1. Boston Celtics
The Celtics are riding a ten-game winning streak and they are beating teams by about ten points per game on the season. Dominant.

2. Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers lost on Saturday night and Kobe Bryant is dealing with a broken finger. That said, they are still the championship favorites.

3. Orlando Magic
The NBA Finals appearance last year wasn’t a fluke. But the Magic are going through growing pains while living with the expectations.

4. Atlanta Hawks
No one really takes the Atlanta Hawks seriously but they are doing all they can to prove they are elite.

5. Cleveland Cavaliers
Is it me or does this look like LeBron James’ swan song in Cleveland?

6. Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets are inconsistent. However, when they are playing well, Denver can be scary good.

7. Dallas Mavericks
Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavs are playing very well but are they really championship caliber? I don’t think so.

8. Phoenix Suns
The Suns started the season as one of the best teams in the NBA. Lately, they’ve slumped and I think the slump will continue.

9. Houston Rockets
The Rockets are playing better than anyone could imagine. It’ll be interesting to see if TMac helps or hurts the team.

10. San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs are having a tough time putting it all together. If they don’t turn it around, the team may blow it up.

Doc Rivers has to be happy with what he's seen from his team (Image: Zuma Press)

Post from: EveryJoe

NBA Power Rankings – December Edition

I posed a simple question in my post. I asked, who would want to coach the Nets now? Well, according to SI.com, Patrick Ewing is interested. The former NBA All-Star has been an assistant coach for the past seven seasons. Apparently, he’s ready for a new challenge.

Patrick Ewing has been an assistant coach for seven seasons. He's ready to take the next step.

Taking over as head coach for the Nets would certainly be a challenge. Maybe Ewing wants a chance to prove that he has what it takes to be a head coach in the NBA. If he can turn this team around, he’ll definitely earn his stripes.

Nets general manager, Kiki Vandeweghe will take over as head coach for the time being. According to ESPN.com, Vandeweghe played 13 seasons in the NBA with four teams and was a two-time All-Star. His only coaching experience came in Dallas, under Don Nelson. Despite his lack of experience, Vandeweghe has one thing going for him — if he can win at least one game then he’s one up on Frank.

Image: Zuma Press

Post from: EveryJoe

Ewing Wants To Coach The New Jersey Nets

When Kobe wasn’t adding to his legend, he was helping the Los Angeles Lakers crush the Oklahoma City Thunder. Kobe had 26 points, seven assists, six rebounds, two steals and no turnovers as the Lakers won 101-85.

Up by 19 points at the end of the first quarter, this game was never much of a contest. Andrew Bynum had 25 points and nine rebounds, while Pau Gasol had 15 points, seven rebounds and six assists.

The Thunder were led by Kevin Durant’s 19 points. Russell Westbrook had a good outing, finishing with 14 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and three blocks.

With the win, the Lakers are now 10-3. The Thunder, who are 7-7, have been one of the surprise teams of the Western Conference. On this night, they simply ran into a buzz saw and an amazing behind the backboard shot by Kobe Bryant.

Post from: EveryJoe

Kobe Bryant Video – Over the Backboard

The Rockets only had one starter in double figures, however that one player dominated: Aaron Brooks. The quick little point guard who tortured the Lakers last year in the playoffs was at it again. In 41 minutes of action, Brooks finished with 33 points, six rebounds and four assists. He hit 11-of-23 shots from the field, 5-of-7 three-pointers and 6-of-7 free throws.

The Lakers were led by Ron Artest’s 22 points. Andrew Bynum had 21 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks, while Kobe Bryant was limited to 18 points, three assists, three steals and four turnovers.

Though the Rockets were supposed to struggle due to being without Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady to begin the season, they’ve been able to look like a legit playoff team. With a record of 6-4, Houston wins by playing great team basketball.

Even though the Lakers might be disappointed in their 7-3 start, they have to be somewhat happy considering that Pau Gasol has yet to play this season.

Aaron Brooks - Houston Rockets (Image: Zuma Press)

Post from: EveryJoe

Los Angeles Lakers Lose Second Straight

The Nuggets were led by Carmelo Anthony’s 25 points in 30 minutes. J.R. Smith had 20 points off the bench in 23 minutes, while rookie point guard Ty Lawson chipped in with 13 points and six assists.

Kobe Bryant was uncharacteristically quiet for the Lakers. In 34 minutes of action, Bryant had 19 points, three rebounds, two assists and four turnovers.

For the Lakers, they can point to the fact that Pau Gasol is still out injured as a reason why they can still be confident against the Nuggets. That said, to say that the Nuggets will be the biggest challenge for the Lakers on their way to the 2010 NBA Finals wouldn’t be too much of a stretch.

Carmelo Anthony - Denver Nuggets (Image: Zuma Press)

Post from: EveryJoe

Nuggets Destroy Lakers in Denver

Tonight, they’ll have a chance to see just how good they really are when they play the defending NBA Champions. The Los Angeles Lakers are currently 6-1, and they are on a mission to repeat.

“When you’re playing the world champs, it’s always a great measuring stick,” said Nash, according to ESPN.com. “Now we go to LA and see how good we are.”

The Phoenix Suns will try to keep Kobe Bryant in check when they face off against the Lakers in L.A. tonight.

Accurate shooting, a high-flying offense and good defense have helped get the Suns off to one of their best starts since the 1980-81 season. After beating the New Orleans Hornets by 20 points last night, All-Star guard Chris Paul had this to say:

“They’re like the Phoenix Suns of my rookie year and my second year in the league. I give them a lot of credit. They did a great job of putting those pieces back together.”

We’ll see how those pieces can measure up against Kobe Bryant and the Lakers tonight.

Image: Zuma Press

Post from: EveryJoe

High-Flying Suns Ready For The Champions

Who do you think will win it all? Do the Spurs have a shot with the addition of Richard Jefferson? Will KG and the Celtics win in Boston? Will this be LeBron’s year?

Post from: EveryJoe

Who Will Win the NBA Championship?

Some NBA analysts speculate about New York, arguing that James belongs in a big city where he can take advantage of off-court opportunities. The same could be said about Los Angeles. It would be a better fit for him for two main reasons:

1. Kobe Bryant.
2. Hollywood potential.

James could easily break into the entertainment industry while living in L.A., and he’d be teamed up with the best basketball player in the world.

LeBron James + Kobe Bryant = Trouble for the rest of the NBA.

When you weigh in those two factors, New York doesn’t seem so appealing anymore.

The only issue that could possibly arise is money. Do the Los Angeles Lakers have enough extra capital to sign James? Interestingly enough, we found on on Monday that Jordan Farmar and Adam Morrison weren’t given contract extentions. That’s a few million dollars in the bank right there.

Could the Lakers be clearing their roster for a new arrival? Think about it.

Image: Zuma Press

Post from: EveryJoe

LeBron And Kobe On The Same Team?

It’s no secret that Farmar has had a more successful NBA career than Morrison. Known as a three-point shooter and for his ability to get a rise out of opponents, Farmar wants to have more than just a supporting role on the court. He currently makes $1.9 million, and stands to make a lot more with another NBA team. While Farmar may not have the clout or talent that other free agent point guards might have, he’d be a decent addition to any roster.

Adam Morrison was the third pick in the 2006 NBA Draft but hasn't lived up to expectations.

As for Adam Morrison, there’s isn’t much else to say except — what the heck happened?? In 2006, Morrison was considered one of the best college basketball players in the country, along side J.J. Redick. He was selected third overall in the 2006 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Bobcats. But he never could quite live up to the hype of his college career.  Now, he’s considered one of the top ten biggest draft duds of all time.

Personally, I feel that Morrison can still have a solid NBA career. He has often said that he wasn’t prepared for all the attention and hated being in the spotlight. While his defense is lackluster,  he can still shoot the lights out.  With the right team, the right coach, and the right system in place, I think he can find the motivation he needs in order to be successful.

Image: Zuma Press

Post from: EveryJoe

Farmar And Morrison To Become Free Agents

5. San Antonio Spurs
In their first game of the season, the Spurs looked dominant against the Hornets. They tripped up in their second game but San Antonio should be good this season.

4. Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets won both of their games in impressive fashion. First they beat the Jazz at home and then went on the road and defeated the Blazers. The Nuggets look like they are for real.

3. Orlando Magic
After going undefeated in the preseason, the Magic extended their good play by winning the first game of the 2009-10 NBA season. Orlando has a real chance to win more than 60 games this season.

2. Boston Celtics
The season couldn’t have started much better for Boston. After going on the road to beat the Cavs, the Celtics then obliterated the Bobcats.

1. Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers got their championship rings from their work last year and then won their season opener. That’s enough to keep the Lakers on top of the heap.

Kobe Bryant and the Lakers are still the best of the best (Image: Zuma Press)

Post from: EveryJoe

NBA Power Rankings – October Edition