Power Rankings 1-27-2009

The NBA is a league dominated by superstars. This is best seen in the top of the Eastern Conference through the struggles and triumphs of Dwight Howard, Kevin Garnett, and LeBron James. These teams can only go so far as these players carry them, which is intensified when they play each other. The Celtics thrashed the Magic because Dwight Howard pulled his best Chris Webber "stone hands in the clutch" impersonation and the Cavs seem to be almost completely dependant on LeBron's performances.

More interestingly is that despite two major injuries to big minute players, the Cavs find themselves on a 4 game win streak in dramatic fashion (last second wins at Golden State and Portland). As good as the Cavs have been, it seems like they will always be a step behind the Lakers, who are number 1 in my rankings.

1) Los Angeles Lakers
I hate the Lakers and even I can't deny that they are currently the class of the NBA. Kobe's stats are down this season because he's been a much better team player, more tenacious on defense, and a deadly closer down the stretch. It is remarkable that one of the NBA's best players does not completely dictate the outcome of his team. The lakers are still greatly dependant on him but if Kobe is having an off game, Pau and Bynum step up which allows Kobe to rest up for his closer role. Their depth is amazing and barring a team collapse from the inside I don't see the Lakers faltering any time soon.

2) Cleveland Cavaliers
This ranking should really read "2) LeBron" because he has single hadnedly kept the injury marred Cavs afloat. He helped slay a Warriors team that was rejuvenated by Monta Ellis' arrival and has been putting up a ridiculous stat line. Not many people fully grasp that LeBron is putting up numbers that a big time scorer/clutch shooter, a big man, a defensive stopper, and a PG would collectively total. He's playing better defense this season and his FT% is up. So...yea...he's ridiculous. Good luck containing him in the playoffs.

3) Boston Celtics
After going through their first ever losing streak in the "Big 3" era the Celtics have stepped up their game and beaten some perennial powerhouses lately (Phoenix and Orlando). They destroyed Orlando by running them off the 3 point line and containing Dwight Howard, which is impressive. With a bench that thin I don't see them winning the title this season. KG's play has diminished, Rajon Rondo still can't shoot, and Glen Davis should not be playing as much as he is. If they get a bench (which they could somewhat achieve with Marbury) then their chances look much better.

4) San Antonio Spurs
Never count Tim Duncan out. It should be a in scripture at this point. People are overreacting about their loss to the Lakers, but when you break it down, it's still just one game. They're a very stable team that ran into a very hot team who happened to be playing at home. Advantage: Lakers. I put them above the Magic because the Spurs are what they have always been, solid, but even moreso now. They have a strong bench now, have Bowen coming off the bench, and still have scoring from their "Big 3" which tells me that they could make noise in the postseason.

5) Orlando Magic
I know what you're thinking, "Why are the Magic so low? They got killed by the champs but the Spurs got killed by the Lakers!" My response would be, it's not the same thing. The Magic were supposed to beat the Celtics, but their reliance on 3 point shooting and Dwight Howard killed them. Simply put, Dwight cannot fade away in big games anymore. He opens up 3 point shots and gets random guys like JJ Redick a string of open shots to catch fire. Jameer Nelson has done a good job of creating for his teammates and growing as a player this season, but there is onyl so much you can do when your bench is as thin as Orlando's is.

6) Denver Nuggets
Carmelo needs to get healthy if this team wants to survive their road adventure coming up. Chauncey has been a great pickup but I, personally, think they are overachieving. By playoff time they'll start to cool off but for now they're one of the best teams in the NBA.

7) Houston Rockets
If they had Yao, T-Mac, Artest, and Battier healthy all season, they could have the best record in the NBA! (cue violin music)

8) Miami Heat
Probably a little controversial, but they're beating teams they are supposed to beat and beating teams that are much better than them. They are very thin, but a Shawn Marion trade could bring some much needed talent to this roster.

9) New Orleans Hornets
Never count CP3 out. Instead, count Tyson Chandler and David West (partially) out.

10) Portland Trailblazers
They're very talented, but they've been beating up on bad teams (Milwaukee, Chicago, New Jersey, Golden State, Washington) and losing to good teams (Lakers, Cavaliers, Philly, New Orleans). Because of this, I can't bring myself to put them any higher. They have a lot of potential though.

11) 76ers
Record with Elton Brand: 11-14 Record without Elton Brand: 10-8 hmm...

12) Hawks
The Hawks would be up one spot in my rankings if it werent for the Sixers Iggy led surge as of late. However, they're a great team that could jump anywhere up to 5 spots in these rankings if Josh Smith and Marvin Williams pick up their play.

13) Dallas Mavericks
Dirk's having a great season despite a stupid offseason/inseason move (the Diop saga). They're still a team to beat out West, but after their destruction at the hands of the Celtics, it is obvious that they still have flaws. It's really obvious that you have flaws when you get stomped by Milwaukee.

14) Utah Jazz
This is the year of the injury in Utah, but this team would be in the top 5 if they were healthy. It's simply amazing that Jerry Sloan has kept this team afloat and they actually care about playing the game of basketball, which is more than can be said of the...

15) Phoenix Suns
They're lost in Terry Porter's system. It's as simple as that. Shaq destroyed the dynamics of this team, despite his great statistical season, and the Suns may no longer be a force in the NBA unless they start playing with some intensity.

16) Detroit Pistons
They have to mesh eventually...right?

17) Timberwolves
They've been surging after the New Year started. What the hell is going on out there? Does McHale actually know what he's doing? That Randy Foye trade might not end up being a complete bust if he can get his FG% and scoring average up. McHale's personal project, Kevin Love, has been playing great as well and is a surprise catalyst on the boards for the Wolves.

18) New York Knicks
Mike D'Antoni is an amazing coach. He's getting ridiculous play out of Duhon and Lee while elevating players like Nate Robinson and Wilson Chandler to new levels. Nate has been playing especially well despite his short stature, and with a superstar or two added to this core in 2010 they should be an almost immediate force. Al Harrington sucks.

19) Indiana Pacers
Danny Granger is good and Mike Dunleavy has turned into a fat chucker. He constantly chucks around 13 shots in under 30 minutes. He's not the player he was last season because the team actually has healthy studs. Doesn't help that Mike severed his vaginal bone before the season.

20) New Jersey Nets
Devin Harris and Vince Carter have carried this team and elevated their teammates' play. They could easily pass the Pacers, who I think suck more than Sasha "The Machine" Vujacic's shot selection.

21) Charlotte Bobcats
Larry Brown has this team, with little talent, playing well. However, they have little talent. You can only go so far with this roster, and to Brown's credit, he has almost optimized their talent.

22) Milwaukee Bucks
They lost Michael Redd, who was playing great. Now their best player is Richard Jefferson. Not looking good.

23) Toronto Raptors
Welcome to the bottom of the NBA. The 08/09 Raptors should be synonymous with the word "Fail" because they built a team around two studs, acquired a good big man, and still suck. Even worse than last year. Something tells me it wasn't all Mitchell's fault.

24) Chicago Bulls
I could name off players that have talent on this team, but then I'd just name off their entire roster. I could also say that they just need time to grow together and mesh, but we've been hearing that for years. They need real post players. Ben Gordon/Derrick Rose are a good duo at guard, but this team gets destroyed down low on offense and defense.

25) Oklahoma City Thunder
Kevin Durant > Danny Granger. Despite the record, he should be an all star.

26) Golden State Warriors
I couldn't logically put them above the Thunder when they've gotten thrashed by them twice this season. The Thunder have 9 wins. That's so awful. Don Nelson is a an awful coach at this point in his career, and player's like Jamal Crawford aren't helping the defensive efforts of this team. nelson needs to leave before progress can begin. but still...GO WARRIORS WOOOOO!!!

27) Memphis Grizzlies
OJ Mayo + Rudy Gay = 11 wins? Something's wrong there. They need to play an up-tempo offense if they want to optimize this team's talent.

28) Sacramento Kings
They have Kevin Martin which keeps them out of the deep cellar. To their credit, they have a shot to beat most teams below the top 15, which is something I cannot say the teams below them can do.

29) Los Angeles Clippers
Their entire starting lineup is injured. When their entire starting lineup is there, they probably still won't be any good. Mike Dunleavy is an awful coach. Their salary cap is screwed. What is there to look forward to in Clipper land? OH! Baron Davis just made a documentary about gangs featuring Snoop Dogg and Lil Wayne! COOL!

30) Washington Wizards
Oh God. Will Gilbert ever play a full season? Probably not. Which is odd for someone who is mostly a shooter.