Power Rankings: Week 7

What an interesting week. The Pistons are on a five game winning streak without Ben Gordon, Tayshaun Prince, and mostly Rip Hamilton (played against Warriors last night). The Magic lose 2 tough road games, Kobe’s flu and fractured index finger combine for a loss at Utah, and Boston is running like a fine oiled machine. How terrible can the Nets and Sixers get, and if you haven’t heard, the Bulls are thinking about hiring Lawrence Frank. My boy Basher is going delve into that monstrosity.

Anyway, without further ado, Week 7′s Power Rankings through The Ref’s eyes.

Biggest Gain: Detroit (+7)
Biggest Loss: LA Clippers & Portland (-5)

1.Boston (19-4) With the best defense in the league (90.6 PA), best road record (11-1), and on the longest current winning streak, it’s pretty easy to put them at the #1 spot.
2.LA Lakers (18-4) Even though the Lakers played at Utah, Kobe was injured and sick, they still should’ve won the game. I actually think I would have put them here regardless due to Corey Brewer Posterizing Derek Fisher.
3.Orlando (17-6) They’re losses this week were against the best home teams in the league: Utah (11-3) and Phoenix (8-0). They’ve only played 9 home games (7-2) and still have the deepest team in the league
4.Dallas (17-7) Inside the Numbers: Dirk Nowitzki-27 ppg, 8 reb, & 47 FG% while hitting 4 game winners this year alone. He is by far the MVP.
5.Denver (17-7) The Nuggets need to get consistent. An elite is not supposed to lose to Detroit or get killed by Charlotte, and then win against Phoenix. On the other hand, Denver does have Carmelo Anthony, and he is the epitome of Elite.
6.Atlanta (17-6) A nice bounce back for the Hawks. After losing 3 out of four, they respond with winning 5 out of 6. Also, Marvin Williams injury may be a blessing in disguise with Maurice Evans providing quality minutes.
7.Phoenix (16-8) I am not repeating myself. Check last week’s rankings please.
8.Cleveland (16-7) Losing to both Houston and Memphis with Shaq in the lineup proves everything I’ve been saying. He slows the Lebrons down. You want another example. Lebron dropped 44 points tonight without the Aristotle out of the lineup against a good Thunder team.
9.Utah (14-9) It was Carlos Boozer last week, and Deron Williams this week. Maybe next week, they’ll both play well because their on the road 3 times this week where they are a mere 3-6.
10.Houston (13-10) The Rockets destroy Cleveland but get demolished by Toronto. You know what. I don’t care what it is. I will never be surprised by this team’s performance from a night-to-night basis.
11.San Antonio (11-9) The Spurs have 5 of the next 7 games against below .500 teams.
This is the best opportunity to wake up and realize they are entering the middle of the season.
12.Oklahoma City (12-10) Well they beat who were they supposed to last week. Check last week’s rankings to see what they have en store.
13.Portland (14-11) This team needs to catch a break. The Blazers leave it on the floor every night with Brandon Roy leading the way, but without Rudy Fernandez, Travis Outlaw, and Nate McMillan, they’ll go no where.
14.Miami (11-11) Dwyane Wade needs help when the Heat battle +.500 record teams. They are 3-8 against and Wade receives no help from his supporting cast.
15.Detroit (11-12) I love this team’s resilience. The Pistons have won 6 out their last 7 including Atlanta and Denver. Impressive for a team without Rip Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, and Ben Gordon.
16.New Orleans (10-12) Welcome to the 2009-2010 NBA Season, David West. Your only a month and a half late. West averaged 14 ppg in his first 14 compared to 19 ppg in the last 7.
17.Milwaukee (11-11) At first, I thought Michael Redd wouldn’t play well with Jennings, but maybe it’s the other way around. Either way, one of them has to accept a lesser role to supply a winning formula for the Bucks.
18.Sacramento (10-12) It’s interesting when you think about it. Everyone was all about Brandon Jennigs after he dropped 55 while Tyreke Evans produces night in and night out to help his team compete in a tougher conference…quietly.
19.Memphis (10-13) Rudy Gay is playing out of his mind, a career high 41 points against Miami (W) is more than impressive and look at his season numbers: 21 ppg and 7 rpg as the leader on the Fun-to-Watch Grizzlies.
20.Toronto (11-15) The Toronto Raptors just need to play a little defense, just a little and they would be over .500. Jarrett Jack is in stepping nicely with Jose Calderon out with nagging injuries.
21.LA Clippers (9-12) The Clips played one game last week. They got killed. Dropped
22.New York (8-15) A season sweep of the Hornets. A 4 game winning streak and a offense that looks balanced. Am I talking about the New York Knickerbockers, because I’m confused.
23.Charlotte (9-13) Ok Bobcats, losing two in row on the road against the Sprus and Mavs is understandable, but 1-10 so far this season away from Charlotte is inexcusable.
24.Indiana (8-13) Tyler Hansborough, 21 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 blocks against the Nets. I know it’s the Nets, but man, that is impressive to come from a rookie who everybody thought was just a college wonder…including myself.
25.Washington (7-14) A tough schedule last week, but the Wiz fought hard and showed signs of life against Boston.
26.Golden State (7-16) Alright Monta Ellis, I know you dropped 37 and 42 on back-to-back nights two weeks prior, but it gives you no right to hurl 24 shots a game when you have terrific shooters (Vladimir Radmonivic, Stephen Curry, & Anthony Morrow) to dish the ball too.
27.Chicago (8-14) The Bulls lost to New Jersey at home, and their thinking about hiring
the same coach that the Nets just fired. Logical
28.Minnesota (3-21) I should have put this team up a few more spots due to Corey Brewer’s Dunk of the Year. It’s also nice to see Al Jefferson get back to form after recovering from an ACL injury.
29.Philadelphia (5-18) No chemistry. No Direction. No Hope. Sounds like a tagline for
apocalyptic thriller.
30.New Jersey (2-22) The Nets had an easy week last week and could only amass one win. And now, Rafer Alston is calling out players. How embarrassing is that when a back-up point guard calls you out?

This is The Ref signaling I’m out until next time and remember: We miss calls, you miss layups.