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December Power Rankings - by
Miami--The Bottom Five--30.
Indiana Pacers (-2) [2-20]
Earlier this season the Pacers GM said he was confident his team could make the playoffs and almost gave up their 1st round pick, but with this horrible start the Pacers sit at the bottom of the league. The roster has young promise but just can't get it together so far.
29.
Philadelphia 76ers (+1) [6-19]
The Sixers gain a spot not because they have improved, but merely because the Pacers have severely fallen. With the departure of Michael Redd the Sixers are looking to tank to get a good 1st round pick and make a push in the offseason to make a run next year. Expect to see them huddling around the bottom 3 for the rest of the year.
28.
Houston Rockets (+1) [6-17]
The Rockets are in the progress of acquiring young, up and coming center Andres Biedrins to go a long with OJ Mayo, Kevin Love, and Marvin Williams. Biedrins tough style of play will hopefully inspire these young Rockets to pick up their game and make a late push. Biedrins will suit the Rockets well.
27.
Portland Trailblazers (-19) [8-16]
The Trailblazers started off the season hot, but fell off the map quickly. Since the last Power Rankings were done over a month ago the Blazers have gone 4-15. Recently they traded away Andres Biedrins for Al Thornton, decreasing their size, strength, and talent for potential. With Peja's horrid contract on the books for more years to come things are not looking up for this troubled franchise.
26.
Los Angeles Lakers (0) [7-18]
The Lakers have been quiet this season not having made one move thus far. The young lineup still has potential, but how long can the fans accustomed to winning take this pounding? Will they wait forever for these guys to turn things around or will the boos grow louder? Perhaps its time for change in Los Angeles.
--Stuck in Transition--25.
Memphis Grizzlies (-6) [8-15]
The Grizzlies made a move to solve their point guard dilemma, acquiring all-star Jason Kidd for Vince Carter. Kidd has helped spread the ball for the Grizzlies, and with Jason Terry, Stephen Jackson, and Nene helping out, the Grizzlies have the pieces to make a push for the playoffs. Unfortunately for the Grizzlies they haven't quite been playing to their potential and the Grizz sit 5 games out of 8th place in the West.
24.
Milwaukee Bucks (-3) [6-18]
The Bucks have a solid core. Greg Oden, Yi Jianlian, Eric Gordon, and Mo Williams lead this young Bucks roster. However they haven't been able to keep up with the deep Eastern Conference and find themselves 5.5 games out of 8th place. The Bucks have the pieces to make some trades if they wish to make a run, and have the potential to become a serious threat in the years to come.
23.
Sacramento Kings (+2) [6-19]
The Kings made a bold move when they acquired Kobe Bryant. It has worked out fairly well as the Kings are starting to win more games, including wins over Dallas, LAC, San Antonio, and New Orleans - all playoff teams. With Monta Ellis and Michael Beasley teaming up with Bryant, Sacramento is looking okay. Unfortunately, they also parted with their 1st round pick in that deal for Bryant.
22.
Boston Celtics (-10) [12-13]
The Celtics started the season riding high waves of hope. They made a trade earlier in the season to strengthen their front court; however, it has back fired horribly. The Celtics are under the .250 mark for the month of December and are losing ground fast. For some reason the talent isn't meshing in Boston, and unless something is done soon they may find themselves missing the playoffs.
21.
Washington Wizards (-4) [10-14]
Washington is stuck in perhaps the toughest division in the league, and simply lacks the talent to keep up. Gilbert Arenas, Al Horford, and Richard Jefferson form a nice trio but haven't been able to lift the Wiz out of the slumps. Currently the Wizards sit 1.5 games out of the 8th spot in the East, and might need to make some more moves if they want to make a legitimate playoff push.
--The Muddled Middle--20.
Denver Nuggets (-16) [10-15]
The Nuggets are another case of a team that started out hot but has hit a slump. Since the last power rankings the Nuggets have gone 4-14 and things aren't looking any better. Tyson Chandler, Carmelo Anthony, and Baron Davis are all talented players, but apparently are bumping heads in the locker room leading to losses on the floor.
19.
Cleveland Cavaliers (+3) [11-12]
The Cavaliers needed frontcourt help and got it by trading Richard Jefferson for Al Harrington. Although Cleveland has picked it up since last month, LeBron still doesn't have the help he needs, and the Cavs sit tied for the 8th spot in the playoffs with the falling Celtics.
18.
Miami Heat (-11) [12-14]
The Heat have sunk after acquiring Rajon Rondo and Josh Smith. Currently on a 7-12 slide, the Heat have fallen out of the playoff race and sit in 10th spot. Although Miami has a more talented line-up than the beginning of the season it has yet to deliver consistent results.
17.
New York (+7) [10-13]
Since Yao Ming has joined the Knicks they have enjoyed a winning record and are slowly climbing their way up the Eastern Conference standings. It is rumored that NY is looking to cash in more of its youth for veterans to make a bigger push for the playoffs.
16.
Golden State Warriors (-10) [14-11]
The Warriors started off hot but have cooled since. They remain fighting for the last few playoff spots, and are currently seeded 8th with Utah breathing down their back. The Warriors have a solid lineup and, with a few tweaks, could become a very strong team in the west.
15.
Utah Jazz (+5) [13-12]
The Jazz just keep getting better. Earlier this season they acquired Pau Gasol and just recently they got guard Michael Redd to go along with Elton Brand and Dwyane Wade. Utah has a deep and scary lineup that, once the chemistry starts to set in, should become a solid favorite for the title.
14.
Orlando Magic (-3) [12-10]
The Magic have been huddling around the .500 mark all season. Everyone is just waiting for these guys to break out and go on a tear. Orlando certainly has the pieces with Paul Pierce, Randy Foye, and Dwight Howard, but like nearly every other decently talented team in this league, they can't quite get their act together yet.
13.
Toronto Raptors (+3) [14-11]
Following the Chris Bosh trade the Raptors suffered slightly while Brandon Roy took his time adjusting to his new home. After a few games, though, Roy caught fire and since then the Raptors have been hot. Although Curry and Haslem have been performing well in Toronto, the Raptors still lack a serious inside threat to make a run deep into the playoffs.
12.
San Antonio Spurs (-3) [14-10]
San Antonio is sitting quietly in the 6th playoff spot slowly getting rolling now that TD has been healthy. Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan lead this veteran lineup determined to make another run before their time is up. In my opinion they need one more solid star before they can be considered a serious contender though.
11.
Dallas Mavericks (+6) [14-11]
In all honesty the Spurs and Mavericks are nearly identical. These two spots could easily be interchangeable. O'Neal/Duncan. McGrady/Ginobili. Felton/Miller, etc. I put the Mavs slightly ahead of the Spurs just because they have been winning more games since the last power rankings. Like the Spurs, the Mavs are one star short of being title worthy.
--The Pretenders--10.
Los Angeles Clippers (+4) [15-9]
Iverson has had a hot hand while leading the Clippers through the West standings. Paired with Rashard Lewis, LAC has made it clear that they should be taken as a legitimate team. However, they do not have enough fire power right now to be considered one of the West's elite. Furthermore, no team has been successful with AI manning the point.
9.
Oklahoma City Thunder (+6) [15-9]
Oklahoma City is another team that started off slow but has since gotten into a rhythm. LaMarcus Aldridge and Andrew Bogut form one of the more complete frontcourts in the league and Shawn Marion is still a top player in the league. The team has a lot of potential in the years to come, and could make a splash in the playoffs right now.
8.
New Jersey Nets (-7) [19-5]
The Nets shouldn't even be this high, but they find ways to keep winning games. GM Josh Barber demolished his star studded lineup in favor of youth and potential, essentially starting a rebuilding age in New Jersey. Apparently his players didn't get the message because the Nets, lead by Andrea Bargnani and Kevin Durant, continue to win games.
7.
Chicago Bulls (+16) [15-10]
Chris Paul, Andre Iguodala, Mehmet Okur lead this deep Bulls roster poised to make a deep push into the playoffs. The Bulls GM is now back from a long vacation and is looking to make some moves to further benefit his team and make them a serious contender.
6.
Minnesota Timberwolves (+21) [14-8]
The Timberwolves are the hottest team in the league right now, and made the biggest jump in the power rankings, catapulting from 27th to 6th. Amare Stoudemire has been stellar while Steve Nash, Corey Maggette, and Antwan Jamison have picked up their game to bring the T'wolves on the brink of breaking out into a serious contending team. They now sit atop their division only 3 games out of 1st overall in the west.
--The Contenders--5.
New Orleans Hornets (+4) [16-7]
New Orleans has a very solid starting lineup and also a very small lineup. The small ball has worked out decently for the Hornets so far though, with Prince, Randolph, and Artest leading the way. Will the Hornets have enough and be able to keep playing small against Phoenix's Dirk and KG though? In my opinion they need to add size if they want to go far in the playoffs.
4.
Detroit Pistons (+9) [15-8]
The Pistons acquired Kenyon Martin from the Nets not too long ago and have been gaining momentum since. It allowed for Gerald Wallace to move back to his natural position of SF and deepened their lineup. As long as they can stay healthy, the Pistons have a shot to go far into the playoffs and make some noise.
3.
Phoenix Suns (0) [18-6]
Dirk Nowitzki, Kevin Garnett...these two players are carrying the Suns on their backs right now. Two superstar big men are plenty to lead a team far into the playoffs, but they may want to look into trying to get a new PG as the young, inexperienced Mike Conley is having trouble leading this veteran team at times.
2.
Charlotte Bobcats (0) [20-6]
Nothing has changed much in Cha-town, and thats a good thing. Kirlienko and JO continue to lead these Cats in their wins and atop the Eastern Conference. They hit a minor slump recently, but its nothing to worry about. These Bobcats are for real and are a serious title contending team.
1.
Atlanta Hawks (+4) [19-5]
All the pieces are falling together for the Hawks. The new GM hasn't had to make any moves so far to already have a team ready to win the title. Andrew Bynum, Danny Granger, and Al Jefferson form one of the toughest front courts in the leagues. Their weakest position may very well be their PG, Jose Calderon, which goes to speak just how strong their team is.
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