This edition of the RealGM Team Rankings will speak to this past week’s deadline deals that were made and that weren’t made. We have a new fiery-hot team at the top of the list and an old familiar face breaking its way back into the top 5. The biggest rise in the rankings this week goes to the money-pick again for this year’s champion, the San Antonio Spurs (up from No. 8 to No. 3) while the biggest drop belongs to the sagging Atlanta Hawks (No. 19 to No. 13).
The format is simple. The rankings reflect each team’s current ranking, along with their ranking from the last week (LW), and their current win-loss record.
1. (2) Los Angeles Lakers 39-17
The Lakers have been absurdly hot since the Pau Gasol trade. Imagine how sick they are going to be when Andrew Bynum returns.
2. (1) Detroit Pistons 41-15
Detroit made minor tweaks at the deadline and virtually swapped Juan Dixon for Flip Murray and added beef to the front line with Dale Davis.
3. (8) San Antonio Spurs 38-17
The Spurs stormed their way back to the top of the West with a 6-game winning streak and 10 wins in their past 11. The Kurt Thomas and Damon Stoudamire pickups were at no cost and will pay huge dividends in the playoffs.
4. (3) Utah Jazz 36-20
As much as you've heard about the Jazz turnaround after the acquisition of Kyle Korver (20-4 since), he may very well challenge Gasol as the top addition of the season.
5. (4) New Orleans Hornets 37-18
A 3-game losing streak gives the Hornets their first bump in the road since the start of the year. Mike James and Bonzi Wells should step in to provide some scoring and pop off the bench.
- Click 'Read' to see where the other 25 teams are ranked.
Via Jason M. Williams/RealGM
Los Angeles Lakers, Detroit Pistons
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Feb 26, 2008 12:07 PM EST
There still is no timetable for Andrew Bynum's return, but he could return later in March.
"There's no pressure on me to come back," Bynum told the Press Enterprise. "I definitely want to get back 100 percent. That's what I plan to do, however long it takes. I still that I could make the eight-week deadline, but I'm not going to force it."
Via Press-Enterprise
Los Angeles Lakers
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Kobe Bryant and the Lakers defeated the Clippers 113-95 to win their seventh straight game.
After the game, RealGM's Graham Flashner asked Bryant if he could have ever envisioned the Lakers being where they were at this point in time, and he shook his head.
“I think they had me buying [Michael Jordan’s] house in Chicago,” Bryant said, only half-jokingly.
Turning serious, Bryant said, “It worked out for the best. I didn’t want to leave here. Circumstances being what they were, it was very difficult to see myself still being here, but I’m very thankful that it did work out. Everything happens for a reason.”
Via Graham Flashner/RealGM
Los Angeles Lakers
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Lakers Feb 2008 Archive
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ESPN | Feb 25, 2008
Kobe Bryant was ejected from the Lakers' game against the Sonics after picking up two technical fouls for arguing with referee Brian Forte in the third quarter, the Associated Press is reporting.
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Salt Lake Tribune | Feb 23, 2008
Kobe Bryant thinks that Jazz point guard Deron Williams should have made the Western Conference All-Star team this season, according to the Salt Lake Tribune.
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Andrew Perna/RealGM | Feb 21, 2008
Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers held off Shaquille O’Neal and the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night as the two former teammates met for the first time as Western Conference rivals.
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Press Release | Feb 20, 2008
The Los Angeles Lakers have recalled guard Coby Karl from the Los Angeles D-Fenders of the NBA Development League, it was announced today.
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RealGM Staff Report | Feb 20, 2008
We received a cool phone call today from the guys at LiveVideo.
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ESPN | Feb 19, 2008
Shaquille O'Neal will make his debut for the Phoenix Suns against the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night, according to the Associated Press.
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Los Angeles Times | Feb 16, 2008
The NBA denied a request by the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday, insisting that Kobe Bryant participate in this Sunday night's All-Star Game in New Orleans, according to the Los Angeles Times.
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ESPN | Feb 15, 2008
Lakers' center Chris Mihm underwent surgery on Wednesday to remove a screw from his right heel, according to the Associated Press.
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ESPN | Feb 15, 2008
The Los Angeles Lakers are hoping that the NBA will let Kobe Bryant skip this weekend's All-Star game to rest his injured pinkie finger, according to the Associated Press.
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L.A. Times | Feb 15, 2008
According to the L.
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Press Release | Feb 15, 2008
Even though Kobe Bryant has been replaced by Dirk Nowitzki in the three point shootout, he will play in the main game.
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RealGM Staff Report | Feb 14, 2008
The Los Angeles Lakers announced today they have re-assigned rookie Coby Karl to their NBA Development League affiliate Los Angeles D-Fenders.
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Sports Illustrated | Feb 14, 2008
Kobe Bryant may be the next NBA star to step down from the All-Star game, according to a report by the Associated Press.
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Los Angeles Times | Feb 12, 2008
Lakers' center Chris Mihm will have surgery on his right heel and remain on the shelf for four to six weeks, according to the Los Angeles Times.
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NBA.com | Feb 11, 2008
The Los Angeles Lakers have signed free agent center DJ Mbenga for the remainder of the season, according to NBA.
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Arizona Republic | Feb 11, 2008
Shawn Marion had 15 points and 14 rebounds on debut for the Miami Heat who dropped the game 104-94 to the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday.
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Philadelphia Inquirer | Feb 11, 2008
Mavericks' owner Mark Cuban is not about to make a panic trade to try to match the big moves made by both the L.
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Sports Illustrated | Feb 9, 2008
"What they did in Memphis is beyond comprehension," said Spurs' coach Gregg Popovich.
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Los Angeles Times | Feb 6, 2008
Kobe Bryant was very happy with the first performance of Pau Gasol in a Lakers' uniform.
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Press Release | Feb 6, 2008
The Toronto Raptors’ Jason Kapono will defend his title in this year’s Foot Locker Three-Point Shootout, which will be held on Saturday, Feb.
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Andrew Perna/RealGM | Feb 6, 2008
Pau Gasol enjoyed a nice debut with the Los Angeles Lakers in the team’s win over the New Jersey Nets on Tuesday night.
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USA Today | Feb 6, 2008
Thank god for Pau.
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Los Angeles Times | Feb 5, 2008
Newly acquired forward Pau Gasol is expected to start for the Lakers when they take on the New Jersey Nets on Tuesday night, according to the Los Angeles Times.
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Los Angeles Times | Feb 4, 2008
Kobe Bryant's mood and optimism about the Los Angeles Lakers has changed dramatically.
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Daily Herald | Feb 4, 2008
According to a report in the Daily Herald, the Lakers were considering an offer for Chicago's Ben Wallace that would have send Kwame Brown and Vladimir Radmanovic to the Bulls.
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Chicago Tribune | Feb 4, 2008
According to Memphis Grizzlies' owner Michael Heisley, the reason why Pau Gasol is a member of the Los Angeles Lakers today and not the Chicago Bulls is because the Bulls refused to go over the luxury tax, the Chicago Tribune is reporting.
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Andrew Perna/RealGM | Feb 3, 2008
Laker fans must wait another game before they can see Pau Gasol team up with Kobe, but that didn't stop #24 from putting on a show in RealGM's February 3 game breakdown.
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USA Today | Feb 3, 2008
Laker fans need to wait one more game before Pau Gasol makes his debut.
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Commercial Appeal | Feb 3, 2008
Just days after being traded from the Memphis Grizzles, where he has spent his entire NBA career, to the Los Angeles Lakers, Pau Gasol still doesn't know what happened.
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Los Angeles Times | Feb 2, 2008
Lakers' forward Lamar Odom was originally discussed in trade talks between Los Angeles and Memphis earlier this week, according to the Los Angeles Times.
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Press Release | Feb 2, 2008
The Los Angeles Lakers have signed free agent center Didier “DJ” Ilunga-Mbenga to a second 10-day contract, announced today by General Manager Mitch Kupchak.
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Memphis Commerical Appeal | Feb 1, 2008
The Commercial Appeal has learned that the Grizzlies have traded Pau Gasol to the Los Angeles Lakers for center Kwame Brown, rookie guard Javaris Crittenton and first-round draft picks in 2008 and 2010.
