Power Rankings: Week 9

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas this year, but now it’s back to basketball, especially for some teams that didn’t show up on Jesus’ Birthday: Lakers and Magic in particularly. On the other hand, how about the Cavs? Three road wins against the best home teams in the league, some in convincing fashion. Kevin Durant illustrated his ability to lead his team against the best in the West, even in the waning second. Brandon Roy is the MVP, and Deron Williams is the player of the month. Finally, Tracy McGrady strikes again… Houston we have a problem.

Let’s to the Power Rankings through The Ref’s eyes:

Biggest Gain: Cleveland (+4)
Biggest Loss: Detroit (-7)

1.Cleveland (24-8) Check last week’s rankings. They won all of those games and showed the NBA world there is a formula to stop the LA Lakers: Put Two 7’0” old guys on the floor. The Cavaliers also win Team of the week to go with their first number 1 Power Ranking. Way to prove me wrong.
2.Boston (23-5) 3 Reasons why Pierce being injured HELPS the Cetlics: 1. Rest 2.Gives Glen Davis more playing time 3. Rondo can run free with Ray-Ray and KG in the transition game. Only exception, Rondo should never, EVER have the ball in the last moments of a game.
3.LA Lakers (24-5) After losing to Cleveland on Christmas Day to give them a 4-7 record on said date and almost losing to Sacramento, the Lakers aren’t at that Championship level just yet.
4.Orlando (22-8) What an embarrassing showing on Christmas Day: 33% from the floor and only 32 points in the first half. That can’t happen when the opponent losers their leading scorer.
5.Dallas (22-9) The win at Denver last night was very impressive, but to have seven guys in double figures is incredible. If the Mavs can produce that type of balance, it is going to be hard to compete with them.
6.Portland (20-12) Brandon Roy is the most underrated, underappreciated player in the league. The man has singlehandedly led 6 wins out of the last seven including a 41 point performance against Denver where nobody thought they had a chance. He is my MVP right now.
7.Atlanta (21-8) Their road woes continue as they were blown out by Denver on Wednesday. Let’s see what happens when they play Cleveland on back-to-back days. Elite status is now in question.
8.Denver (20-10) Tough loss on Christmas Day. Carmelo Anthony can’t do anymore. This team desperately needs Chauncey Billups back. The Nuggets are 1-4 with him out.
9.Houston (18-13) As hard as this team fights, they will never have the fire power to withstand big runs. Example A: Cleveland last night destroyed the Rockets in the third. Even if Tracy McGrady gets back to form, he can’t help this cause.
10.Utah (17-13) Deron Williams is my player of the month. Unbelievable statistics in December: 21 ppg, 11 apg, & 4 rpg while 7 of those games were away from Energy Solutions Arena.
11.Phoenix (19-12) The Suns have hit the wall. Two loses in a row at home. Losers of 3 out of their last 4. Nash’s assists are down and Channing Frye and Jason Richardson are non-existent.
12.San Antonio (17-11) Winners of 8 out of their last 10, and looking healthier, stronger, and better than ever this season. They’ll continually win more games with Minnesota, Washington, Toronto, and Detroit coming up before the big showdown against Dallas. The Boys are Back in Town.
13.Miami (16-12) After their meeting following the blowout loss to Memphis, the Heat are 5-1. It is also due to Michael Beasley’s play when Dwyane Wade is on the bench.
14.Oklahoma City (15-14) Interesting week in front of the young Thunder. New Jersey and Washington on the road before coming home to host the Jazz. I foresee 3-0. Mark it.
15.Memphis (13-16) The Grizzlies are for real and should be considered a threat to the West. They’re not going to make the playoffs, but will play spoiler to teams like the Thunder, Hornets, and Kings.
16.New Orleans (13-15) Just can’t get to .500. They have been floating two games under since Byron Scott has been fired, and that was in the second week in November. David West, I blame you.
17.Sacramento (13-16) The Kings tested the Cavs and Lakers to the brink, but showed no poise in the overtime, 2 points combined in those losing periods.
18.Toronto (15-17) The Raptors are playing solid and it’s not due to the fact of Chris Bosh averaging 25 and 12. It’s Jarret Jack’s play. He scores 17 points and dishes out 5 assists every game. Calderon is on the trading block now.
19.New York (11-19) 8-5 in December, and only a 1 1/2 out of the playoffs. Pretty amazing since they started 4-15, and now can stick with the best in the league. Watch out for Gallinari, his game is about to explode.
20.LA Clippers (13-17) Baron Davis, who was a no show against the Suns on Christmas (12 points), decides to step up big time and shock the Celtics. It just shows you how vital Davis’ play is to the team.
21.Chicago (11-17) Just figured out why Vinny Del Negro isn’t fired yet, they are currently sitting in the 8th spot. The East is such a joke.
22.Milwaukee (12-16) Brandon Jennings has not scored 20+ in his last 7 games. He is 33% from the floor while the Bucks are 2-5. Ouch. Also Losers of 13 out of their last 17. I am now bleeding.
23.Charlotte (11-17) 1-13 on the road for a potential playoff team. One of those losses is against the Nets. The East makes me sick.
24.Washington (10-18) I am starting to think that the Big Three will never play together as a team. The Wizards did however, look their best when Arenas was out and Earl Boykins took over in the 4th.
25.Golden State (8-21) Don Nelson has no excuse not to give Monta Ellis some rest. The team has 7 guards and Ellis has played 6 games this year without once sitting on the bench.
26.Minnesota (7-24) The T-Wolves look good this week beating both New Jersey and Washington to achieve their first winning streak of the season. Kevin Love is playing well: 15 points and 13 rebounds a game.
27.Indiana (9-20) Danny Granger, where are you? The Indiana Pacers are 4-17 after starting 5-3. Troy Murphy needs to go and Danhtay Jones is playing like he did when he was on Denver: 3 points a game.
28.Detroit (11-19) Losers of 7 in a row, but now have hope. Tayshaun Prince and Ben Gordon are back. They have no excuses now.
29.Philadelphia (7-22) Another person that still has job and amazes me: Eddie Jordan. How can you lose 22 out of 29 when you have Andre Iguodala, Thaddeus Young, Elton Brand, and Samuel Dalembert healthy the entire year, and still get paid for it.
30.New Jersey (2-28) Read G’s position in Dear Santa. I couldn’t have said it better myself.

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