Power Rankings: Week 12

Alright, look at the East making a statement. After I bashed the conference for being so unbelievably terrible for having 4 teams over .500 (West had 12 at this point), the East now have 7 over said mark, including the Toronto Raptors. The team has proved they can play a little defense, and win on the road for a change. I am excited to see this team play in the near future, and what if this makes Chris Bosh reconsider his decision to leave. It’s very unlikely but I have seen crazier things. Moving on, the top 5 teams continue to dance around the top, without one team truly wanting the Number 1 spot. I understand some teams are injury-plagued, but every team can state that. It’s no longer a viable excuse, especially for the Clippers. Michael Dunleavy, you still have a solid team without Blake Griffin. You can win.

Alright, I am talking to much, let’s get to the Power Rankings through The Ref’s eyes:

Biggest Gain: Memphis (+4)
Biggest Drop: New Orleans (-7)

1.Cleveland (31-11) I may not like LeBron James, but his late game heroics against the Clippers continually remind me that he is the most athletic player in the league. Good thing, he matches up against the best basketball player on the planet on Thursday.
2.LA Lakers (31-9) Pau Gasol continues to prove that Kobe Bryant cannot win without a productive big man. And talking about big men, has anybody seen Andrew Bynum’s lack of hustle and intensity lately. Look out for that.
3.Denver (26-14) Denver is playing good ball again with Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups healthy and dominating. The Nuggets have now beat the Cavs, Magic, and Jazz in the last 4.
4.Dallas (26-14) A 5-game road trip, losers of 2 out of the last three. The Mavs have something to prove this week.
5.Boston (27-11) I am starting to see a problem a brewing, Rondo is starting to defy the big three. Ever since Rondo has received his contract, Rondo’s attitude has changed toward them and sided with Kendrick Perkins. How will Doc Rivers handle this problem?
6.San Antonio (24-15) The Spurs get demolished by the Bobcats, but it shouldn’t diminish anything the San Antonio has done of late. The Spurs beat the Lakers and Thunder this week in a back-to-back.
7.Portland (25-17) The Trailblazers continually find a way to win. They embarrassed Orlando without Brandon Roy. Nate McMillan is my Coach of the Year.
8.Oklahoma City (23-18) The Thunder had a real chance to make a statement this week, but lost to the Spurs and Mavericks by 1. They will find a way a to win these games.
9.Orlando (26-14) The Magic have lost to the Wizards, Bobcats, and a Brandon Roy-less Blazers team. Vince Carter is a team wrecker. They should have resigned Hedo Turkoglu and kept Courtney Lee.
10.Atlanta (26-14) Jamal Crawford is the team’s MVP. Yes, Joe Johnson is the leading scorer, and Josh Smith it the defensive specialist, but Crawford is always there to pick up the pieces. Example A: Game Winning Buzzer Beater against Phoenix.
11.Memphis (21-18) 8 straight home wins for the Grizzlies, and how about Zach Randolph: 21 and 12 a game. He is leading Memphis to a strong playoff run. Too bad they will lose to the Thunder this week… at home.
12.Utah (23-18) The Jazz season may have been saved by none other than… Sundiata Gaines?
13.Phoenix (24-17) What a heartbreaker in Atlanta. They deserved that victory. Hard fought and well played. But, that’s the way the cookie crumbles. 9-13 on the road. Not going to cut it.
14.Toronto (21-20) I have said this all year about the Raptors, they are almost unbeatable when they hold their opponents to 100 points or less. 14-1 this year. Incredible.
15.Houston (22-18) I think the Rockets are starting to play like most would expect them to. Yes, they have been hit by the injury bug, but Houston can’t afford any injuries if they think they are making the playoffs.
16.New Orleans (21-18) Alright, yes, I overreacted by putting the Hornets at number 9 last week. They lost to Philadelphia and Detroit this past week. Ugh. I understand to prove me wrong sometimes, but don’t embarrass me.
17.Charlotte (20-19) The Bobcats have won 5 in a row and winners of 8 in their last 10. You would think they would be higher. Not with a 3-15 road record.
18.Chicago (18-20) Derrick Rose is the future of point guards and Shooter is retarded for calling him overrated. Don’t worry Chicago, Rose will take them to the playoffs, and prove all of the doubters wrong.
19.Miami (20-19) Miami is right on the verge of a breakdown. It’s like watching a ticking time bomb about to go off. The second hand is about to meet the minute.
20.LA Clippers (17-22) The Clippers lost 4 in row, lose Blake Griffin, and give the Cavs the game on Saturday night. Sounds like the Clips to me.
21.Milwaukee (16-22) Losers of 4 out of their last 5, and the Bucks only win was against Golden State, the same team that allowed Brandon Jennings to drop an insane 55.
22.New York (17-24) The Knicks are not a good team, but they are not a bad team. They have to win at home, and win the games they are supposed to do. Example: Don’t lose to the Pistons.
23.Sacramento (15-25) Tyreke Evans has finally hit the rookie wall. Evans can’t go left, or hit a jumper. Teams have figured him out and the Kings. Their Cinderella Story is coming to an abrupt end.
24.Philadelphia (13-26) The Sixers were 2-1 this past week including a nice win against New Orleans. I still believe the Sixers can build momentum for a playoff push. They have the intangibles, now they need a leader. I am still waiting for early 2000s Allen Iverson to reappear.
25.Indiana (14-26) What have I been saying about Danny Granger? In his return, the Pacers go 3-1. 5-13 when he was out.
26.Golden State (11-27) Golden State plays no defense, but I love having Monta Ellis on my fantasy team. 3 PT. FG, Points, Steals, and Free Throw Percentage. Go Ellis.
27.Washington (14-26) I like the Wizards now. I think this team can make the playoffs, but they won’t because they are going to trade Antawn Jamison or Caron Butler or both. But I like them without Agent Zero.
28.Detroit (14-26) Detroit went 3-1 this week after Basher Bashed them on our podcast. Keep it up Basher.
29.Minnesota (8-33) 1-9 in their last 10 and now there is trade talks for Al Jefferson to go to Sacramento for Kevin Martin. The T-Wolves want to lose.
30.New Jersey (3-36) The Nets suck. I hate that they are the local team. I have been to 5 games this year for free, and I want my money back.

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