is amazing, but the rest of their team is 100% mediocre.
11. Washington Wizards (19-19)—254 points
A consistent team that never is able to get over the hump. That won’t change this year, but they have a very nice player in Luol Deng (A B scoring); they just need to add some more to their core
12. Seattle Supersonics—(17-16)—6 out of 7 votes in the top 12
A team with one of the better futures in the league, the Sonics should be a force to be reckoned with for a number of years out West. They posses two flat out superstars in Corey Fisher and Derrick Favors and have a bunch of nice role players.
13. Milwaukee Bucks (12-15)—Wide range of votes
Due to their horrific start, the Bucks are ranked very low. However, they should rocket up these standings once they get some wins under their belt. They have the best three-some in the league in Josh Smith, Michael Beasley, and Monta Ellis.
14. Boston Celtics (13-21)—Votes generally ranged from 13-17
The Celtics have hit a rough patch, winning only 1 out of their last 10 games so expect them to slip in the next power poll. They have a few nice players, but not enough to win 40 unless something drastic happens.
15. SanAntonio Spurs(17-16)—Votes were all in the middle
Finally proactive, allstar has assembled a solid group of players. It’s nice to see a team trying to compete in the West, even if they remain mediocre.
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16. New Orleans Hornets (14-19)
Another team that looks to be falling victim to the contract year. Two ‘studs’ Oj Mayo and Blake Griffin are only shooting around 42%. DC change might be in order.
17. Phoenix Suns (17-17)
Bradley, despite an awful dc, still looks nice. Dunnagan is a very solid big man, and the Suns look to be in good shape for the future
18. Minnesota Timberwolves (14-15)
A quiet team who has 3 young studs in Rivers, Ely, and Creamer. They need to be more proactive on the trade front.
19. Toronto Raptors (9-14)
The Raptors always have nice players, but are never able to put it all together for a winning team.
20. Orlando Magic (13-20)
The Magic have some excellent young players but are plagued by turnovers and a lack of a front court.
21. Golden State Warriors (14-22)
An old team without their pick, the Warriors are trying to make the playoffs in the West.
22. Houston Rockets (14-20)
If the Rockets decided to try to package all of their players for even a fringe all-star, the opposing team would say GTFO. Probably the only team with this problem, the Rockets still fight hard every game and have a respectable record.
23. Cleveland Cavaliers (10-17)
A rebuilding team with a couple of solid pieces but no one to build around
24. Portland Trail Blazers (14-21)
Portland is winning too much for their own good, but they have to be happy with rookie sensation Devereux St. Cloud.
25. Memphis Grizzlies (10-23)
Sven and Wroten are gone. They have two solid inside scorers in Lopez and Pope, but have almost nothing next to them.
26. Dallas Mavericks (12-17)
In the playoffs right now, the Mavs are overachieving. Versatile forward Ryan Kelly is having an awesome season.
27. Los Angeles Lakers (8-22)
From best to worst…almost. Enjoy it while it lasts, LQR and Duck will run the league some day.
28. Chicago Bulls (6-19)
Formally a contending team, the Bulls have some of the best rebuilding pieces in the league.
29. Sacramento Kings (8-26)
The Kings have to hope to land a star in the 2nd round or something
Thanks to
Nova nanz galo dj don derwin skillz
for voting
Here are the power rankings. People had a week to do this, only 7 in. Ridiculous. Top 15 will have explanations. Not going to bother with the bottom 15 with this lack of effort.
1. Miami Heat (28-7)—5 first place votes
While not making much noise in the offseason, the Heat return the same young team as they had last year. Miami sits atop the Eastern Conference, and will do so consistently throughout the next decade.
2. New York Knicks (21-7)—4 2nd place votes
Possessing the best player in the league in Derrick Rose as well as studs Andrew Bynum and Luol Deng, the Knicks might be the favorite after their latest trade. Those three will be tough to matchup up with, as they have a great combination of inside and outside players.
3. Utah Jazz (23-6)—Votes ranged between 2nd and 6th place
The Jazz are the best and youngest team in the Western Conference and should be able to dominate the West for a long time. While they don’t really have a star right now, they have a bunch of players that could potentially become studs. Brandon Knight looks to be the next big point guard in BBS.
4. Indiana Pacers (21-9)—Votes ranged between 3rd and 9th place
Who? That’s right, the Pacers. Currently in his contract year, Nova has assembled a team that has clicked…fast. Veteran Ivan Chiriave and young-stud Kemba Walker lead the charge for the Pacers, but the league’s talent should be able to catch up to this overachieving team. Still, no doubt a nice squad who will remain one of the better teams in the league.
5. Philadelphia 76ers (18-10)—Consistent votes in the top 10
Acquiring Gerald Green in the offseason, the Sixers looked to be the best team in the East from my point of view. Still, despite their talent, they have not gotten over the hump. Turnovers have been a big problem for them, but they should be able to matchup with any team in the playoffs with John Wall, Dejaun Blair, and Dermar Derozan
5. (tied) Atlanta Hawks (15-12)—Consistent top 9 votes (except for early ballots)
After making a blockbuster trade for Kevin Durant, the Hawks might not be as good as their ranking suggests. Despite a poor supporting cast, Durant alone should be able to will the Hawks into the playoffs
6. Washington Wizards (18-7)—Inconsistent votes: 4 in the top 5, 3 out of the top 10)
A consistent playoff team, the Wizards might have their best team in franchise history right now. With Chris Paul running the show, the Wizards have shown consistent improvement, as players like Tyler Hansbrough, Paul Harris, and Danilo Gallinari are having career years.
7. Detroit Pistons (22-11)—Consistent top 10 votes
With Lebron James and Stephen Curry, the Pistons are very hard to matchup with. Complement them with solid role players in Karron Johnson and Tyson Chandler and you have a 50 win team. Still, the Pistons have their holes, primarily in the front court.
8. Los Angeles Clippers (18-9)—2 votes in the top 6
Tony Parker and Gilbert Arenas make an awesome outside tandem, and emerging star Chris Singleton is making am impact in his contract year. The Clippers don’t have many holes, and have a good shot at coming out of the West
9. New Jersey Nets (16-16)—Voted 11th or better by every team
Having so much success for so long, the Nets are finally starting to go down hill. While Greg Oden, D.J. Augustin, Dwyane Wade, and LaMArcus Aldridge should yield more than a .500 record, the Nets have been over powered by many Eastern Conference teams. DJ has also had the worst season in his career.
10. Denver Nuggets (18-9)—Ranked in the top 11 by every gm
The Nuggets are in the same position they are in every year: Good enough to contend for a top 3 seed in the West, but not good enough to win a title. Why? Dwight Howard is amazing, but the rest of their team is 100% mediocre.
11. Washington Wizards (19-19)—254 points
A consistent team that never is able to get over the hump. That won’t change this year, but they have a very nice player in Luol Deng (A B scoring); they just need to add some more to their core
12. Seattle Supersonics—(17-16)—6 out of 7 votes in the top 12
A team with one of the better futures in the league, the Sonics should be a force to be reckoned with for a number of years out West. They posses two flat out superstars in Corey Fisher and Derrick Favors and have a bunch of nice role players.
13. Milwaukee Bucks (12-15)—Wide range of votes
Due to their horrific start, the Bucks are ranked very low. However, they should rocket up these standings once they get some wins under their belt. They have the best three-some in the league in Josh Smith, Michael Beasley, and Monta Ellis.
14. Boston Celtics (13-21)—Votes generally ranged from 13-17
The Celtics have hit a rough patch, winning only 1 out of their last 10 games so expect them to slip in the next power poll. They have a few nice players, but not enough to win 40 unless something drastic happens.
15. SanAntonio Spurs(17-16)—Votes were all in the middle
Finally proactive, allstar has assembled a solid group of players. It’s nice to see a team trying to compete in the West, even if they remain mediocre.
----------------------------------
16. New Orleans Hornets (14-19)
Another team that looks to be falling victim to the contract year. Two ‘studs’ Oj Mayo and Blake Griffin are only shooting around 42%. DC change might be in order.
17. Phoenix Suns (17-17)
Bradley, despite an awful dc, still looks nice. Dunnagan is a very solid big man, and the Suns look to be in good shape for the future
18. Minnesota Timberwolves (14-15)
A quiet team who has 3 young studs in Rivers, Ely, and Creamer. They need to be more proactive on the trade front.
19. Toronto Raptors (9-14)
The Raptors always have nice players, but are never able to put it all together for a winning team.
20. Orlando Magic (13-20)
The Magic have some excellent young players but are plagued by turnovers and a lack of a front court.
21. Golden State Warriors (14-22)
An old team without their pick, the Warriors are trying to make the playoffs in the West.
22. Houston Rockets (14-20)
If the Rockets decided to try to package all of their players for even a fringe all-star, the opposing team would say GTFO. Probably the only team with this problem, the Rockets still fight hard every game and have a respectable record.
23. Cleveland Cavaliers (10-17)
A rebuilding team with a couple of solid pieces but no one to build around
24. Portland Trail Blazers (14-21)
Portland is winning too much for their own good, but they have to be happy with rookie sensation Devereux St. Cloud.
25. Memphis Grizzlies (10-23)
Sven and Wroten are gone. They have two solid inside scorers in Lopez and Pope, but have almost nothing next to them.
26. Dallas Mavericks (12-17)
In the playoffs right now, the Mavs are overachieving. Versatile forward Ryan Kelly is having an awesome season.
27. Los Angeles Lakers (8-22)
From best to worst…almost. Enjoy it while it lasts, LQR and Duck will run the league some day.
28. Chicago Bulls (6-19)
Formally a contending team, the Bulls have some of the best rebuilding pieces in the league.
29. Sacramento Kings (8-26)
The Kings have to hope to land a star in the 2nd round or something
Thanks to
Nova nanz galo dj don derwin skillz
for voting