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2009 NBA Power Rankings – Best NBA Teams

Stephen Kersey — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 03:26:00 +0000

With about six weeks left in the 2009 NBA regular season, power rankings are getting more and more meaningful. Here’s a look at the top five teams in the NBA as the season heads toward the home stretch:

5. San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs are laying low in the weeds. They don’t look like a great team at the moment but with their championship experience, they are a team to never count out. If Manu Ginobili’s injury can heal quickly, they have a great shot at winning the second seed in the Western Conference.

4. Orlando Magic
When All-Star point guard Jameer Nelson got hurt, the Magic were a top team in the NBA. While they are definitely still elite, they lost a lot when Nelson hurt his shoulder. That said, they have enough talent to beat anyone in any series if they get hot from the perimeter.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavs have one main weapon. Luckily, that weapon is LeBron James — arguably the best and most explosive basketball player on the planet. If the role players can step up, LeBron is more than capable of doing the dirty work.

2. Boston Celtics
The defending 2007-08 NBA champions are once again one of the top teams in the league. With the Big Three of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, it’s going to be extremely tough for any team to knock off the champs.

1. Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers lost in the Finals last season but this year they are even better. If Andrew Bynum can return near 100%, there’s simply no team that can match the talent the Lakers are capable of putting on the court.

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Worst Teams – NBA Power Rankings

Stephen Kersey — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 14:18:45 +0000

5. Memphis Grizzlies
Although the Grizzlies have talent, they haven’t been able to translate that talent into wins. They’ve lost nine of their last ten games and there’s growing noise that head coach Mark Iavaroni is on the hot seat.

4. Sacramento Kings
Things may actually get worse before they get better for the Kings. They are last in the league in point differential at -9.0 and they don’t have much of a team concept at this point. Sacramento is in desperate need of a trade to spice things up.

3. Oklahoma City Thunder
Not too long ago, the Thunder were regarded as the worst team in all the land. But they’ve played much better recently and there are signs that they might be starting to get their ship turned around. Winners of half of their last ten games, the good news is that they have a young, talented core that appears to be dedicated.

2. Washington Wizards
With the second worst record in the NBA just ahead of the Thunder, the Wizards are already looking forward to the ping pong balls. The team is so bad that Gilbert Arenas and the decision makers are questioning whether it is even worth it for Arenas to make a comeback this season.

1. Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers earned this spot in the rankings because they don’t have much of an excuse. While they are battling injuries, they have a roster of veteran players who should be able to find ways to win. Right now they are horrible and they are headed for another Clippers-like finish.

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NBA Power Rankings – Best Teams

Stephen Kersey — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 03:20:52 +0000

1. Cleveland Cavaliers
Everything is looking good right now for the Cavs. They have the best player in the league in LeBron James. They have a great defensive team and a very efficient offensive unit. Cleveland is also undefeated at home and they have playoff experience.

2. Boston Celtics
The reigning NBA champions haven’t looked as dominant as usual as of late. Their lack of depth has been apparent and their Big Three doesn’t always have the needed juice on a game by game basis. That said, they are still the team to beat until someone ends their back-to-back dreams.

3. Orlando Magic
If it wasn’t for their lack of experience, the Magic could very well have the top spot in these 2009 NBA power rankings. The Magic have Dwight Howard in the middle and a bunch of great shooters surrounding him. They will be a tough out in the playoffs.

4. Los Angeles Lakers
Not too long ago, the Lakers looked like they might be the best team in the NBA. But a recent two-game losing streak has exposed a few weaknesses. However, they are dealing with injuries right now and once healthy, expect them to move back into the top three.

5. San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs always seem to hang around near the top. They aren’t going to be the favorite this season but they are another team that no one wants to face in the postseason. If they stay healthy, they’ll have a shot to win it all.

Photo credit: Newscom

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Power Rankings – NBA Training Camp Edition

Stephen Kersey — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 03:32:59 +0000

1. Boston Celtics
With their Big Three returning and a championship ring under their belt, the Boston Celtics will be the team to beat until they prove they are no longer worthy.

2. Los Angeles Lakers
Kobe Bryant and company will once again try to win the Western Conference. Adding Andrew Bynum to a team that almost won it all without him is a scary thought.

3. San Antonio Spurs
It’s easy to forget about the San Antonio Spurs but when it is all said and done, the Spurs are seemingly always there in the end giving it their best shot.

4. New Orleans Hornets
The addition of James Posey makes the New Orleans Hornets a team that is very capable of winning the West and going on and taking home a title.

5. Houston Rockets
On paper, the Rockets might be the best team of them all. Ron Artest could be a force if he stays sane and the Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming duo should be better than ever.

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