Power Rankings: Week Three

This week, you’ll see a lot of changes. Milwaukee, Sacramento, and Oklahoma City proving their worth against the league’s best. The Celtics lose two in a row, while Atlanta looks scary good with Jamal Crawford coming off the bench. The Lakers take another game off against the Nuggets who respond from their recent losing woes. Let’s see how the league pan’s out in The Ref’s eyes.

Biggest Gain: Sacramento ( +8)
Biggest Loss: Chicago (-8)

1. Atlanta (8-2)- It’s rare to see a team beat the Boston Celtics at their own game, but they did it with conviction. Mike Woodson has his players playing like a team.
2. Phoenix (9-2)- When this team is off, anybody can beat them, when they are on, no one can. NO ONE! First team to 9 wins.
3. Cleveland (7-3)- If Mo Williams can play like he did against the Magic and Heat for the rest of the season, this team will be tough to beat.
4. LA Lakers (7-3)- Pau Gasol needs to get healthy soon so Lamar Odom can help out the bench. They have played terribly, more specifically, Jordan Farmar and Sasha Vujacic. They’re combining for 7 ppg.
5. Boston (8-3)- If Doc Rivers decides to bench Rasheed Wallace, it will be for the best. He has played terrible of late.
6. Miami (7-2)- Dwyane Wade is a Human Highlight Reel… weekly. His buzzer beater against New Jersey was amazing but he needs help. Michael Beasley’s development is the key.
7. Portland (8-3)- See last week’s rankings.
8. Dallas (7-3)- Well, thank you for showing up Josh Howard, but head back to the trainer. This team will be fine otherwise, Jason Kidd’s T/O ratio: 3 and Dirk Nowiztki is playing like he did in his MVP year.
9. Denver (7-3)- Big moral victory against the Lakers, but this team has to find out a way to win when Carmelo Anthony is having an off night. Earl Smith, I’m talking to you.
10. Orlando (7-3)- Despite their record, this team has yet to find an identity, or at least a consistent one.
11. Houston (6-4)- Just when you think this team was headed back to reality, they take it to the defending champs… in their house.
12. Sacramento (5-4)- The Kings are 4-0 without Kevin Martin. Why? Tyreke Evans is going to be a Top 5 point guard by the end of the year and Jason Thompson is Amare Stoudemire who plays defense.
13. Milwaukee (5-2)- How many High School players are going to follow Brandon Jennings footsteps after seeing his 55-point performance against Golden State? I would.
14. San Antonio (4-4)- With Tim Duncan and Tony Parker back, this team will go back to its winning ways. Richard Jefferson is getting more comfortable with Poppavich’s system every game.
15. Indiana (4-3)- Dahntay Jones averaged 3 points a game last year. He averages 18 this year. His improvement makes the Pacers a playoff bound team. Granger, your prayers have been answered.
16. Oklahoma City (5-5)- Won on the road against San Antonio, then lost at home against the Clippers. The Thunder have to beat teams they are better than if they want to contend in the West.
17. Toronto (5-5)- Chris Bosh is a beast. He adds something to his game every year, and if he can get consistent help from newcomer Hedo Turkoglu, his game will get even better - Scary.
18. Chicago (5-4)- Joakim Noah is starting to develop an offensive game. In that case, trade Tyrus Thomas for a pure shooter and this team will go deep into the playoffs.
19. Detroit (5-5)- This team is 3-1 without Tayshaun Prince and Rip Hamilton due to the outstanding play of Charlie Villanueva and Will Bynum.
20. Utah (4-6)- Carlos Boozer is starting to get into a groove. Now the rest of the team needs to follow suit.
21. Philadelphia (4-6)- With Marresse Speights out for 6-8 weeks, Elton Brand, will have to step up. If he can get it together, this team will be nasty.
22. LA Clippers (4-7)- ‘Awful’ Chris Kaman is a top 5 center. “Did he just say that?!” Yes I did. Watch him play! I’m telling you. He has more ways to score than Dwight Howard.
23. Golden State (3-6)- Don Nelson, make up your flipping mind. Play Stephen Curry or sit him. Play Anthony Randolph or sit him. It shouldn’t be a hard decision. If you play them both, you will win. Trust me.
24. Charlotte (3-6)- The Bobcats offensive woes continue with DJ Augustin performing a disappearing act after his impressive rookie season.
25. New Orleans (3-8)- Chris Paul getting hurt equals KARMA.
26. Washington (2-7)- Earl Boykins already has made his marked with this team. He can set up shots for Agent Zero instead of chunking them up at an alarming rate.
27. Memphis (2-8)- Jamaal Tinsley will help the development of Michael Conley Jr. becoming a better point guard.
28. Minnesota (1-10)- Jonny Flynn has struggled of late causing a streak of blowouts for this very young team. It’s going to be a long season.
29. New Jersey (0-10)- Despite still being the only winless team in the league, they played the best in the East with a depleted lineup and a lot of heart while losing in the waning seconds of the game.
30. New York (1-9)- I think St. John’s can beat the Knicks, and they’re terrible.

-The Ref