Power Rankings: Week 24

Well Ladies and Gents, a solid year around, LeBron James is going to be the unanimous MVP, Kevin Durant is the youngest scoring champion, and Hedo Turkoglu is the worst signing of the 2009-2010 season. The West was a wild ride, as usual, but the East had an interesting race as well. It’s the first time in 3 seasons that the East have all 8 teams in the playoffs with a .500 record or better. It’s sad when some, like myself, think that’s an accomplishment. Anyway, the playoffs are here and let’s see how the teams rank up by season’s end.

Let’s get to the Power Rankings through The Ref’s eye…

Biggest Gain: San Antonio (+5)
Biggest Loss: Boston (-6)

1.Cleveland (61-21) Just shows you how good the Cavs have been all year when you can rest the best player on the planet for the last week and a half of the season. However, how long is it going to take to get Shaquille O’Neal back in the mix.
2.Dallas (55-27) The Mavs went 28-7 since the Butler/Haywood trade and have the best chance to win a championship for Mark Cuban. It’s up to Dirk the Jirk now because Rick Carlisle is not good enough to lead this team.
3.LA Lakers (57-25) The Lakers finished the season 3-6 in the last 9 while Andrew Bynum and Kobe Bryant’s health are in question, and the Zen Master is more worried about the refs favoring Kevin Durant. Doesn’t look good for the defending champs.
4.Orlando (59-23) By far the most underrated team going into the playoffs, the Magic finished with the second best record in the league and have the best center in the game. According to most, it’s formula for the Larry O’Brien.
5.San Antonio (50-32) The Spurs are back and how dare anybody doubt them. The Mavs are scared piss-less to go against them because Gregg Popavich is a mastermind and Tim Duncan can still be, well, Tim Duncan.
6.Denver (53-29) The Nuggets have not been the same since George Karl got sick, and I don’t mean that in a positive way.
7.Utah (53-29) The Jazz were looking great heading into this postseason but now AK-47 is out for the entire playoffs and Carlos Boozer’s health is in question. We’ll see what happens and regardless, they still have the best point guard in the league. Yes, I said it.
8.Phoenix (54-28) Another team that resurged after the trade deadline, and they didn’t even make a deal. The biggest question with this team is how well is Amare going to play without Robin Lopez clearing the lane?
9.Atlanta (53-29) This the Hawks best chance at making some sort of title run. Joe Johnson is not returning and Atlanta will not be able to find a replacement. With that being said, it was nice while it lasted.
10.Portland (50-32) B-Roy out for the entire playoffs, come on. How much more can the city of Portland take? My heart goes out to all of the fans. They will give Phoenix a run for their money though.
11.Oklahoma City (50-32) I have to receive some DAP, check out the predictions before the year started. I predicted it from the get go, and now they play a struggling Lakers team without their big man. Do you believe in miracles?
12.Miami (47-35) If Miami beat Detroit to finish the season13 game winning streak, I would have seriously urged Dwyane Wade to be the MVP, but now, he will just be an honorable mention. He could, however, make up for it, by beating Boston, which is more than possible.
13.Boston (50-32) 27-27 after starting 23-5. Very nice for an ‘elite’ team. They are too old, too slow, and beaten up. However, when they are firing on all cylinders, they are the best team in the league. Few can argue against that.
14.Charlotte (44-38) The Bobcats finished strong and have one of the best coaches in their corner. The disappointing thing though, they have no answer to Dwight Howard.
15.Milwaukee (46-36) Although Bogut is out, the Bucks have a team for the future and they are going to be in the playoffs for years to come.
16.Chicago (41-41) Honestly, all must commend Chicago’s ability to get to the playoffs. Three short weeks ago, Noah, Deng, and Rose were all out. Now they are healthy but have to go against King James in the Cavs. You take what you can get.
17.Houston (42-40) I consider Daryl Morey one of the best GM’s in the game, and I trust he will make this team better in the offseason.
18.Memphis (40-42) Great year for an improving team. I fully agree with Shooter on this one. They will be the 2010 Thunder next season. Awesome team to watch as well.
19.Toronto (40-42) What a terrible year for Toronto! Chris Bosh is leaving, Hedo Turkoglu is the worst signing of the 2009-2010 season, and the team blew a great opportunity to play in the postseason. They were the 5th seed for majority of the season.
20.New Orleans (37-45) Chris Paul can now rest and come back stronger than ever. I expect them to be back in the playoff hunt next season.
21.Indiana (32-50) I don’t know what the Pacers were trying to accomplish with going 11-3 in their last 14 including wins over OKC, Utah, and Cleveland, but it was impressive. Let’s see what happens in the offseason.
22.New York (29-53) Alright Donnie, its your time to shine.
23.LA Clippers (29-53) No Coach, two lottery picks (including Blake Griffin), and a point guard that is a shell of himself. Next year looks like more of the same for LA’s ugly red-headed step child.
24.Golden State (26-56) More Nellie ball with Monta Ellis, Stephen Curry and no defense. Can’t wait.
25.Detroit (27-55) Joe Dumars, I think you need to face the facts that you are not any different from your once teammate, Isiah Thomas. You are killing MoTown.
26.Sacramento (25-57) Can you believe this team was once 13-14? What the hell happened?
27.Philadelphia (27-55) The Sixers fired Eddie Jordan at the end of the year because upper management realized that Jordan was excellent at losing. Best move they made all year.
28.Washington (26-56) The Wizards can go either way this offseason: Build for the future or get right back into the mix. Both sound pretty good to me.
29.Minnesota (15-67) The question still lingers in my mind: Does Minny draft John Wall when they already have Jonny Flynn, Ramon Sessions, and Ricky Rubio?
30.New Jersey (12-70) I’m sorry, but how the hell does a team lose to the Heat when Wade doesn’t play a millisecond? I understand the Nets avoided history, but that is pathetic.

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