Power Rankings: Week 18

I wanted to wait a week to see if all of these trades would affect my judgment on the initial knee jerk reaction. Of course, there was plenty of speculation from all over the NBA World, but being patient will tell the tale most clearly.

Well folks, my strategy didn’t work. I am honestly more confused now than when all of the blockbuster trades happened. I don’t know if the Celtics became better or worse, same for the Hawks, Clippers & Cavs. The Thunder and Trailblazers will get better but neither has shown it yet.

The only teams who really improved are New Jersey and New York, making Utah and Denver worse in the process.

The NBA can be so confusing…Let’s get to the Power Rankings.

Biggest Gain: Cleveland (+2)
Biggest Drop: Utah (-5)

1. San Antonio (49-10) The reliability this team has on each other in crunch time is phenomenal. One night, it could be Tony Parker, other, Manu, maybe on Friday’s, it’s Gary Neal, but only Sunday’s, Tim Duncan takes the reign. You get the Picture.
2. Dallas (43-16) Although I should put this team ahead of Boston due to their 6 game winning streak, it’s the moves that Boston made and the moves Dallas didn’t make that gave them the extra nudge.
3. Chicago (40-17) A team that could really use a sure shooting guard didn’t pull the trigger during the trade deadline. However, they made not need it with team defense and little guy named D-Rose. On that point, I don’t want to hear Lebron James for MVP as long as Derrick Rose is healthy. Quite frankly, it’s not even close.
4. Boston (42-15) The Celtics lose an emotional and integral part of their team in a surprising deal. But let’s not sleep on Jeff Green. If you look at him closely, he isn’t too far from Kevin Garnett himself.
5. LA Lakers (42-19) The Lakers proved why teams need size. They muscled a win in Oklahoma City with gritty defense (primarily Ron Artest) and quality rebounding.
6. Miami (43-17) The Heat struggles against Teams with a .500 record or better is concerning, but for Heat fans, Erik Spoelstra’s inability to develop working chemistry in crunch time is something to worry about. Maybe even close to the Panic Button.
7. Oklahoma City (36-22) Yes, I know this team just lost to the Lakers and were blown out by the Magic. But let’s put something in place. Kendrick Perkins is going to make the team better defensively than last year while Nate Robinson is an astronomically HUGE upgrade to Daquean Cook.
8. New York (30-27) Hey all of the doubters: Do you still think the Knicks gave too much for Carmelo Anthony AND Chauncey Billups?
9. Orlando (38-22) The Magic have dropped to the ranks of the Atlanta Hawks. Have the players and the talent but not the intangibles and coaching.
10. Portland (33-26) I may have to meet ESPN writer Maurice Brooks in person because I really want to hear how LeMarcus Aldridge is not in the Top 5 in the MVP Race. Brooks doesn’t even have him in the Top 10. I am know, it’s insane.
11. New Orleans (35-26) The Hornets win the no look trade award picking up Carl Landry to help Emeka Okefor and David West. What a steal for the Big Easy!
12. Memphis (33-28) Even though Memphis screwed it up on the trade deadline, it’s hard to ignore that the Grizzlies may end up as the 6th seed where they would face off against the Lakers. A team they have beaten twice, one of them in LA.
13. Philadelphia (30-29) Here is a team nobody is talking about. The Sixers are 13-4 in their last 17 and show signs of improvement. Could you imagine where this team would be if they didn’t start 3-13?
14. Atlanta (36-23) The Hawks are having a little bit of road problems before beating the new look Blazers, despite turning the ball over 24 times. Kirk Heinrich should help this team on both ends of the floor.
15. Phoenix (30-27) The acquisition of Aaron Brooks will help out Steve Nash but besides that good news, the Suns are starting to play like I predicted, finally.
16. Denver (34-26) The Nuggets prove they are fine without Carmelo Anthony for the time being. The question is, how much time does this team have left before the bottoms fall outs?
17. Indiana (26-32) The Vogel affect is wearing out a little bit. However, the team has not scored less than 100 points since he stepped in.
18. Utah (32-28) In a month’s time, the long, storied Jazz franchise has lost legend Jerry Sloan and arguably the best point guard in the league. Sad time in ESA.
19. Golden State (26-32) The Warriors will not make the playoffs but will have multiple opportunities to play spoiler.
20. Houston (30-31) Daryl Morey was pressured to make a move and unlike in Shawshank Redemption, time was not included creating a frantic and chaotic moves in the process.
21. Milwaukee (22-36) The Bucks can chalk this year up to injuries. The team had a lot of hype but disappointing play and consistent injuries to Andrew Bogut, Brandon Jennings, John Salmons, Carlos Delfino, and Michael Redd have quieted the crowd.
22. New Jersey (17-42) The Deron Williams deal puts the Nets up a few places due to the immediate impact. New Jersey has a lot of shooters and a low post threat in Brook Lopez to work with.
23. Charlotte (26-33) Please can we either send this team to Seattle or the poor house.
24. LA Clippers (21-39) I like the trade for both LA now and later. Mo Williams is a better fit, especially with Eric Gordon sidelined, and the Clippers don’t have to worry about B-Diddy’s horrible contract.
25. Detroit (22-39) It’s pretty sad Joe Dumars couldn’t find a way to ship Tayshaun Prince, Rip Hamilton, Charlie Villanueva, and Ben Gordon. Anyone of those would have been a good move.
26. Washington (15-43) I was going to brag about my Gilbert Arenas prediction with the Magic but realized I also predicted Rashard Lewis was going to average 20 ppg with the Wizards. He is averaging 12 ppg. Ouch…. Slipping stage right.
27. Sacramento (14-43) The Kings picking Marcus Thornton is another underrated move. They needed to get rid of a PF (check) and pick up a shooting guard (check). Paul Westphal may be able to run a normal offense now.
28. Cleveland (11-48) This is the first Cleveland has been out of the 30 spot since Week 7. Wins over LA and New-New York bolster them up two spots.
29. Minnesota (14-46) Kevin Love’s 37 and 23 game convinced me he does deserve to be in the same sentence with Moses Malone. However, he does need to take his talents elsewhere.
30. Toronto (16-44) Pretty crazy for somebody to put a team that has beaten Boston, Oklahoma City, Orlando, and Chicago in last place but hey, this is America, baby!

Click Here if you want to see previous week’s rankings

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