Power Rankings: Week 13

The All-Star starters were announced this week, and some I agree with, others I don’t. Shooter makes an intriguing point about the All Star selection, “Each MVP from a winning team should be selected.” I agree in a sense, but the All-Star Game is a joke. It’s like watching a Harlem Globetrotters game. It means nothing.

Therefore, certain players that make it to has no representation of what they do for their teams. Players like Chris Kaman, Jamal Crawford, Chauncey Billups, Rudy Gay and Andrea Barganni make a difference. These NBA studs help their respected teams win and are a vital part to a franchises success, but receive no Dap from the fans or coaches.

It’s halfway through the season, and they’re plenty of surprise teams making things happen for themselves. The aforementioned players are the key ingredient to their success. The biggest surprise is the Sacramento Kings. I thought they would be the basement dwellers of the West, but with Tyreke Evans playing unbelievably well, their competitive and were around .500 for awhile. Reality has set in though , and the Kings are starting to pile up the losses. They still are a pleasant surprise and it just shows everybody how effective the draft is. Ask the Thunder. They have been amazing this year and will continually get better.

Anyway, I feel like I am writing an epic. I just need to get to the Power Rankings.

Biggest Gain: Atlanta (+4)
Biggest Drop: Oklahoma City (-5)

1.Cleveland (34-11) With LeBron denying Durant the throne and beating Kobe again, the Cavs are an easy #1 on my list, and it would be a crime if they weren’t on anybody’s list.
2.LA Lakers (33-11) The Lakers can’t win on the road, and Pau Gasol is soft. Andrew Bynum is soft. Actually, with the likes of Kobe Bryant and Ron Artest, the whole team is soft. I feel like I am repeating myself.
3.Denver (29-14) The Nuggets have won 6 in a row and are looking like the #2 seed I thought they be. Big test against the Thunder this week.
4.Dallas (29-15) Even though the Mavs have been struggling of late (Losses to Philadelphia and Toronto), their the best road team in the West (16-8).
5.Portland (27-18) The Trailblazers continue to fight, but this is ridiculous. I thought they would start losing when Greg Oden and LaMarcus Aldridge went down, but I was wrong. Now, with Brandon Roy out, you would think they would definitely lose. Wrong again.
6.Atlanta (28-14) After a few weeks of inconsistency, the Hawks are starting to find a rhythm. 5-1 in their last 6 and that buzzer beater by Jamal Crawford may be the turning point in the season for not only Atlanta.
7.Boston (28-13) The Celtics get back KG, but for how long. This is stupid of Doc Rivers and Danny Ainge. If you want to rest your players for a playoff push, then make sure they are healhty and rested; not wearing a cast the size of Rivers forehead.
8.San Antonio (25-17) The Spurs have vastly improved from their slow start (10-11), but still need to start beating teams above .500 (9-16) if they think they can win in June.
9.Utah (25-18) The Jazz are 7-2 since their little hiccup two weeks ago. Carlos Boozer and Deron Williams are healthy, and that makes all the difference.
10.Orlando (29-15) The wins against Indiana, Sacramento, and Charlotte do not erase the problems this teams has. Everyone is unhappy, and it may become public.
11.Memphis (23-19) The Grizzlies are coming of age, and I predicted it from Week 1. You could just see their potential from the beginning. Now, it is all out for everyone to see, there is no hiding anymore. Teams are going to start gunning for them, and let’s see how they handle it.
12.Houston (24-19) When you think the Rockets are down and out, they find a player to pick up the slack, whether it is Kyle Lowry or Carl Landry, whether it’s Luis Scola or Chase Budinger, they just find ways to pick each other up. Houston is definitive example of a TEAM.
13.Oklahoma City (24-20) 11-6 since December 23, and all of the 6 looses are by 6 points or less with 3 of them by one. Losses like that can help a team or hurt one. Let’s see how resilient they are.
14.Phoenix (26-19) Ever since Jamal Crawford hit that buzzer beater against them, the life has been sucked out of this team. If they don’t wake up, the Suns will not make the playoffs.
15.Toronto (23-22) The victory against the Lakers last night is a beautiful illustration of the Raptors playoff portrait. They’re ready and Andrea Barganni is the difference maker.
16.Miami (23-20) Miami is having another good week, but let’s see what happens in the next seven days. They love playing inconsistently.
17.New Orleans (23-20) The Key to New Orleans recent success is the combination of Emeka Okefor and David West playing well together to create a potent front court tandem.
18.Charlotte (21-21) They finally lost at home to a struggling Magic club, maybe they’ll win on the road to start balancing out their record, but it’s not going to happen. Expect a drop in the rankings next week.
19.LA Clippers (20-23) Blake Griffin is out for the year and Chris Kaman gets all star snubbed. Can anything go right for the red-headed step child.
20.Chicago (20-22) Derrick Rose is leading this team right into the eighth spot and higher.
21.Milwaukee (18-24) Carlos Delfino, where did this guy come from? He is averaging 21 ppg in his last 5 games. That’s incredible. The Bucks are winning again because of it. Michael who?
22.New York (17-26) The Knicks were blown out by 50. 50! I can give 50 reasons why they lost by 50. Every one starts like this. They’re the Knicks…
23.Philadelphia (15-28) 3 games away from G’s miraculous ability to not only pick game winners but spreads to. If the Sixers do go on a five game winning streak, I will mimic G’s picks all year.
24.Sacramento (15-28) The Kings are losers of seven in a row, and everyone is blaming Kevin Martin. It is not his fault. Kevin Thompson and Omar Casspi have not been stepping up. Simple as that. The losses will continue to build unless they pick it up.
25.Indiana (15-29) Danny Granger is the only reason this team wins. They are nothing without him. Can someone please trade for him. He belongs somewhere better.
26.Detroit (15-28) After winning 4 in a row, the Pistons are back to their losing ways. Couldn’t say I didn’t that coming.
27.Golden State (13-29) Stephen Curry’s performances are admirable. He plays hard for a terrible team, and continually conforms to what Don Nelson wants. He is true professional and a great teammate, and it’s starting to show: 23 ppg, 5 rpg, & 5 apg
28.Washington (14-29) Caron Butler’s horrific play is the main culprit for the continuing demise of the Wizards. He has averaged 13 points per game in the last 3. All losses after they won two in row.
29.Minnesota (9-36) The T-Wolves can’t figure how to play Jonny Flynn, Al Jefferson, and Kevin Love together. They are getting blown out now and look nothing like a team.
30.New Jersey (3-40) The Countdown to John Wall begins.

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