NBA Power Rankings: Week 14
By Matt Shetler
It’s time for my weekly Friday NBA Power Rankings.
Here’s a look at where each team stands as we get ready to head into the All-Star break.
30. Charlotte Bobcats (11-37): Remember when the Bobcats started 7-5? They have gone only 4-32 since. Last Week’s Ranking-30
Feb 6, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio (9) carries the ball during the first quarter against the San Antonio Spurs at the Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
29. Orlando Magic (14-35): The Magic have won only two of their past 24 games, including losing an NBA –worst 11 in a row. Last Week’s Ranking-28
28. Minnesota Timberwolves (18-38): The ‘Wolves have lost eight of 10 and it makes you wonder where they would have been without all of the injuries. Last Week’s Ranking-27
27. Sacramento Kings (17-33): The Kings have lost eight of their past 10 and have not defeated a team with a winning record since December 30. Last Week’s Ranking-25
26. Phoenix Suns (17-33): The Suns don’t have a high ceiling this year but they have been improved under Lindsey Hunter, going 4-5 since he took over. Last Week’s Ranking-26
25. New Orleans Hornets (16-33): Anthony Davis is looking like a star in the making, but the wins aren’t coming just yet. Last Week’s Ranking-23
24. Cleveland Cavaliers (15-34): The Cavs have looked much improved as of late, winners of 6-of-10. That is because Kyrie Irving has been one of the best players in the NBA as of late. Last Week’s Ranking-29
23. Detroit Pistons (18-32): The Pistons have won only three of their past 10 and haven’t won a game since trading away Tayshaun Prince. That will change soon as the Pistons have a good point guard in Jose Calderon and some nice young talent around him. Last Week’s Ranking-22
22. Washington Wizards (13-35): The Wizards have gone 8-7 with John Wall in the lineup and have defeated the likes of: the Los Angeles Clippers, New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls, Denver Nuggets and Atlanta Hawks. Last Week’s Ranking-24
21. Toronto Raptors (17-32): Rudy Gay has averaged 24.7 points and 6.3 rebounds per game while shooting 43 percent from the floor since he was acquired by the Raptors. It will take some time to build chemistry, but this Raptors team has talent. Last Week’s Ranking-18
Feb 7, 2013; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant (24) with the ball during the first quarter against the Boston Celtics at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
20. Los Angeles Lakers (23-27): Kobe Bryant has been fantastic, but this team is still a circus, especially with Bryant calling out Dwight Howard. However every time you think this team is turning the corner, they go out and get bet down, this time by the Boston Celtics. Last Week’s Ranking-21
19. Philadelphia 76ers (21-27): Jrue Holiday is making a name for himself, but even though the Sixers have split their past 10, the wins aren’t coming frequently enough. Last Week’s Ranking-20
18. Dallas Mavericks (21-28): The Mavs have split their past 10 games and Dirk Nowitzki is looking better, although he is far from looking like the superstar he was pre-injury. Dallas needs that Dirk again to make a run at the playoffs. Last Week’s Ranking-17
17. Portland Trail Blazers (25-24): The Blazers are hanging in the playoff race, but because of the fact that they don’t have a bench, their starters have to be great every night, something LaMarcus Aldridge certainly is. Last Week’s Ranking-16
16. Milwaukee Bucks (25-23): The Bucks have split their past 10 and are starting to slide back down closer to the .500 mark. Last Week’s Ranking-13
15. Atlanta Hawks (27-21): Despite the loss of Lou Williams, the Hawks are staying above the .500 mark thanks to some improved play from Jeff Teague as of late, who has averaged 19.6 points and 7.6 assists per game over his past five games. Last Week’s Ranking-14
14. Houston Rockets (27-24): The Rockets have rebounded from a horrible stretch to win 6-of-10. But while the young Rockets are the second highest scoring team in the league (105.8), they are 27th in points allowed (102.9). Last Week’s Ranking-15
13. Boston Celtics (26-23): Somehow it took Rajon Rondo going down for the Celtics too figure things out as they have won their past six and have proven they are still a team to be taken seriously in the Eastern Conference. Last Week’s Ranking-19
12. Utah Jazz (28-22): The Jazz have won 13-of-18 and could be a piece away from being a major player in the Western Conference. They have a loaded frontcourt that they could use as a trade piece. Last Week’s Ranking-11
Feb 4, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson (22) is upset over a referees call during a game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats Chicago 111-101. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
11. Brooklyn Nets (29-20): Brook Lopez and the Nets have been very good, but it is hard to get a good read on them considering only eight of their 29 wins have come against winning teams. Last Week’s Ranking-12
10. Chicago Bulls (29-20): Taj Gibson is filling in for the injured Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer rather nicely and the Bulls just keep on winning without their best players. Last Week’s Ranking-8
9. Golden State Warriors (30-19): The Warriors haven’t lost to a team with a losing record since before Christmas, but they move down a couple of spots after getting smacked by the Rockets and Thunder this week. Last Week’s Ranking-7
8. Memphis Grizzlies (33-18): Losing Rudy Gay hurts in the short-term, but the Grizzlies will be better in the long-term. They aren’t going anywhere. Last Week’s Ranking-9
7. Los Angeles Clippers (35-16): The Clippers have lost 7-of-10, but it is hard to drop them down too far considering Chris Paul hasn’t been in the lineup. Last Week’s Ranking-3
6. Indiana Pacers (31-19): The best defensive team in the NBA has won five in a row and 7-of-10 and if Paul George and David West keep playing like beasts, they will be a factor to come out of the Eastern Conference. Last Week’s Ranking-10
5. New York Knicks (31-16): Amar’e Stoudemire is back and Raymond Felton and Iman Shumpert are healthy so the Knicks are scary good once again. Don’t underestimate the impact that Felton has on this team, but Tyson Chandler’s play at both ends of the floor as of late has been the biggest difference maker. Last Week’s Ranking-6
4. Denver Nuggets (32-18): The Nuggets have won eight straight and 14-of-16 overall. They are deep and talented and very dangerous. In addition they are third in the NBA in scoring and second in both rebounds and assists. Last Week’s Ranking-5
Feb 6, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker (9) carries the ball during the third quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Target Center. The Spurs defeated the Timberwolves 104-94. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
3. Miami Heat (32-14): The Heat are cruising, winners of 8-of-10 with their only losses coming to the Celtics and Pacers. I have run out of adjectives to describe the play of LeBron James, especially after his 13-of-14 shooting performance against the Charlotte Bobcats when he recorded 31 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. Last Week’s Ranking-4
2. Oklahoma City Thunder (37-12): The Thunder are only 6-4 in their past 10, but I will leave them at No.2 for now because I still feel they are one of the two best teams in the NBA. Last Week’s Ranking-2
1. San Antonio Spurs (39-11): The Spurs have won 11 in a row and are playing so well that it makes you wonder if they will lose again. They stay in the top spot for a second consecutive week. Last Week’s Ranking-1
Biggest Climber- Celtics (+6)
Biggest Faller- Clippers (-4)