Davis Sports Deli's
NBA Power Rankings

By: Paul Topchyan

 

NBA Power Rankings - December 3, 2007

Each week, Davis Sports Deli writer Paul Topchyan takes out his measuring tape, protractor and graphing calculator and calculates the best teams in the NBA. Then he calculates the worst teams in the NBA. When he's done with that, he fills in all the other teams in the middle and calls it a day. The result is the Davis Sports Deli NBA Power Rankings. Teams are listed 1-30 with explanations that follow each selection. Records and stats are current as of December 2, 2007.

1. San Antonio Spurs (14-3) - Boring or not, there is no question about it, this is the best team in the NBA.
2. Boston Celtics (13-2) - As long as the Big 3 can stay unselfish and play team ball, no team in the East can compete.
3. Phoenix Suns (12-4) - Grant Hill's addition helps them a lot, especially when Nash is out of the game.
4. Orlando Magic (14-4) - Dwight Howard has become one of the most dominant centers in the NBA at age 21. Scary, huh?
5. Dallas Mavericks (11-6) - If the Mavs don't get tougher mentally, another season will end in disappointment.
6. Utah Jazz (12-5) - Don't Boozer and Williams remind you of Stockton and Malone?
7. Detroit Pistons (10-5) - The window is slowly closing for the Pistons to win another championship.
8. New Orleans Hornets (12-6) - The Hornets are 8-2 on the road, the best road record in the Western Conference.
9. Houston Rockets (9-9) - T-Mac and Yao need another prolific scorer in order to be a contender. How bout Steve Francis?
10. Golden State Warriors (8-7) - Once again GS is clicking on all cylinders, Warriors have won 5 straight.
11. Los Angeles Lakers (9-7) - Once again my Lakers are mediocre. Don' be surprised if Kobe asks for a trade again.
12. Denver Nuggets (9-8) - When Sasha Vujacic scores a career high 22 against your D, you know something is wrong.
13. Cleveland Cavaliers (9-8) - The Cavs are lost without LeBron. They have dropped their last two games.
14. New Jersey Nets (8-8) - The Nets are 0-5 without Vince Carter in the line-up this season.
15. Toronto Raptors (9-8) - Bosh's numbers are all down from last year (pts, reb, FGA, FG%).
16. Los Angeles Clippers (6-8) - Kaman is having a career year across the board, but injuries are getting to this team.
17. Washington Wizards (8-9) - The loss of Arenas has made Butler and Jamison look like superstars.
18. Indiana Pacers (8-9) - Surprising stat: 3-8 with Jermaine O'Neal and 5-1 without him.
19. Milwaukee Bucks (7-8) - After 2 impressive wins against LAL and Mavs, Bucks have dropped four straight.
20. Atlanta Hawks (6-9) - Impressive rookie Al Horford is averaging 10+ rpg. Hawks should push for a playoff spot.
21. Charlotte Bobcats (6-9) - Similar position as the Hawks, great young talent but not many experienced players.
22. Miami Heat (4-11) - Let's see if Flash can rescue the Heat once again.
23. Memphis Grizzlies (6-10) - Spectacular rookie Mike Conley, Jr. has played just five games.
24. New York Knicks (5-10) - Have won 3 of 4 games, surprisingly (despite losing by 45 to the Celtics).
25. Chicago Bulls (4-10) - The Kobe trade talks have brainwashed Chicago's players.
26. Sacramento Kings (6-10) - Great perimeter players, but no inside presence.
27. Portland Trailblazers (5-11) - Blazer fans should be very excited about the future (Roy, Aldridge and Oden).
28. Philadelphia 76ers (5-11) - The New A.I. (Andre Iguodala) can do it all, but his team is one of the worst in the East.
29. Seattle Supersonics (3-14) - Nobody expects much from the Sonics. This year is about developing their young talent.
30. Minnesota Timberwolves (2-13) - Al Jefferson is averaging 20+ pts and 10+ reb; it's the one bright spot for Minnesota.