Power Rankings: Week 11

Does any team want to claim the Number 1 spot? It is almost halfway through the season, and the few elite teams are all about even. The Celtics, Lakers, and Orlando are suffering due to injuries while the Cavaliers lose at home to the Bobcats. The effin Bobcats. They’re terrible on the road. While this is occurring, other teams are quickly on the rise. The Raptors, Grizzlies, and New Orleans are playing superbly and should start being reckoned with. Watch out, you can’t sleep on these teams anymore, especially the Grizz. They have so much fire power.

Anyway, let’s get to the Power Rankings through The Ref’s eyes…

Biggest Gain: New Orleans (+8)
Biggest Loss: Orlando (-4)

1.LA Lakers (29-8) The Lakers show their inability to win on the road (0-2 this week), including a loss to a team that plays in the same arena as they do. Pau Gasol, where are you? The Lakers are at San Antonio and Dallas this week.
2.Cleveland (29-10) Cleveland looked lost against Denver, who was without Carmelo Anthony, but how unstoppable was LeBron James against Portland last night. Incredible.
3.Dallas (25-12) Won a big game against San Antonio in the Big Texas Showdown, but got embarrassed by LA and Utah. They also have a tough schedule in front of them. Lakers, Thunder, and Toronto come to town this week.
4.San Antonio (22-13) After starting 9-9 this year, the Spurs have been killing of late by going 13-4 since. They’re back baby.
5.Boston (26-9) The Celtics showed their true grit in that incredible victory over Miami, but they are suffering without KG. The trade deadline is vastly approaching, and they need some support. Rasheed Wallace has been playing well of late though.
6.Denver (23-14) How important is Chauncey Billups: 2-5 with him out. Then, when he comes back, they win against Cleveland without having Carmelo Anthony. Billups is simply a winner.
7.Portland (23-16) Nice win against the Lakers, but losses against the Clippers, Memphis, and Cleveland definitely tarnish that accomplishment.
8.Orlando (25-12) The Magic lost against the Wizards and Pacers. Terrible, just trbl.
9.New Orleans (19-16) The Hornets are now winners of 16 out of their last 22. Phenomenal for a team that I thought was going to win 35 games after Paul went down with an injury and Jeff Bower took over for Byron Scott.
10.Atlanta (23-13) The Hawks are 4-7 in their last 11. Not very impressive for a team that was predicted by the Basher to win the SouthEast.
11.Houston (21-16) Hit bit of wall here. Their lack of a true scorer is starting to catch up with the Rockets. They simply can’t punch back after a team goes on a run. They don’t have enough firepower.
12.Oklahoma City (20-16) Interesting week for the Thunder. They play San Antonio at home and shortly thereafter, go into Dallas. A team that held Kevin Durant to a measly 16 points last meeting.
13.Phoenix (23-14) The inconsistency of Channing Frye is a metaphor for this team. Too inconsistent. However, they still have the ability to beat anybody on any given night. See what I did there.
14.Toronto (19-19) The Raptors are looking good, and what a time to do so. Chris Bosh is the #1 Headline in trade rumors. Too bad, the Raptors are starting to play more and more defense. If they can start stopping teams, they have a chance to go DEEP in the East… I went there.
15.Memphis (18-18) The Grizzlies are 9-3 in their last 12, including wins against @Phoenix, @Portland, and Utah.
16.Utah (20-17) The Jazz have just proven they cannot compete with the mid pack of the West. 2-4 against the 6-11 seeds of the West in the last 6.
17.Miami (18-17) Miami losses a heartbreaker to Boston, gets embarrassed by Orlando, but win against Atlanta and @ Phoenix. Weird. They have a tough four game road trip this week.
18.LA Clippers (17-18) Oh OOO, the Clippers have an identity, and it’s a good one for once. Winners of 4 in a row with wins against Portland, LA Lakers, and Miami in that span.
19.New York (15-21) The Knicks have a real chance to get closer to .500 with the Sixers and Detroit (twice). I am excited.
20.Charlotte (16-19) The Bobcats are on a 6 game home stand. Pretty good for a team that is an impressive 14-5 in Charlotte.
21.Milwaukee (15-19) Just as Michael Redd asserts him in the lineup, he strains his knee. Sad for a player that was already on the decline. How will the Bucks respond after winning 3 in a row before getting spanked by the Lakers?
22.Chicago (15-20) Well this is the downhill I was talking about, will Gar Forman pull the trigger this time, or wait in line for the next roller coaster ride.
23.Sacramento (15-21) Losers of 7 out of their last 10, and 2-5 at home after starting an incredible 10-3. I have no idea why Shooter and G picked them to win this week.
24.Philadelphia (11-25) Lou Williams and Mareese Speights make this team a threat to anybody. I have no idea why this team is so bad. It’s embarrassing and this city needs something to avert their attention from that embarrassing Eagles playoff game.
25.Golden State (11-24) The Warriors may have 24 losses but they have some pretty impressive victories: Portland, Dallas, Phoenix, & Boston. They are also so much fun to watch. Monta Ellis. Everybody needs to watch him play.
26.Washington (12-23) Beat Orlando this week, good for them.
27.Minnesota (8-30) Al Jefferson is on the trading block, and God knows why. The tandem of Kevin Love and Jefferson is so exciting to be part of for T-Wolves fans. The future is bright for these two.
28.Indiana (11-25) Beat Orlando this week, good for them.
29.Detroit (11-24) Losers of 12 in a row, and Basher wants to punch Rip Hamilton in the face. I would pay to see the latter than going to a Pistons game… for FREE.
30.New Jersey (3-34) The Nets should be demoted to the NBDL before even thinking about moving. They don’t deserve to play in New York.

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