Davis Sports Deli's
NBA Power Rankings

By: Paul Topchyan

 

NBA Power Rankings - January 15, 2008

Davis Sports Deli NBA Power Rankings are compiled on a weekly basis by staff writer Paul Topchyan. These rankings are based on the cumulative performance of each of the 30 teams in the league.

Thanks to a recent slide, the Celtics have been relegated to second place while the Spurs reign supreme at the top of the league. Coming in third, for now, is the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers may not be there long, however. Andrew Bynum, their best low post player, will be lost for eight weeks due to injury. Looking to jump ahead of the Lakers are the Detroit Pistons (#4) and the Phoenix Suns (#5). The dark horse here is the Portland Trailblazers, who continue to blaze through the league thanks to strong play from young stars Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge.

 

1. San Antonio Spurs (25-11)
Spurs are flying under the radar this season. Everybody is on the Celtics bandwagon but, in my opinion, the Spurs can beat anyone in a seven game series.

2. Boston Celtics (30-6)
Ok, maybe the Celtics ARE human. They have lost three of the last four games.

3. Los Angeles Lakers (26-11)
With Andrew Bynum out for a few months, Kobe will have to go back to his old self.

4. Detroit Pistons (28-10)
The Pistons sometimes look so good and other times so bad. For example, the recent dismal 24-point loss to the NY Knicks.

5. Phoenix Suns (26-11)
The Suns took a huge blow when Grant Hill had to leave the team thanks to appendicitis and will be out for a few weeks.

6. Portland Trailblazers (23-14)
No question about it, the Blazers are the hottest team in the NBA right now. They are winners of 18 of 20.

7. Dallas Mavericks (26-12)
These Mavs are too soft. They need to trade Jason Terry and Jerry Stackhouse for a big man. Maybe the one down there in Miami.

8. New Orleans Hornets (25-12)
The Hornets have one of the most versatile offenses in the NBA. If they can just improve on defense they can be an elite team.

9. Denver Nuggets (22-14)
Carmelo and AI are the Number 1 scoring duo in the NBA.

10. Orlando Magic (23-16)
The Magic have been medicore since the hot early start. Rashard Lewis has to step up his game in order for this team to contend with Boston and Detroit.

11. Golden State Warriors (22-16)
Showing the whole world that last year's first round success was no fluke.

12. Utah Jazz (22-17)
The Jazz have won four straight games. They are starting to pick it up after a slow start to the season. Mehmet Okur is one of the key reasons to the Jazz's success.

13. Houston Rockets (20-18)
The Rockets have played much better without T-Mac. I think I know why. They are going to Yao more often now.

14. Toronto Raptors (20-18)
I want to give a shout out to T.J. Ford: good luck on your recovery from the neck injury. Jose Calderon has been holding down the PG position nicely while Ford has been out.

15. Cleveland Cavaliers (19-18)
LeBron is having an MVP caliber season. Too bad the MVP award doesn't go to the guy that is having the best season.

16. Washington Wizards (20-17)
Are they better without Arenas? If Caron Butler isn't an All-Star this season, it will be a crime.

17. New Jersey Nets (18-19)
The NJ Nets are again one of the most disappointing teams in the NBA. They will never win with the combo of Carter, Kidd and Jefferson. They need to blow up the roster and start over.

18. Atlanta Hawks (17-17)
A great core of young players. A playoff appearance would be so good for these guys.

19. Charlotte Bobcats (14-23)
Very much like the Hawks, but there is no playoff chance for them this season.

20. Indiana Pacers (17-22)
I wouldn't be surprised if Jermaine O'Neal gets traded before the trade deadline. He just doesn't seem to be playing with any heart.

21. Chicago Bulls (14-22)
Outspoken rookie Joakim Noah was suspended for two games by the Bulls for yelling at an assistant coach after a recent loss.

22. Sacramento Kings (15-21)
This might be a little too high for the Kings. But with Kevin Martin returning, they will get a huge scoring boost.

23.Milwaukee Bucks (15-23)
The Bucks have been very inconsistent this season. They should really think about trading Charlie Bell. That reminds me: what has happened to Charlie Villanueva? He had a great rookie season and nothing after.

24. Philadelphia 76ers (14-24)
They have lost seven straight games.

25. Los Angeles Clippers (10-23)
The Clippers may have had a tough stretch where they've lost four straight close games.

26. New York Knicks (11-26)
One of the only bright spots for the Knicks this season is that they beat the Pistons by 24 points.

27. Memphis Grizzlies (10-28)
Just trade Pau Gasol already!!! He ISN'T a franchise player or a happy player.

28. Seattle Supersonics (9-28)
They have lost seven games in a row. Kevin Durant is shooting 39.9% from the field for the season.

29. Minnesota Timberwolves (5-32)
How much better would the Wolves have been if they had kept Kevin Garnett instead of all the pieces they added? Well, Al Jefferson is having a better stat year than Garnett in my opinion.

30. Miami Heat (8-28)
10 straight losses for Miami. How much more can this Heat team fall after winning the title two years ago?